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Hi Craig,
as you can see we haven't stopped posting comments, but we don't sit here 24 hours a day just waiting for comments to come in. It is a moderated blog, so we have to review the comments before posting. BTW, I saw your earlier post, and we don't publish e-mail addresses for individual Customers or Employees here at the blog.
Brian
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Dear Anonymous. Thanx for promising to never fly Southwest. I have a tendency to believe the explanation of the incident given by Southwest. I find it totally creditable, whereas I question that given by the passenger. I’ve flown on Southwest many times and on other airlines as well and have found all of Southwest’s employees to be caring and thoughtful in how they handle situations. So it is more than understandable why they are NYSE "Profile of the Week". I will always fly Southwest unless a flight is unavailable to my destination.
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How do I get one for Mr. Peanut?
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Will Southwest be hiring flight attendants any time soon?
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My wife and I use to be loyal SW customers. Not any more. In a month's time, we have moved from boarding at an A21 to an A52 to now an B7 level because we refuse to pay the new "tacky $10 / per person / each way" fee that allow any customer to board early. Six free flights this year due to our travel schedule and we're now relegated to a B7 boarding. Please don't believe the "Loyal customers will still get on first" mantra.
Hey SW marketing people. Your airline, like any arline, is only a 67% happy people flying airline. The last 33% who have to sit separated from their companion in a middle seat with no luggage space are not having fun. They're enduring. Have you bothered with this thought? What happens if everyone payed for early boarding? The ABC system worked great when it was free.
It would be better to charge extra money and assign seats so people know what they're receiving.
Hey, I've got other ideas for Kevin Krone and the "geniuses" at SW Marketing. Charge $20 and allow people to jump in front of those charged $10. Do I hear $30? Better yet, let the SW stewards keep allowing people to "save" seats for their entire group.
Southwest has stated, quite clearly, with the new $10 charge; it's only about money.
For the first time in a long time, we'll be looking at other airlines.
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I thought your planes usually have 137 seats? Will this flight have one fewer seat?
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So NOT cool. Flying tomorrow morning. Went to SWA to check-in and was slapped in the face with this new Early Bird "class structure." I checked-in 23 hrs and 59 mins before departure, and was assigned A40, A42, A44 for my family. Last time I checked-in, pre-Early Bird option, we got A25-ish assignments.
It sadly feels like those of us who aren't spending the extra money ($60 round trip for our family of 3) are getting pushed even farther down the line behind Business Select and A-List. We will be seriously considering our options, and not just automatically going with our tried-and-true favorite SWA.
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Adding Flight Change Notifications ‘The Southwest Way.’ Fred Taylor Jr.'s job at Southwest Airlines is to head customer service problems off at the pass. Ideally, he presents customers with a range of solutions before they even know that they have an issue – for example, by calling them to let them know a flight has been delayed or cancelled before they've left for the airport and letting them know their options. to read more, visit: http://www.cioinsight.com/c/a/Case-Studies/Southwest-Upgrades-Customer-Service-420768/
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from WSJ.com: The Middle Seat Terminal by Scott McCartney Deregulating the airline industry was a major legislative achievement for Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, who pushed the issue even though he didn’t have jurisdiction over aviation and used his substantial charm and persuasiveness to change the way America travels. to read more, visit: http://blogs.wsj.com/middleseat/2009/08/26/kennedy-pushed-airline-deregulation-changed-us-air-travel/
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Congratulations on Employee of the Quarter, Christi!
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I had the same problem for a long time. Just updated the firmware on my Linksys WRT54-G V5 router and now I can access without a problem! It only took about 10 minutes. If you have the router - update it!
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Our friend Tom at The Airline Blog writes about his experience at the BOS opening. To read and see his fantastic pictures, visit: http://theairlineblog.blogspot.com/2009/08/southwest-lands-in-boston.html
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Southwest Airlines’ Dallas and Houston operations were recognized today by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its leading Green power purchase and for its support and participation in the Agency’s Fortune 500 Green Power Challenge. The Dallas and Houston operations are purchasing nearly 16 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of Green power, which is enough to meet 30 percent of the facilities’ purchased electricity use. Southwest Airlines’ Dallas and Houston operations are buying renewable energy certificates (REC) from Reliant Energy. Earlier this week, the EPA updated each of its National Top Partner lists, highlighting some of America's largest Green power purchasers. Southwest Airlines (Dallas & Houston Operations) currently ranks No. 32 on EPA’s Fortune 500 List. Each list highlights EPA Green Power Partners that have completed the largest annual voluntary purchases through July 7, 2009. EPA updates its Top Partner Lists quarterly at http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/toplists/. Southwest Airlines (Dallas and Houston operations) is purchasing Green power in support of EPA’s Fortune 500 Green Power Challenge. EPA is challenging Fortune 500 Corporations to collectively exceed 10 billion kilowatt-hours Green power purchasing by year end 2009. “This was a wonderful initiative by our Green Team, and we are proud to be recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,” said Gary Kelly, Southwest Airlines Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Purchasing Green power helps our Company become more sustainable, and it helps us in our mission to do the right thing by Our Planet, Our Communities, and Our People.” Green power is electricity that is generated from environmentally preferable renewable resources, such as wind, solar, geothermal, biogas, biomass and low-impact hydro. These resources generate electricity with a net zero increase in carbon dioxide emissions, while offering a superior environmental profile compared to traditional power generation sources. Green power purchases also support the development of new renewable energy generation sources nationwide. "EPA commends our leading partners for their continued commitment to protecting the environment by using green power," said Kathleen Hogan, Director of the Climate Protection Partnerships Division at EPA. “By supporting green power, Southwest Airlines is reducing its greenhouse gas emissions, supporting clean energy technologies, and contributing to a clean energy future." About Southwest Airlines Efficient operations are the hallmark of our Company and the foundation of our environmental commitment. Over the decades, Southwest has been at the forefront of such efficiencies as paperless tickets, quick turnarounds, installation of winglets, and, more recently, the installation of fleet-wide advanced avionics, engine washing, and aircraft performance management. This focus on efficiency not only makes good business sense, it is the right thing to do. For more information on how Southwest Airlines cares for the environment, visit www.southwest.com/cares. Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) currently serves 67 cities in 35 states, and announced service to Boston Logan beginning Aug. 16, and service to Milwaukee beginning Nov. 1. Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,300 flights a day and has more than 35,000 Employees systemwide. About EPA’s Green Power Partnership The Green Power Partnership is a voluntary program that encourages organizations to buy green power as a way to reduce the environmental impacts associated with purchased electricity use. The Partnership currently has more than 1,100 Partner organizations voluntarily purchasing billions of kilowatt-hours of green power annually. Partners include a wide variety of leading organizations such as Fortune 500 companies, small and medium sized businesses, local, state, and federal governments, and colleges and universities. For additional information, please visit http://www.epa.gov/greenpower.
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to view the video, visit: http://www.okcrotary.com/
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It'll take several months for Boston passengers to discover this, but Southwest does a great job of plowing through nasty northeast winter weather. Not bad for an airline named 'Southwest.' Up here in Manchester, I've recognized that during particularly bad winter storms, our airport often remains open. Between operations, there's enough time for plows to handle our 9,250-foot main runway. The crews take a lot of pride in their work, and so they should. But even so, delays, cancellations and diversions are part of winter life up here. Curiously, Southwest's planes do a better job of getting into and out of Manchester than some of the other more experienced airlines. If you're a fan of FlightAware, you'll see this at play during winter storms. Everyone at Southwest ought to be proud of their ability to service a part of the country that naysayers thought they'd humiliate themselves in.
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Would love to have Southwest fly into Pensacola, FL. I hear you are considering several airports around the Pensacola, FL area and I think our area with the closeness to Mobile, AL, Gulf Shore/Orange Beach, AL and the current expansion going on at our local airport; that Pensacola, FL would be a great choice for Southwest Airlines expansion. I hope that you will choose Pensacola, FL. "The Western Gate to the Sunshine Gate, where thousands live like Millions wish they could"!
Choose Pensacola, FL
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to see the news coverage, visit: http://www.necn.com/Boston/Business/2009/08/16/Southwest-Airlines-begins/1250439767.html
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When will it become possible to book flights beyond January 8?
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The Air Transport Association of America, Inc. (ATA), the industry trade organization for the leading U.S. airlines, announced today that eight of its member airlines have signed an unprecedented agreement with Rentech, Inc. and Aircraft Service International Group (ASIG) to purchase up to 1.5 million gallons per year of renewable synthetic diesel fuel (RenDiesel) for use in ground service equipment at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) beginning in late 2012, when Rentech's plant to produce the fuel is scheduled to go into service. The initial airline purchasers of RenDiesel are Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, UPS Airlines and US Airways, with the potential for adding other airline partners. "We are proud to take part in this innovative, collective endeavor that, over time, will further reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve local air quality through the use of greener fuels," said Glenn Tilton, ATA board chairman and UAL Corporation chairman, president and CEO. "This transaction promises to be the first of many such green fuel purchase agreements by the commercial aviation industry. It exemplifies the ongoing commitment of airlines and energy suppliers to diversify our fuel sources while contributing to a cleaner environment and adding new jobs to the economy." The renewable RenDiesel will be produced at the commercial-scale facility that Rentech is developing in Rialto, Calif., primarily from urban woody green waste such as yard clippings. The fuel is expected to have a low carbon footprint and minimal particulate and other emissions while meeting or exceeding all applicable fuel standards. ASIG, which provides fueling services to many airlines that operate at LAX, will handle receipt and dispensing of the RenDiesel. Other discussions regarding potential alternative fuels agreements are continuing through the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative, of which ATA is a founding member. "This commercial purchase contract among Rentech, ASIG and the airlines validates the growing demand for synthetic fuels produced by the Rentech Process," said D. Hunt Ramsbottom, Rentech president and chief executive officer. "The low-emissions profile and near-zero carbon footprint of our renewable RenDiesel will guarantee that the LAX ground service vehicles using this fuel will be among the cleanest and greenest of their kind." Ramsbottom added, "We expect this agreement to serve as a model for future supply relationships at other airports and for other fuels, including Rentech's synthetic jet fuel, which was recently approved for commercial airline use." "ASIG is thrilled to have been instrumental in reaching this landmark deal with the airlines and Rentech, reinforcing our strong commitment to our airline customers and environmental stewardship," said ASIG President Keith P. Ryan. "We are proud to be on the forefront of this innovative effort to advance aviation environmental progress." "This collaborative effort is yet another environmentally friendly initiative that we and the airlines are pursuing at Los Angeles-area airports. It shows what we can accomplish by working together toward a common and necessary goal," said Gina Marie Lindsey, executive director of Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) About ATA Founded in 1936, ATA is the nation's oldest and largest airline trade association, representing the nation's leading airlines. Since its inception, it has played a major role in all of the significant government decisions regarding aviation, including the creation of the Civil Aeronautics Board and the Federal Aviation Administration, the creation of the air traffic control system, airline deregulation and, more recently, with the aftermath of the 9/11 attack on America. ATA airline members and their affiliates transport more than 90 percent of all U.S. passenger and cargo traffic. Annually, commercial aviation helps drive $1.1 trillion in U.S. economic activity and more than 10 million U.S. jobs. On a daily basis, U.S. airlines operate nearly 30,000 flights in 77 countries, using more than 6,000 aircraft to carry an average of two million passengers and 50,000 tons of cargo. For additional industry information, visit www.airlines.org. About Rentech, Inc. Rentech, Inc. (www.rentechinc.com), incorporated in 1981, provides clean energy solutions. The company's Rentech-SilvaGas biomass gasification process can convert multiple biomass feedstocks into synthesis gas (syngas) for production of renewable fuels and power. Combining the gasification process with Rentech's unique application of proven syngas conditioning and cleanup technology and the patented Rentech Process based on Fischer-Tropsch chemistry, Rentech offers an integrated solution for production of synthetic fuels from biomass. The Rentech Process can also convert syngas from fossil resources into ultraclean synthetic jet and diesel fuels, specialty waxes and chemicals. Final product upgrading is provided under an alliance with UOP, a Honeywell company. Rentech develops projects and licenses these technologies for application in synthetic fuels and power facilities worldwide. Rentech Energy Midwest Corporation, the company's wholly owned subsidiary, manufactures and sells nitrogen fertilizer products including ammonia, urea ammonia nitrate, urea granule and urea solution in the Corn Belt region of the central United States. About ASIG ASIG is a global provider of ground, fuel, cargo and airport facility services to airlines, airports, oil companies and industry partners. The company's 7,500 highly qualified aviation service professionals safely handle millions of flights and deliver 9 billion gallons of jet fuel annually. ASIG maintains and operates jet fuel facilities at 43 airports and provides aircraft refueling services at 54 airports worldwide. ASIG has won numerous industry awards for their fuel services line of business. The company offers flexible, comprehensive service solutions that deliver value and quality across a network of 67 airports in North America, Europe and Asia. ASIG is part of BBA Aviation, PLC, a world leader in the provision of Flight Support and Aftermarket Services and Systems for commercial aviation, business aviation, regional airline, military operators, including FBO services, fueling, ground handling, turbine engine repair and overhaul and aviation components, landing gear and hydraulic systems. About LAWA Los Angeles World Airports is the Los Angeles city department that owns and operates a system of three airports: Los Angeles International (LAX), LA/Ontario International (ONT) and Van Nuys (VNY). Each plays an integral role in helping to meet the Southern California regional demand for passenger, cargo and general aviation service. Each airport makes a distinct contribution to the strength of the system as it provides a high level of safety, security and service for its customers, communities and stakeholders. LAX is the sixth busiest airport internationally and the third busiest in the United States. Ontario ranks 59 among U.S. airports. Van Nuys ranks 25 internationally in the number of flight operations, and is the world's busiest general aviation airport. SOURCE Air Transport Association /CONTACT: Air Transport Association, Elizabeth Merida, +1-202-626-4205, emerida@airlines.org; or Rentech, Inc., Julie Dawoodjee, +1-310-571-9800, ext. 341, jdawoodjee@rentk.com; or Aircraft Service International Group, Yvonne Coleman, +1-407-648-7373, yvonne.coleman@asig.com, or Los Angeles World Airports, Nancy Suey Castles, +1-424-646-5260, ncastles@lawa.org Web site: http://www.airlines.org Click here to go to Dow Jones NewsPlus, a web front page of today's most important business and market news, analysis and commentary: http:// www.djnewsplus.com/nae/al?rnd=O7IvTgey%2BvZ8RaYPx9d70w%3D%3D. You can use this link on the day this article is published and the following day.
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I just saw this now! Im glad it was posted for everyone to see it 🙂
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A half-dozen Hispanic college students from San Diego County were among 70 named Friday as winners of free Southwest Airlines flights between their homes and campuses this fall. More than 500 students wrote an essay for the “Lanzate/Take Off” education award travel program. Southwest Airlines partners with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities to issue the awards. to read more,visit: http://www.sdnn.com/sandiego/2009-08-14/news/southwest-airlines-gives-awards-to-local-students
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Members of Southwest Airlines' Rapid Rewards program now can earn incentives from the airline’s new partnership with the Wyndham Hotel Group. to learn more, visit: http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/stories/2009/08/10/daily32.html?ana=from_rss
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Over the past few years my kids have racked up some items from Southwest Airlines. For the past year one of my son Max has slept with an inflatable Southwest Airlines’ 737 hanging over his bed. Max has also been using an old orange Southwest Airlines lunch box for pre-school. As Max heads off to Kindergarten in a few weeks I commented to the folks at Southwest Airline that he was upset he couldn’t take his tattered Southwest lunch box to kindergarten. Most airlines would shrug such a comment off, heck most airlines would have never handed out lunch boxes as prizes during a “your flight is late trivia contest,” but what Southwest Airlines did was not only nice, but will help cement a young travellers loyalty to their airline. to read more, visit: http://boardingarea.com/blogs/flyingwithfish/2009/08/11/can-an-airline-build-brand-loyalty-through-being-nice-to-kids-yes/comment-page-1/#comment-110964
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by Dan Levy In this week’s engagement checkup, we examine how airlines are using the video-sharing site to recruit, inform and entertain potential passengers. In true YouTube fashion, results range from the banal to the outrageous. Anyone who has bonded with a favourite TV show or obsessively re-watched a viral clip on YouTube knows the power and potential of video. But few airlines have fully engaged with the medium. That’s because video production is expensive, time consuming, and potentially risky. Here are a handful of airlines that have boldly launched their own YouTube channels with varying degrees of success: to see the results, visit: http://sparksheet.com/engagement-checkup-airlines-on-youtube/
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Nationwide, 30,000 fifth graders agree that the Adopt-A-Pilot program is a success. Southwest Airlines announced today that its Adopt-A-Pilot program, which involves more than 750 active pilots in 1,250 classrooms, has reached an incredible milestone of 10,000 hours of active volunteer time in just six months. This educational program consists of “adopted” Southwest Pilots that mentor students nationwide in the areas of geography, math, science, aviation, and research skills to promote learning as a key element of success. This program was first developed in 1997 in conjunction with the US Department of Education’s “America goes back to school” effort. It has been constantly updated with the help of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and professional education consultants. The program is offered free of charge to schools. “This program is about giving students the confidence to know they can achieve anything they want to be with the help of education,” said Captain Dan Mix, a Southwest Airlines Pilot and active participant of Adopt-A-Pilot for the last five years. “It is about encouraging them to dream outside of what they see in their own communities. The program seeks to help kids identify their highest aspirations and develop a plan to achieve them.” The program also reaches outlying schools with a “virtual Pilot” where the “adopted Pilot” is reached through email, and students research geographical and historical information about the cities where the Pilot is flying. To get our Pilot’s perspective on this great program check out our blog—Nuts about Southwest: http://www.blogsouthwest.com/blog/10000-hour-milestone-adopt-a-pilot “The Adopt-A-Pilot program has touched the lives of more than 280,000 students nationwide over a period of twelve years,” said Debra Benton, Southwest Airlines Director of Community Relations and Charitable Giving. “The classrooms in the program are grateful to have a commitment of corporate support that displays to students such great role models of reaching for your dreams. Pilots provide an exceptional one-on-one experience, and empower students with the gift of knowledge and inspiration. To reach 10,000 hours of active volunteer time is an outstanding achievement by our Pilots, and we stand proud of the great commitment they have shown to the communities we serve.” After 38 years of service, Southwest Airlines, the nation's leading low-fare carrier, continues to stand above other airlines -- offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service and no hidden fees. Southwest Airlines is the most productive airline in the sky and offers Customers a comfortable traveling experience with all premium leather seats and plenty of legroom. Southwest recently updated its gate areas and improved its boarding procedure to make flying Southwest Airlines even more convenient. Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV), the nation's largest carrier in terms of domestic passengers enplaned, currently serves 66 cities in 33 states. Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,300 flights a day and has more than 35,000 Employees systemwide.
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"the F/As have no union at F9"
I never stated anywhere that the flight attendants at F9 have a union, as this is common knowledge. I said all labor groups must be included in the agreement, not just the pilots of WN.
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Dear F9 FA,
Wait right here, I'll get a pen for you!
In 2004 I made 40K as a UA FA with 8 years. I was an international purser and sat reserve every other month. In 2005 I resigned from UA to work for WN just as the bankruptcy court had imposed a second round of concessions on UA's employee groups. Had I stayed at UA for the remainder of 2005 I would have been back in the 30K earnings range...for the 3rd time.
As an AFA volunteer I argued emphatically against the proposed 2nd round of wage cuts. As such I researched the collective bargaining agreements (contracts) of other airlines' Flight Attendents. Then something VERY interesting happened. I requested a copy of the contract between WN and the Transport Workers Union Local 556. After reading through the contract twice my thinking shifted from arguing against further concessions at UA to "Wow! I really think I should work at Southwest!" Was I insane? My supervisors at UA thought I was because after all, WN was THE enemy!
I began to crunch the numbers in spreadsheets from the UA and WN FA contracts for side-by-side earnings projections. The most I could hope to make at UA was in the 40K range, even flying some purser, int'l and holidays. I found that I could make well into the 90K range at WN flying a moderatedly busy scheule. And even flying "my line" at WN with comparative seniority would net me 10K more than flying the max at UA. Plus I would get many more days off at WN on reserve months and the scheduling flexibility was unbelievable. Maybe you should contact TWU556 at www.twu556.org, ring them up, and request a copy of the 2008 contract. We just got raises again. Also you can check out the UA FA agreement online at www.unitedafa.org
Needless to say I was REALLY getting interested. I started talking to WN employees on ground tme and overnights. You know I couldn't find one WN employee to say anything negative about the company. I was amazed! Now having been here for 4+ years I can tell you that I love working for Southwest! The company treats us REALLY well because they LUV their employees. WN is not anti-union. They do an excellent job at working with their employee groups and their respective unions. That's part of their success.
Now before you dismiss my post as "WN company Kool-Aid" I want you to do something for me. Walk through Concourse B at DEN and try and engage UA FAs in dialogue about how things are at the big U and how they are treated. You might notice how low the employee morale is. Yeah, that was me in the beginning of 2005. Now I'm one of those bubbly, happy, WN cheerleaders who loves my company and my union!
There must be something in the Kool-Aid!
Wild Turkey?
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The smell of sawdust and new carpet was in the air at the two new Southwest Airlines gates at Logan Airport this week as the airline prepared to begin service to Chicago Midway and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall airports on Sunday. Since June, the airline has been transforming the former Northwest Airlines area in Terminal E into a more open seating arrangement with easy chairs, yellow and blue poles, and a laptop station with bar stools. to read more, visit: http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2009/08/12/southwest_is_almost_ready_for_liftoff_at_logan/
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Southwest Airlines starts service at Logan International Airport on Sunday after circling around Boston for years with flights out of smaller regional airports. The nation’s largest discount carrier joins low-fare carriers JetBlue [JBLU], Sun Country Airlines, AirTran Airways and Virgin America at Logan. “It’s another low-cost carrier, which is good for the customer,” said Ed Freni, Massport’s director of aviation. “It gives us a more expanded menu for flight choices, plus the pricing that will come out of it because of the competition that we see happening already.” to read more, visit: http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view/20090812southwest_airlines_to_land_at_logan/
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By Julie Rutherford You've read the big social media blogs, followed the pundits' advice and tweaked your social media profile to your heart's content. Make your social media presence even more engaging with ideas from these 3 inspired social media profiles: to read more, visit: http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/julie-rutherford/julie-rutherford-marketing-insights/three-inspired-social-media-profiles
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