Southwest Troubles??

[TinkerbellRules]

I was thinking of flying Southwest and tried to get tickets via Travelocity and this is the response:

**This Airline Service No Longer Available on Travelocity


Southwest Airlines is no longer available on Travelocity due to customer service issues for both Travelocity and Southwest.
Please note that all Southwest tickets previously purchased on Travelocity will be honored. **

Does anyone know what the problem was? Should I reconsider not using Southwest??

 

[Chuck S]

Southwest has always done things a little different. Most travel agents must call SWA to book passengers. They don't use the standard computer reservation systems. Not assigning seats may also be a 'fly in the ointment' for some computer ressie systems, as well as not scheduling flights/pricing more than 6 months in advance. I wouldn't worry, just book future SWA flights through the Southwest website.

 

[TinkerbellRules]

Chuck: Thanks for the info, but I have another question. What do you mean they don't assign seats? Are families put together? I'm more concerned that my 9 yr old might not be sitting with me. I won't allow that so maybe I should look to another airline.

 

[Chuck S]

Even if you check luggage you must check in at the gate to receive your boarding passes. The earlier you check in the 'lower' number you will have (boarding passes start with 1 and continue through the number of people on the flight) You will be called by number (usually 1 to 30, 30 to 60 etc). Then board the plane and pick any seat. Sometimes, children with parents are preboarded, this depends on number of people on flight, time constraints, etc.

Get to the airport and check your luggage, then get to the gate EARLY. They start handing out passes usually 45 min to 1 hour before the flight. I've never had a problem getting two seats together, sometimes up to 6 people, by checking in early.

SWA is a very popular airline here in Texas, and their safety record is outstanding. There will be no meal on your flights, just beverages and maybe some pretzels/trail mix type stuff. Their flight attendants are excellent in customer service.

There is no first class section, all seats are coach. Some planes still have a few seats that 'face backwards' at the bulkheads. I don't mind sitting in them, but avoid them if you are prone to airsickness, as the sensation is just the opposite of what your brain/eyes expect.

If you have a connecting flight, and are unable to arrive early enough to get two seats together for your connection, they will ask for volunteers to move. I've never seen a parent/child that wasn't accomodated.

All that being said, the things I don't like about SWA is 1] their Frequent Flier program doesn't work for me and 2] I still like assigned seats. But don't hesitate to fly SWA if the price is right.

 

[TinkerbellRules]

thanks, Chuck, that makes me feel a little better. I can't see someone not letting a parent/child sit together. We had a bad experience on ATA where the person giving out boarding passes made it sound as if my then just turned 5 yr old DD would have to sit with someone else. I didn't cuss, but I was basically telling her "there's no way my DD will not sit with me especially on her first flight, she's just 5". She told me "You can't talk to me that way". I said "what way, trying to make sure my DD and I are together". It was so stupid! After about 45 grueling mins, a flight attendant told me they would never allow that to happen and proceeded to get us seats together. My DH sat up front. I was really upset at the first woman and wrote to ATA about it. Got a nice letter that they'd look into it and nothing else. Needless to say, there are my LAST choice for flights!

 

[Pluto4President]

We have used SW a few times now and haven't had any problem with people not letting our DS & DD sit with one of us. We also definately weren't the first ones there either. I have no problems with them. As of matter of fact, we're booked for Sept & Nov on SW again.

 

[Ted and Holly]

They usually let families with young children pre-board. Ask at the gate for a preboarding pass if your kids are young enough. You may get dirty looks, but you'll have your choice of seats


Holly P

 

[Gary M]

TinkerbellRules:

Since you live just north of Indy I assume you fly out of IND. We fly to MCO from IND 4 to 5 times a year. We like to fly non-stop. Our choices are Delta Express, Southwest and ATA. We always fly Delta Express. Leaving IND, we fly flight 2406 which leaves at 7 am or 8am. The plane is parked at the gate over- night so you don't have to worry about it being late. Coming home they have a good selection of flights, just according to what time you want to leave MCO. Their fares are very good.

 

[travelcoupons]

Read the following articles for an explanation as to why Southwest airlines fares are not found on Travelocity:
http://www.itworld.com/Net/2784/CWSTO58347/
http://www.computerworld.com/cwi/story/0,1199,NAV47_STO62233,00.html

 

[TinkerbellRules]

Gary: Thanks for the info on Delta. You're right. We're flying out of Indy. Due to the new school policy here, we are cutting the trip back a couple days. We're leaving on a half day around 3pm, coming back on the 9:30pm on Sat. The flight schedule looks better on Delta right now. I"m going to reserve tomorrow.

 

[TinkerbellRules]

Travelcoupons: Thanks! That explains everything along with the added $10 to NW. I couldn't figure that one out either!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Children under 4 sometimes 5 are allowed to preboard, not 9.

 

[TinkerbellRules]

Thanks for the tip, Gail. I don't think my 4' 8" DD would look like a 5 yr old Now, the neighbor girl, yes. She's actually about the size of the 6 yr old across the street. One of the girls in my DD's class is already 5'2" !!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

TinkerbellRules,
LOL, nope I think they may look at that twice.