Well, it wasn’t the home run that my column on passwords was, but it did get some reaction to my jab at Southwest Airlines. I mentioned that I used to be a huge fan. Not only did I try to travel exclusively on Southwest I got a Southwest credit card and even bought stock in the company. I loved picking my own seat, taking two bags for free, changing flights for no extra fee and the fun attitude the employees had. Then a couple of years ago Southwest changed and became like every other pain-in-the-neck airline. Now I resent them.
Stanley agrees with me. He wrote: Chris, I thought I was the only one who thought like you do about Southwest. I was a loyal customer of that airline since the days of Herb Kelleher. Since the change, I’m heartbroken. I sold my stock and applied for a Breeze affinity card.
James sent me a long link to an article that explains what happened. Turns out it was what is described as a hostile takeover of Southwest that made the changes to the formula that had made Southwest one of the most profitable airlines in the world. Remember Southwest is a publicly traded company. And if you buy enough stock you can have a say in airlines policy. And that’s what Elliot Investment Trust did by buying a $1.9 billion stake in the company. And you know the rest of the sad story.
On another matter I would like to discuss language. I have noticed that a lot of really smart people make poor decisions about words. For example, people say “I could care less” when they mean to say the exact opposite. If you could care less that means you do care. And did you know that in the word comptroller the p is silent? It’s pronounced “controller”. You already know how I feel about the overuse of the word “iconic.” People often say cement when they mean concrete. Sidewalks are not cement they are concrete. Cement is what holds concrete together. Irregardless is not a word. Regardless is. “I have less than 10 pages to read.” Nope, you have fewer than 10 pages to read. If you can count them the correct word is less. If you can weigh or measure it, it’s less. Oh, and you don’t loan somebody money you lend it. Loan is a noun, lend is a verb. And my favorite: you can’t center around. You can revolve around or center ON.
OK, I hear you. I’m being an old fussbudget about these silly word things. You’re right, of course, but I could care less.
Chris Core is a former Washington, D.C. radio and television personality who now lives in Pass-a-Grille. He is a winner of the Edward R. Murrow Award for outstanding achievement in broadcast journalism.