Southwest airlines is awesome.
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I've flown SW 10+ times. It is cheap but the downside is that you fly with families. That means screaming kids on the majority of flights; far more screamers on average than other airlines I've flown. SW has no business/first class cabin so you can't avoid them. I only fly SW on shorter flights for this reason
OK, maybe it's a small(er) point, especially for the shorter domestic flights, but what's so hard about assigned seats? The computers are so good and so inexpensive now that seat assignments should be a total non-issue. This will be an irritation to me, so long as they do this. Only so many bodies can make it through the door per minute, so it's not as if the cattle call really does anything to speed things up. I do SW only if I absolutely have to in order to accomplish the mission at hand. A couple years back, I chose to drive from New Orleans to San Antonio instead of letting the Marine Corps force me to fly SW. Sure, it was a long day, but the travel days were a loss anyway, and I got to choose my seat (
), when and where to eat, and so forth.
SW says they did analysis of boarding times and found their way takes about the same as assigned seating. Having flown both, I'd have to agree.
It's not a free-for-all. People board in groups of about 20-30 people.
It's not a free-for-all. People board in groups of about 20-30 people.
jetBlue is better..
This depends upon where you are going and when you are going there.
Midweek flights on any airline are often not full, and you find fewer families.
Flights to destinations not typically associated with vacations also have few families.
We have had our share of ill-behaved children on a variety of airlines.
Also, airline pricing is highly competitive, so Southwest will not necessarily be cheaper than another carrier, although Southwest does not nick you for checked bags.
Midweek flights on any airline are often not full, and you find fewer families.
Flights to destinations not typically associated with vacations also have few families.
We have had our share of ill-behaved children on a variety of airlines.
Also, airline pricing is highly competitive, so Southwest will not necessarily be cheaper than another carrier, although Southwest does not nick you for checked bags.
Originally Posted By: tonycarguy
SW says they did analysis of boarding times and found their way takes about the same as assigned seating. Having flown both, I'd have to agree.
It's not a free-for-all. People board in groups of about 20-30 people.
The reason (so I've been told) is that with this system, it is a "little" faster than assigned seating but with their system 2 things happen.
1. People show up at the airport earlier so SW can tell if someone is a no show sooner and then put a standby one to keep the plane full.
2. It reduces the problems with someone being in the wrong seat, having someone get that person moved to another seat and having to move their "stuff" to that area of the plane. All which takes time and one of SWA things that helps in the cost is the quick turn around.
I was once on a flight and the president of SWA was out loading bags on the plane. He then came on board and flew with us spending some time handing out the snacks and talking to the passengers. The Captain even made a joke that we will get going once the SLOW baggage handler gets the bags loaded we will get on our way. A nice guy who mixed it up with his employees.
Herb asked me how much I flew (at the time I was flying all over the US for work) and if I had any suggestions. I felt the product was excellent and keep doing what was done. Asked him if he is out in the trenches often and he said that if it was legal for him to do something he would do the job.
I just found him to be a honest person who RESPECTED his work force. And that the workforce did the same.
And I agree that Jetblue is a nice airline also. Their product is excellent though sometimes they are more expensive than even Delta here at times.
The airline biz with their charging you for every thing, giving you little service other than sit down and shut up and you may make your designation is sad. I used to LOVE to fly since I had to do it so often back in the 80s. Now I fly if I have to and try to avoid it if I can. I LOVE the flight but the rest is too much trouble and cost.
Take care, Bill
SW says they did analysis of boarding times and found their way takes about the same as assigned seating. Having flown both, I'd have to agree.
It's not a free-for-all. People board in groups of about 20-30 people.
The reason (so I've been told) is that with this system, it is a "little" faster than assigned seating but with their system 2 things happen.
1. People show up at the airport earlier so SW can tell if someone is a no show sooner and then put a standby one to keep the plane full.
2. It reduces the problems with someone being in the wrong seat, having someone get that person moved to another seat and having to move their "stuff" to that area of the plane. All which takes time and one of SWA things that helps in the cost is the quick turn around.
I was once on a flight and the president of SWA was out loading bags on the plane. He then came on board and flew with us spending some time handing out the snacks and talking to the passengers. The Captain even made a joke that we will get going once the SLOW baggage handler gets the bags loaded we will get on our way. A nice guy who mixed it up with his employees.
Herb asked me how much I flew (at the time I was flying all over the US for work) and if I had any suggestions. I felt the product was excellent and keep doing what was done. Asked him if he is out in the trenches often and he said that if it was legal for him to do something he would do the job.
I just found him to be a honest person who RESPECTED his work force. And that the workforce did the same.
And I agree that Jetblue is a nice airline also. Their product is excellent though sometimes they are more expensive than even Delta here at times.
The airline biz with their charging you for every thing, giving you little service other than sit down and shut up and you may make your designation is sad. I used to LOVE to fly since I had to do it so often back in the 80s. Now I fly if I have to and try to avoid it if I can. I LOVE the flight but the rest is too much trouble and cost.
Take care, Bill
Love SW. I have used them many a time from Seattle, once got a ticket Seattle to Fort Lauderdale for $60.
Quick, Efficient ,Helpful, unpretentious, suits me.
West jet here in Canada seem to follow their example, for me they beat Air Canada hands down!
I have also used Ryan Air in Europe, who take the No frills ethic to a new level!
Quick, Efficient ,Helpful, unpretentious, suits me.
West jet here in Canada seem to follow their example, for me they beat Air Canada hands down!
I have also used Ryan Air in Europe, who take the No frills ethic to a new level!
Originally Posted By: Bill in Utah
2. It reduces the problems with someone being in the wrong seat, having someone get that person moved to another seat and having to move their "stuff" to that area of the plane. All which takes time and one of SWA things that helps in the cost is the quick turn around.
I agree. I hate it when people get in the wrong seat and don't want to move. It holds up boarding up to 10 minutes sometimes.
2. It reduces the problems with someone being in the wrong seat, having someone get that person moved to another seat and having to move their "stuff" to that area of the plane. All which takes time and one of SWA things that helps in the cost is the quick turn around.
I agree. I hate it when people get in the wrong seat and don't want to move. It holds up boarding up to 10 minutes sometimes.
Originally Posted By: Bill in Utah
I just found him to be a honest person who RESPECTED his work force. And that the workforce did the same.
Take care, Bill
Funny how that works, isn't it? You would think it wouldn't appear to be such a closely guarded secret that other CEO's don't know about it.
I just found him to be a honest person who RESPECTED his work force. And that the workforce did the same.
Take care, Bill
Funny how that works, isn't it? You would think it wouldn't appear to be such a closely guarded secret that other CEO's don't know about it.
Originally Posted By: expat
Love SW. I have used them many a time from Seattle, once got a ticket Seattle to Fort Lauderdale for $60.
Quick, Efficient ,Helpful, unpretentious, suits me.
West jet here in Canada seem to follow their example, for me they beat Air Canada hands down!
I have also used Ryan Air in Europe, who take the No frills ethic to a new level!
Until recently. Ryanair is gonna start charging to use hte loo on the plane.
Love SW. I have used them many a time from Seattle, once got a ticket Seattle to Fort Lauderdale for $60.
Quick, Efficient ,Helpful, unpretentious, suits me.
West jet here in Canada seem to follow their example, for me they beat Air Canada hands down!
I have also used Ryan Air in Europe, who take the No frills ethic to a new level!
Until recently. Ryanair is gonna start charging to use hte loo on the plane.
Originally Posted By: rudolphna
Originally Posted By: expat
Love SW. I have used them many a time from Seattle, once got a ticket Seattle to Fort Lauderdale for $60.
Quick, Efficient ,Helpful, unpretentious, suits me.
West jet here in Canada seem to follow their example, for me they beat Air Canada hands down!
I have also used Ryan Air in Europe, who take the No frills ethic to a new level!
Until recently. Ryanair is gonna start charging to use hte loo on the plane.
That's awesome! I can never get in there when needed; too many people hide in there. Should charge by the minute.
Originally Posted By: expat
Love SW. I have used them many a time from Seattle, once got a ticket Seattle to Fort Lauderdale for $60.
Quick, Efficient ,Helpful, unpretentious, suits me.
West jet here in Canada seem to follow their example, for me they beat Air Canada hands down!
I have also used Ryan Air in Europe, who take the No frills ethic to a new level!
Until recently. Ryanair is gonna start charging to use hte loo on the plane.
That's awesome! I can never get in there when needed; too many people hide in there. Should charge by the minute.
I have flown on Southwest many times in 20+ years. Hands down the best domestic carrier. The worst flight of my life was a Europe trip on United. Both ways was a nightmare. Never again. Got back and donated all of my miles to charity.
Originally Posted By: WTJackalope
I have flown on Southwest many times in 20+ years. Hands down the best domestic carrier. The worst flight of my life was a Europe trip on United. Both ways was a nightmare. Never again. Got back and donated all of my miles to charity.
Shoot, the BEST flight I've ever experienced was from Osaka to Chicago -- on United. It was a 747 that was grossly underloaded, to the tune of maybe fifty total passengers aboard. I had my own sleeping row across the middle, a side row for window gazing, and was able to freely roam the rest of the near-empty jet. Now that's the way to travel... Sure, that was an anomaly, but still. I really don't expect to be "pampered" in the way that airlines did back in the regulated days, but OTOH, I don't like feeling like cattle either.
I have flown on Southwest many times in 20+ years. Hands down the best domestic carrier. The worst flight of my life was a Europe trip on United. Both ways was a nightmare. Never again. Got back and donated all of my miles to charity.
Shoot, the BEST flight I've ever experienced was from Osaka to Chicago -- on United. It was a 747 that was grossly underloaded, to the tune of maybe fifty total passengers aboard. I had my own sleeping row across the middle, a side row for window gazing, and was able to freely roam the rest of the near-empty jet. Now that's the way to travel... Sure, that was an anomaly, but still. I really don't expect to be "pampered" in the way that airlines did back in the regulated days, but OTOH, I don't like feeling like cattle either.
Originally Posted By: XS650
Originally Posted By: Bill in Utah
I just found him to be a honest person who RESPECTED his work force. And that the workforce did the same.
Take care, Bill
Funny how that works, isn't it? You would think it wouldn't appear to be such a closely guarded secret that other CEO's don't know about it.
Too bad more companies are not run in a similar manner of respect regardless, of job titles. It would sure make life easier for customers. Happy Employees make happy customers.
Originally Posted By: Bill in Utah
I just found him to be a honest person who RESPECTED his work force. And that the workforce did the same.
Take care, Bill
Funny how that works, isn't it? You would think it wouldn't appear to be such a closely guarded secret that other CEO's don't know about it.
Too bad more companies are not run in a similar manner of respect regardless, of job titles. It would sure make life easier for customers. Happy Employees make happy customers.
Originally Posted By: L_Sludger
Southwest is also the reason why airline service on the remaining legacy carriers has deteriorated to something truly awful. The downward pressure they put on prices as the first successful LCC has had a devastating effect on the hundreds of thousands of employees of the other airlines. Southwest is also the reason for the breakdown in passenger decorum - with the cheap fares they forced through the market, flying became no different from driving, so you'll find yourself rubbing elbows with the ripped jeans crowd every time you fly.
Well, just use the downward pressured price difference to upgrade yourself to business or first class then.
Southwest is also the reason why airline service on the remaining legacy carriers has deteriorated to something truly awful. The downward pressure they put on prices as the first successful LCC has had a devastating effect on the hundreds of thousands of employees of the other airlines. Southwest is also the reason for the breakdown in passenger decorum - with the cheap fares they forced through the market, flying became no different from driving, so you'll find yourself rubbing elbows with the ripped jeans crowd every time you fly.
Well, just use the downward pressured price difference to upgrade yourself to business or first class then.
Domestic aviation has become the pits in the last ten years.
I remember a day when a cross country flight would always include a hot meal. People would complain about airport food, but it was free and included in your fare.
There was a couple televisions showing movies, and one showing a GPS of where you were on the map.
Now, there are virtually no televisions on flights. They have been removed to save weight.
Most flights, you can not buy a hot meal, just a snack box.
The airplanes are flying 100 percent full. People are trying to bring everything on as a carry on, because the airlines are charging to check their bags.
It has become a flying cesspool. I am pretty budget conscious so, about 8 out of 10 times we fly Southwest. They have no better or no worse service than the others, but you avoid all the garbage fees.
Give me an airline with legroom in coach, entertainment, and hot meals, I would be glad to pay 10 percent more for it, every time.
I remember a day when a cross country flight would always include a hot meal. People would complain about airport food, but it was free and included in your fare.
There was a couple televisions showing movies, and one showing a GPS of where you were on the map.
Now, there are virtually no televisions on flights. They have been removed to save weight.
Most flights, you can not buy a hot meal, just a snack box.
The airplanes are flying 100 percent full. People are trying to bring everything on as a carry on, because the airlines are charging to check their bags.
It has become a flying cesspool. I am pretty budget conscious so, about 8 out of 10 times we fly Southwest. They have no better or no worse service than the others, but you avoid all the garbage fees.
Give me an airline with legroom in coach, entertainment, and hot meals, I would be glad to pay 10 percent more for it, every time.
Originally Posted By: JustinH
Domestic aviation has become the pits in the last ten years.
The result of unbridled cost competition.
You get what you pay for.
Domestic aviation has become the pits in the last ten years.
The result of unbridled cost competition.
You get what you pay for.
The hands-down A #1 Best Thing about Southwest airlines is they are the only airline that serves Wild Turkey bourbon.
Aside from that, they do a reasonably efficient job of running an airline in an efficient, mostly no-nonsense method.
But given my druthers, I'd much rather hop in my Golf and take a leisurely roadtrip to any destination. I take very little joy in air travel anymore, which is kind of sad.
But Southwest serves Wild Turkey, and I have free drink coupons, so...
Aside from that, they do a reasonably efficient job of running an airline in an efficient, mostly no-nonsense method.
But given my druthers, I'd much rather hop in my Golf and take a leisurely roadtrip to any destination. I take very little joy in air travel anymore, which is kind of sad.
But Southwest serves Wild Turkey, and I have free drink coupons, so...
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