Some Questions About Southwest (Now That They Will Service PIT)

[Banzai]

We normally use USAir, but with SW comming, it will be nice to use our APs more. However, we have some questions about SW:

1. What is the seating policy (Is it true that having a ticket doens't mean you have a seat sometimes?)
2. Does one book online, or by phone? Is it the same price?
3. We have a wheelchair in our group, how would that work?
4. Does one need to print one's own tickets, and how would one do that in WDW?

Any other info would be great!

Brad

 

[Luckymommyx2]

This should answer at least two of your questions...

Boarding Procedure
Each Customer will be issued a boarding pass grouped by A, B, or C (in that order) based on when the Customer checked in online at southwest.com, at the Skycap Podium, Ticket Counter, Departure Gate, or RAPID CHECK-IN Kiosk (where available).
Prior to general boarding, Customers with disabilities, unaccompanied children, and families with children under five years of age will preboard. Customers holding boarding pass "A" will begin general boarding, followed by Customers with boarding pass "B," and then "C."
Because Southwest Airlines maintains an open-seating policy, Customers may sit in any open or unclaimed seat. Customers who choose a seat in an emergency exit row must meet all requirements set forth by the Federal Aviation Administration and Southwest Airlines.

I've booked on-line and over the phone. Usually it's the same price, at least when I've booked.

There is a new policy at WDW resorts that now allows the front desk at all resorts to print your boarding pass.

Hope this helps. Check out southwest.com and you'll find lots more info.
You'll love SWA!

 

[jimmiej]

1. SWA seats by groups, depending on when you check in (the earlier, the better). First group is pre-boarders (families w/small children, handicapped, older folks, etc.), then group A, B, & C. You can pick any empty seat. You can check in on-line. Otherwise, I would show up at the airport two hours early. I've always gotten an A or B. SWA sometimes "oversells", just like everyone else. This can cause some latecomers to not get a seat, even though they had ressies.

2. From my experience, on-line & phone are the same.

3. Can't help you with this one.

4. You can print your own boarding pass if you check in on-line. Some WDW resorts have facilities to allow you to check in on-line.

 

[DebbieB]

Have you heard which cities they will service from PIT? All they said on channel 2 news were probably 10 to 15 flights a day initially. My guess would be Baltimore, Chicago, Los Angeles, where they have hubs.

 

[safetymom]

I have heard that Orlando will have lots of flights from PIT.

 

[dcandmc]

"What is the seating policy (Is it true that having a ticket doens't mean you have a seat sometimes?)"

This could happen with any airline. All airlines overbook, anticipating that on any given flight a certain percentage of ticketed passengers will not show up. Most of the time the percentages work in favor of the airline; sometimes they don't and a ticketed passenger may get bumped from an oversold flight if not enough volunteers can be persuaded to give up their seat and take a later flight. Southwest is by no means unique in this practice.

Lesson: get to the gate early enough (or print out boarding passes early enough) to make sure you have a seat. Once you have a boarding pass/card, you know that you will have a seat.

 

[mzspaz]

I just did a huge research paper on SouthWest and this will be a great thing for Pittsburgh International!

SW really doesn't follow a "hub" procedure. They focus more on the direct flights. On channel 4 news last night, they said that SW was not releasing their overall plans yet in order to keep the competition guessing.

I am hoping that Orlando will be one of those!

 

[DebbieB]

Has anyone heard any new rumors about the cities they will service from PIT or the start date? I'm waiting to buy airfare for May 7 to 13, it's been really high. I did read that Philadelphia will not be one of the cities.

 

[bubba's mom]

There is a new policy at WDW resorts that now allows the front desk at all resorts to print your boarding pass.

I am understanding the new "Magic Express" is only being offered for certain airlines right now. I checked, and SW isn't one of them....yet. Just keep checking tho!!!!

 

[DebbieB]

I am understanding the new "Magic Express" is only being offered for certain airlines right now. I checked, and SW isn't one of them....yet. Just keep checking tho!!!!

This isn't Magical Express. You can go to the front desk and ask them if they will callup your reservation on the internet and print your boarding passes, just like you can do at home for your trip to Orlando. With Magical Express, for the designated airlines they actually take your luggage and ship it to the airport and check it in for you while you ride the bus.

 

[bubba's mom]

Oooops! Sorry......

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Debbie, I heard the PIT schedule will be released on Thursday (2/17).

 

[seashoreCM]

I just did a huge research paper on SouthWest and this will be a great thing for Pittsburgh International

Do you know if Southwest got a tremendous bargain on the gates compared with what other airlines and USAir were paying?

That is, was PIT/Allegheny County much more anxious to get another airline to use the facilities as opposed to Southwest really wanting to fly in and out of Pittsburgh?

Travel tips:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/travel.htm

 

[DebbieB]

I don't know if they got a bargain but I did read that they are supposed to get the first gates on A concourse. Since USAir is only leasing gates month to month, they can throw them out of those prime gates. Right now USAir is using gates on A concourse for commuter flights and B concourse for jet flights. I believe they closed the gates at the far end of A & B, so there is room for them to move down. E concourse which was previously used for commuter flights has been closed.

Can't wait to hear the announcement of the cities. I'll be away on business this week (St Paul MN, flying Northwest for the first time), I'll have to get someone to let me know (no laptop) or find out on Friday night when I come home.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Debbie, you'll have to let me know about your Northwest experience when you get back. I have to go to Wisconsin in September, and I'm thinking about using them.

 

[Beca]

I am a former SWA flight attendant. Here's the wheelchair policy. Those who require pre-boarding due to disabilities board ABSOLUTELY first!! Once onboard, you will get to pick your seat. When I flew for them, the ENTIRE party with the person requiring the wheelchair got to board with the person. Now, I retired in 2002...I have read reports that they are limiting how many people can pre-board with the person requiring the wheelchair...but, I have seen NO evidence of this.

At check-in, you will need to get a "blue sleeve" from the ticket agent at your gate.

SWA is a WONDERFUL airline...you are VERY lucky to have them.



Beca

 

[addicted2disney]

I live near Pittsburgh, and we stopped flying USAirways when Air Tran started having great rates. At thanksgiving, I got $69.00 each way from PGH-Orlando. We just got back a week ago and used Air Tran again. The price I got in November for this January trip was $49.00 each way!! Air Tran has non stop flights to Orlando too. We had 2 great flights with them. Im really excited that SWest is coming too. I cant wait to see if there is some great air fare competition!

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

US Airways must think WN will be flying the PIT-HOU route, because they announced today that they'll resume PIT-IAH service, twice daily Embraer 170 service, on May 8. From US Airways: http://www.usairways.com/about/press/nw_05_0214c.htm

I had actually hoped Continental would resume full mainline service to IAH, but now with US Airways re-entering the market and Southwest possibly flying to HOU, it doesn't look like it will happen.

 

[Beca]

US Airways must think WN will be flying the PIT-HOU route, because they announced today that they'll resume PIT-IAH service, twice daily Embraer 170 service, on May 8. From US Airways: http://www.usairways.com/about/press/nw_05_0214c.htm

I had actually hoped Continental would resume full mainline service to IAH, but now with US Airways re-entering the market and Southwest possibly flying to HOU, it doesn't look like it will happen.

Well, HOU is a big "hub" an maintenance base for WN....so, I am SURE there will be flights to that city.



Beca

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Don't forget to check SWA tomorrow, as they will be announcing the PIT flights!

I'm not sure how good my source is, but I've heard that there will be four daily flights to Chicago/Midway and Philadelphia, and one daily to Orlando and Las Vegas, for a total of 10 daily round trip flights. Time will tell if this is really what it will be like...