Southwest Airlines Community

If any of Bill's friends drop over to his house over the weekend, beware of his comment "I'll grab something out of the freezer to throw on the grill". I know Bill, I am assuming you have friends. ... View more

Bill, Thank you so much for sharing the wonderful eulogy with us. While reading it, I thought of my mother whom I lost so many years ago. Your post was not only a eulogy to your mom, but in my mind it was a eulogy for all the wonderful moms that we have lost. You have shared with us all the wonderful traits of your mom along with the sorrow you are feeling. My thoughts are with your family this holiday season. ... View more

One of my most remembered Christmas memories was when I was stationed at DaNang, Vietnam in the Air Force. Two days before Christmas Bob Hope was scheduled to have his annual Christmas show at DaNang. We started arriving at the show location early, which was an outside location, around 8 am for a 1 pm show. It was raining when we arrived and it continued raining all morning. We were outside on the side of a hill anxiously awaiting his arrival. As his helicopter was touching down, the rain stopped for the first time in two days and the show went on. Later on as Silent Night was being sung to end the show, it started raining again and continued for the rest of the day. The man had connections. His show brought a little bit of home to us and made our Christmas a little brighter. The entertainers that make the trip today to entertain are giving the troops a great Christmas present. Thanks Bert for blogging this subject. I'm sure a lot of Christmas memories will be remembered, maybe for the first time in many years. I hope everyone has a good Holiday Season. ... View more

Brian, Kim must have had to many Chrstmas "peanuts" at his company party. He's probably thinking that "yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away/Now I need a place to hide away" after his superb answers to the quiz. Isn't it nice to see positive, friendly comments on the blog. ... View more

We want to give the new procedures a chance like Gary, Brian and Kevin has asked us to do. Reading all the above sounds like many gate agents don't understand it and thus aggravating us customers. Upper management, I hope you are reading these comments and take appropriate steps to "retrain" some of the CSA's. Just like shopping at a new store or eating in a new restaurant, if you have a bad experience the first time, you really don't want to go back. This could happen to many of the SWA customers. I fly for the first time next week from MCO to BNA and back. I'm anxious to see how things are working. ... View more

Thanks to the SWA CSA's and flight attendants for their experiences with the new system. Its good to hear their comments, though I would expect most to be good. I am sure management is concerned with the horror stories of some CSA's not implementing the system correctly. I've made many comments about the new system, but now is the time to give it a chance. Again, thank you SWA personnel for your comments and experiences. I'm sure on Monday evening, Nov 26, we will hear a big sign of relief from SWA personnel that the Thanksgiving travel is complete. ... View more

Kathy, You're right. That was the good ole days when it was a game to try to get #1. Even when they came out with numbered boarding, I thought that was cool. Why they teased us with announcing that and coming out with the business select and A-listers just a short time later I'll never understand. Like Gary said, no one likes changes. Like he said, times are changing and he went after those business flyers and is trying to get them on board-no pun intended. I always got to the gate at least 1 1/2 hours early to get that coveted exit aisle seat. Sadly, those days are done unless I opt to purchase the highest price ticket. I would have been an A -lister 12 months ago, but to due to the slowing economy I'm not flying enough to qualify. Kudos to Gary for making the video and giving us customers a forum to respond. My next flight is the week after Thanksgiving and I'll be anxious to see how things are working by then. And Paula, I think you should lead off a video at least once a month. Like Brody said, its a nice way to start our day. ... View more

Brian, Before moving to Orlando four years ago, home was in Indianapolis which is still home to me. I would attend the Dayton Airshow all the time. Plus the Air Force Museum is at Wright Patterson AB in Dayton. if you haven't been, it is a must see. One of the more enjoyable parts for me is all the aircraft on display from the Vietnam war. As an Air Force Veteran of Vietnam it was most interesting. Also, all Air Force One aircraft are on display from the first through the 707 that carried President Kennedy's body from Dallas. ... View more

If I were management I would be a bit concerned after reading comments to this and to Kevin's blog. Looks like they are going to lose some loyal SWA customers. We'll see if the statement "you talk, we listen" holds true. I don't think they thought about us flyers who are loyal, but don't fly as often for one reason or another. I have been very loyal flying out of MCO. The only non SWA flights has been when I had to go to ATL. But now I admit, I'll look at other airlines for other flights. I fly to IND for Christmas and on the return trip have to connect in MDY due to the Rapid Rewards unfariness. With this new procedure it will be a headache. I have always preached SWA fairness and ease of boarding,etc to my friends. Can't do that any more. I guess we can all rant and rave, but what this comes down to is this is a business and they do what upper management says. They spoiled us in the past and we all hate changes. ... View more

I will be anxious to hear comments from SWA travelers after the Thanksgiving Holiday. Kevin or Brian, open the blog up the Monday or Tuesday afterwards to hear comments. Lets see how it works. Management has said "give it a chance". Hopefully Bert in BNA and other CSA's will comment also. By the way, I thought Bert's comments were very good. Its interesting to hear from the people on the front lines during this time of change. The one thing that we all must think about when we fly our next trip on SWA is to not take it out on these front line employees. ... View more

Kevin, Kudos for your above response. Maybe some don't agree with it, but it makes a lot of sense. This is the best explanation for this change since it was announced. I know its not easy being in the front of the firing line. We appreciate your comments to our post, no matter how "heated" they get. ... View more

The most amazing thing about all these changes is that management doesn't seem to want to respond to comments about family boarding after the A group and the basis for that decision. Pamela above hit the nail on the head. Us business travelers want the families on before us. Management needs to come here to MCO during the holidays and observe the temperment of their customers during boarding. Many holiday reservations were made before the changes were announced. I feel for the CSA's. They will feel the blunt of the frustrations. I LUV SWA, but this change was wrong. ... View more

Las Vegas Chicago Midway Phoenix Baltimore/Washington Oakland Houston Hobby Dallas (Love Field) Los Angeles (LAX) Orlando San Diego I cheated. I just copied Drew's. He seemed to know what he was talking about. Hey, the first three wins a prize. Just kidding, Brian. I know I am not eligible due to admission of cheating. Could not resist the urge. The blog is the first thing I read in the morning after my emails. Had to write something ahead of Leah. ... View more

Bert, Thanks so much for the interesting information. It gives us passengers a good sense of some of the issues that CSA's contend with during a work day and evening. This post is one of the reasons that this blog is a must read everyday. We learn the inner workings of SWA and meet some of the people that make it work so well. Oh, go Colts on Sunday.. ... View more

Carole- Thanks for the humor. Brian should have a contest and let all Southwest personnel submit the funniest question a passenger has asked and let us vote on the best. He could do that in his spare time. As a passenger myself, I have been asked some good ones. One of the best was after going through security at MCO and heading to the tram, someone ask me how much it cost to ride it. I can't print my answer here. ... View more

Francisco, Welcome back! As a Vietnam vet, I, like you know what Dorothy meant when she said "There's no place like home". And thanks for doing your part in making us safe. ... View more

Bill, Your comment was discussed many times on this blog when the new policy was announced. May other comments were also made about other parts of the new policy, but this is one part that management didn't comment on. All of us faithful business fliers are still scratching our head on this one. However, I am listening to Brian and giving the whole new plan a chance. I'm anxious to try it here in MCO. Brian, thanks for all the good info you have provide us concerning the new boarding policy. You have risen above and beyond with this. ... View more

A tip of the hat to Brian. With all of us, including myself, strongly disagreeing with the new policy about pre-boards, he was always diplomatic and respectful. I've been reading the blog 2-3 times a day since this subject started. Wow, i as said on the very first comment, zillions of comments. Again, thanks Brian for your answers, even if I don't understand why you think us frequent flyers want children to board after us in A. Should have had the test hete in MCO.... ... View more

After posting twice on this subject and seeing the comments regarding pre-board families, I hope SWA's execs are listening. WE business travelers do not mind pre-board children. We sit away from them. As for all family members going on with them, aunts, uncles, etc, gate personnel need to police it better. I am a loyal SWA flyer out of MCO....Please put the children on first.....Comments fron San Antonio show this.... ... View more

Brian, As someone who flies out of MCO all the time, I have experienced tons of preboard children, I have to question the policy of boarding those children after the "A" group. I'm guilty of being one those first in line to get the exit aisle seat, but I also want to see where the children are at, plus parents do need that extra time. It's not the pre-board children that abuse the system. Enforce only parents with the kids and tightened up what constitutes a pre board adult. Also, I really think the boarding will slow down after the A group while the parents get there children buckled into there seats, stowing their bags, etc. While the flights out of and into Orlando are not the norm for children, the situations I have experienced involving children boarding, tells me that this new policy with boarding children needs to be looked at. The other part is quite fair.. Ask you customer Ops people in MCO their thoughts. ... View more

Flying out of MCO, I look forward to the new procedure. I bet I am the first of a zillion comments. Thanks for listened to the majority.. ... View more

I have to agree. As a Purdue alum, there is nothing like Big Ten football. Go Boilers..... ... View more

Congrats to your 15 years. As a frequent Southwest flyer out of MCO, I have seen a lot of abuse to the ops agent by "pre-boarders" and late arrivals. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you and all other Ops Agents for your patience and preserverence and maintaining that Southwest friendly attitude. I'm one of those who likes to be in the front of the "A" line. Hey, I like the exit row seats. I always say thank you to the agent and let them know that they are appreciated. All of you Ops Agents should get together and write a very interesting book about your experiences. But, I'm sure some of your experiences can't be put in print. ... View more

I applaud you for trying something new for the boarding process. I have several concerns. First, who will monitor to make sure you don't have the cheater who will crowd ahead of everyone? Also, won't this slow the boarding process? There is several more questions I can think of, but I'm sure someone will ask them. I'll be anxious to hear how things are working. Please keep us updated. We can always count on Southwest to find ways to make things better or at least try to make them better. ... View more

As a Vietnam veteran I was touched by your comments. Even though I did not return with parades and bands, one of the greatest moments of my life was when the Eastern Airlines plane touched down in Indianapolis bringing me home. Like Dorothy said "There's no place like home." The men and women returning home now are my heros. When I am flying, I always go up and wish them good luck if they are leaving and welcome home if returning. I fly SWA as much as possible out of Orlando and I can always feel the LUV. And to quote USS BLOG BOY.. "GOD BLESS AMERICA" ... View more