Southwest Airlines Community

I fly two airlines when I fly. Southwest about 90 percent of the time and USair to Knoxville TN (only because Southwest does not go to Knoxville, you folks REALLY need to take a look at that market!!) So I get to compare open seating with assigned seating. I've flown Southwest since 2001 and I must take a moment here to thank you for curing me of being a "white knuckle" flyer. My first Southwest flight was to Ontario California from Hartford CT. The flight crew that you had that day had me in stitches all the way across the country and cured my "fear of flying" for all time!. I didn't know the boarding system you use at that time, but became a convert to it immediately. Over the years I've learned where to sit to get off the plane faster to make a connection and where to sit if I don't have to make that tight connection. Your system made me a more informed customer, to my benefit. I've seen the problems with families traveling together trying to get seats together and I've changed seats to help if necessary if not sitting in an exit row. Assigned seating? Well with being able to book and pick your seat online? if you have enough of a lead time to do that (and I usually do) then you can get your aisle seat, or window seat pretty much. I know if you fly last minute, thats impossible most times. I do think it takes much longer to fill the plane on assigned seating and you're still waiting in line by the door for your group to be called. ( I fly with a carry-on so if its not one of usairs regional jets where you gate check it, I want to make sure I have room for it and yes it fits the requirements!!) If it isn't broke, don't fix it!! Leave the open seating on Southwest just the way it is! If you want to fix things, listen to the folks here who are talking about people abusing the pre-boarding as well as using bags to hold places in the corrals. I thought that you could not leave a bag unattended in an airport!! I too have seen whole families board under the preboarding rules, there must be a way to poilce that. As for using luggage to hold that center seat, nuts to that. its under your seat, or up in the bin, period! I have noticed over the past five years, that there is less scrutiny of the boarding lines by personnel then there used to be, Again, from a 5 year customer, KEEP IT THE WAY IT IS Don 🙂 ... View more

Ahhh the lovely Barbara Billingsley saying.. Thats ok Stewardess, I speak Jive... ... View more

I had just gotten home from work from my shift at the firehouse and was reading some e-mail when my wife hollared down from upstairs that I had better come up and take a look at the news. The first reports were of a light or possibly a commuter plane had hit the North tower. I looked at the picture on the TV screen and said to her that there was WAY too much of a damage footprint in the side of the tower for it to be a small plane. I remember right then beginning to feel unsettled as to what was going on. Then, all doubt was removed as the 2nd explosion was shown live and in horrible living color. I hadn't seen the plane come in, but my wife had and she said to me, "We're under attack aren't we" I remember the most cold feeling go through me as we watched this unfold before our eyes. I knew that our lives had changed forever. Then as the buildings came down and with them, knowing that many thousands were now dead the most unbelievable feeling of helplessness went through me, followed by a cold, a very cold rage. Our fire department stood to and prepared for God knows what as we are only about 75 miles from NYC. This truly was a day of infamy! My first flight, after that day, was on Southwest to Orlando for a conference in December of 01. The plane was only about a third full as we left Hartford, but EVERYONE on that plane was alert, but friendly with each other, sort of as a huge KISS MY *SS to the terrorists. I was proud to be in the air that day. and every day since. I do fear that many have become complacent 5 years later. I also commend the flight attendants for keeping their sense of humor and duty while giving the pre flight safety briefing while most of the people on board do their best to NOT listen to them. Its the best three minutes you'll ever spend folks. and who knows, it just MIGHT come in handy. At least give them the courtesy and listen to what they tell you! If you're sitting by that exit window, the butt you save just might be MINE! ... View more