I have always been a very loyal SWA customer and applaud the way the company is run and the values upheld. Honestly this seems like a move in the opposite direction. Bottom line is, I HATE the way other airlines like AA board the ridiculously long list of classes first...First Class, Executive Platnum, Platnum, Gold, and the list goes on. While I wasn't thrilled with the the idea of Business Select and A List members, I recognize the need to reward loyality and provide some extra perks to the full fare customers. Having to pay now to get a decent boarding pass is silly. I would rather pay for a bag fee because at least in this situation, the airline is incurring extra expenses for baggage handling and transport (versus the customer who doesn't check bags). In other words, its fair that the person checking bags has to pay more than the person who does not (because the airline incurrs extra expense), but it's not fair to have to pay more to have a chance at getting a better boarding pass (which is no expense to SWA). I understand the need to make a profit, and charging fees, unfortunately, is realistically the only way to do so and remain competitive...so start charging bag fees, but don't nickle and dime for services that should not have to be paid for, like a better boarding pass!
Even though I don't like the EarlyBird idea, I'll still fly SWA...they have a long way to go to be as bad as AA or others.
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10-04-2007
09:14 PM
3 Loves
One thing about Southwest that has always stood out for me is the ability to cancel or change a reservation anytime and there are no fees charged whatsoever. If you ever fly another airline and need to change a date or time, or cancel a flight, you are going to pay $100 fee just to do so, in addition to any fare change. Major koodos to Southwest for being the one airline to standout and not charge such fees. And I'm sure overbooking enables SWA to continue to do this financially. Of course, other airlines overbook and still charge fees, but that's why SWA is number one!
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