quick little rant on SWA boarding

[Beca]

Actually Continental has the newest jet fleet.

I'd love to see what data you have on this one. My research shows that SWA's plane are averaging 9.6 years old. As of Dec, 1999, Continental had the newest fleet with planes averaging 7.4 years old...but, that was right after they took inventory of a lot of new planes. Since 9/11, SWA has STILL been pursuing new aircraft (as fast as Boening can build them, and allot them to SWA...since SWA is still a rapidly expanding airline), but from what I can see...Continental has not received ANY new aircraft since 2001. I'm not sure how that changes the "average" age of the aircraft, but if you just "age" them 5 years...it seems the "adjusted" age of Continental's fleet would be about 12 years, to what SWA is saying their "current" is of 9.6. Could be SWA's is somewhat out of date, could be information is wrong. AirTran claims to have the newest fleet as well...I SERIOUSLY doubt that one!!!

But, seeing as how SWA was the ONLY major US airline NOT to take federal aid money post 9/11, and it remains the ONLY major US airline to report profits during post 9/11 fallout, I imagine that the "newest fleet" status might've shifted during this time.

Either way...I'm sure they BOTH have new, wonderful planes. I have tried to find a "definitive" answer to this one...I'm not sure that data is accurately compiled and accessible to the general public....not a "peep" about it on faa.gov, or any other flying enthusiast site I visited. If you have any more info...please post.



Beca

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

I have a picture of that unfortunate accident... someone put a caption on it, I find it (the caption) rather humorous.

 

[safetymom]

A great place to get information like you are seeking would be on www.flyertalk.com Those people have the answers to just about everything.

 

[ducklite]

I'm trying them for the first time in late January. They had a great deal, and DH and I are just going away for a weekend. We plan on checking in at 12:00am online to get "A" passes, hopefully it will work out well for us.

Anne

 

[Beca]

I have a picture of that unfortunate accident... someone put a caption on it, I find it rather humorous.

I know, I don't mean to be callous about the seriousness of the incident, but when passengers used to ask us about it, we would just say the pilot "stopped for gas". But, seriously...that plane never flew again (at least not on SWA...I think it was actually sold to a 3rd world airline...they are FIGHTING to get American rejects). It may be a proud member of some other airline...but, I guess the "incident" helped SWA get an even "newer" fleet as that aircraft had to be replaced.

Ahh..I'm getting the heebees even talking about this!!! One of the things I HATED about my job was sitting thru FAA training every year and talking in DEPTH about the accidents that had occurred over the past year (and seeing all the faa pics)...it's just creepy!!!

So, to change the subject....SWA is a WONDERFUL airline...and, you will have a WONDERFUL trip!! A pilot once told me, "The best way to pick your airline is to find the one that spends the most per plane on maintenance, and that has happy pilots who value their jobs". Well, when I was working for SWA, we were told that SWA was proud to tell that they spent more money per plane on maintenance (they TOTALLY rehab their planes on a frequent schedule to avoid metal fatugue) than any other American-owned airline, and the pilots at SWA feel like they are the luckiest men alive!! That makes for some pretty safe flights!!!



Beca

 

[Heyyall]

Thanks Beca, Cbarr and lindaso! i'm terrified of flying but this has made me a lot more comfortable and safe. i can't wait to go!!!!

 

[inkkognito]

I like that photo...I'm a paranoid flyer, but a little humor always helps.
Our last ATA flight (Dec. 22) was extremely turbulent due to weather. During the flight, the pilot kept us informed (the turbulence was worse higher up, but we couldn't fly really low because that supposedly uses more fuel). That flight was rockin and rollin almost the whole way to Florida. Since his in-flight announcements had been serious, he let loose with a little humor at the end. He told us all the altitude changes we had made and then said in a totally deadpan voice, "But the good news is that we DID manage to hit every bump between Chicago and Orlando." Maybe now that Southwest has bailed them out, some of the famous SW humor is rubbing off.
Barb

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Maybe now that Southwest has bailed them out, some of the famous SW humor is rubbing off.

What happened with ATA and Southwest? I guess I'm behind the times.

 

[Pinnie]

Got this email from SWA today:

Dear Rapid Rewards Member,

During the past weeks you may have read in the press about our bid to acquire various assets of ATA Airlines and enter into a code share agreement. Last week, it was announced that Southwest Airlines' bid has been approved by Federal bankruptcy court.

"We are obviously pleased with today's bankruptcy court approval," said Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly. "We have enjoyed working with the ATA people, and we look forward to getting started on our code sharing early next year. I extend my congratulations to ATA as it begins its restructuring process. The real winners, of course, are Customers traveling to and from Chicago Midway Airport who will see more low-fare Southwest service and a continuing presence from ATA."

This exciting new agreement will mean additional destinations and earning options for our Members once all approvals are obtained and operational processes are determined. However, at this time the frequent flyer programs will remain separate in all aspects. So stayed tuned, as we will make every attempt to communicate with you as soon as we have information via the Rapid Rewards E-mail Update.

We look forward to seeing you onboard soon!

Your Friends at Southwest Airlines

 

[kilee]

I have used SW for every trip to Orlando but one. That being said, I have only not been seated w/ DS twice on any of these flights and both times was by choice. The most recent trip we took 10/04 the plane only had 24 people on it and DS wanted a row to himself. Everyone could of had a row to themselves and there would of still been empty ones.
The other time was the same situation as that, he didn't sit w/ us by choice. I was petrified we'd be separated the first time. He's getting older now (11) so if we get separated for a family w/ small kids it would be okay. I've had everything from A-C passes as well.
I, personally, don't care where I sit on the plane so for me it doesn't matter if I'm in the back. I do wish though they'd make all those pre-boarders who needed the extra time getting on wait to get off last. I think that's my biggest pet peeve is waiting 25 minutes from the back of the plane for each of them to get off. It's only common sense that if they truly needed extra time getting on then they'd need it getting off too.

 

[maryliz]

I'm confused about the earlier comments that people who preboard can "save seats" ... doesn't that defeat the purpose of preboarding, and the use of A,B,C boarding passes? We are flying SWA for the first time in Jan ... actually first time flying with the kids. DD is 7 and DS is 4. We are also travelling my sister and BIL. I am hoping that one of us will preboard with my DS, and I'm hoping that they will let both DH and I board with both kids. My only concern would be that DD definitely needs to be sitting with one of us. The 4 of us do not need to be together, although if they let the 4 of us preboard together, I'm not going to say "no". However, it has never once occurred to us to have my sis/BIL also preboard with us just 'cause we're "together". That is absolutely ludicrous. Nor would we even think about trying to "save seats" so that they could sit with us. What's up with that ???

I know that SWA gate turnaround time is very efficient, and I have no worries that if by chance my DD ended up by herself, I'm sure that the FA would help make it right to put her with one of the adults in her life Now I'm kinda sad that if I'm IN the preboard line, I might miss some of the preboarding show that the rest of the passengers get to experience

Thanks for all of the info about SWA safety record. I feel so much more confident in out decision to fly instead of our usual 2-day drive to WDW!


Mary-Liz

 

[Laurabearz]

I just booked $120 ROUND trip on SWA from Chicago to Orlando... Makes the boarding process worth it to us.

AND with the new policy of allowing multiple flier reservations to secure an A boarding pass online.... life is good.