Despite Bill's comments, I continue to believe this is all about maximizing revenues. The official party line may be a complete schedule re-work, which by the way is based upon maximizing revenues on the routes serviced.
If it wasn't Southwest could simply just roll over the current schedule for another few weeks to get past May and then open up mid-June for the schedule re-work. I believe in its history, Southwest has done this from time to time (short schedule extensions) The fact that this was never even considered suggests it is a lot more about revenues than what has been disclosed.
Now is it wrong for a "for profit" company to be concerned about revenues? Not at all. But there is a balancing act that needs to be taken against this theory and the theory of goodwill of customers.
I will always believe Southwest dropped the ball here, and this, along with the lack of time to use rapid rewards (when you earn so darn many you can't use em all) and the assigned seat experiment are my only qualms....
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Bill, you guys have done the schedule the same way for the last 30 years or so. I still firmly believe there is a hidden agenda. Granted, more cities and more planes may ad complexity to the process.
What I believe? The fares are so low now that you do not want to release the schedule as it may impact the summer season at lower than normal fares.
Bottom line is that I have quite a few RR awards I need to use. I need to be flexible since the change in structure (i.e. blackout dates, limited seats). So I need lead time to get time off with these for family events. If you didn't limit the use (like the old days) it wouldn't be a big deal at all. When you are talking May 15 or so, its not really that far off.
Bill, frankly, I have found that the restrictions on RR awards make it difficult to use (perhaps by design?) The 12 month limit is the problem. I can't use them as quick as I earn them, that's the problem. So one way I take care of that is either: (1) take the family on a trip, and/or (2) get rid of the credit card to minimize earning even more awards.
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So Bill, OK, the process takes time. Why wasn't it started earlier? I read something about needing 10 weeks to do the schedule. Seems like it was taken on as a last minute effort right smack in the middle of the Christmas season, a high travel period and a period of personal and family obligations, so people were disracted. Maybe if it was started before the holidays we'd have something by now? So again, it seems like the ball has been fumbled somewhere along the line. Southwest used to be innovative, but this is just a legacy carrier move here with the lack of up front time....
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Bill:
I think you have completely missed the point.
No one said you had to post your entire year schedule now. But the booking date end date of May 10 is ridiculous. It's not really that far off.
For me I have all these silly Rapid Rewards credits I never seem to be able to use. I acquire them from flights and your credit card. They start to expire because they are only good for 12 months. So we have a trip planned in late May/early June....dates somewhat flexible. I thought, gosh, I can actually use 4 of these rewards for the family. I need to get some finality here. I have a work schedule that I need to maintain. I have other commitments I need to maintain.
Bill, you can pipe in all you want. But your answer is just lip service, plain and simple.
Bottom line is that I just called and cancelled the VISA card. It's clear that its a rip off for me, and I'd do better with a different card. I also am booking Alaska Airlines flights up and down the west coast again. If you want my business then you'll need to compete for my business again. Somewhere Southwest lost its innovative touch and is just a shy above the legacies now.....very, very disappointing.
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01-20-2007
05:06 PM
4 Loves
Bill,
What is going on with the schedule extension (or lack of one). I read somewhere you were holding it until Feb 8.
So Feb 8 to simply book May 11? Bill, that is a crock. I need to make some plans and get it done. Your asking that we sacrifice and gamble on the Southwest schedule - and potentially pass up other airlines - and there are no guarantees with airlines. Fares rise without notice, flights change without notice and so forth.
So the question really is - is Southwest still committed to customer service? Or has that attitude fallen out among the airline senior staff? I admit, I am really dismayed, and frankly, just plain pissed off about the schedule ending May 10. Thats not even four months away and will basically be three months away by the time Southwest gets around to it on Feb 8.
What is going on? Are the good days of good service over with?
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Recently cancelled a San Diego fligth since I don't want to be part oft his test and chaos. Instead, booked on Alaska.
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This is an excellent decision by Southwest.
Please don't do away with the current seat system. If it is a problem, just give the highest fare class (or two highest) priority for A. That would solve most legitimate concerns.
As for BoardFirst, screw them; they are clearly taking away from your product.
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