PANAMA CITY Beach — from the News Herald… “This was the best news of my life,” a Nevada resident tweeted about Southwest Airlines’ decision to begin servicing the new Panama City airport.
Known as UNLVgirl to the Twitterverse, she had explained in an earlier tweet that her family lives in Panama City and now visits will be much cheaper.
She was not alone Wednesday.
Twitter, the popular micro-blogging Web site that allows users to communicate with followers 140 characters at a time, was abuzz yesterday with news that Northwest Florida-Panama City International Airport will be the newest airport serviced by the Dallas-based air carrier.
“Yea, Panama City! White-sand beach vacations!” wrote Whitneye, her location not specified.
Like a majority of the other Southwest-related tweets — each individual message is called a “tweet” — on Wednesday, she was pleased by the news.
Not to be outdone, commenters on NewsHerald.com, which offered a more local perspective, were, as usual, quite opionated about the decision.
“OK, everybody can exhale now. Great work!” was the first comment posted by jasiron.
A majority of the comments were excited about the news. However, mixed among the congratulatory fervor were a few hints of skepticism.
“If the bribe is big enough, anyone can be bought! Let’s just hope some of the benefit does trickle down to the ‘ordinary citizen,’ opined Bonjourno, referring to
a deal Southwest entered with the St. Joe Co., under which St. Joe will ensure Southwest at least break even during its first two years.
Others predicted a positive economic impact for the region.
“It cannot happen soon enough. We need jobs, we need jobs, we need jobs,” commented umpireblue.
Readers of the Dallas Morning News, the hometown paper of Southwest’s corporate headquarters, also took note of the news. And, while Dallas experiences low 60s and overcast skies, it appears that paper’s commenters understand the benefits of Southwest servicing Panama City.
“Too bad this route didn’t open today. I’d go just to get out of this crappy weather,” wrote JG.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
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