What is up with Southwest? Are they folding after Jan 11th??

[disney4us2002]

Why aren't they taking reservations beyond Jan 11th yet?? Anybody have any information or thoughts about this.

Carla

[flyingcircus]

wow!! That is odd!! I can't imagine SW going under. The only thing I can think of is that they are in the process of HUGE schedule changes, and maybe will be ready in a couple of days to have their reservation system updated. Or maybe SW only allows ressies 3 months in advance. Interesting!

[Chuck S]

There must be a lot of schedule changes/price changes etc. It is unusual for them to be this late in releasing schedules, although it is not uncommon for them to book only in the 5 to 6 month range.

[GAIL HAYDEN]

SWA is THE most financially stable airline out there, they are not going to fold, they are just not taking ressies after Jan. 11th. They will probably open up the schedule in a week or so.
About the 11th of Oct.

[crazyforpooh]

in advance atleast that's my experience.

I love flying SW

[ducklite]

I think that SW is the least likely to fold. Because they operate very much independently of the other carriers (no codeshares, etc.) their bottom line is really their bottom line. They looked pretty strong the last time I checked a quarterly report. I think they've grown slowly and cautiously, without a huge debt, which also makes them stronger. I don't know their cash position, but my guess is taht it's prety good, relatively speaking.

Anne

[Disnydad]

As far as I know, they are the only airline forcast to make a profit this year.

[Carl]

My only guess is that they are thinking of making some major schedule changes, because otherwise there is no excuse for not listing fares past Jan. 11. Also, this date has been there for over a week.

Oh, by the way, I mentioned this fact to the agent at Continental and he said that in his computer he DID see some dates for Southwest past the Jan 11th date.

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Carl,
Not to dispute you, but, how is it possible for a Contential agent to see something a SWA cannot?

[WDWfanatic288]

We fly SWA often and they do not put out their schedules out as far in advance as the other airlines. They are usually about 4-6 months in advance. They have probably been delayed by all that has happened.

[Carl]

when he was searching for a possible flight for me, he mentioned that he was not only looking at Continental flights, but at other air lines. I asked him if it was possible to use my One Pass miles on some other air line. He said that sometimes they could work it out. Then, I mentioned to him that Southwest did not seem to have anything scheduled for past Jan. 11th. I thought that he said that he could see some flights on his computer past that time for Southwest. I didn't pursue it, since I was only concerned with whether or not he could get my flight for me. I haven't actually talked to a Southwest agent. I just noticed their site doesn't show anything and if you call their phone number, the voice mail says they have schedules up to Jan 11. now available.

[ducklite]

Southwest does not accept Continental points. They operate very independently, and other carriers generally won't accept their tickets either.

The only domestic carrier that I am aware of that you can use CO points on other than CO is NW, because they code share a lot of flights. I'm not sure you can even do it on all flights.

Also, I might be wrong, but I doubt the CO agent could see the SW schedule, last I knew, SW pulled their schedule out of the alliance system and now only SW agents can see it...again, I might be wrong on that one...

Anne

[GoldenPrincess]

SWA schedules and accepts reservations only six months in advance. They've either been very busy with rescheduling or (stating the obvious here :D) experiencing some other hang up with their web site. You should be able call to get information for dates after January 11.

[azlaura]

I have been waiting too! I called last night and was told that they have anew flight opening up on Oct. 7th that they have been preparing for and they are dealing with a lot of refunds and exchanges. So, the people who normal do the schedule are really busy. He said they have been receiving tons of phone calls and the schedule should be up and running soon. I asked if they were changing the number of flights to certain places and he said no, it is just everything else that is happening that has them running way behind! So, lets keep our fingers crossed that the schedule will come out soon!!! :)
I hope this helps,
Laura :)

[Lewisc]

Laura--SWA is cancelling a few flights. They are not taking delivery of new aircraft scheduled for September -December 2001. They are having to cancel some flights so they can begin service in Norfolk 10/7 and add some flights already scheduled. This is per a press release on their website. Others have posted a IND-MCO flight has been canceled. I suspect they hare holding off their schedule so they can decide which flights are to be changed.

[GAIL HAYDEN]

No golden princess,
You cannot call them and get flights after Jan.11, they are not available yet. When they are available to the agents at SWA, they will be available to us.

[eeyore0062]

Yeah, October 7th SWA comes to Norfolk... no more driving to Raleigh for a non stop flight to MCO!!! We will be making our Ressies within the next week to fly out of Norfolk at 7:10 am on Jan 2 and back out of MCO at 8:25 pm on Jan 6... can't wait... there are only 2 flights scheduled in and out of Norfolk through SWA to or from MCO everyday, so hopefully they won't cancel any!

[lillykat]

Before I got my 129 rate on delta from LGA to MCO- I was trying to get quotes from SWA and since I would be returning home on the 12 of Jan I was unable to get a quote. The Jan 11th date has been there since beginning of July.

[206bones]

I just checked Southwest & they are now booking through some time in April. That's the good news for me. The bad news is that they have NO flights from PVD to MCO on Saturday, January 26. This seems REALLY strange to me. I hope they add more flights. I'll call them tomorrow.

[GAIL HAYDEN]

I just checked SWA and there is nothing showing for months after January. Tried your booking date of Jan 26 and it came back saying: You have requested flight information for dates that are beyond our current booking schedule.
Not sure where you saw the April date since the site clearly states:

Return to the Plan Trip page and select travel dates which are within our current booking schedule. Our schedule is currently open through 01/11/02.

[pbhunt]

NOPE, No flight/schedules after Jan. 11, 2002 are appearing on my computer. Let's hope for soon.:)

[206bones]

When I checked it last night under reservations, they had "March & April" listed. I'm hoping they are in the midst of updating. I did notice on several other Southwest pages that the January 11 date sticks.

[GAIL HAYDEN]

I don't know where you are looking, but, I just went to the reservation tab, clicked on it and this is what came up. We are currently accepting reservations through January 11, 2002.
I find it odd that you are the only one that sees March and April and the rest of us only see up to January. Care to send the link where you are seeing this?

[meb51]

I check Southwest's site almost everday to see if any lower price seats on the flight I'm scheduled for in December open up. I believe it was yesterday that I checked and the site listed dates through June. Since we are planning to go back in May, I put some dates in to see if I could get some prices but got an error message saying there were no scheulded flights for that time. When I looked today, the site was back to listing times only up to Jan 11. I am assuming they are in the process of updating the site and that someone probably posted the page with the Spring dates before it should have been on their web site.

Marie

[Disnydad]

Southwest only lists and books flights up to 5 months in advance. They are about a month behind in listings now, probably due to last months events. When they open up some more, I do not expect them to go beyond the end of February.

There was an e-mail a short while ago that mentioned June, but that was only saying the double credits for the Rapid Reward program was being extended to June.

[meb51]

Disny Dad

Actually the listing of flight dates I saw did include the month of June but as I said, it was obviously a mistake. I have no idea, of course, whether those later months will be included when the Southwest site is updated for real.

[GoldenPrincess]

Gail,

I stand corrected. You are absolutely correct. I just called to see if I could make a reservation and was told that they're only accepting reservations until January 11.

So, everyone, please ignore my first post!! I'll make sure to check FIRST the next time!! :D

[GAIL HAYDEN]

This is how we learn, by sharing information. :)

[sherrie]

They now show up till Jan 31st. Sunday 5:30pm

[Pluto4President]

I'm still showing 1/11 - cleared cache and all.

[Disnydad]

I just tried January 16 & 27. Nothing showing after January 11.

[sherrie]

Sorry, my mistake. I looked quickly at the months and it was scrolled to the 31st under ressies.

[Pluto4President]

Sherrie,

That wasn't nice - had my cc all ready :)

[sherrie]

LOL Pluto, Thanks for the chuckle on this gloomy day. Anxiously awaiting may dates

[pbhunt]

Jan. 11, 2002 Only. Isn't it odd that folks have reported seeing other dates?:) (excluding Sherrie and Golden Princess):)

[lfwebb]

My prediction is that the schedule will open up on October 12. The current specials end on October 11 and state that they run through the end of the schedule. I think they're going to wait for the promotion to expire on the 12th, and then post the rest of the schedule. Just a guess, though.

[eeyore0062]

Just read on my newletter from Southwest.com this morning that none of the flights have been cancelled, and that they have had a record of 93% of the flights since Sept 11th being on time. Pretty good record. They assured us that they are striving to give us the best service, and provide the utmost is safety while keeping the lowest airfares.

[vwrose14]

That's a lie both my flights on Nov 20 and Dec 9 were cancelled

[Disnydad]

Southwest updates their site on Tuesdays, early in the morning. I think at 2 or 3 AM. When they open up more of their schedule, that's when it will happen. I've been checking first thing Tuesday morning for a few weeks now. Any week now.

Southwest says they have not cancelled any flights, or laid off any employees since the attack. If you post your flight numbers, vwrose14, you say were cancelled, I'd like to check them through the flight status sites.

From the Southwest site:

"To Our Customers: En Español
We know that you may be asking the question, "Should I travel by air?". The 32,000+ Employees of Southwest are hard at work, night and day, to provide you with the safest and most dependable transportation possible. Our Customers' safety and security has always been our most important focus, and we have redoubled our efforts.

Through the tireless efforts of our Employees, we are currently operating our normal schedule, and we are pleased to report that our operations have been routine. Security screening has been, and will continue to be, thorough and meticulous, and we are constantly monitoring all of our security procedures.

Our Employees are on the job to serve all of your personal and business travel needs, whether you are traveling to a close-by destination or across the country. During our 30 years of operations, our mission has been to provide safe and reliable travel, and that remains our goal today. Your confidence and patronage are our treasures, and every aspect of our Company is dedicated to be worthy of both.

From all of the Southwest Airlines Family, we would LUV to see you onboard very soon!"

[GoldenPrincess]

Actually, the newsletter stated that no flights between September 11 and 30 had been cancelled. That was the most critical time. So, they're not lying. Sorry your flight was cancelled. Hopefully they put you on another flight?

[vwrose14]

I am not sure about the going flight but it was NS at 3:20pm on nov 20th, I think it 1226 can't be sure though. My flight back was 2254 on Dec 9th. They have since rescheduled me and charged me $5 each ticket more

[GAIL HAYDEN]

The cancelled your flight, rescheduled you and charged you more? This was their option. How did they require payment?

[vwrose14]

credit card over the phone. Now I have to lay over in St LOuis and I have to pay their airport tax

[GAIL HAYDEN]

If they changed the flights on their own, then you should not be charged, however, if you decided to change the flights, then you would be charged, I would call SW and see what is up.
Generally they are really good about this stuff.

[Lewisc]

Gail--it sounds like the $5 is not a fare difference but an extra facilities fee (airport tax) since vwrose went from a non-stop to a connecting flight. Not sure if SWA will absorb it if asked.
Although SWA hasn't had major flight cancellations like other carriers, they have had to selectively cancel flights since they have just added service to Norfolk but have cancelled the new aircraft that had been ordered for delivery from Sept to Dec 2001.

[GoldenPrincess]

I second what Gail said. Definitely call them to find out about the extra charges. Especially if they cancelled the flight.

Let us know what they tell you. Good luck!

[disney4us2002]

I keep meaning to post to you about your son (?). Whoever, the boy is in your signature is just a beautiful little boy. Oh shoot, my dh always tells me I'm not supposed to use 'beautiful' when describing a boy, so in that case he is very handsome.

Carla

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Carla,
I totally agree, the child is beautiful, and you can use that for young children. :)
In fact, what is more beautiful than a child?

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Lewis,
Good point. But....when they cancelled my non stop flights ( no I am NOT complaining) on Sept. 13 & 14th, and rescheduled me on a flight that had one stop, they did "eat" the extra facility charge. Might have been because of all the nastiness going on, who knows?

[GoldenPrincess]

Thanks Gail and Disney4us! That BEAUTIFUL (and yes, it's o.k. to say that--I just won't tell him!) little boy is my grandson Kurtis. He just turned five and is absolutely adorable. He's very bright and say's some of the cutest things. Don't get me started--I could bore you all day with the details!

He, and his parents, are arriving later today for a 30 day visit!! I can't think about it too much, though, or I'll just start crying. I'm just SOOOO excited to see them! This is going to be a very emotional day for Mom/Grandma!

[vwrose14]

My original flight was to depart at 8:35pm. They cancelled it so I changed to the one departingat 3:20 and because I didn't take the other nonstop flight that is at 8:30am I had to pay the extra tax. I don't care though. It was like $5 each more and I get to go to US and WDW for 20 days so I am not going to complain because I realize alot of people have it worse

[GAIL HAYDEN]

vwrose,
Thanks for clearing that one up, and what a GREAT attitude, good for you!!! Have a wonderful time. :)

[GAIL HAYDEN]

goldie,
Have a wonderful visit!!!!! Hey, it is ok to get emotional, this is such a positive one, what a nice change in light of the occurances of the last month.
As to boring us/me, nah, I can share too, I have three grandchildren. :)