Southwest Airlines Community

Yes...I got the same thing. We get 500 points for signing up for the program, but that's probably as far as it will go for nearly everyone.  Keep us posted! ... View more

Hi There!   I was really anxious prior to my SWA flight in July. Here's what I found to be helpful for me: Tell the flight crew...no, seriously. They are trained to deal with all kinds of situations, including anxious fliers. They will keep an eye on you during the flight. Sitting toward the center of the aircraft offers the smoothest ride if turbulence make you nervous. If you're the social type, chat with the person next to you if they seem receptive to conversation. What helped me during my three-hour flight was playing mindless game apps on my phone (wear earbuds so you don't disturb your seatmates). Avoid alchohol: it can exacerbate feelings of dizziness...a real bummer if you're prone to motion sickness. Pack a small bag with comfort items(see SWA carry-on policy for speficifations). It can be your favorite book, a stuffed animal, drawing pads, anything that helps you relax. If you're not sure of something mid-flight, ask one of the flight attendants If you can, start watching flight videos of YouTube of planes taking off and landing. Many of them are well done and show the beauty of being in the air. Familiarize yourself with the sounds that aircraft make: deployment and retraction of flaps and slates, landing gear retracting after take-off and being deployed prior to landing. If the unknown is what makes you most anxious, there are lots of resources online created for fearful fliers by airlines pilots themselves. I had the best luck with Capt. Ron's Fearless Flight. As DancingDavid suggested, try to book early in the day as to avoid delays. Try to book a direct non-stop flight if you can. If you can't, allow plenty of time for your layover so you're not rushed catching your connecting flight. The 737 series is a roomy, robust bird. An aircraft cannot go airborne unless it has been thouroughtly checked. The pilot (usually the captain) does a full-walk-around outside the aircraft before take-off. If you live near the airport, make an advance trip out there to locate security, parking, etc. You'll know what to expect. Allow plenty of time to head out to the airport. If you'r taking your car and leaving it, scope out lots ahead of time so there is one less thing to worry about on flight day. Allow at least 2 hours to park, get through security, locating your gate, and waiting. Boarding generally starts 30 min. before departure. It's better to have too much time on your hands than not enough time. Rushing exacerbates anxiety. Medication in some cases can enhance anxiety, so talk it over carefully with your health care provider. If you are flying to a happy event, say, a wedding or to meet up with friends, think about that event or people while in flight. It really does make a difference. This YouTube video helped me so much.."the Plane Whisperer" it was awesome. Continue reaching out to the community here on the SWA boards. They were so helpful when I posted before my flight, and believe it or not, I now am not so nervous. I even enjoyed my return flight home and am looking forward to my next flight. Hang in there...I'm sure others will chime in, too. Check back with us, let us know how you're doing, and be sure to report back after your trip! 🙂 ... View more

Yes, she mentioned the take-off roll out of SNA is quite steep..short runway plus noise abatement regs. Will be flying out of LAX; direct non-stop flight (less stress of making connection) and cheaper than SNA, which would have been $200 or more.   I have another friend who flies out of Burbank regularly...loves it and breezes thru security in half the time. Too far away for me, but I always recommened it to people who are flying into that part of L.A. ... View more

He is adorable! I can't wait! Thank you! I will keep an eye out for him. I've cleared a landing strip on my front porch 😉 ... View more

I added EBCI when I booked the flight, thankfully. The last thing I'd need is to be in the middle seat in the back of the plane.     ... View more

Hi Blake- Thankfully I grabbed EBCI at the time I booked my flight. The last thing I'd want is  to be stuck in a middle seat at the back of the plane. Hoping to grab an aisle seat on or near the wing for the most stable ride.   I have a playlist set up on my phone and I hope the onboard wifi is working so I can distract myself with a movie. I'll see how it goes re: seatmate. It's an early flight so I imagine some people will want to sleep. 🙂   I'll report back on how the trip went! 🙂 ... View more

Thanks for the tips! If the gate agents aren't too busy, I'll let them know. A friend of mine is a gate agent at SNA, and the pace can get frantic, so I feel their pain.   And yes, I have to admit I do like SWA's safety record 🙂 ... View more

Thanks for the great advice! Hoping I get some really cool seat mates. I think a screaming baby would set my nerves even more on edge LOL No alcohol for this girl; heading to OMA for the USARS National Championships so I need a clear head. 🙂 I will report back on my flight. ... View more