SWA APRIL watch

[Muffy]

I found this press release from Southwest when I was checking the schedule this morning. Yes, no one on the plane had serious injuries, but a 6 year old boy on the ground was killed. The plane slid off the runway into an intersection in Chicago pinning a car under the nose. There was a family in the car, and the 6 year old boy killed was in the car. Horrible, horrible news - especially so close to the holidays.

http://www.southwest.com/flt1248/flt1248_200512090155.html

Yes, this is terrible news and my heart goes out to this family.

 

[JDietz40]

It certainly is a sad incident and have the deepest of sympathy for the family of the child. The plane is still sitting in the intersection and they are waiting for the NTSB officials who are doing their investigation before moving it. I hope that they don't put the blame on the pilot. I can't believe that the airport was even open and landing planes at the time last night. In the best of conditions MDW is a difficult place to land a 737. I know from my 3 hour comute home last night that it was snowing very hard and at times it was close to white out conditions and that was traveling at 10 MPH or less on the ground. I can only imagine what it was like atlanding speed for the pilots. They have been talking alot on the local news about how the runway was the longest at MDW but was only half as long as most of the runways at ORD.

I am guessing that this incident will delay the new dates being released but it may also cause the fares to be lower as it seems whenever an incident happens the airline has specials to lure flyers back to them.


John

 

[challada]

My prayers certainly go out to this family! We are flying SWA into MDW next month for DD's birthday (American Girl Birthday!) and I know that is an airport I just cringe landing at...so this really alleviates all MY fears!

I agree that we probably won't see dates released anytime soon as I bet the whole corporation is rallying around this incident.

Let's all tuck our kids in a litttle tighter tonight and say an extra prayer.

 

[JDietz40]

My prayers certainly go out to this family! We are flying SWA into MDW next month for DD's birthday (American Girl Birthday!) and I know that is an airport I just cringe landing at...so this really alleviates all MY fears!

Let's all tuck our kids in a litttle tighter tonight and say an extra prayer.

We have flown in and out of MDW many times and even under the best conditions there is heavy breaking when you land. The only time I have ever been truly scared on a flight was several years ago I believe it was on Kiwi airlines flying into MDW on a Thanksgiving weekend in a sleet storm. I wasn't nervous until I noticed that the off duty pilot flying back in the jump seat seemed to be white knuckling it as we were coming in. The flight landed fine and all was well.

Try to relax and enjoy your flight I am sure that the airport will be extremely dilligent with the runway conditions for sometime now.



John

 

[katallo]

The SW accident was tragic. I had to call SW about existing reservations and was told that April would probably open on 12/22.

 

[Tandyc]

Any other guesses? I hope it is sooner than later!

 

[challada]

If anyone thinks today, what time would we be thinking it would happen today? It is a Thursday....

THANKS
C

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Still March 31st as of 1:00pm EST.

 

[DisneyBill]

Well I'm almost in disbelief that these fares weren't released by now. Knowing when I bought them last year for the same travel period, and seeing the various e-mails that have been posted..........................Gee!

 

[KerriL]

Next Thursday, December 22 is my guess.
Kerri

 

[mazzarafe]

I just checked the site and still only thru March. Well at least were a day closer to the 22nd.

 

[DisneyBill]

Its a little mixed on the Thursday thing. Look:

Sept 23, 2004 open to March 3, 2005 - A THURSDAY
Oct. 22, 2004 open to April 1, 2005 - A FRIDAY
Dec. 9, 2004 open to June 6, 2005 - A THURSDAY

This year so far:

Sept 26, 2005 open to Feb 3, 2006 - A MONDAY
Oct 27, 2005 open to March 31, 2006 - A THURSDAY


Now this is assuming that the dates posted on the first page of this thread are correct. So, I say, let's all just keep our eyes peeled still daily - probably not on the weekends, though.

So possibly if you follow this rhythm, we could see rates tomorrow. Monday December 19. Or at least I can think that.

 

[2boyshere]

Interesting theory and I hope it's true but we'll have to wait and see. I hope it is this week.

 

[Dizzy4Dizney]

It has to be this week sometime. THis is the longest I've seen it. Nov 1 didn't open up until July 15h this year. This is a 3 1/2 month schedule. We are now LESS than 3 1/2 months to April 1 so it has to be this week!!

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Nothing as of 11:16am EST (10:16am CST) today...

 

[msklcassidy]

I'm waiting (anxiously) too! Nothing yet.

 

[challada]

Is the time always around 11 am central or do I have to check every hour every day this week, LOL....

 

[UMTerp]

Wondering the same thing. Is there anytime during the day when it is "safe" to stop looking? This is crazy, or should I say, I'm crazy for looking every few hours!

UMTerp

 

[Muffy]

Is the time always around 11 am central or do I have to check every hour every day this week, LOL....

I would like to know the answer to this too! It really is frustrating to check every hour, every day this week and last week!!

 

[OnMedic]

We are waiting for Vegas and return from LA after Disneyland... may just have to book elsewhere if this keeps-up!