Forgive me as I searched and didn't really see anything on this...I know the hearings begin today and IMO, I can't believe this is still around... Wright is Wrong What is the Wright Amendment? In 1979, Congress passed the federal law commonly referred to as the " Wright Amendment ", which restricts travel into and out of Dallas Love Field for commercial flights with more than 56 seats. This federal law makes it illegal to fly from Love Field to points beyond the four states surrounding Texas. The Wright Amendment also contains marketing restrictions, prohibiting Southwest Airlines from offering or advertising the availability of any connecting flights between Love Field and any city outside the Wright Amendment "service area." In 1997, Congress passed the Shelby Amendment, which added Alabama, Kansas, and Mississippi to the Wright Amendment service area. Senate Hearing Scheduled for November 10, 2005 Regarding the Wright Amendment On November 10, 2005 at 10:00am, the United States Senate's Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee's Subcommittee on Aviation will conduct a hearing in Washington D.C. to discuss the future of the Wright Amendment on. A finalized list of witnesses has not yet been released. Southwest Airlines' Chairman of the Board, and cofounder Herb Kelleher, and Senator Kit Bond (R-MO) are expected to testify in support of repealing the antiquated law. Representatives from American Airlines and DFW Airport are expected to present opposing views. A live web cast of the hearing will be available through the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee's web site. SetLoveFree.com will keep you posted as new information becomes available. From a personal perspective, for me to travel to Vegas from Love Field, I can't fly direct. I also have to pay the extra fees associated for not flying non-stop at the respective airports. I have to depart to my connection greater than 45 minutes, not a minute sooner. Lastly, if I am checking bags, I have to get them and re-check at my connection. Total BS... I don't buy how DFW and American Airlines can honestly say this won't help the consumers...Competition always does and IMO, the only reason they don't want the Wright Amenedment appealed is so they can continue their monopoly, at consumers expense... let me know your opinion...
What I find amusing is the 'citizens' group against allowing Southwest to fly more out of Love Field. They are complaining about the increase in noise and traffic. Guess who composes that group - yep the down and out crowd from Highland Park. I figure they can drop a little extra cash on soundproofing for their $10 million homes so the rest of Dallas can get normal Southwest service.
Southwest should bite the bullet and build high speed trains connecting Love Field with Houston Hobby and Austin Bergstrom. From there, Southwest passengers could fly wherever they want to. Also, it would ease traffic on I-35 and I-45. Southwest would in effect be double dipping as they can charge people train fare as well as air fare. It would be truly ironic if SW did implement my suggestion. They're one of the ones who fought so hard to stop the high speed trains trans-Texas in the first place
SW is a low-fare budget airline. They will not spend billions to build trains to ferry people around Texas when they already offer a more convenient and cheaper solution.
Although speaking from a Houston perspective, it really helps us out. They probably wouldn't have put in the time and money to upgrade hobby if they couldve fully utilized love field. Over the years more and more operations got shifted to hobby and consequently we can access a lot more cities via Southwest because of this ridiclous rule.
AA/DFW has been lobbying for years...I can't understand how this is any different than Houston...Hobby and Bush co-exist and its better for us that way... My understanding is that DFW did this huge investment, which is fine, and it was their decision to do so, but how would SWA affect DFW that dramatically...All that means is that AA needs to be more competitive, period...
American has been under this covering for 25+ years. Why do they still need this? They are the largest airline in the world and they still need this amendment? They have lost money left and right for years, but it's not because of the amendment. They have crap management who don't know how to handle the business and to keep a good rapport w/ the employees. Southwest has been on the wrong end all this time, but they've still profited for over 30+ years. There is no need for this to continue. Soon, AA is going to lose this battle and they're going to struggle appealing for years. Southwest will finally breathe.
I'm glad someone else remembers SWA torpedoing the bullet train. An example of what is good for a company being bad for society.
