Participates In This Week's Hearing Before The Senate Commerce
Committee
While it may come as no
surprise, the Southwest Airlines Pilots' Association (SWAPA) tells
ANN that they 'wholeheartedly support the efforts of Southwest
Airlines to repeal the Wright Amendment.'
"Today, we're looking to Congress to free the leg irons that the
Wright Amendment put on Love Field and the traveling public almost
three decades ago," said Captain Joseph (Ike) Eichelkraut in
written testimony in to the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and
Transportation Committee.
"It is a perfect irony that the bill [former] House Speaker Jim
Wright (D-TX - Ft. Worth) used as a vehicle for his amendment was
the landmark airline deregulation bill. Today, we are simply asking
Congress to complete a critical piece of deregulation that unfairly
impacts Southwest Airlines with one of the most anti-competitive
pieces of legislation ever to have been passed by either
chamber."
This Congressional
restriction placed upon providers of scheduled airline service
years ago at Dallas' Love Field has long since outlived any
usefulness or necessity, if indeed it served any purpose other than
to restrict the growth of an emerging competitor, Southwest
Airlines.
"Southwest Airlines has far exceeded expectations for growth
despite the restrictions as a result of a cost-effective approach
to operations and consistent professionalism from our 4,800 pilots
nationwide," said Eichelkraut. "At a time when competition on the
open market is promoted as a way to drive down costs for consumers,
the Wright Amendment restrictions put Southwest Airlines into the
market with one hand tied behind our back."
"SWAPA welcomes the upcoming hearing in the Senate," Eichelkraut
said.
"We are confident that Southwest Airlines Founder Herb Kelleher
can explain in clear, cogent language why the Wright Amendment is
wrong. We are confident, as well, that once the Senate and the
American people understand the Wright Amendment, its history and
its adverse effect on air travel and air fares in North Texas,
they will support its repeal."
"We find certain reactionary comments about the recent Southwest
Airlines petition drive to be regrettable," Eichelkraut said.
"Rhetoric such as 'cheap publicity stunt' and 'prime example of
selfish opportunism' does not raise the level of discourse. The
traveling public is better served when presented with fact, not
emotion."
Eichelkraut said members of SWAPA, the union for Southwest
Airlines' pilots, are looking forward to a chance to make
constructive, factual discussion available for Senators on the
Committee.
"At the end of the day SWAPA is simply asking Congress to
guarantee consumers a reasonable choice by re-establishing fair
competition through repeal of the Wright Amendment."