SW service in Philly

[GAM]

Last year was the first time we used SW. Our trip was from PHL to Orlando and we were on the last flight out Friday night in July-supposed to leave at 8:40 arrive at MCO at 11:25. We booked a rental car for 11:45 pickup. Unfortunately, our flight out was delayed and we had a hard time with the rental car company (National) honoring our reserved rate because they said we arrived "the next day" because it was after midnight which then invalidated our reservation. I have a couple questions-First, we were speaking to some people waiting for the flight who said they take that SW to Orlando a couple of times a year and the flights out of Philly are always delayed-can anyone confirm or deny that fact? And second-do you think I should assume I will be delayed and book my rental car for some time after midnight? We are again going in July and takin that same flioght out. I do not want another hassle like I had last year having to argue with the gateperson to get the rate I had booked. When you have to work all day then rush to the airport to be delayed an hour and then have to fight to get a rate you had reserved months earlier it can be very discouraging. I felt like my hard work planning and waiting for the perfect rates and jumping on them when I found them went down the tubes in a heartbeat. Can anyone tell me what their experience has been? Thanks.

 

[DebbieB]

Flights out of PHL are often delayed for every airline. All it takes is a few drops of rain or clouds and the air traffic controllers limit flights in and out all along the east coast. Last fall I was on a flight from Minneapolis to PHL, connecting to PIT (USAirways). We got on the plane, the FA did the safety procedures, we sitting there waiting to push back, the pilot comes on and says we were given a 2 hour and 45 minute ATC delay due to rain in PHL. My connecting flight was scheduled to arrive at PIT around 7:00, didn't land until about midnight minus my luggage (my connection was different than the one tagged). It's a bad move to take the last flight, more likely to have flights backed up during the day.

 

[Joan S.]

Hi, We used THRIFTY in February and had our flights cancelled twice on the same day! I called THRIFTY and told them we were cancelled due to weather conditions but still wanted the car,they made a note of it and just said to keep them informed. The next morning we were able to get out on the first flight of the day,again I called and told them the time we would pick up the car. NO PROBLEMS at all -picked up the car and were on our way to WDW!! Thrifty is a SHORT shuttle ride from the airport. So My DH went to get the car and my DS and I went to claim our luggage. MY DH then picks us up at arrivals-outside. VERY EASY! Joan

 

[loveysbydesign]

We flew SW out of PHL this past May and we actually left exactly on time and got into MCO 15 minutes early!!!!! We had to sit and wait on the runway to get off the plane since we were early. We were shocked we got there early...I guess that doens't happen very often though.

 

[DonnaL]

Actually, we fly SW out of PHL/MCO two to three times a year and our last three out of four flights have left on time (the last one was about five minutes late leaving, but, the pilot more than made it up in the air.......we arrived 35 minutes early.....only to wait on the runway at MCO for about 15 minutes for a gate to open up). However, that said, we have had problems on our return MCO/PHL........three of our last four have been delayed.......the longest was about four hours.......so I guess it's luck of the draw!!!

 

[ducklite]

DH flies that route several times a year. He flew it about a month ago and arrived early--which could have been a problem as I had an engagement that wasn't supposed to end until 11:00pm, but it got done early.

The time before that he landed on time, and before that he was about 30 minutes delayed--as was every flight due to bad weather all over the country.

Anne

 

[helenk]

I have flown SW out of PHL to Orlando, Ft Lauderdale and Columbus OH, we have always left either on time or a bit early.
I guess I've been lucky, but our flights have generally been during good weather.
We have been delayed using Airtran, this was due to bad weather at the originating airport and USAir, due to ice in Phila.
No matter what airline you use, there will be delays due to bad weather, but I have never had any problems with just general delays.