Southwest Plane Cleaning?

[inkkognito]

Just wondering...does Southwest normally clean the planes between flights, or is letting the next group on immediately part of their usual fast turnaround? Our first flight with them was Orlando to Chicago, and it was the first one of the day, so the plane was clean. Now we just did Chicago to Orlando, and the plane was delayed by about 40 mins. due to weather. As soon as it came in and the previous passengers departed, they let us board. It didn't seem like there was time for cleaners, and sure enough, there were snacks (not the ones served on the plane) and dirty Kleenex in my seat pocket...ugh! Just wondering if they normally don't clean...if not, I will be careful in the future when I stick my hand in there!
On the plus side, the pre-board was not as bad as I feared for an evening flight to Orlando. We were fourth to board in the A line and took row four. My only fear was that there was a guy in the boarding area who absolutely reeked of cigarettes...I think he must have smoked two packs to prepare himself for the flights...and I was afraid he would sit next to me. I would have had an allergy attack for the whole flight. So I found reasons to pull out my luggage bag and mess around with it on the empty aisle seat till he passed; then I put it away, and thankfully a smoke-free person took the seat.
No joking around by the FAs, which I was hoping for, although they are very nice and I noticed that they are attentive to the kids (we had two families in the rows in front of us, so I observed their interaction).
Barb

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

My guess is that because the plane was delayed, they did a super quick eyeball only cleaning while passengers were deplaning, in an effort to get the plane back in the air as quickly as possible.

Whenever I've flown, they've always got on the PA saying that the plane was in range, the passengers would deplane, they'd do a quick clean, and then we'd be allowed to board. With the exception of my last 2 flights, I've never been on a plane where it sat at the gate more than 20 minutes, which includes all of the above actions. This is of course one of the keys to Southwest's success.

Although they only do quick cleanings between flights, every plane I've been on has always been clean, and there has never been trash in my seat pocket. I'm sure it was just a fluke random incident.

(The last two flights... the first one we had a slight technical difficulty... the plane had no water. The pilot got out of the cockpit, held up the coffee pot, and got on the PA and said, "Sorry folks, but we need to get water for my coffee!" The other flight, it was the first flight of the morning, so of course the plane was on the ground)

 

[treehugger]

Well what helps alot is that the FA's do a "clean as you go" technique. They constantly make passes asking for trash. The more thorough cleaning happens upon landing. The custodial crew on the ground will board the plane and do a more thorough cleaning. I would imagine if the flight was delayed that they would either bypass this or do a quick visual.

 

[CarolA]

They do not always have cleaners come on board. Normally the FAs go row by row and clean out the seats etc. They will abandon even that to get back on schedule. With SW the schedule is king and they will rush ground crew and burn jet fuel to get back on schedule. (Which would be great if you were connecting in Chicago. I bet those folks would rather make thier connection then wait on cleaning.)

 

[Lewisc]

The FA's going down the aisle with the bags ARE THE CLEANING crew. I've been on flights in which they joked about it. I've been asked to either take or throw out magazine that I left in the seat pocket.

Even airlines that have a cleaning crew aren't any more thorough between flights.

 

[atigeg]

It's Barb writing under her hubby's ID:
Thanks, everyone...I feel more reassured now! Sounds like it was probably not cleaned due to the delay. Literally the moment we pulled out of the gate, another plane pulled into our slot. Next time I'm on a delayed flight, I will don a rubber glove before reaching into that pocket!
Barb

 

[Pinnie]

The FA's do a lick and promise cleaning while on the ground. I fly SWA a lot and usually remain on the plane while the FA's pick up trash and rearrange seat belts. They do NOT vacuum or wash down tray tables. After the pax deplane, the continuing pax are counted and then allowed to use the restrooms. During that time, the plane is restocked with snacks, pop, etc. I have never been on the gound more than 20 minutes on a connecting flight in MDW, Phoenix, BNA or St. Louis.

pinnie