Southwest airlines

[tink_n_pooh]

I'm going to be the one that says I don't really like SW

For us the #1 reason I don't even consider them is because they don't fly out of our airport of choice (Newark NJ).

We did fly SW when we left from Philly with SIL and her family. The tickets weren't any cheaper than if we flew out of EWR on Continental or JetBlue but we left from her house and she is closer to Philly.

I don't know if it was the airport or the airline but I felt like I was a third class passenger, people were lining up over an hour before boarding in the A, B, and well there would have been a C (but no one actually boarding in the C group) corrals. It was like herding cattle

The preboarding line was longer than A & B lines combined so even if you were in the A group you had to wait for the masses of people that needed assistance for some sort to get on first. And I have no problem with people who do need assistance boarding first --- however most of these people were families with one small child and the rest of group boarded along with them to the tune of 6-10 'other' people in addition to a parent and the child. Maybe they have cleared that up now but it left a bad taste in my mouth, I'd rather just know where my seat is going to be when I book my ticket and not have to line up for an hour

The flight attendants were funny though

 

[minniecarousel]

No non-stops to Orlando from any of the Bay Area airports, so not thrilled, unless I'm just flying to L.A.

 

[Mkrop]

I'm going to be the one that says I don't really like SW

For us the #1 reason I don't even consider them is because they don't fly out of our airport of choice (Newark NJ).

We did fly SW when we left from Philly with SIL and her family. The tickets weren't any cheaper than if we flew out of EWR on Continental or JetBlue but we left from her house and she is closer to Philly.

I don't know if it was the airport or the airline but I felt like I was a third class passenger, people were lining up over an hour before boarding in the A, B, and well there would have been a C (but no one actually boarding in the C group) corrals. It was like herding cattle

The preboarding line was longer than A & B lines combined so even if you were in the A group you had to wait for the masses of people that needed assistance for some sort to get on first. And I have no problem with people who do need assistance boarding first --- however most of these people were families with one small child and the rest of group boarded along with them to the tune of 6-10 'other' people in addition to a parent and the child. Maybe they have cleared that up now but it left a bad taste in my mouth, I'd rather just know where my seat is going to be when I book my ticket and not have to line up for an hour

The flight attendants were funny though

We fly SW out of Philly all the time and they no longer due the lining up long before the flight, it did look like herding cattle. Now everyone sits and right before boarding they call all the As and you have on your boarding pass a #. You then line up according to that number. So A20 would obviously board before A29. then families with small children, then Bs by number and Cs.
It used to be you were only assigned a group so you lined up early to get better number.

We flew some other airlines out of Philly, saw no difference in boarding.

We love flying SW out of Philly because it is not in the super busy terminal where USAir is, so we get through security much faster.


OP we now pay for the Early Bird Checkin and love it. No more having to be at the computer at the 24hr mark. This was especially nice while we were still in the parks and did not have to somewhere to get checked in.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Love SWA. I hate when they don't fly to a destination where I'm headed and I need to take another airline.

I've flown to Orlando a few times through them and one of things that irritated me the first time was that we stopped in Jacksonville, which nothing was said of it on the original reservation and it's supposed to be a direct flight. People that were continuing on to Orlando stayed on the plane while people going to Jacksonville got off and more people headed to Orlando were let on. It added about an hour to the trip (I then realized why the flight was almost 3 hours which tipped me off that it was going to happen on another flight when I booked with them to Orlando but at least I was prepared for it) and it was super hot on the plane (they turn off the A/C but you can open the air vents [not that that helps much]) and they weren't allowed to give out drinks, I get nauseous at take-offs so it was another one I wasn't expecting, and you have to turn off your electronics like you would normal landings/take-offs, but the flight attendants were friendly. It happened on the way back too and on another Orlando flight I booked with them. Which is better than a layover for sure, but like I said I wasn't expecting to stop somewhere (we found out when the plane was taxing to the runway for take off and the attendant was making announcements and said "Ladies and gentlemen, we are going to be making a brief stop in Jacksonville today...). I do like Southwest though and that they don't charge for luggage. I live in Yorktown, VA BTW .

A non-stop flight goes from point A to point B without stopping. A direct flight DOES make a stop, and is exactly as you described...YOUR direct flight to Orlando was direct because you stayed on the same plane at the stop in Jacksonville...you didn't have to change planes for a connecting flight. Sounds like you just missed the information when you booked, or didn't understand that "direct" doesn't mean "non-stop".

As far as the $10 early bird checkin...only one person has to do it and can then save seats. I'm not sure if you can do it for ONE person on a reservation, in which case you could just book separately. After some issues I had recently with booking and canceling flights and using credits, I plan to book all of us separately in the future anyway. And as much as I like having my choice of seats (and therefore print my boarding pass 24 hrs ahead), my kids are older and it really doesn't matter if it doesn't work out sitting together anymore.

 

[mla1977]

Since they are finishing the renovations in the terminals, the Southwest terminal goes through the main security area in Philly, but there are several TSA lines there.

 

[iwrbnd]

They are my favorite airline! I love that I can change my flight with no penalty. I can be as fickle as the wind so that helps a lot!

I also love their chart that shows you the prices by the month so you don't have to keep guessing what days woud be cheapest.

The seating can be a pain but it's never been a problem for us. One flight we got seperated and my 6 yr old was going to have to sit alone. The guy that she was going to sit next to switched seats w/my husband so he could sit there. Everyone clapped and cheered when he did that. I was thankful to the man but didn't understand why everyone applauded. His choice was to give up his seat or entertain a 6 yr old girl! What would you choose? Not a hard decision for me!

 

[lustergirl]

Love southwest!!

 

[Aristocath]

I'm going to be the one that says I don't really like SW

For us the #1 reason I don't even consider them is because they don't fly out of our airport of choice (Newark NJ).

We did fly SW when we left from Philly with SIL and her family. The tickets weren't any cheaper than if we flew out of EWR on Continental or JetBlue but we left from her house and she is closer to Philly.

I don't know if it was the airport or the airline but I felt like I was a third class passenger, people were lining up over an hour before boarding in the A, B, and well there would have been a C (but no one actually boarding in the C group) corrals. It was like herding cattle

The preboarding line was longer than A & B lines combined so even if you were in the A group you had to wait for the masses of people that needed assistance for some sort to get on first. And I have no problem with people who do need assistance boarding first --- however most of these people were families with one small child and the rest of group boarded along with them to the tune of 6-10 'other' people in addition to a parent and the child. Maybe they have cleared that up now but it left a bad taste in my mouth, I'd rather just know where my seat is going to be when I book my ticket and not have to line up for an hour

The flight attendants were funny though

I'm not a Southwest fan either but it is because I live in Fort Worth. Southwest flies out of Love Field, not DFW. And because of the Wright Amendment we have to make a connection to pretty much anywhere! And the connections sometimes negate the benefits of paying to board in group A.

But the people who work for Southwest are always pleasant.

 

[OK!]

I love Southwest. They always have extremely nice flight attendants and GREAT prices and let you have 2 carry-on bags and don't charge for 2 checked bags (per person...I actually don't know if they charge above and beyond that, as I normally only have 1 checked bag). I didn't realize how spoiled I'd gotten by SWA until I booked a trip to LA in May on American (a friend and I got a deal on an airfare/hotel pkg.) Evidently, AA only allows 1 carry-on and charges for ALL bags. I'm going to have to be very strategic with how I manage to cram the stuff I don't want broken into my carry-on.

 

[OK!]

I'm going to be the one that says I don't really like SW

For us the #1 reason I don't even consider them is because they don't fly out of our airport of choice (Newark NJ).

We did fly SW when we left from Philly with SIL and her family. The tickets weren't any cheaper than if we flew out of EWR on Continental or JetBlue but we left from her house and she is closer to Philly.

I don't know if it was the airport or the airline but I felt like I was a third class passenger, people were lining up over an hour before boarding in the A, B, and well there would have been a C (but no one actually boarding in the C group) corrals. It was like herding cattle

The preboarding line was longer than A & B lines combined so even if you were in the A group you had to wait for the masses of people that needed assistance for some sort to get on first. And I have no problem with people who do need assistance boarding first --- however most of these people were families with one small child and the rest of group boarded along with them to the tune of 6-10 'other' people in addition to a parent and the child. Maybe they have cleared that up now but it left a bad taste in my mouth, I'd rather just know where my seat is going to be when I book my ticket and not have to line up for an hour

That's odd....I think the longest I've ever lined up before actually boarding the plane was maybe 10 minutes, and that was to allow for preboarding. Otherwise (at least here in STL and at MCO), they'll call you by boarding group and then you go stand in between the signs that indicate your actual boarding position. I know there are some people who line up as soon as they get to the gate, but I won't. I just wait until they call me and even then if it's not a crowded flight, I don't bother to jump in line immediately.

MMMV, of course--I could have been flying out of less-busy airports at less-busy times or something (or maybe always got really lucky. )

 

[redlight]

I've had generally good experiences with SW, but have only flown alone or with one other person on it.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

That's odd....I think the longest I've ever lined up before actually boarding the plane was maybe 10 minutes, and that was to allow for preboarding. Otherwise (at least here in STL and at MCO), they'll call you by boarding group and then you go stand in between the signs that indicate your actual boarding position. I know there are some people who line up as soon as they get to the gate, but I won't. I just wait until they call me and even then if it's not a crowded flight, I don't bother to jump in line immediately.

MMMV, of course--I could have been flying out of less-busy airports at less-busy times or something (or maybe always got really lucky. )

A few years ago, you corralled without position numbers---so it was kind of like hearding cattle. I like the numbered boarding much better.

I admit that this past time, we sat near the signs--but if we have to sit on the floor anyway since all the seats in the waiting area are full...I'd rather only have to get up once.

Preboaridng is only for blue cards now (essentially disabled assistance)+ the "business class" folks. Families with small kids board after group A.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

I admit that this past time, we sat near the signs--but if we have to sit on the floor anyway since all the seats in the waiting area are full...I'd rather only have to get up once.

If I had to sit on the floor, I'd do the same. Trying to get through to your letter/number section can be a little frustrating...you get some people (probably infrequent flyers) who act like you're cutting and want to see your boarding pass, which actually just made me smile. It's all part of the charm that is SWA.

And we have had some HILARIOUS flight attendants. Our very first flight with SWA was delayed an hour, and this was after already being very disappointed that we could no longer fly our usual Delta to Orlando. But the flight attendant was SO funny, it immediately put us at ease and was worth the wait. I just love "funny".

 

[Handbag Lady]

I haven't read anyone else's reply as I wanted to not be tainted by their opinions.

I love Southwest and I only fly them. They've given me nothing buy great service of the years and I LOVE that they offer a good price without baggage fees.

As for getting your family together, sign in to their website 24 hours before flight departure and you'll get your assigned letter and number for everyone. The first person on board can get the seats together. With five, I'm guessing you'll want two rows, leaving one seat available for another passenger. It shouldn't be a problem and you can even ask for help from a flight attendant to get everyone settled in quickly. Just go back further in the plane. Everyone wants to be in the front but the best and open seats are in the middle to the back of the plane, and hey, you all land at the same time!

 

[JessicaR]

Love SWA. I hate when they don't fly to a destination where I'm headed and I need to take another airline..

That sums it up for me too. SWA is great and so close by.

 

[DopeyRN]

LOVE Southwest!

 

[PirateSnowmen]

My mom loves flying Southwest. We live about 20 minutes from Love Field, so it's very convienant for her when she goes away for business.

We have had one bad experience on SW, but it was 10 years ago. My parents and I were flying somewhere, and we had connecting flights. Our first flight was late to land, so we had to run to the second flight, which was on SW. We were the last people to board the plane and there weren't even 2 seats next to each other left. We did find two middle seats across the aisle from each other, and my mom asked if it would be possible for her to sit next to me, and all of the people said that they didn't want to move. We asked a flight attendant, but she said she couldn't do anything for us. We ended up having to sit separate, and I remember being a bit upset. I just remember my mom being angry. I actually ended up getting sick on the flight and to this day that has been the only time I've gotten airsick. That's really the only problem we've ever had with SW.

 

[luvmy3jewels]

I haven't read this entire thread, but I wanted to chime in that I love SW as well! Their prices usually can't be beat and we have found their flight attendants to be the best/most cheerful we have ever seen. They actually act like they are happy to be there. And my family has never had any problems sitting together on a flight (I always check in at the 24 hour mark to ensure an A boarding pass).

Dh and I flew to/from Ireland last week on Delta (going) and Air France (return). After seeing and hearing way too many grumpy FAs (several of them were bordering on being rude), I looked at at dh and said "I can tell we aren't flying SW" dh replied that he was thinking the exact same thing!

 

[FireDancer]

I flew them for the first time last November and from then on they are the first airline I check. I don't care about any of the frills and just want a cheap fight with no baggage fees.

I usually fly solo and don't care about where I sit but as others have suggested the $10 pre-board fee will get you guys seats together I am sure.

 

[Free4Life11]

Honestly, I think they've got everyone convinced that they are the "low price" carrier, but I find there prices to just as expensive if not more than other carriers. Delta is almost always cheaper for the routes I fly and I get an assigned seat with Delta. Not impressed with Southwest.