Southwest Airlines 4Q lobbying cost $250,000

With the recent trouble of airplane safety, I found it interesting that a company such as Southwest Airlines would only spend around $1 million a year in lobbying costs. Although they are one of the most profitable airline companies due to their strategic planning of oil price checks and customer service, I really believe that the airline industry is the next one headed down the path for a government bailout program. Luckily for US Airways, the press associated with their plane crash in the Hudson has been positive due to the pilot's heroic landing. The merger of large airlines indicates the problems with the airline industry and it will be important to help ensure that only companies that provide sound service receive any potential money or incentive from the government.