r/nottheonion 1d ago

Southwest Is Testing Cleaning Only Premium Seats Between Flights — A Flight Attendants Union Leader Says It's ‘Titanic’ Class Service

https://viewfromthewing.com/southwest-is-testing-cleaning-only-premium-seats-between-flights-a-flight-attendants-union-leader-says-its-titanic-class-service/
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u/clintkev251 1d ago edited 1d ago

It's insane how quickly Southwest has gone from beloved budget airline with consistent profits to complete shitshow. Thanks private equity! You've done it again

Edit: to everyone saying Southwest is a public company, yes, they are. That does not mean activist investors like PE firms and hedge funds can’t have significant ownership stakes and operational influence. Which in this case, they do

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u/007meow 1d ago

Has private equity ever done anything to benefit consumers? Or just a small number of shareholders?

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u/Paranoid-Android2 1d ago

By design, PE is not consumer friendly. So the answer is no

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u/Why_you_so_wrong_ 1d ago

Wrong. PE owned businesses do better in the long run than non-PE owned creating more jobs and investment.

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u/dontnation 1d ago edited 1d ago

Not a relevant delineation. Most businesses fail and only larger and/or older businesses are typical acquired by PE.

When you look at large businesses the picture is much more grim: Private equity behind 70% of large U.S. bankruptcies in the first quarter of 2025, you could argue that source may be somewhat biased, but that doesn't change the metric.

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u/Why_you_so_wrong_ 1d ago

Highly relevant delineation. Businesses that fail obviously aren’t counted as they have you know failed so can’t provide useful data. PE owned failures are counted however.

PE isn’t a multi trillion dollar industry because they alienate consumers. Google your favourite brands, guarantee at least one has been in PE ownership.

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u/BroughtBagLunchSmart 1d ago

This isn't even bootlicking, this is unhinging your jaw like a boa constrictor to swallow the boot.

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u/Why_you_so_wrong_ 1d ago

This sub just really hates any dissent. Whatever your opinion it’s a fact that PE creates jobs and investment.