I called Southwest Airlines, about their Phila flights

[helenk]

The woman that I spoke to said that they are not accepting flights from PHL airport as yet and she was not sure when they would be. From the sounds of it there are still some issues that have to worked out. She also said that they are not sure if flights will start in May as previously announced.
I am hoping that this all gets taken care of, I know alot of us are waiting for the PHL flights to start up.

 

[Candice30]

that is so unfair. they better release something soon! i am starting to not trust southwest. they announced that may would be released in december and then when it was, they only released to may 08. i re-checked the announcement that said may 09 and now there is a delay again! not good for southwest. the only 2 things that i hope from my airline is that they are ontime and that they don't crash! this delay makes me suspicious of them.

 

[Lewisc]

Originally posted by Candice30
that is so unfair. they better release something soon! i am starting to not trust southwest. they announced that may would be released in december and then when it was, they only released to may 08. i re-checked the announcement that said may 09 and now there is a delay again! not good for southwest. the only 2 things that i hope from my airline is that they are ontime and that they don't crash! this delay makes me suspicious of them.

SW has a good reputation for safety and ontime performance. SW said service from PHL would begin 5/9. They never said when tickets would go on sale. The fact that tickets aren't yet on sale for PHL might indicate a delay or might just mean they haven't yet confirmed the schedule from PHL. A delay in scheduling has nothing to do with safety or on-time. It does mean SW is following their custom of not scheduling flights that they intend to change multiple times.

There is no reason to be suspicious of them. From your other thread your SOLE CRITERIA in picking an airline is availability of deeply discounted seats. Nothing wrong with that but be honest about it.

 

[Candice30]

i am being honest about it. my main concern is a cheap ticket, but if that cheap ticket comes at the price of having to put up with late schedules and the airlines not doing what they promised then it's not worth it to me. TO ME!!!!!! my point only was that southwest said the schedule would be out originally in december and then changed that later. it makes me wonder if they will actually begin a schedule out of philly on may 09th.

furthermore, i have MANY reasons why i don't go with certain airlines and they are MY reasons which is why i didn't bother the board with all of them. i asked the board a question to help me get cheap fares. my choosing to use or not use that information to my benefit is my business. excuse me, but i thought we could all speak our mine hear if i have a moment when i want to vent about an airline, and posters don't like it, too bad!

 

[Lewisc]

Your certainly free to express your opinion, I just don't fair to link a possbile delay in launching flights from a new city to safety concerns.

You're also confusing rumors with promises. SW didn't (officially) announce PHL service until 12/11/2003. They said the fares and schedules would be available later with no specific date promised.

DALLAS, Dec. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Southwest whetted bargain travelers' appetites today by revealing that its Philadelphia service will begin May 9, 2004, with daily nonstop service to Chicago Midway, Las Vegas, Orlando, Phoenix, Providence, and Tampa Bay. The accompanying fares and direct and connecting service to other cities nationwide will be announced later.

NO PROBLEM WITH YOU EXPRESSING YOUR OPINION, just with you missating facts and expressing unwarrented safety issues.

 

[helenk]

Wow,
I did not mean to get things stirred up. I am sure that opening up in a new region takes a lot of planning and there are probably things that are out of Southwest's control.
From reading others posts Southwest seems to be a good airline with a good reputation for being on time etc
I know from reading these boards that historically SW does not post its fares as far in advance as the other airlines. I did not expect my dates to be there until next month, but I was anxious to see what the prices might be. Maybe whatever is the problem will get resolved.
We are all looking for the best deal, that is why we read these boards. I know that I want the best flight times for the cheapest rates, and I want to get the rooms for the lowest rate possible as well. There is no sense getting upset at each other.

 

[Candice30]

who said anything about safety issues. i said that i just wanted my airline not to crash. i am sure that many people feel that way. I SHOULD HOPE SO! i am not equating it with anything having to do with their schedule not being posted. i was just listing the things i like from an airline. many do not have anyting to do with their schedules and if that was the assumption, then i am sorry. my point was just that i don't like my schedule changed so when others change theirs, it bothers me. as for misrepresentation of facts, i am only repeating what is in the press release on southwest airline's website. it stated may 09 the schedule out of philly would begin as well as my local paper. i never heard anything about may 11th.

 

[Candice30]

no problem helenk. you didn't start anyting. just a misunderstanding. my original post some how got read as me equating safety with schedules which is ridiculous. but certainly not the first time a post has been read wrong. not mad at anyone just defending myself because i felt a little attacked for restating what is on southwest's website.

 

[prncess674]

Originally posted by Candice30
no problem helenk. you didn't start anyting. just a misunderstanding. my original post some how got read as me equating safety with schedules which is ridiculous. but certainly not the first time a post has been read wrong. not mad at anyone just defending myself because i felt a little attacked for restating what is on southwest's website.

Please reread your original post. I too can see where you are somehow equating safety with schedules, which yes is ridiculous. I concur with LewisC, no where did SWA promise to have bookable schedules out in December only that service would begin May 09. They may very well not start selling those seats till March or April.

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DALLAS, Dec. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Southwest whetted bargain travelers' appetites today by revealing that its Philadelphia service will begin May 9, 2004, with daily nonstop service to Chicago Midway, Las Vegas, Orlando, Phoenix, Providence, and Tampa Bay. The accompanying fares and direct and connecting service to other cities nationwide will be announced later.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[CarolA]

In Southwest's defense, it is not liked anyone on the board has talked to anyone higher than a reservation clerk. Also, while some people may decide not to trust them as a frequent flyer I will say that SW treats passengers with a lot more respect then any of the other major airlines (Delta, AA, Cont, etc...) The major airlines would have just put tickets on sale in hopes they could fly the flights (and then AA can run commercials about honesty, something I find they sorely lack!)

Having lived in a SW hub, my bet is that the problem is NOT SW but the Philadelphia airport and landing gates. When SW first started expanding in Nashville, the airport authority had to really fight AA to make them give up the gates even though they were not using them. The airlines lease the gates and landing spaces and getting them to give them up can be difficult. When they hear someone like a SW is coming to town suddenlty they decide it is worht it to pay for things they won't use just to keep SW out. I doubt Philadephia had a lot of gates/spots not rented and SW has to have enough of both to make a profit.

 

[Candice30]

my original post:

[that is so unfair. they better release something soon! i am starting to not trust southwest. they announced that may would be released in december and then when it was, they only released to may 08. i re-checked the announcement that said may 09 and now there is a delay again! not good for southwest. the only 2 things that i hope from my airline is that they are ontime and that they don't crash! this delay makes me suspicious of them.]

i was stating my disgust at the schedule not being out. i was told december by a customer service rep of theirs. i was not the only poster told this which is why i thought that i could trust it. as for my last statement (above) about the airline crashing... I DID NOT SAY IT WAS BECAUSE OF THEIR SCHEDULE.. if that is what was thought, as i said, sorry. i should have been asked what i meant instead being assumed to have said such a thing. keep up people, i merely went on to a new topic which is what makes me happy about an airline and what doesn't. many people got the joke, sorry you didn't and i for one think that we have spent way too much time on this issue!

 

[prncess674]

Originally posted by Candice30
my original post:

I DID NOT SAY IT WAS BECAUSE OF THEIR SCHEDULE.. if that is what was thought, as i said, sorry. i should have been asked what i meant instead being assumed to have said such a thing.
keep up people, i merely went on to a new topic which is what makes me happy about an airline and what doesn't. many people got the joke, sorry you didn't and i for one think that we have spent way too much time on this issue!

Maybe if you stop yelling and ranting someone would help you. Attacking people is against the TOS. Your original post was poorly written. If you were changing subjects a new paragraph would have helped.

 

[Candice30]

CarolA: if the problem is on philly airport side, i think that southwest should put out a statement about the airport not being ready or about other factors needing to be ironed out before they are ready to operate out of philly. i think that it gets people confused when you hear dates from different sources and don't know what to believe. i think that southwest needs to release some kind of statement.

 

[CarolA]

Candice,
It is January! I have a feeling that if negoitions are ongoing SW has LOTS of time to address issues. Airlines can set up a flight for tomorrow and start selling tickets.

SW is under no obligation to keep us informed of their status in this matter. If they said they would start flying in May then I guess by May they will either fly or issue a statement. That gives them almost 4 months.

Now, if you need a ticket and the airfare is good someplace else then buy it.

 

[prncess674]

Originally posted by Candice30
CarolA: if the problem is on philly airport side, i think that southwest should put out a statement about the airport not being ready or about other factors needing to be ironed out before they are ready to operate out of philly. i think that it gets people confused when you hear dates from different sources and don't know what to believe. i think that southwest needs to release some kind of statement.

Why should they make a statement? Is it just because they haven't release a schedule for flights that are 5 months away. 75% of seats are booked within 2 weeks of departure. SWA I am sure has some gate access but maybe they are trying to get more gates which could increase the number of flights. They are waiting till they know more information before releasing a schedule. In no way has SWA said/infered that they will not be operating atleast 1 flight a day to the above mentioned destinations by the scheduled date (May 09). SWA is a very reliable airline and doesn't change their schedule like other carriers. if they released a schedule and then changed it, all the people complaining about not having a schedule would then be complaining about having a changed schedule. Changing schedules is a hassle for the customer and costly for employee time for the airline.

 

[Candice30]

you know what. many people hear around me have read my post and got the joke. didn't know i needed to spell things out so clearly for some. i am not yelling, just defending myself as i was misunderstood in the first place and now am continually being attacked because i am beginning to not like southwest. what do you have stock in their company or something? when a thought enters my head, i type it. i was finished with that issue and then went on to voice my opinion. if i was only asked what i meant in the first place, this wouldn't have occurred. i have read (oh sorry, ON TO NEW TOPIC), on many other posts where people were misunderstood.

FOR THE RECORD.. ...i never said anyting regarding southwest's safety. if anyone is interested, i don't like airlines that don't have pillows either, but i guess that i would get beat up for saying that too! and for like the 4th time now, DROP IT ALREADY! so bored of this subject. sorry for defending myself and trying to clear up what i meant but i guess no one is interested in that. i already said that i was sorry that i was misunderstood but i keep getting attacked.

 

[prncess674]

Originally posted by Candice30
you know what. many people hear around me have read my post and got the joke. didn't know i needed to spell things out so clearly for some. i am not yelling, just defending myself as i was misunderstood in the first place and now am continually being attacked because i am beginning to not like southwest. what do you have stock in their company or something? when a thought enters my head, i type it. i was finished with that issue and then went on to voice my opinion. if i was only asked what i meant in the first place, this wouldn't have occurred. i have read (oh sorry, ON TO NEW TOPIC), on many other posts where people were misunderstood.

FOR THE RECORD.. ...i never said anyting regarding southwest's safety. if anyone is interested, i don't like airlines that don't have pillows either, but i guess that i would get beat up for saying that too! and for like the 4th time now, DROP IT ALREADY! so bored of this subject. sorry for defending myself and trying to clear up what i meant but i guess no one is interested in that. i already said that i was sorry that i was misunderstood but i keep getting attacked.

sarcasm will get you no where in this world. If you are done with the topic. QUIT REPLYING! You are the only one who continues to drag this up!

 

[CarolA]

You joke about airplanes crashing?? To each his own.

However, some of us were actually trying to be helpful. Just because you don't like our responses does not mean we are attacking you so there is no need to defend yourself.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Candice30
that is so unfair. they better release something soon! i am starting to not trust southwest. they announced that may would be released in december and then when it was, they only released to may 08. i re-checked the announcement that said may 09 and now there is a delay again! not good for southwest. the only 2 things that i hope from my airline is that they are ontime and that they don't crash! this delay makes me suspicious of them.

They are not going to release anything until all the "ducks are in a row" I would trust them less if they released then cancelled.
They are wonderful, ontime with great planes.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Candice30
CarolA: if the problem is on philly airport side, i think that southwest should put out a statement about the airport not being ready or about other factors needing to be ironed out before they are ready to operate out of philly. i think that it gets people confused when you hear dates from different sources and don't know what to believe. i think that southwest needs to release some kind of statement.

They don't need to go into detail. However, if you want the "skinny" on news from SWA sign up for their newsletter.
http://www.southwestair.com/about_swa/press/prindex.html

the latest press release was on 1/8/04

http://www.southwest.com/about_swa/press/prindex.html

Everything you could possibly want to know is on their website, go there and search.