Southwest Airlines

[Suspect Chin]

I usually fly a couple times a week for work and I almost always fly on Southwest Airlines. Because I traveled to a smaller city earlier this week, I was forced to take American Airlines. This horrific experience on AA convinced me that SW is the only airline worth taking. Of course they only go to the big cities, but I would rather drive a couple hours after I land than take another airline.

Reasons I love SWA:

1. Easy to get top notch status and rewards. I usually get 5-6 free flights per year and I can have my girlfriend fly with me for free on any flight (including free reward flights) with my Companion Pass.

2. Group boarding levels the playing field--check in first, you get the best seat. Unless you have super elite status on the other airlines, you are forced to board last and sit in the back like an animal. You're also welcomed with shitty smug looks from all the first class passengers as you make your way to the sardine can in the back.

3. The employees are actually nice and the schedules run smoothly. Like I said, I fly a lot. On SWA I've never had rude flight attendants, been stuck on a runway, not received a drink because the flight is too short, had luggage damaged, had a flight completely canceled because it wasn't full enough, or been bounced from a flight because some first class asshole wanted to go standby. I've experienced all these things on other airlines at least once.

For a frequent flyer, there is no airline better than Southwest.

[opie's twisted balls]

For a frequent flyer, there is no airline better than Southwest.
For short haul in the US absolutely no argument. In Canada our version of Southwest is WestJet (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WestJet_Airlines). Very similar business model as Southwest with the most noticeable difference being a newer fleet. AWESOME service and fly them for personal travel to the coast all the time. Shame that my employer has an exclusivity agreement with Air Canada/United/Star Alliance since I'd prefer to take WestJet for short haul flights. On the upside is I've had super elite status for the past 10 years and almost always get upgraded. On the downside their inflight and station crew are old sullen unionized pricks making the flying experience one step above a root canal from Dr. Szell on the pleasure scale

[Suspect Chin]

For short haul in the US absolutely no argument. In Canada our version of Southwest is WestJet (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WestJet_Airlines). Very similar business model as Southwest with the most noticeable difference being a newer fleet. AWESOME service and fly them for personal travel to the coast all the time. Shame that my employer has an exclusivity agreement with Air Canada/United/Star Alliance since I'd prefer to take WestJet for short haul flights. On the upside is I've had super elite status for the past 10 years and almost always get upgraded. On the downside their inflight and station crew are old sullen unionized pricks making the flying experience one step above a root canal from Dr. Szell on the pleasure scale

Yeah my company has an agreement with United too and we are supposed to use them whenever it is 'price effective.' Luckily for me, on regional flights, Southwest always has the lowest cost.

I think the other airlines have just complicated their business model far too much. Of course, SWA is a lot smaller than the major airlines, but they seem to have streamlined the entire process from buying the ticket, to check-in, to boarding and unboarding, its just a great company.

[opie's twisted balls]

Yeah my company has an agreement with United too and we are supposed to use them whenever it is 'price effective.' Luckily for me, on regional flights, Southwest always has the lowest cost.

I think the other airlines have just complicated their business model far too much. Of course, SWA is a lot smaller than the major airlines, but they seem to have streamlined the entire process from buying the ticket, to check-in, to boarding and unboarding, its just a great company.
I'd like to meet the sales weasel @ Air Canada since when our contract was last negotiated they managed to get the lowest retail price taken out of the TC's. So regardless of the cost we have to take Air Canada for domestic travel with the only exception being if they don't travel to the destination. The suspicion is that at the end of the year corporate receives a rebate based on the total spend. Fine for their books but it means operational budgets are fucked up because we have to go with an artificially more costly vendor.

Not sure I agree with SWA being smaller....aren't they the largest US carrier by volume?

That said they have a great business model and you're right it isn't complicated at all.....
(big flying machine + great unwashed masses needing to go from point a to point b) x (reasonable fares ÷ peanut snack substitute) - boarding passes = success

[Suspect Chin]

Not sure I agree with SWA being smaller....aren't they the largest US carrier by volume?



Upon further review, you're right. I just assumed they were smaller since they fly to only 68 destinations (all of them domestic), vs the several hundred (plus international) of Delta or United.

[angrymissy]

I was forced to fly AA twice in the past month, to Nashville and SFO, and they fucking BLOWWWWW.

[Tenbatsuzen]

Continental is efficient, but I like the Jet Blue experience. Nicer, more comfortable seats too.

[disneyspy]

fags fly free

[opie's twisted balls]

fags fly free
fly a lot do you?

[Dell]

any airline beats Delta...unless you like unplanned overnight stays in Atlanta at a flea-bag hotel...

[Dell]

fly a lot do you?

free is the best price...no?

[Tenbatsuzen]

fags fly free

Someone I know hates to fly but is very cheap. Hm.

[Contra]

I was forced to fly AA twice in the past month, to Nashville and SFO, and they fucking BLOWWWWW.

This is very true.

I flew out to cali last year and AA had the best time+price that I needed. I generally fly continental.

Crazy problems, there and back, that make me so irritated just thinking about it. In the end we were stranded in Philly an extra night (comp'd motel room and grub at least).
I will never fly them again.

[disneyspy]

fly a lot do you?

yes and the lay overs are cool

[WhistlePig]

I love Southwest. They always have a lot of flights/times to choose from at great prices. Haven't had a bad experience with them yet.
I also like Jet Blue, especially for flying into Long Beach. Cool airport.

[King Hippos Bandaid]

all my clients brag about southwest, just too hard to fly on SW with the lack of a NY/NJ presence

since I can really fly onSW...

Jet Blue > All others

[Suspect Chin]

all my clients brag about southwest, just too hard to fly on SW with the lack of a NY/NJ presence

since I can really fly onSW...

Jet Blue > All others

SWA flies into LaGuardia and Long Island (Islip I think).

Jet Blue is pretty good based on the few times I've flown with them. They don't have many flights in the midwest however so I haven't flown them since I used to fly home from school in NYC.

[Suspect Chin]

Listening to yesterday's show and the discussion of Kevin Smith and Southwest airlines.

I think Ron has the wrong idea that SWA is a 'ham and eggers airline.' It is essentially any other airline, minus the first and business classes. Unless you are shelling out the cash for the upgrade (or a frequent flier), I say that SWA is the best choice. Flights are cheaper, people are nicer, boarding time is faster, and actually the seats seem a little bigger.

Just make sure you tip the scales at under 3 bills.

[thepaulo]

couldm't catch a connecting flight in Albequerquie because Gail was drunk.

[SatCam]

couldm't catch a connecting flight in Albequerquie because Gail was drunk.

that's their "weigh under 300, blow under 3.0" rule

[Hottub]

that's their "weigh under 300, blow under 3.0" rule

Fuck!!!


:lol: