Southwest Airlines Community

how do i make my own story? ... View more

Since I have never used an airline that imposed a miniumum stay requirement, what happens if someone books a plan that does NOT have a miniumum required stay length. Another reason to fly Southwest, since each trip is handled on a one-way basis, NO Miniumum stay requirement needed or charged. ... View more

It is my sincerest hope that someone from Southwest Arlines is reading this blog, as it is important to my wife and I that Southwest read this very important blog. We have made some attempts to write directly but to no avail. On July 16th of 2007 my wife Venera was flying into Los Angeles (LAX) from Bishkek, Kyrgystan which is a former Russian republic and a 20 hour flight via Moscow. During my wife's arrival into Moscow for her connecting flight to LAX she suffered several seizures due to a massive brain tumor that had developed while on vacation. Upon arrival into LAX after 16 hours of flight she had several more in the terminal but insisted on going to a hospital in our community of Walnut Creek ,Ca.. During her seizures at the terminal I did all I could to calm her down so that perhaps we could alleviate the attacks. At announcement time to board flight 777 to Oakland, my wife had one more siezure but this time it went away prior to boarding the flight. During the flight my wife had several more seizures and the flight attendants although concerned, offered comfort and understanding as several passengers were annoyed and rude. Upon arrival into Oakland my wife lost consciousness and stopped breathing. Due to the prompt and immediate actions of the flight crew and the captain who I wish I could hug right now, emergency medical crews arrived and transported my wife to John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek. In spite of the fact that my wife was not expected to live because of the huge tumor, the fact that Southwest made every conceivable effort to arrive minutes earlier and arrange for medical assistance, those extra minutes and those efforts will never, ever be forgotten by me or my wife. My wife underwent eight hours of brain surgery against all odds and after a month in the hospital, she is alive and well today almost 12 months after that horrible 20 hours in flight. But most notable, Southwest personnel from flight 777 and "Bridget" who offered to personally bring my baggage home deserve our thanks because they have no idea that although I was alone in this ordeal, they saw to it that I was not alone in getting her immediate medical help upon arrival into Oakland. Should thay read this blog please accept my thanks and that of my wife, and to the captain....thankyou for your kind words and incredible support that evening of July 17th. It is our hope to someday thankyou all in person. Thankyou for helping save my wife, the greatest gift in my life. Thankyou and god bless. Sincerely, Chris and Venera Montanez ... View more

I can't be completely sure, but Dave usually tapes through the end of November sweeps or at least Thanksgiving week, then takes a week or two off. ... View more

I just want to wish the Best for Herb and Colleen. They have made Southwest into a Fantastic Company! No business is perfect and everyone has a flaw or two, but to empower your employees to go out of their way for customer service is unprecedented in the airline industry. I remember reading a quote from Colleen that said something like " We are not an airline that specializes in Customer Service, But a Customer Service Company that just happens to be an Airline". As a Southwest Airlines Employee, I want to say "Thank You" for never laying off employees, when every other airline has! 9/11 was difficult for everyone in the United States, but Southwest opted not to take the easy way out by cutting employees. For some reason, I can hear Herb and Colleen saying "We can't do this to our employees! They have made us into what we are today, so let's look at other ways to cut expenses!" Southwest even added employees after 9/11 to compensate for additional security. I was amazed after 9/11, when Southwest Board Members and Executive froze their pay for 3 months (if I remember correctly). Southwest opted to allow employees to donate money out of their paychecks to off set expenses, and over a MILLION dollars was given back to Southwest from employees. Gary has a huge responsibility (and shoes to fill), but I am confident Southwest will look after their employees and customers just like you did! Herb and Colleen, I just want you to know that you have my greatest respect, and to say that you both made a huge difference, not only in the airline industry, but in beliefs and ethics of MANY SOUTHWEST EMPLOYEES! As an employee, when I think of Southwest Airlines, I automatically think of "Herb and Colleen"--The Fantastic Duo!! This day marks the "End Of An Era"! , but because of YOU, Southwest Airlines will Continue to Fly Above The Rest! THANK YOU!!!!! ... View more

I "cashed in" credits from the former Rapid Rewards Program (the program that made too much sense to keep) and was issued two Standard Awards. For the past month, I've tried to reserve flights using the Standard Awards. Lots of luck trying to do that. Where does someone have to fly to to use Standard Awards--Oshkosh? Nome? Peducah? (Not that I have anythng against those places.) ... View more

Thanks for the answer. I will combine a post with that about your new look and feel:-) Happy Hotelier   http://www.happyhotelier.com/ ... View more

Thanks for your patience. We will be running a post this week with the winning headlines. Brian ... View more

I was taking a flight from Las Vegas to North Carolina the other day and a guy on the plane was playing a movie on his laptop. I was 1 seat behind him and across the aisle. I could see his complete screen. There were people in the other 2 seats in the row he was in (he was in the aisle seat), There wewre also people across the aisle from him. . There were a couple of full frontal nude and sex scenes in the movie and I was at a loss for what to do. Should I have informed him directly that I could fully see his screen and that I don't watch those type of movies and was offended or should I tell the steward/ess. I turned towards the window, put my headphones on and closed my eyes. I probab ly should of done more, but this was the first time I've ever seen someone watch that type of movie on a plane. I assume it was rated R. I feel bad about not speaking up. What do you think I should of done? ... View more

Man I wish I was there, but I went on vacation to Mexico to visit my Grandparents. It looks AWESOME! It's about time too, I work on the ramp at MDW. Started in June of '02. It looks similar to the one I drew went I went to train at DAL. They had "naked" B737's on sheets and they asked the class to design the next plane. I was gonna call it FEEDOM FLYER 1, but they urged me to call it AMERICA 1. The front half of the fusealage was the head of the bald eagle while the latter half had the American flag waving across. Not to toot my own horn but, I gotta admit it was looking good, voted the best in that class. This came close to my dream design, that's why I LUV it so! ... View more

EVER been afraid to step on a SWA plane and have worked in res for 13 yrs. I realize that it is different than being a flight attendant who steps on a plane everyday, but I like the feling of when I do fly knowing that I work for the SAFEST airline in the world. There aren't many that can even come close to that statement! To all the mechanics and all airport personel, inflight and pilots keep up the great work and I will be seeing you next month when I go to LAS. ... View more

Wow... now that's rather neat! I'm looking forward to seeing a DC3 at Berlin Tempelhof in June - they will commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift this year. It will be a massive fly-in, and will have a lot of importance as well, as it may be the last as Tempelhof may close soon... I'm hoping to travel up with my company's Junker Ju52, which will be accompanied by the Lufthansa Ju52 as well, so it should be rather nice! :o)) Raphael ... View more

Happy Easter! I hope everyone is having a good one! :) Thought for the day: Why is it called bluegrass music when the grass is green? When you want to fly the best, fly Southwest! I came up with that by my very own self. :) SWA LUV! 🙂 ... View more

UPDATE 1, 16 Mar 08! "Safety & Boarding System Problems"! Safety Issue with an AD not Performed??? Get real!, this is truely not important (a small one-time expensive issue) in the large sceme of things with flying and SWA, when compared with the problems with the SWA Boarding System! I hope you read on and post some of your experiences with the SWA Boarding System (Not based on so-called Tradition or Nostalgia with the Cattle Call Boarding System!)! Although Important because aircraft safety is involved (one-instance), the real safety issue with SWA is not the one being talked about endlessly! Its the crazy/weird SWA Boarding system that could get you in a fight or ran over by other Passengers trying to be first in line or get in their correct SWA assigned row position! SWA Passengers need to write and lobby SWA Mgt to make some logical changes ( a real break from no reserved seating) to its non-functional Boarding System and its new rule to Board Women, Children, and handicapped Passengers between BC (Business Class) and Row B Passengers! This is a disservice to all Passengers in that such needy Passengers are more inconvienced and B row Passengers have no chance of getting decent seats! Former A row Passengers are now relegated to 2nd Class Passengers and get what seats that may be left after high paying BC Passengers board First (if they are on-time) to get a preferred seat! Just try getting a low A row number now on full flights 24 Hours in advance, when BC can get theirs 36 Hours in advance! This completes the update One! ------------------------------ New Boarding Process-After the Holidays (Title from Archived Blog ending Feb 08) This Blog space is too small (I think) to list all my negative comments about the new boarding system (even much worst then the hated old one), so I plan to follow-up with a formal USPS letter (SWA still does not accept email letters, due to bone-headed tradition and plain poor and slow Customer Service feedback options!!) to the SWAÃ ... View more

Is Southwest flying unsafe planes and not performing the proper inspections? And knowingly endangering the lives the passengers? ... View more

I'm a 'sorta sports venue dweeb'. We've been to a few venues to see our favorite teams. My favs are Lambeau Field, Camp Randall (Go Badgers!) the Rose Bowl, Fenway and Wrigley. Being a Big 10 fan, I'd love to see 'The Big House' (Michigan) and The 'Shoe (Ohio State). Beaver Stadium (Penn State) would be great too. The venues go hand-in-hand with the local bars and restaurants. Nothing beats a blueberry muffin at Mickey's Dairy Bar mixed up well with brats and beer down State Street. ... View more

Cupid lets Southwest do the flying, wings are tired. ... View more

Speed dating is fine but for those who are really busy they should join www.batibuti.com. The newest and always free dating website for today's on the move singles. ... View more

We left an item on a Flight 112 from Boise to SLC on February 8. I called all the connecting cities and no one could find the item. But they said possibly someone at the warehouse where lost items go may be of help. How do I get in contact with this facility? Thank you, Barbara ... View more

Hi Diana, I turned your request over to our Public Relations folks. Brian ... View more