Southwest Airlines…

A

Arizona240DA

Banned
Jun 20, 2007
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I travel every other week, or more, and use Southwest almost exclusively for both business and personal travel. In recent history I have been thinking about making a change.

Before I go into the details, do any of you use Southwest for business or personal travel on somewhat of a regular basis?
 
I fly Southwest and American for business and pleasure. I prefer Southwest for business because Love Field is closer and easier to get in and out and most always on time. We use AA for pleasure because its free with our points. Since Dallas is a hub for AA it has the most direct flights to where we want to go.
Pete
 
I fly SWA for both pretty much exclusively. AA abandoned St. Louis, and it became nearly impossible to use our frequent flyer miles. I love Southwest, always on time. The last time I flew AA was May of 2008 and it was the most miserable flying experience I have ever had.:smt021
 
Had negative experiences with Southwest, but have never had any major complaints with jetBlue. :thumbsup:
 
I have flown SWA for over 15 years. I ususally fly 2 or 3 times a month, sometimes more. Things normally go without any problems. One time the gate took my flight and put the entire passenger load of a flight that was delayed on it. My flight was on time. Boy was I mad. They did get us out on a flight that was about an hour later.

I am in the frequent flyer group that automatically get put into the "A", or first boarding group. I can be guaranteed getting my carry-on in the overhead.
 
I used to leave home most Tuesday and return on Thursday on buisness for 13 years. My children thought all fathers went to the airport. It was never a big deal for them to fly. Once on vacation we lost our lougage going to Egypt. I had pay to get it back. When I returned home the airline gave me my money without question. I have sat on tarmacs, flown into airports that we could not land due to weather and panes have had engine failure in flight. All airlines make mistakes. Non I felt do it on purpose. I feel deregulation has made them cut cost (service) to the point people are not happy.
 
I was A1 last week, paid for the bump up to Business Select, just to ensure I was in the absolute front as I had a tight schedule, meeting, etc. I’m also a long time A-List Member and Companion Pass Holder. In any event, I ended up as the 14th on board as there were 13 pre-boards. There were 3 older folks in wheelchairs that needed assistance and a couple of suspect travelers, who conveniently displayed a damn blue sleeve (pre-boards). So, that is a total of 5, which isn’t too bad. HOWEVER, if you are a pre-board, you AND your entire entourage, who may have a C57 or whatever boarding pass, now have the ability to pre-board as well, isn’t that sweet? I also had to wait for several of them to de-plane before I was able to get on my way once I reached my destination.

Now, before I get blasted for not having compassion for those that may perhaps be a bit slower and need more time to board, are confined to wheelchairs, or have other issues, etc. that is not who I am, at all.

If you fly Southwest frequently, this may make more sense to you (SW does things a bit different), but others may still get the idea as well…



330DA said:
I have flown SWA for over 15 years. I ususally fly 2 or 3 times a month, sometimes more. Things normally go without any problems. One time the gate took my flight and put the entire passenger load of a flight that was delayed on it. My flight was on time. Boy was I mad. They did get us out on a flight that was about an hour later.

I am in the frequent flyer group that automatically get put into the "A", or first boarding group. I can be guaranteed getting my carry-on in the overhead.
Click to expand...
 
Southworst is not my favorite airlines, and I fly a lot. I just returned from a round drip from BNA to DFW on AA. No problems, knew which seat I was sitting in, and actually had an option for first class. From BNA, Southworst has the most nonstop directs to most cities. When I do have to use them I also do the Business Select.

I hate the cattle car mentality of the boarding system, although it is better since you know where you are in line. No more people camping out on the floor in the A line 2 hours before the flight just to get a good seat. You could always tell which gates were theirs as there was always people standing in line.

Their planes are mostly dirty (flight crew has to clean), I hate it when the flight crew sings songs when you are trying to catch some sleep, so it is not a business friendly airlines as others are, IMO.

Since all the other airlines that fly to the same cities are competing, the fares are comparable. So I see little advantage other than non stop options from my home base. I do like that fact that they do not charge for luggage though.
 
Yeah, I do like the new seating gig they have…

Would you be pissed if you were A1 and ended up as the 14th to board because pre-boards AND their guests have priority?



Uplate said:
Southworst is not my favorite airlines, and I fly a lot. I just returned from a round drip from BNA to DFW on AA. No problems, knew which seat I was sitting in, and actually had an option for first class. From BNA, Southworst has the most nonstop directs to most cities. When I do have to use them I also do the Business Select.

I hate the cattle car mentality of the boarding system, although it is better since you know where you are in line. No more people camping out on the floor in the A line 2 hours before the flight just to get a good seat. You could always tell which gates were theirs as there was always people standing in line.

Their planes are mostly dirty (flight crew has to clean), I hate it when the flight crew sings songs when you are trying to catch some sleep, so it is not a business friendly airlines as others are, IMO.

Since all the other airlines that fly to the same cities are competing, the fares are comparable. So I see little advantage other than non stop options from my home base. I do like that fact that they do not charge for luggage though.
Click to expand...
 
Arizona240DA said:
I was A1 last week, paid for the bump up to Business Select, just to ensure I was in the absolute front as I had a tight schedule, meeting, etc. I’m also a long time A-List Member and Companion Pass Holder. In any event, I ended up as the 14th on board as there were 13 pre-boards. There were 3 older folks in wheelchairs that needed assistance and a couple of suspect travelers, who conveniently displayed a damn blue sleeve (pre-boards). So, that is a total of 5, which isn’t too bad. HOWEVER, if you are a pre-board, you AND your entire entourage, who may have a C57 or whatever boarding pass, now have the ability to pre-board as well, isn’t that sweet? I also had to wait for several of them to de-plane before I was able to get on my way once I reached my destination.

Now, before I get blasted for not having compassion for those that may perhaps be a bit slower and need more time to board, are confined to wheelchairs, or have other issues, etc. that is not who I am, at all.

If you fly Southwest frequently, this may make more sense to you (SW does things a bit different), but others may still get the idea as well…
Click to expand...

I fly Southwest and USAIR (I hate them with a passion) almost exclusively about 2 - 3 weeks a month. I've experienced the above scenario many times. It's par for the course I guess.

Doug
 
I only fly Jet blue so I can't be of any help.
 
Arizona240DA said:
Yeah, I do like the new seating gig they have…

Would you be pissed if you were A1 and ended up as the 14th to board because pre-boards AND their guests have priority?
Click to expand...

In my experiece, the Business class goes first, then the wheelchairs, then the A group, and then the familys.

Even if the the wheelchairs go first, there is plenty of options as they seem to take the first few rows that nobody wants anyway.

If I was in a wheelchair, then I could understand all of the scenarios.

this is just another case for why not to fly SWorst.
 
I traveled a lot and usually flew Alaska Air when possible. Southworst had some direct flights that were convenient, but I usually avoided them. I'm not standing in a stupid line to avoid getting a middle seat. I usually checked in early and got the A pass. Even then, I'd wait until the line was almost done boarding before I even got in the A line. I just like knowing I'm in a window seat before I get on the plane and I'd rather travel in first class! Since SW doesn't have first class, why bother? And the prices at the other airlines are competitive, so I don't see a huge advantage. Horizon is a partner with Alaska and they've always offered free beer! :grin:
 
AZ240DA
I have been exactly where you were. The flight attendants should have have the folks in wheelchairs wait until the everyone got off first at your destination. You could have asked the flight attendant to let you get out first due to an urgent meeting. I have seen that before.

Be happy you weren't A1 and coming home from Orlando. You would have boarded about 47. I seem to remember that pre-boards are only supposed to have 1 extra board with them for assistance. The rest of the party should board as their numbers were assigned. That, however, it mostly not followed.

I had a new one last week. The gate agent said prior to beginning boarding that your carry-on is to be in the overhead perpendicular to the overhead comparment. If your rollerbag/suitcase can't fit that way and must be turned lengthwise to fit IT IS NOT A CARRY-ON and should be checked. I can't type what I thought when I heard that.
 
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