Pure Genius: Southwest Airlines Baggage Strategy
Maybe it's marketing genius, but I don't understand some of his reasoning.<p>Obviously all the airlines don't want anyone carrying bags on the plane. Why is having a consistent load factor an enabler for Southwest to fly checked bags for free?  Why does it matter that the bags are being moved between the same types of aircraft?<p>You could equally well imagine the argument that it makes sense to use an "agile" strategy in which aircraft with different load factors are deployed based on the type of travel expected.<p>I'm sure having only one aircraft and picking routes for which that aircraft is suitable has tons of benefits for Southwest, but his blog doesn't explain why that is an enabler for the free checked bag policy (other than creating efficiencies which generate enough profit to offer any perks).  Would it be "marketing genius" to offer free meals on planes?