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I too found that bit about how a 10-minute turn is now impossible to be pretty interesting. Which struggling airlines would now fail due to the (presumed) regu
by wtbob 11y ago
I too found that bit about how a 10-minute turn is now impossible to be pretty interesting. Which struggling airlines would now fail due to the (presumed) regulations which prevent a 10-minute turn? Which enterprises have failed in general due to those regulations? Has the cost in destroyed capital been made up for in lives and property saved?
I'm curious, because, 'don't move around while the plane is moving' sounds like a sensible regulation, but a world without Southwest Airlines would be worse. When is the benefit worth the cost?
- bbanyc 11y agoIt's not the specific "10-minute turn" that's the key, it's having a faster turn than the competition. The regulations affect everyone equally, and if Southwest has a 25-minute turn while other airlines can only manage a 35-minute turn that's still a win. Also keep in mind that some airline regulations were much more strict in the 1970s - all routes and fares had to be approved in advance by the Civil Aeronautics Board and competition on price was nonexistent. Southwest was exempt from these regulations because they only operated within Texas.