Southwest Airlines CAPITOL DOWNFALL?! Is District 13 Travel Cheaper Than This?

May the Odds Be Ever NOT in Their Favor

Well folks looks like even the airlines are feeling the sting of… well everything. Southwest bless their cotton socks announced they're cutting back on flights. Capacity reduction they call it. Sounds fancy doesn't it? Like something President Snow would say before announcing another Quarter Quell. The thing is everyone’s scaling back! Delta and United are doing it too. Even *they* think the economy is about as predictable as Peeta's mood swings. I guess it's a good thing Gale taught me how to trap squirrels instead of investing in airline stocks.

A Loss is a Loss. Except When You Beat Expectations?

Southwest had a loss of 13 cents per share. But they *beat* expectations! I swear sometimes I think these Capitol folks live on a different planet. Losing is still losing right? Unless you're the Career tributes then you are born to lose and you usually do... Then again maybe Prim would understand it better. She always was good with numbers and finding the silver lining in everything. Me? I'm just trying to figure out if I can still trade a couple of squirrels for a plane ticket.

Farewell Free Baggage Hello Reaping?

Here's where it gets real. Southwest is finally charging for checked bags! After all this time the folks can no longer check two bags free. It's like the Capitol deciding to ration bread after everyone's already starving. And assigned seating and basic economy tickets? Sounds like they are trying to become Panem's airline system! I can hear Effie Trinket now 'Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds of finding overhead bin space be *ever* in your favor!'

The Hedge Fund Games: Let the Revenue Raise Begin!

Turns out some fancy hedge fund called Elliott Investment Management has a piece of the action and is pressuring Southwest to make more money. So they're adding premium seats airport lounges (those sound like Capitol extravagance) and international networks. Honestly it sounds like they’re trying to become the airline version of District One with all their fancy luxury. I can only imagine the price of bread on those international flights much less if it's still plain old bread or some kind of multi grain or seed bread yuck.

Positive Results or Pure Desperation?

The CEO Bob Jordan says they are seeing 'positive results' from these new initiatives. I’m not entirely sure what that means. Maybe more people are willing to pay extra for a little bit of comfort? Or maybe they’re just desperate to escape their own Districts. Whatever it is I just hope it doesn't end up with more people being treated like tributes in the sky.

A Mockingjay's Final Thought

Net loss down from last year revenue up slightly. The Capitol would probably spin this into a victory parade. Me? I’m just hoping this means the price of squirrels doesn't go up too much. Because at this rate I'll be flying to District 12 on the back of a mockingjay before I pay for a checked bag on Southwest. And let's be honest the mockingjay is probably more reliable anyway.