Great Post, Capt! Your readers might also want to know about what goes on behind the scenes to help all of us fly a little more comfortably.
In Southwest Dispatch, we try very hard to plan routes and altitudes that will avoid areas of possible turbulance. With advances in technology and weather prediction, we have access to information that can actually predict turbulance with approximately 75 percent accuracy and higher. Our passengers, crews and aircraft are our greatest assets, and by applying the information to routes and altitudes we can usually file flight plans that will keep us out of the worst areas of turbulance. If unable to steer our flights around it, or over or under it, we can alert the pilots to possible upcoming turbulance, which will allow the pilot to get everyone (including our wonderful flight attendants!) seated and strapped in.
Of course, there is always a chance to encounter unexpected and unpredicted turbulance (and therefore, its always best to wear your belt while in your seat)...another of our best tools for avoiding turbulance are the Pilot Reports (PIREPS) from people like Capt Ray. If they hit some unexpected turbulance, they report it to dispatch and we can advise flights behind him of what to expect and possibly avoid a similar experience on the next aircraft.
IN any case, at Southwest our policy is that we will not fly you into any turbulance forcasted greater than 'a little bumpy' (and the pilot will be notified of that). Sometimes that means taking a little longer way around to get to your destination, or (something you probably wouldnt notice) a change in altitude. As Capt Ray mentioned, there is little danger to the aircraft from turbulance (in spite of what you see from hollywood!)...the aircraft is designed to take much more than any of us would be willing to. We promise to do our best to keep your flight 'bump' free. But if the unexpected does occur, just strap yourself in and trust your plane and pilot...we have the absolute bes in the business!
Jim Johnson
proud SWA employee, Dispatch
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