I waited an extra 2 1/2 months to book LAS to MCI because the May 4th flight (one week prior) was $49 at that time. Now, after all this, May 11th goes on sale for $169 one-way! I'm done with with Southwest. The prices are about as bad as the service!
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David G.,
If you've read the comments on this blog, you should know that the schedule usually comes out around 10am (9am CST).
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Bill,
I appreciate the explaination. Unfortunately, as somebody who's taking a multi-city trip from May 4 through May 13th, a greater understanding of the situation does not resolve my concerns, nor my satisfaction with Southwest.
Most airlines expand their window in daily increments. I don't think people need such constant updates, but as you've noted, dependibility and schedule predicitibilty are quite valuable to consumers. I could live with 180/120, but not the occasional 90.
If you wanted to switch to May - August instead of June through September, you should have gone peacemeal - introduce the May - June period, and then June through August. There is no valid reason why you can't release May before August. Well, there is--you're trying to turn Southwest Airline tickets into Jimmy Buffett tickets: create a mad rush and increase demand. Southwest (in part b/c of the best ad campaign on tv) has a cult appeal, and markets flying as more of a spontanious good. By building a mass of folks begging for the schedule, buying Southwest tickets becomes a fun, high-paced event. It's a cunning strategy, but you're spin is disingenuous.
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01-10-2007
06:06 PM
4 Loves
Bill,
I'm not trying to beat a dead horse, but the scheduling lag is become a bit of a stressor. My wife and I are flying to Phoenix on May 4th, doing a small road trip, then flying to Kansas City on May 11th and home to Washington, DC on May 13th. We booked the first flight with Southwest over a month ago, thinking we'd book the remaining flights soon after. We've seen other flights increase in price, to the point where I wish I had booked elsewhere a month ago. I check the sight every day, but the schedule still ends at May 10th. When can I finally book for May 11th?
I'm trying to be patient, but when you go the best steak house, and have to wait two hours for your steak, the wonderful steak has a little bit of bitterness, that leaves you a bit unsatisfied. Even if it's a good bargain, nothing compensates for bad service, and we're approaching that point.
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