I flew from Las Vegas to San Antonio on SWA Flight 203 yesterday 8/29/07. We left the gate some 15 minutes late and taxied out for over 10 minutes - whoops, I thought, something ain't right. We stopped at the opposite end of the runway from where other flights were taking off. The Captain announced the following: "Because we have a full passenger and fuel load, we are going to have to take off from this end of the runway. As you can see, other flights are departing from the other end of the runway, but as soon as there is a "hole in the departures" we will be allowed to take off. We have been advised that we should be able to depart in about 15 minutes". Short version - ater another 30 minute delay, we took off an hour late - I have been flying for over 40 years and my questions are - Who in their right mind would believe that 1. The runway is longer from the opposite end? 2. If weight was the concern, why would one choose to take off with the wind instead of against the wind? 3. Why didn't the Captain just "fess-up" and admit that we missed our takeoff slot and was placed at the end of the runway to wait until our departure would not interfere with other scheduled departures and arrivals? Give me a break Southwest - not all of your passengers are that naive'. ww
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