Southwest Airlines Community

Despite the lack of sleep, it sounds like you enjoyed your visit to the Lone Star State. I never knew what the Adopt a Pilot Program is until now - it sounds really cool! ... View more

If NW picked up the Lockheed Electra in the late 60s, they'd be sitting on the DTW tarmac next to the DC-9s - ready for their next flight 🙂 ... View more

What a fun trip! I will be visiting DC this fall (I go very often and have seen all the sights at this point. However, many, especially the museums, are worth revisiting as they offer new exhibits and features every time I go.) I usually fly into DCA or BWI when visiting DC, however, I am going to look for a good SW fare into IAD this time around. I haven't flown into Dulles since the 80s and would like to check out how it has changed. The Dulles Turnpike and the lack of time constraints on my commute should make IAD possible... The only reason I fly into DCA is if I need to get off the plane and onto the Metro. I sure wish ATA had more slots into DCA (earning Rapid Rewards Points and flying into DCA would be awesome x 1000). ... View more

Hey - just wondering - what kind of plane is it? -300? -500? -700? How long does it take to do one of those heavy checks? Great pics! Thanks for sharing! ... View more

Made me think of a random Q: How long does it take to A and B check a 737? ... View more

I don't disagree - the Concorde is/was amazing - I meant the 737 comment as a joke, however, in a half serious way (the 737 is a much better plane when it comes to the aspects that matter most from a business perspective). I can only imagine the afterburners on the Concorde take-off - must have been amazing. On the website you linked to, they give the history of each of the Concordes. Amazing how few hours they have on them! The old 737-200s put em to shame. ... View more

Concorde most amazing aircraft?? Not the 737??? In all fairness (I never got the chance to fly the Concorde, I'm afraid), the Concorde was a great plane. But it was darn near impossible to make any money flying it due to high fuel and mx costs as well as the 3-man flight crew. It was loud fuel hog. I am told by a friend of mine who took in back in 1999 on the JFK-CDG route, that the seats were rather narrow, the cabin very cramped and the overhead bins too small -- sounds like a RJ to me!! I guess the reason why you took it wasn't for the luxury, but the 3 hour trans-Atlantic crossing. However, I still wish I got the chance to rake a ride in that baby! I'm sure there is a thrill in going mach2 over the ocean in a space-shuttle look-alike. I also think the retracting nose is pretty cool! Cool pic: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Concorde_under_Verrazano_Bridge.jpg ... View more

I just have to say this.... .... This is what makes Southwest special. Other airlines (and many other companies, for that matter) don't care as much to be involved in our communities. While I understand and agree that the goal of any company is to make as much money as it can, Southwest reminds us that it never hurts to give back along the way. I don't think SW would be where it is today if cut every corner, including the most important one of all, the human factor. And as SW proves, it can be fun and rewarding to give back. No matter if it's in the form of a 737 or a parade, Southwest always spreads the Luv (sorry to be corny!!!) ... View more

Really great post! I enjoyed reading it. A year ago, I was on a night time PHX - HOU flight. Waiting in the boarding area at T-4 in PHX, I was sitting next to a woman, about 50 years old, who had never flown before - she was so scared. We sat next to each other on the plane, and when we took off, she had her eyes closed and hands clutching the arm rests. Finally, when the pilot let us know we hit 10,000 feet, she opened her eyes and looked out the window. Looking out at the dark eastern Arizona terrain, dotted by a few lights, she had a look on her face like she had discovered a new continent. Finally, she commented "wow, we must be going at least 90 MPH" ... She said it loud enough for a few others to hear, and the woman across the aisle commented "if we were going 90, we wouldn't be flying - we would be heading back toward the groud" The scared woman asked "well, how fast are we going?" She replied, "oh - anywhere from 400 to 500 mph, just a rough guess." The woman closed her eyes and clenched her fists again and commented "Someone tell the captain to slow down, I feel like I'm being driven by my teenage son." I think people with a fear of flying just feel out of control and get scared. But understanding goes a long, long way. The people sitting around us were veteran Southwest passengers, and explained why we were bumping and explained some sounds the airplane was making. Here's the best part: When someone asked her why she picked Southwest Airlines, she replied "Well, everyone I know said they were the best, and they were $40 less than [the COmpleting U.S.Airlines that fly Houston - Phoenix]. And I didn't realize the entire plane is first class. I was expecting to sit in coach." ... View more