the problem is that their cheap flights are to the absolute worst destinations in the country: JFK to Topeka or Miami to Flynt, Michigan or ATL to Waco or New Orleans to Gary, Indiana....i mean seriously or worse, DCA to Newport News, Virginia.Aknowledging their "$59 flights" are bullshitt, why are they the most expensive airline?
I do generally like that SW doesn't try to upsell me at every turn, but I do greatly despise open seating on an airplane. Or anywhere, really.
Only SWA can answer that.Aknowledging their "$59 flights" are bullshitt, why are they the most expensive airline?
That's interesting. In my experience, I'd say they're the less expensive option 75% of the time versus American/United/DeltaOnly SWA can answer that.
Edit: For example.. last night I booked a flight for late August for MEM -> CLE.
American was $285. The BEST price I could put together on Southwest was $340. And anything other than horrid connection times was over $500.
I use them occasionally but 9/10 times they are ridiculously more expensive for me.
I'd rather drive. I literally don't care if Honolulu is the destination.Allegiant, Frontier, & Spirit baby!*
Thanks for checking in.Let's see.....the last time I flew was in 2004. I don't think any of this will affect me.
Yep… the only incentive I have to book SWA is to maintain A-List where if you fly 20 legs a year you get to board A 1-15. Pretty easy to do if you fly a lot.
He just said he hasn’t since 2004…. **Thanks for checking in.
Agree, but it does make me wonder how this will run up against them now having assigned seats, which I'd assume will be in what is typically the front of the plane where the low A's tend to choose.Yep… the only incentive I have to book SWA is to maintain A-List where if you fly 20 legs a year you get to board A 1-15. Pretty easy to do if you fly a lot.
That’s a pretty sweet deal.
Same hereThat's interesting. In my experience, I'd say they're the less expensive option 75% of the time versus American/United/Delta
That crap is the worst. If it was as simple as assigning people to 5-6 groups and then letting each group board the remaining seats one at a time, it might be ok, but the way that they line everyone up into little pods is ridiculous.Aknowledging their "$59 flights" are bullshitt, why are they the most expensive airline?
I do generally like that SW doesn't try to upsell me at every turn, but I do greatly despise open seating on an airplane. Or anywhere, really.
Unethical Life Pro-Tip: Within reason, the gate attendants don't give a solitary shitt what group/boarding zone you're in. One does run the risk of incurring the wrath of fellow-travelers, but if you've got a 35 minute layover at DFW and have to switch Terminals, sometimes you do what you've gotta do.That crap is the worst. If it was as simple as assigning people to 5-6 groups and then letting each group board the remaining seats one at a time, it might be ok, but the way that they line everyone up into little pods is ridiculous.
Oh, my ticket says B13 so let me find that spot. Well, there are ten people crowded into that area so I guess I’ll have to ask them all whether I should be in front or behind them. Sir, are you B13? No, I’m B11 but I can’t get up there. Ok, ma’am, are you B13 or B14? Huh? I don’t even know what that means, and I’m just in line. Holy moly…
My most recent Southwest experience had me sad that I did not spend $1,400 more to fly on another airline. I'm done with them going forward, if I can help it at all.
And they can't make the change until they make adjustments to their seat layout. i.e. scrunch up all the other rows to make more room in the premium rows. What other industries have a value proposition wrapped around making the general experience so terrible that people will pay to get a marginal experience? There's something screwed up about the whole industry.
You've clearly never rented a car, signed a cable tv agreement, or been to Las VegasWhat other industries have a value proposition wrapped around making the general experience so terrible that people will pay to get a marginal experience? There's something screwed up about the whole industry.
Southwest gate agents were scanning tickets and sending "cheaters" back to their correct spots last time i flew them ~1 month agoUnethical Life Pro-Tip: Within reason, the gate attendants don't give a solitary shitt what group/boarding zone you're in. One does run the risk of incurring the wrath of fellow-travelers, but if you've got a 35 minute layover at DFW and have to switch Terminals, sometimes you do what you've gotta do.
Situations like this is where dressing decently, moving confidently, and being polite can take you places.
Speaking of which, last rental car experience, had a full size car "reserved". I arrive after many delays:You've clearly never rented a car, signed a cable tv agreement, or been to Las Vegas
Thats why i like delta or American. They don’t check. I don’t go with the 1st class, because that would raise some eyebrows, but group 3 is a pretty safe bet.Southwest gate agents were scanning tickets and sending "cheaters" back to their correct spots last time i flew them ~1 month ago
They kinda looked like their embarrassment at being caught was just barely registering about their pissedoffedness
What's the hurry to get on a plane just to sit for 30 minutes?Thats why i like delta or American. They don’t check. I don’t go with the 1st class, because that would raise some eyebrows, but group 3 is a pretty safe bet.
Maybe Memphis just sux for Southwest. I know I have to go to Miami in early December.If you book southwest as soon as the flight opens for booking, they are usually the cheapest. A month out, not gonna get the cheap fairs.
Never understood that. I want to be last on the plane. Of course, I'm either checking my bags when I get to the airport or at the gate. Why would I want to lug that thing onto a crowded airplane and cram it into an overhead bin?What's the hurry to get on a plane just to sit for 30 minutes?
They know how to take the reservation. They just don't know how to HOLD the reservation.Speaking of which, last rental car experience, had a full size car "reserved". I arrive after many delays:
Alamo: "Would you like to upgrade to an SUV?"
Me: "No."
Alamo: "Are you willing to drive an SUV?"
Me: "I prefer the full sized car."
Alamo: "Can we upgrade you to the SUV and provide gas credit to offest the mileage difference because we don't have any full sized cars."
Me: "Sure"
Alamo: "We are discounting you X amount and don't bother filling up before you return it."
They 100% wanted me to agree to an "upgrade", and pay more, because they didn't honor my original reservation.
Gotta make sure I have overhead space and, most importantly, the ability to put the arm rest down.What's the hurry to get on a plane just to sit for 30 minutes?
If you’re lugging your bag onto the airplane, you’re doing it the hard way.Gotta make sure I have overhead space and, most importantly, the ability to put the arm rest down.
What other industries have a value proposition wrapped around making the general experience so terrible that people will pay to get a marginal experience?
In my experience with Southwest, if you're flying out of one of their hubs it's cheaper. If it isn't one of their hubs, there are other options that cheaper.Only SWA can answer that.
Edit: For example.. last night I booked a flight for late August for MEM -> CLE.
American was $285. The BEST price I could put together on Southwest was $340. And anything other than horrid connection times was over $500.
I use them occasionally but 9/10 times they are ridiculously more expensive for me.
$30+/bag. Not playing that game if I don’t have to. And don’t want bags blocking leg room.If you’re lugging your bag onto the airplane, you’re doing it the hard way.
Worth every penny. And often as not, I just use points to pay it.$30+/bag. Not playing that game if I don’t have to. And don’t want bags blocking leg room.
Hey Fishwater, you’ve got a challengerWorth every penny. And often as not, I just use points to pay it.
I was in between naps.Thanks for checking in.
I take mine on anytime I can. Less risk of the airline losing it which is happening all too often these daysIf you’re lugging your bag onto the airplane, you’re doing it the hard way.