anybody fly southwest airlines? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

84300DT · #1 04-25-2006, 08:49 AM

never flew in their planes before...

. wondering what's the deal with seats, online boarding passes, actual experience at the airport with boarding process, et cetera..

your insider knowledge appreciated!

TX76513 · #2 04-25-2006, 09:54 AM

I have flown SW but don't especially like the experience. I guess they originated the expression, bus with wings. Go early and get an "A" pass for their festival seating program.

iwrock · #3 04-25-2006, 11:43 AM

I usually fly Southwest, as its cheap to when you fly alot to So.Cal and back. It is cheap, but the service is decent, goo for the price though. Im not to worried about the service, as long as it gets me and my bags there and back.

Michael K · #4 04-25-2006, 11:52 AM

I only fly them when I have the kids with me (and can waltz up at the last minute and go to the front of the line). Otherwise, to get a decent seat, you have to get your boarding pass way ahead of time. Boarding a crowded SW flight is like riding a commuter train in Manhattan.

WVOtoGO · #5 04-25-2006, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justinwrock

I usually fly Southwest, as its cheap to when you fly alot to So.Cal and back. It is cheap, but the service is decent, goo for the price though. Im not to worried about the service, as long as it gets me and my bags there and back.

And that’s all they ever do. Ever intended to do. Ever want(ed) to do. And will continue to do.
And - They make money doing it, while all the rest are trying to do something else until Chapter 11 becomes what they’re (the rest) doing.

Justin - You’re their target market. You’ve got the attitude they’re looking to serve.

84300DT · #6 04-25-2006, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justinwrock

I usually fly Southwest, as its cheap to when you fly alot to So.Cal and back. It is cheap, but the service is decent, goo for the price though. Im not to worried about the service, as long as it gets me and my bags there and back.

they are just starting to make inroads out here on the east coast so we're not
too familiar with them yet.

R Leo · #7 04-25-2006, 12:16 PM

Having assigned seating isn't that big of a deal for me so, I'd rather fly SWA than any other domestic airline. Their dependable service and a good attitude goes along way too.

It's been a couple of years since I flew east on Southwest. Back then they did fly into some weird places (Manchester, NH is one) where transporation or a rental car can be a big contributor to expense that isn't on the airline ticket.

84300DT · #8 04-25-2006, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R Leo

Having assigned seating isn't that big of a deal for me so, I'd rather fly SWA than any other domestic airline. Their dependable service and a good attitude goes along way too.

It's been a couple of years since I flew east on Southwest. Back then they did fly into some weird places (Manchester, NH is one) where transporation or a rental car can be a big contributor to expense that isn't on the airline ticket.

what's weird about manchester new hamster??

seriously we do take our own car up there and can park for 1/2 the cost of logan in boston.. but the main attraction was non-stop flights both ways when all the others make you switch planes or charge major $$$ for a little 3 hr flight to Fla.

suginami · #9 04-25-2006, 01:01 PM

The worst thing about Southwest is you don't have assigned seats - first come first serve.

They board by the order you check in.

The first 30 or 60 people are given an "A", which means you board first. The next group gets a "B", and the last grouping gets a "C".

Before you board the airplane, you stand in the appropriate line, A, B, or C.

It is critical to be in the "A" group. You get your choice of seat, and you and your companions get to sit together. Generally speaking, even if you are a B, you will still get to be able to pick an aisle seat, be you'll be in the back of the airplane. If you are in the C group, you are ***** out of luck. You'll get a middle seat at the back half of the airplane, and all the overhead storage space will be taken up by the guys in the A and B group.

Sooooooo, here's the trick. You are allowed to check in online and print your boarding pass 24 hours before the flight leaves. If you don't want to check in at the ticket counter 3-4 hours before the flight leaves, you won't get an "A" unless you check in online.

iwrock · #10 04-25-2006, 01:01 PM

I can fly from No. Cal to So. Cal in about an hour and a half, and for under $200. Couple that with the discount I get on smash-a-cars, I can do a whole week down in So. Cal for about the same price as it would cost to drive.

84300DT · #11 04-25-2006, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suginami

The worst thing about Southwest is you don't have assigned seats - first come first serve.

They board by the order you check in.

The first 30 or 60 people are given an "A", which means you board first. The next group gets a "B", and the last grouping gets a "C".

Before you board the airplane, you stand in the appropriate line, A, B, or C.

It is critical to be in the "A" group. You get your choice of seat, and you and your companions get to sit together. Generally speaking, even if you are a B, you will still get to be able to pick an aisle seat, be you'll be in the back of the airplane. If you are in the C group, you are ***** out of luck. You'll get a middle seat at the back half of the airplane, and all the overhead storage space will be taken up by the guys in the A and B group.

Sooooooo, here's the trick. You are allowed to check in online and print your boarding pass 24 hours before the flight leaves. If you don't want to check in at the ticket counter 3-4 hours before the flight leaves, you won't get an "A" unless you check in online.

thanks for the above.. that's exactly the info i needed...

i'll be hammering their site right upto the 24hrs prior.

suginami · #12 04-25-2006, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 84300DT

thanks for the above.. that's exactly the info i needed...

i'll be hammering their site right upto the 24hrs prior.

You are welcome, and what's more......my advice is free! No charge to the reader.

You will find the link on the www.southwest.com webpage. Select check in online. You enter your confirmation number and your first and last name.

The boarding pass comes up and you print it out.

If you have no luggage to check in, then you present the boarding pass you printed out to get through security. You also use this as your boarding pass to hand to the agent at the gate.

If you have luggage to check-in, you just line up at the ticket counter to get your luggage tagged.

TX76513 · #13 04-25-2006, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suginami

You are welcome, and what's more......my advice is free! No charge to the reader.

You will find the link on the www.southwest.com webpage. Select check in online. You enter your confirmation number and your first and last name.

The boarding pass comes up and you print it out.

If you have no luggage to check in, then you present the boarding pass you printed out to get through security. You also use this as your boarding pass to hand to the agent at the gate.

If you have luggage to check-in, you just line up at the ticket counter to get your luggage tagged.

Then you simply select your seating next to screaming babies or lonely old people

raymr · #14 04-25-2006, 09:36 PM

Don't forget to laugh at all their corny jokes.

ottothegreat · #15 04-25-2006, 10:04 PM

southwest has the safest record.The only time I can remember any problem is when the plane skidded off the runway at midway airport in chicago during a big snowstorm last winter.No injuries on the plane but a child was killed in a car that wes struck after the plane went through the fence.That sucks but the fares are really good (if not the best).The company is also employee owned(what % i dont know)and the attendants are very friendly. hope this helps.