Record companies are like the Democrats, they refuse to innovate, they refuse to embrace new strategies, they refuse to live in the now, never mind the future.

WHAT?

If you follow the Street, which most musicians do not, you will learn that the stocks of record companies are moribund. Yet Spotify is flourishing. Why? Because of innovation. Analysts and stockholders believe there’s upside with Spotify, and they don’t see the same with the labels. They believe the labels are tied to the revenue of streamers, and a lot of the innovation at Spotify is not about music, but listening…i.e. audiobooks and more.

I want you to read this story from today’s “New York Times.”

I know, I know, you hate the “Times,” but please overlook that.

“MeidasTouch Pops on Podcast Charts as Progressives Search for Answers – The company is a leader among numerous digital-first outlets that have been reshaping the progressive media landscape since President Trump took office.”

Free link: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/09/business/media/meidastouch-podcast-democrats.html?unlocked_article_code=1.3U4.khHV.kiVP2JIy3wzV&smid=url-share

Here’s the money quote:

“But perhaps no metric underscores the new attention to progressive media more than last month’s revelation that “The MeidasTouch Podcast” had usurped Joe Rogan’s show atop both Apple’s and Spotify’s rankings for downloads, a slot the show held for two weeks. (Mr. Rogan reclaimed the top spot this past week.)”

WHAT?

I know about Meidas because of my inbox, people have been telling me they listen to it.

But I had no idea they beat Rogan. This is flabbergasting.

However, the devil is in the details:

“Mr. Meiselas and his brothers, Brett and Jordy, post a dozen or more 10- to 20-minute-long news segments — nearly all featuring the search-engine-optimizing word ‘Trump’ in their title — on YouTube every day. That torrent is supplemented by other shows produced by MeidasTouch contributors.”

THEY’RE FLOODING THE ZONE!

This is exactly what made Jesse Welles successful, along with the content of course. Instead of playing the usual streaming game, coming up with a track that people will hopefully listen to on a service, he went on social media with a plethora of tracks and the end result is even though his paid streaming numbers are anemic, he can sell out venues.

You can beat the system. Of course you need to be good as well as innovative, but…in a world where there’s a tsunami of product, how do you get and keep people’s attention?

You’ve got to be in front of their eyeballs each and every day. The influencers know this, how come the musicians do not?

This is why I laugh at authors. We hear for a year that they’re writing the damn book, it sits at the publisher for half a year after that and it comes out and sells a few thousand copies. What a wank. A waste of money, time and effort when you can send an e-mail and reach many more people each and every day. Sure, you’ll end up with a physical book that you can use to impress your mother, but in terms of impact? De minimis.

“That constant stream of bite-size content gives listeners more episodes to download, helping to lift the outlet’s ranking on podcast charts. In February, MeidasTouch had 57.5 million podcast downloads, according to Podscribe, a tracker, ranking it ahead of ‘The Joe Rogan Experience’ and Candace Owens’s podcast, even though they had significantly more listeners per episode.”

There’s more than one way to skin a cat. Rogan and Owens may still have more overall listeners, but Meidas made it to the top of the chart, which generates its own benefits. Medias is working the system, like labels used to do at radio and the charts.

But as antiquated as the labels are, the artists are worse. They want to make albums and bitch at Spotify, et al, that they’re not getting paid. There is no innovation.

And, of course, distribution innovation only works if the product is worth consuming.

But if all the money is in touring, why is your focus solely on streaming?

Sure, everybody’s trying to go viral on TikTok with their track, but Meidas illustrates you need many tracks. And that your hard core fans want more and more.

BUT THIS ISN’T THE WAY WE’VE ALWAYS DONE IT!

Enough with the “Spinal Tap” response. You can do it a new way.

The record labels tried to bolster their bottom lines by stealing from artists…with percentages of touring and merch while delivering nothing in return. They sign acts and wait for them to be streamed and to get paid. The execs are as brain dead as the ones who ceded the business to Napster.

Music is competing with YouTube, TikTok, video games…and what do we get in response? Overbaked tracks made by committee that slide off the backs of most people.

You need to check out Jesse Welles, he’s new and different. You don’t need to listen to the new Lady Gaga album.

I’ll give Chappell Roan credit, there’s some innovation there. Furthermore, the bounce came from, the tsunami started, on the road, not on streaming services.

But the rest of the acts?

People are drawn to innovation.

And right now that innovation is in spheres other than music. Podcasts, TikTok… But like the Democrats, the artists and labels can’t question their beliefs, their structure, can’t look to the people and what they want and adjust in return.

People like the new and different.

You dropped an album on Friday, WHO CARES!

You can’t write a song every day?

Well, maybe if you learned how to, you’d become a star.

There’s a lot going on here, but most people’s heads are buried in the sand.

But not Meidas.

And hopefully not you.

They’ve potentially just lost so much of the touring business. Free bags has been a budget-saving godsend. And Nashville is a hub!

Lisa Arzt

___________________________________

I’m with you here.  A long time LUV customer and at one time investor, because I loved the service. But times change and unfortunately so did this business model.  They occupied a unique niche in their industry but now it finds itself attractive for a PE flip…a little lipstick on a pig (a pig that they may have made) and sell it for a quick buck.

I know Elliott Management well enough.  They buy distressed properties and turn them around for investors.  They did a great job for my old company, at least maximizing the sales price.  The buyer, employee or customer, not so much.  The business will be history soon after they sell it.

PE firms don’t hold onto investments longer than 5 years.  This is not a Warren Buffet model.  PE firms must raise funds every few years and to attract new investors they have to show the returns on the previous funds.  You optimize returns by quick flips, not by operating. Just do whatever you can to optimize a sales price, never worrying about the long-term business model.  That’s why I refuse to partner with PE firms (or buy real estate that is being flipped).  Our goals are not aligned.

Delta and UAL have had good runs over the last 18 months…LUV not so much.  So Elliott is willing to do whatever it can to improve a few extra decimal places on the sale.  Unfortunately their timing is poor.  A recession is coming…cost of capital for this capital intensive industry is high today and going higher…and it has been a crappy industry with the exception of LUV pre-pandemic.

See you on another airline.

Ed Kelly

___________________________________

I’m gutted .  . . like you, I was a disciple, testified all the time and always my first airline of choice for the past 35+ years.

Very sad day .  . .

Vickie Strate

___________________________________

Bob, you’re so right. I loved Southwest so much I even bought their stock. What they don’t understand is that they were unique among airlines, and now they’re just another airline, joining what may be the most hated industry, with their gouging and VIP/1st class wankery. I’m done too, but I’m also heartbroken. I feel like  everything interesting and unusual, from books to music to movies to airlines, is going to be bought, get the edges filed off by profiteers, and then resold at a premium, only to lose market share and die.

Bonnie Hayes

___________________________________

Totally agree and am glad to see that I’m not alone in questioning their recent decisions.

I am a Southwest loyalist, but won’t be once they change to assigned seats.

I have always liked that Southwest is Truth in Advertising. You pay for a ticket and if you want to pay a little extra you can find an aisle seat. You can check a bag for free (Why is everyone so opposed to checking their roller bags? Just buy a frickin’ Apple airtag and throw it in your bag!). They don’t have a million different tiers to boarding that slow everyone down.

Now they want to be just like the other crappy airlines.

Jack Pratt

___________________________________

Spot on. Breaks my heart. I flew only Southwest for years, flew my whole band around the country. I have only Southwest credit cards. I actively felt bad for all the poor fools traveling on the fake corporate airlines. Suckers who just didn’t get it and settled for second best. And now, thanks to typical modern American private equity bullsh*t, our beloved Southwest is just another corporate fake. It’s sickening. A betrayal, just as you described. They upped their pricing, then announced the seat change, now this? I will use up my considerable points on tickets as needed, but in the last year I found myself on Alaska, Frontier, Spirit, and this week on United. Wtf?!

Ralph Covert

___________________________________

I’m with you on this, Bob.

Private equity and “activist” (read ‘looters) investors don’t care about brands. They don’t even understand their value so they create spreadsheets that undervalue “brand equity” so they can squeeze more “value” (read ‘money’) out of the company.

We’re watching a version of collapsing brand equity right now in America – Elon Musk (including Tesla and Space X) has gone from being a big brand to a failing brand, seemingly overnight because once you pop the balloon it’s hard to get the air back in. This may happen to Southwest.

John Parikhal

___________________________________

You are so right. Once I use the rest of my miles Southwest is no longer my first choice.

Herb Kelleher is probably spinning in his grave.

Too bad…

Mike Crowley

___________________________________

Absolutely right, Bob. It’s such a shame. They were one of the last companies who really didn’t try to pry every last penny out of your wallet. So much for that. It was a great run.

Bill Higgins

___________________________________

“Southwest, I’M DONE!”

Right on!  Jet blue is picking up the slack – bigger seats, modest pricing if you check a bag, great pricing if you don’t. SW can suck it.

Thomas Howell

___________________________________

Old Business Plan: Be different = success
New Business Plan: Be like everyone else = Fail

Who loses…….Consumers

Jim Clemenson

___________________________________

End of an Era.
Even more than being cheap, everyone thinks it’s cool to scam.
Sadly.
Holly Gleason
Nashville, TN

___________________________________

That’s a shame.  PE groups f*ck things up.  Southwest did lose its brand equity overnight, and it’s disappointing.  The Venture Capital companies are doing the same thing to Whataburger in Texas, Whataburger being Texas’ In N Out burger joint.  The hamburgers are shrinking, and prices are rising.  That’s the PE playbook.  It’s unimaginative, but it works.  Make it cheaper, make it smaller, and raise prices.  Blame it on supply chain issues, tariffs, the price of eggs, or labor costs.  Just do it.  No need to be honest or truthful, just have a story.  But if you blame it on labor costs, make sure not to raise wages.  Labor cost is  an excuse, not a reality.

If I had the ability, I’d tax PE groups out of existence.  Tax gains at 75% and no loss write offs.  Get a real career, do something productive rather than just take your cut of other people’s money.

Mike McBath

___________________________________

I agree. My use was similar to yours. I chose SW because of the feel and for me they reduced the friction of travel. Why would anyone choose to run a business by competing on price, if you don’t have to?

Dave Petersen

___________________________________

This decision is worse than the one to introduce New Coke in 1985.  The no-charging for bags was sacred.  It was their $1.50 Costco hot dog.

Douglas Trapasso

___________________________________

I am a longtime and passionate Southwest fan and I feel exactly as you do. I built my 10 state territory with Southwest. If they fly there, I’ll open an account there. It served me well.

What management has done to eliminate what makes the airline unique is devastating. I am a Southwest credit card holder, shareholder, and Rapid Rewards member from the 90s with A-List Preferred status and a Companion Pass. It’s the only brand I care about.

Thanks to Elliott I will start looking for alternatives that may better suit me. No more 1-stop flights because I want to fly Southwest. Perhaps United is a good fit for me with their lounge access and first class upgrades.  They have a credit card too…

I would have never strayed from Southwest in the past but it’s a new day with Elliott in charge. Herb is likely rolling in his grave.

All the best to you, safe travels.

Regards,

Jason Asher

___________________________________

Welcome to activist investors like Elliot.  I worked for a company that tjhey targeted a number years ago and watched them decimate it.

As far as Southwest, they needed to grow up and figure out who they wanted to be.  A ULCC (Ultra Low Cost Carrier) like Frontier, Spirit and Alligent or one of the bigs like Delta, AA, UA and JetBlue.  They were riding the fence too long and here come Elliot.

The delta between an AA fare and an SW fare out of my home airport, exact date/time usually was the cost of two bags on AA plus…  20-40 bucks a ticket.  So there’s your Early Bird.

The illusion was exposed, and the ULCCs and the bigs brought Southwest down to earth.

ps – I hated the folksy FA’s and the announcement shenanigans…  you can only hear the same jokes so many times…

Jim Anderson

___________________________________

Bob, I have said for years of flying for business. If you can’t lift your carry-on over your head, check it!
When I first used Southwest in Texas it was like Greyhound. You went to the gate and waited for the next flight.

Gary Einhorn

___________________________________

Agreed. Or, to be perfectly clear to Southwest: Buh-bye.

Mike Mettler

___________________________________

My company has clients that are owned by private equity, and my dad’s firm that he built over 35 years had to sell to private equity because no one else would buy it. My experience across the board has led me to one conclusion, echoing your own: f*ck private equity. They are unAmerican and killers of the American Dream.

Gretchen Morgenson’s book “These Are the Plunderers” says it a lot better than I can.

Thanks for calling out these troglodytes.

Mitchell Maddox

___________________________________

Agree with you totally, Bob.  The reason I flew Southwest was, as you say, the atmosphere and the free bags and they had a pretty good rewards program, which they are also docking.

 

Why would I keep flying them?  I won’t.  Bad business decision, Southwest.  Now you are just every other airline.

Jan Jankingston

___________________________________

I will be joining you in avoiding Southwest Airlines in future.

One of the few pleasures in life was avoiding the hassle of dragging a bag around an airport and then trying to not only find a space for it on the the plane but a seat nearby,

From now on, I will drive to most of the places I would have flown Southwest. And will find another airline to where I can not drive.

The airline will return to being SouthWORST.

Make American Skies Unfriendly Again

Gregory Betley

___________________________________

Ever since airlines started charging for checked bags, travel has gotten much worse. The size and amount of carry on luggage people bring onboard is ridiculous. It doubles the boarding time. There’s always an announcement that there’s not enough overhead space and bags will be checked at the gate (for free usually, maybe that’s their plan). It makes the flying experience slightly more miserable.

The carry on situation needs to be addressed. I’m tired of taking a backpack to the head while i’m sitting in my seat and some asshole blazes past me with 3 giant carry on items.

The difference between the US based flight crews and European flight crews is astonishing. I’m guessing in Europe they’re treated much better by the customers and employers.

But here in North America I think there’s pretty low morale among flight attendants, and I can understand why. The worst of humanity is unleashed at airports. We all have horror stories.

Jay Ruston

___________________________________

God damnit… I’ve always stood by SouthWest … THE PEOPLES AIRLINE!

Sad for me to read, and the symbolism is telling. Sucks.

Maybe if enough people stand up they’ll go back to what made them the best.

Cheers,

James Davy Eggleston

___________________________________

Bob, I am with your philosophy 100%. I will use them till my miles evaporate. Hopefully, this greedy move will cost in losses what the extra dollars get them. SCREW southwest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

N. Dauria

___________________________________

The video going around  the past few weeks of some asswipe MAGA singing that stupid Lee Greenwood tune over the intercom on a Southwest flight was the spark, and the email I got from the airline this morning about the bags was the nail in the coffin, to which I replied: I GUARANTEE SOUTHWEST IS NOW MY LAST-RESORT CARRIER. And they didn’t even have the balls to say how much the bag charge will be. As you said, F*ck ’em.

Thomas Wilson

___________________________________

I’m a Southwest loyalist. Of course, with Baltimore-Washington International being my home airport — and SWA accounting for 80% of the flights — there’s not much of a choice. But it’s not just the availability of non-stops to most domestic locations; I’ve always loved the quirkiness and the perks.

No change or cancellation fees, credits that never expire, no baggage fees, great customer service with a smile — it’s all worked well for me.

I was even a fan back in the days when you had to get to the airport early, grab a plastic boarding card, and sit on the floor to claim your spot!

So yeah, I was definitely pissed when I got that email this morning about all the changes and the typical legacy airline nickel-and-diming. But reading more closely, it looks like if you’re on the A-list, have a Southwest credit card, etc., you still get free bag checks. So for now, I’m still in.

But beyond just squeezing more revenue, it feels like they’re playing the loyalty game — “If you like us, we’ll treat you special.” I’m willing to play along, but I do wonder if I’d feel the same way if BWI weren’t my home base.

So I guess you’re right — Southwest used to be like Phish or The Dead, and now they’re more like every corporate act we love but hate.

Rich Madow

___________________________________

It’s not just the bags, Bob.  But there’s more!

Also tucked into their press release… “We will also begin to vary our redemption rates across our fare products on some high- and low-demand travel periods.” Can you say insane uncapped dynamic pricing?

&

“Flight credits issued for tickets purchased on or after May 28, 2025 will expire one year or earlier from the date of ticketing, depending on the fare type purchased.”  This is a big change considering just a few years ago they did away with expirations on flight credits.

&

Southwest, without publicly announcing it, cut the amount of points you earn by flying with them by a lot for Wanna Get Away fares.  Basically, you’ll be earning a lot less than before.

Devaluation after devaluation.  What even differentiates Southwest anymore?  They’re basically JetBlue now, except JetBlue at least has the best business class (Mint) out of all the US carriers.  Their pricing has also increased over the last few years on many popular routes.  The companion pass is the only thing they have left and I can’t imagine earning it will be as easy moving forward either.

Richard Young

___________________________________

Pre boarders have ruined Southwest experience.

Michael Monaghan

___________________________________

I grew up in DC but live in Austin. I used to fly American to see family in the DC area but gave that up when Southwest added non-stop flights to BWI and Dulles. And I loved the vibe on the Southwest flights. Flights on American seemed like a cold shower as compared to the experience in SW. And everytime something bad happened on an American flight they were never at fault. I remember driving to Dulles in a snowstorm to get my bags that had arrived late but for which I had been promised they would be delivered at my door. Contrast that to SW allowing me to change my flight to an earlier one even when it was against the policy to do that on a flight I booked on points. My experiences with SW employees were great, They were there to help.  I’ve probably flown 95 percent on SW since the late 90s. I hate the thought of them becoming just another cold shower. Given what is going on in DC maybe I will start to drive everywhere.

Joe Sherfy

___________________________________

Ya know, I like Southwest in theory more than in practice. The cheap airfare is enticing, sure, but I seldom can find a direct flight through them. If I want to get to Chicago, I have to fly a connect to Indianapolis or Kansas City, and it takes up more than double the time a direct flight would take.

But you’re right about Southwest being egalitarian. We’re in an era where you have to fly first class just to be treated as a human being. At this trajectory, first class will be like coach, where you have to pay $300 extra just for Biscoff cookies and a headrest LED screen. I’m a millennial, so when I hear boomers tell of the stewardess carving corned beef and the bathroom not being the size of a broom closet in Manhattan, it sounds alien to me (like every airline was Air Emirates).

I know the boomers get a lot of flak for “ruining” everything, but I KNOW y’all would never willingly cede those comforts, so I choose to blame that on Gen X and the people my age.

Garrett Gravley

___________________________________

You are 100% correct.  Southwest became my airline of choice when the others started charging for bags.  Prior to that I had no loyalty.  It’s differentiators that set companies apart and the brain trust at Southwest has determined that is no longer a thing.  Even when I don’t check a bag Southwest is my goto.  Another great company taken down by boys proficient in Excel who have to show their bosses they are earning their paycheck.  They couldn’t care less about long term viability or the customer experience.

Thanks,

Neal Berz

___________________________________

So these jackalopes just pissed away a third of a billion dollars, if the experts’ projections are right.

The post-truth world is also post-competence. Even post-intelligent.

Normally you would think that evil thieves are as competent as they are cold blooded. Nope, post-truth, facts don’t exist. You want to believe you have an opportunity to gouge down an extra billion and a half? But the facts suggest otherwise? F*ck facts. Just believe what you want.

If you’re thinking that these chuckleheads are sitting ducks for the next con man who comes along…. you’re not alone. You, me, and the con man.

-Carl Seibert

Anybody whose ridden an airline since the 1980s and has endured the clusterf*ck when every entitled idiot on the plane tries to retrieve their damn bag from the bins understands that the best thing that airlines could do to civilize the experience would be to make checked bags free and charge for use of the bins. Or if gouging your customers is your thing, charge for both, but more for the bins!

___________________________________

Bob: Get the Alaska Airlines Visa card. You get 70,000 free miles when signing up, free baggage check-in for yourself plus SIX others on your same reservation, priority boarding, discounts on in-flight food, an annual companion fare for $99 plus tax and with no restrictions, daily discounts at online retailers, and partnerships with Delta in the USA and Global Alliance airline partners for international flights — miles earned on partner airlines go onto you Alaska mileage account. It flies to Hawaii, Mexico, and nonstop from Seattle to Tokyo and Seoul. It’s really a no-brainer to switch to Alaska, especially for those living on the Left Coast.

Dottie Martin
Current St. Louisan, former Seattle-ite, satisfied Alaska Airlines member since 2007

___________________________________

Southwest went downhill when Herb Kelleher left. I used to fly them all the time. Now only if necessary. You’re correct on the McKinsey beancounters.

Bill Powell

___________________________________

First off, totally surprised you endorse (endorsed) Southwest. I’m actually pleased, but surprised.

I don’t fly with them much, too many shenanigans before the flight and in the air, as documented in their own reality series (even if scripted, I saw these things happen a lot!), but it was always nice to know I didn’t have to worry about bags because of or in lieu of my status with their loyalty program.  Their prices are more on par with others now, but there was a time they undercut everyone.

Why I never totally fell in love?  They took over ATA and wiped out perhaps the best loyalty program that had ever existed in the air at least in my time on Earth so far, you would earn four points and that would get you a free one-way flight, 8 points would get you around trip. Simply double that for their business class or use your free trip and just pay the $49 upgrade for business class at check-in, which 90% of the time I was able to do. I was very disappointed when this business model vanished under Southwest. And I almost fainted when I read your comment about having 127 people in preboard for assistance and every one of them doing somersaults down the aisle while those of us that might have paid for that coveted A1 through A15 boarding position have to stand and wonder where we’re going to be in importance.

One of my most memorable flights on Southwest originated in Orlando, it was going to Las Vegas if I’m not mistaken, and I was one of the first five people on, A5 to be exact, and there’s already 20 people sitting up front, people NO ONE saw board…and from that day forward I think I’ve just forgotten to book Southwest unless I absolutely have to because there is some game in there that needs to be fixed, perhaps now that they’re going to start charging for everything like everybody else, the playing field will level itself out.

Kevin Andrusia

Orlando Florida

___________________________________

Congrats on being a stand up person who pays for early boarding. I normally would but given the millions of miles I’ve flown, I figure I deserve a break. At the gate (the agents are usually pretty young), I shuffle up to the counter, sometimes with a faint limp, and ask the agent if I could board early. They always say yes! We look really old to them.

Of course the main reason for doing so is to beat the other passengers to the punch. You do NOT want to go to the trouble of having only a carry on which is then relegated to the hold because there was no more overhead space for reasons you mention.

You’ve earned a pass. We deserve someone youngster giving up a seat for us or senior discount days. Take what they’re giving you. We deserve it, seniority counts.

John Brodey

___________________________________

I fly Southwest all the time. Saw the notice today. My last flight a few days ago LA to Nashville, 26 pre boarders. It’s so annoying,  I now count how many, now there have been more into the 30’s. Some of those people looked pretty good to me. There are those who need it and should have help.  I asked a flight attendant about it, she told me that the crews are convinced miraculous healings happen on the on ramp as some leap out of their wheel chairs waving their canes over their heads once at the entrance to the to the plane. As you said love the SW crews. I wasn’t sure if you were aware of the apparent spiritual aspect acknowledge by crew members.  Now you know. Service animals, that’s a whole other conversation. Dogs/cats/birds you name it in strollers and beyond on flights,  this is far worse.

Dave May

___________________________________

Southwest hasn’t been the same in years. It started when they got rid of the peanuts.

Kyle JF

“Southwest Will Begin Charging for Checked Bags, Ending a Popular Policy”

https://shorturl.at/YO6Ob

I believe in Southwest Airlines.

I think it’s the irreverence that hooked me. The flight attendants who pick up the intercom with attitude, who make jokes, like regular people. You see more of that in advertising these days, what works is the vernacular, with a sense of humor. But on most airlines… Everything is deadly serious, and the flight attendants are working reluctantly. You go into the back and ask for something, anything, and they roll their eyes and…

Not on Southwest.

And I like that it’s egalitarian. That we’re all in it together. That there’s no first class. You line up and you get on. And if you’re willing to pay a small fee you can get closer to the front of the line so you can get a seat that will satisfy you. I’ve always gotten a seat on the aisle, which is what I am looking for.

But in the past couple of years…

People have started to break the rules. There’s an endless parade of pre-borders. Handicapped, with children…but they’re walking no problem and the kids are old. That sucks, I’m paying for early access, why can’t they?

And then there’s the saving of seats. Which is a no-no. One person pays the additional fee for being closer to the front of the line and then saves seats for people who are at the back of the line.

What is it? What changed in America? When did everybody become so cheap, when did everybody become so myopic, not caring about others?

That’s one thing I used to like about Southwest, the feeling of congeniality.

As for the other airlines… They upsell you on everything. And you’ve got to worry about bin space, because everybody is trying to save money by not checking their bags. And I know, I know, if you carry on you can get off and walk away without waiting at the conveyor belt, but you should see what people bring on!

Which is why I love Southwest, because bags fly free, and more people check theirs. Even the baggage attendants are nice at Southwest, they’re on the curb, taking your bags, you don’t have to schlep them inside.

But then they changed the policy. Assigned seats. I don’t like it, but since people were abusing the system I understood it.

But today Southwest said they would start charging for bags.

Now the people who actually run the airline are against this, they researched the issue:

“Executives cited an analysis by a consulting firm that determined bag charges would bring in at most $1.5 billion in revenue a year, but cost the airline $1.8 billion in lost market share. Free bags ranked just behind price and schedule among the top reasons travelers pick Southwest, executives said then.”

https://www.wsj.com/business/airlines/southwest-airlines-bag-policy-charge-basic-economy-9549218e?mod=Searchresults_pos1&page=1

But activist investors Elliott Investment Management wanted to make more money, they got seats on the board and forced the executives to change the no-bags policy.

Ain’t that America. Shortsightedness by people only considering the bottom line.

But in this case it’s worse, because they destroyed brand equity overnight!

If Southwest flew there, I took it. Not anymore. F*ck them. I’ll do my best to take another airline. Southwest eviscerated what was special about it and I’m PISSED!

Let’s be clear, this is not Ticketmaster, the public has options. Rarely is Southwest the only airline available.

Now they could reverse this no-bags policy before it starts in May, but I doubt it.

This is like Jimmy Page joining the Carpenters. Who could respect him after that?

Then again, music is just like Wall Street today. If it grosses big, it’s good. Where in the hell did they write that? If I read one more word about Ariana Grande… She’s got a new album…a good voice for nincompoops. This is not artistry, this is commerce!

But what we hear from the industry is this is what everybody else is doing. Whereas those who are doing it differently are the ones with the hard core fans. They may not be in the Spotify Top 50, but they never have to worry about their career tanking, as long as they continue to be true to themselves. Case in point, Phish. I get more e-mail about that band than any other extant, and believe me they aren’t the biggest in the world, but they’ve got passionate fans! Who can’t stop spreading the word.

I used to be a passionate fan of Southwest Airlines. I always talked it up.

But it turns out Southwest Airlines doesn’t care about me, didn’t even think of me, my experience.

You’re nothing without your customers. This is what bugs me about corporate titans, they think they’re responsible for all the success. But without people buying the product or service, there is no business.

You take what makes you unique, an outlier, that bonds people to you, and then you slice it off overnight?

Some twenty year old with a spreadsheet probably told you to do this. You hired McKinsey, which employs recent college graduates to tell you what to do, how insane is that? Just like the twentysomethings running DOGE. Experience has no value to these people, numbers rule everything. They’ve got no feel for the business.

Which is why they destroy it. Private equity blows up companies on a regular basis, can you say Toys “R” Us?

But they bleed them dry before they do it, getting their investment back.

And all the people manning the aisles?

They’re SOL. They’ve put in years of work and now they’ve got nothing.

Southwest is laying off people after they said they wouldn’t. This is like a spouse saying they’ll never file for divorce and then doing same. Talk about undercutting trust… (And that happened to me!)

We live in a bottom line nation. That’s what DOGE is all about. Screw the people, just make the numbers work, so a certain set of people can pay less taxes. As for the rest of us, F*CK YOU!

But homey don’t play that no more. There comes a point where people have had enough and react.

Southwest, I’M DONE!

Great thread on Molly Hatchet. This was the first success I had as a marketing executive at Epic in 1978. Working with Werman and Charne helped me learn how to develop plans to introduce new bands to the consumer. The Frazetta cover was introduced to me by Paula Scher in the CBS Records art department. As Charne said, one look at that artwork screamed “buy me!”. This was southern music at its best; gritty, badass and said “grab a bottle of Jack and drink it from the bottle” which Danny Joe did every night. Unfortunately he was a diabetic and eventually succumbed to his diseases. The first two albums were as good a Southern rock album as you could find in the late 70’s and early 80’s. Unfortunately DJB and the boys didn’t get along when they tasted fame and they were never able to regain that moment. Werman was a genius and brought out the best in them.

Larry Stessel

_______________________________________

I was transferred to KC from buffalo after just 6months ,when Atlantic had cutbacks. I had just arrived and my first show to cover was Blackfoot (on Atco), opening for Molly Hatchet. Just before Blackfoot was to go on Danny Joe was taken away by officers for what we were told was Tax violations. Rather than cancel show the rest of the band joined Blackfoot to open the show as Black Hatchet or Molly Foot. Blackfoot then became headliner. Was a awesome show. Thats when a smartphone would have been nice. Amazing memory from my time in KC and thanks to Sean Coakley for

helping the new guy stay calm and collected

Be Well Bob

Jeff Appleton

_______________________________________

I remember being a freshman at Rockhurst Highschool in ’78. We had a talent show. I went to watch. It was the first time I had ever seen people playing music on a stage. I was 14 and hadn’t been to my first concert, but I loved music. Loved all kinds. Matter of fact, a year later when I moved to Seattle, I got beat up because I liked Earth Wind &. Fire. Anyhow, this band played Dreams. And I mean they played all 7 minutes of it! Fast forward to sophomore year in Seattle and my neighbor and I were waiting on the bus stop by a grocery store that carried records. I remember that album cover and knew I had to have it. Little did I know, he grabbed it and stuffed it in his bag with a half dozen others. Sadly, I sold my collection when I was homeless in LA and needed cash to survive. Oh well…. Rock and roll.

David George

_______________________________________

Ditto and kudos for the Molly Hatchet write-up. I used to surprise people as a heavy metal magazine editor when I’d tell people my favorite style of music was Southern Rock when asked.

I loved me some Blackfoot, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Molly Hatchet, and .38 Special (if I had to rank them in order).

Those album covers by Frank Frazetta were SO metal. I also got a huge chuckle, charge, and gasp of respect when seeing the Molly Hatchet and Blackfoot t-shirts on sale in the

Gulf Coast Coliseum in Biloxi, MS, in the summer of ‘82. On the back of each band’s shirt (I think) was emblazoned, 1982-1987 TOUR.

Talk about road dogs.

And I wish I could say thanks to that music buyer/salesman in that mall record store in Montgomery, AL, who introduced me to the Tygers of Pan Tang and other NWOBHM bands back in ‘81. People who knew their stuff and stayed appraised of multiple rock scenes were invaluable to our lives.

—Doug Van Pelt

_______________________________________

Hi Bob. Great article on Molly Hatchet and what a pleasant surprise! Speaking of pleasant surprises, in 1978 I went to see REO with UFO as the opening act in my hometown of Erie PA. Days before the show, they added Molly Hatchet as the opening act. Of course we all groaned since it would lengthen the show. They blew the crowd away!  I have seen close to a 1000 concerts in my life and few really leaving a lasting memory but that one did!

Gary Sender

_______________________________________

I did national radio promotion for all the Epic Molly releases. One of many highlights was a live  national radio broadcast from Louisville. Somewhere in the past I was driving back from Philadelphia to NYC and got detoured thru some back roads and saw a sign on a club that said Molly Hatchet  Tonight.  I stopped went into the club and found the dressing room-there were a bunch of guys and i asked where Molly Hatchet’s dressing room was-they said -you’re in it we are Molly Hatchet. Not one original member! Thanks for the thrills and ride Pat Armstrong,Larry Stessel and Tom Werman!

Harvey Leeds