Strange Things Are Happening

Well, it has happened and it will happen. What has happened is that Southwest’s (SWA) buyout of AirTran closed last week. What will happen is that SWA will eventually be operating in/out of Atlanta (ATL). Everybody seems to be wondering how SWA will fit into the ATL hub.  A better question might be how SWA will change ATL. Forget about the fact that SWA is known as a “discount†airline. What with rising fuel prices and other factors, the discount is no longer the major factor it was in previous decades. What is a factor—and a major factor at that—is that SWA treats people as if they appreciate them. SWA comes closer than any other airline I know to making airline travel fun again. (I understand that some airlines which I have never flown—JetBlue, for one—also treat pax with respect, and I’m glad to hear it.) My Boston-based son swears by JetBlue. I talked to a woman today who travels out of ATL for business. She said that Delta no longer knows how to treat people like customers. I told her that situation may change in the near future. If  SWA gets all airlines in ATL treating people like customers—as if they appreciate their business—it might be the biggest single change in ATL history. I’m looking forward to it. Let the good times roll! We’d love to post your comments. Please click the comment tab at the top.