I called Southwest Airlines, about their Phila flights

[Lewisc]

Helnk--No problem with your post (although I'm not sure the CSR you spoke to has any insider information).

I have a problem with people "joking" about plane crashes and continuing to post inaccurate information.

Candice read the press release SW DIDN'T PROMISE TO PROVIDE FLIGHT SCHEDULES IN DECEMBER. They only officially announced PHL in mid December and said details will follow. It sounds from the press release that SW is only comitting to one R/T per day. I wouldn't hold out hope that deeply discounted tickets will be readily available around July 4.

SW isn't for everyone. No assigned seats, no meals and reservations can't be made as far out as other airlines.

BUT it's not their fault that people ignore the information that SW publishes and continue to make up facts.

 

[Candice30]

i guess you can't trust what the phone operators tell us then. that is actually where i was told december. big bummer since so much of what is on the disboards come from phone operators.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Candice30
i guess you can't trust what the phone operators tell us then. that is actually where i was told december. big bummer since so much of what is on the disboards come from phone operators.

Not from me. I don't trust anything a CSR anywhere tells me.
I go to the source, usually the web site. Do you suppose that perhaps you may have misheard what the CSR said? Good bet, if what you hear from a CSR does NOT match what you read on the official website don't trust it. The CSR may have misunderstood what you asked, or, as I said, you have misunderstood what she said.
At any rate, I gave you links, you keep keep abreast that way, if you wish or continue to talk to operators.

 

[Candice30]

i was very clear with the customer service person gail and i have heard from other posters that they were told the same but believe me, i won't be listening to the reps anymore. good point though about backup from websites. i read on the resorts board that some discount rates were out for rooms and they turned out not be true. the posters also got info from the reps on the phone and when i called to book, no luck! i thought that the rates had been pulled but the rep said that they were never out for those dates. makes planning difficult though!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Candice30
i was very clear with the customer service person gail and i have heard from other posters that they were told the same but believe me, i won't be listening to the reps anymore. good point though about backup from websites. i read on the resorts board that some discount rates were out for rooms and they turned out not be true. the posters also got info from the reps on the phone and when i called to book, no luck! i thought that the rates had been pulled but the rep said that they were never out for those dates. makes planning difficult though!

Candice, I was not trying to be contrary, just posting thoughts and I do believe you were clear, obviously there was a bit of miscommunication here.
Often, what you read about discounts are rumors ( I really HATE rumors). I can give you a couple really great websites for discounts, if you would like (you probably already know them, however). Another place to go for great rates is Dreams Unlimited. They are fair, know the specials, and are closely associated with this website.

 

[Candice30]

i know you weren't being contrary. just providing more info and my thoughts in my post. agree with you on the rumor mill. hard to know what to believe regarding discounts. i may have been on the websites you are thinking of but would appreciate the post if you can. always looking for ways to cut down the expense of the trip. you didn't say, are you looking for airfare for an upcoming trip?

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Candice30
i know you weren't being contrary. just providing more info and my thoughts in my post. agree with you on the rumor mill. hard to know what to believe regarding discounts. i may have been on the websites you are thinking of but would appreciate the post if you can. always looking for ways to cut down the expense of the trip. you didn't say, are you looking for airfare for an upcoming trip?

I have my airfare and my car rental and I am a DVC member, so, that was taken care of quite easily.

My sources are:
www.mousesavers.com (sign up for their newsletter, it is free and has a lot of stuff for mousesaver newsletter readers only)
www.allearsnet.com
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/themeparks.htm
There is more to the DIS than just the boards.

 

[WDWisTheBest]

From reading previous posts, I am not sure that I should even comment on this thread due to the possibility of my comments being taken in the wrong way, but here goes anyway.

I went to the press release that Gail mentioned, the January 8th 2004 one, and here is what was posted:

"Southwest begins service to Philadelphia on May 9 with daily nonstop service to Chicago Midway, Las Vegas, Orlando, Phoenix, Providence, and Tampa Bay. The accompanying fares and flights to other cities nationwide will be announced later."

I like Southwest Airlines. They have a great safety record and customer service is noted to be good. Like Gail, I don't get all of my information from a CSR agent, if it doesn't agree with what I have read.

My guess is, and it is a pure guess, that Southwest and the Philadelphia Airport Authority still have some unresolved issues. What, if any, they may be is anyone's guess. But, I agree with others that it is not better to promise something that can not be delivered.

Also, it is certainly possible that the issues may not be resolved for a May 9th start date for the aforementioned cities from PHL. But, I would not begin to blame Southwest Airlines for a possible delay. I just would not count on discounted fares to Olando in early May. There may be introductory fares by SW, but I would not count on them.

In summary, SW is safe to fly and I don't link flight safety with an airline starting up service in a new market like Philadelphia.

 

[Lewisc]

Originally posted by WDWisTheBest
I went to the press release that Gail mentioned, the January 8th 2004 one, and here is what was posted:

"Southwest begins service to Philadelphia on May 9 with daily nonstop service to Chicago Midway, Las Vegas, Orlando, Phoenix, Providence, and Tampa Bay. The accompanying fares and flights to other cities nationwide will be announced later."

SW announced 6 R/T flights. The rest of the flights along with schedules and fares will be announced later. Seems clear to me. Actually that press release was on 12/11/03. CSR don't get any special "insider" information. Common sense would indicate that SW would start taking reservations (at least) 4-6 weeks in advance BUT anything else is really speculation.

BTW SW fares are not really a mystery. The fares from PHL will be similar to the fares from BWI (just as the fares from Islip are similar to the fares from Hartford). The variable is the availability of a discounted fare on THE FLIGHT YOU WANT. As always you'll get better fares if you're willing to consider alternate airports (Tampa), alternate dates (leave the night before) or even a connecting flight.

 

[CarolA]

Just an FYI. Over on FlyerTalk.com someone suggested maybe there were waiting for a release "Event" You know press etc. where they make a production out of Philly service and get attention. Sounds feasible to me.