A Silly Question about SW...

[kristenrice]

I found that we can fly SW for about $250 each over Easter week.

I have never flown with them before and I have a quick question:

If I am on a direct flight that has a stop with NO plane change, what exactly are we doing while the plane is "stopped"? I understand that we are picking up more passengers, but it appears to be about a 90 minute stop. Are you allowed to exit the plane, stretch, grab a bite to eat and reboard? Or are you a "captive" audience?

Right now, we have to choose between a flight that doesn't land until 9pm, but flies non-stop, or one that lands at 4:30pm but stops for an hour and a half. Since the airport is about 3 hours from our house, I'd rather not land at 9pm since that would require that we get a hotel for that night before driving home. OTOH, I also do not want to be stuck sitting on a parked plane for over an hour with nowhere to go.

Decisions, decisions....PLUS, I have to convince my dad that it would be more convenient to fly than to drive.

 

[brenda1966]

My understanding and past experience is that you de-board the plane during a stop.

They note that you don't "change planes" because that makes people feel better about their luggage making it, also about themselves making a connection. If you have to change planes and your first plane is late, your second plane won't wait for you, but if it's the same plane, you don't have to worry about connecting flights and you don't have to worry about your suitcase making the connecting flight. Make sense?

Personally, I fly all non-stops unless there's nothing else available. If I had to fly a layover, one that was on the same plane would be my first choice.

 

[Lewisc]

You'll certainly be allowed to leave the plane, if it's going to be on the ground for 90 minutes. Typically the plane is on the ground for not much more then 30 minutes. Passengers start to board shortly after the last passenger exits.

Are you sure the plane is scheduled to be on the ground for 90 minutes? Look at the schedule for each individual segment. A previous poster assumed the stop was 90 minutes because the difference in time between a N/S flight and the total time for the one stop flight was 90 minutes. It takes time to land and take off from the intermediate airport.

Post the flight information if you want someone to look it up for you.

Assume you're not going to have time to exit the plane and sit down for a meal. You may not even have enough time to wait on a (long) line and get food to go.

 

[diesel]

I've done the stop with no plane change and we were not allowed off the plane. We just pulled up to the gate and boarded the other passengers, took on more food and fuel.

 

[kristenrice]

Post the flight information if you want someone to look it up for you.

It is SWA flight #1506 on April 9 from MCO to MDW.

This info has really helped with our decision. Thanks!

 

[Brer Chump]

Flight 1506 is scheduled to arrive at Nashville (the stop) at 1:15pm. It is scheduled to leave for MDW at 1:45. Scheduled length of stop is 30 minutes. The other 60 minutes allows for taxiing, along with descending into approach pattern and landing as well as taking off and getting back to altitude and cruising speed.

 

[redsunfish]

A few years ago I flew southwest with two stops but no plane change. We just landed, let some passengers off, had new ones get on, and took off again. We never left the plane.