AA

On one hand we all want cheap tickets, on the other we want service like in the 'old days'. Well folks, we can't have it both ways Let's face it, we demanded and are getting a 'Greyhound' type prices to fly across America and yet somehow we expect more. What was the last time Greyhound offered meals on it's buses? We get what we pay for. Today the first class on domestic majors is what in the old days would be coach, but at the same time coach in the old days cost just about what first class costs today. So if you want to have a meal served on the plane then I suggest you pay the price. And please don't start with "it's not worth it" argument, I know, I'm just stating a fact.

Peaceful One

Christina, you are wrong. It is the quality and amount of food we eat. It is totally reasonable to desire a satisfactory meal over the course of 7 hours of flying and aiport time. And if someone is not looking forward to (or desiring to have) a decent meal, I question that they've every flown anywhere besides Des Moines and Cleveland. The airlines can provide good, gratifying meals in a 3 hours or less flight. But alas, passengers kept demanding Greyhound prices and now have Greyhound service. So pack your bologna sandwiches.

billyjeff

Interesting how things have changed a year after 9/11. It seems a lot of people are more concerned about kids on a plane than terrorists.

Rob

Gotta say that Chelsea caters way better meals than LSG or the others. LSG Skychefs are the ones who determined that folks are willing to pay for inflight meals separately.<BR>As far as bringing your own food on the plane, it's a good dea in theory as long as it is not messy and folks don't throw their trash on the floor or stuff it in the seat pocket.<BR>See &quot;Food Flights&quot; in Section D of this past weekend's USA Today.

Christiana

Everyone, thanks for your helpful replies! I will definitely consider your good counsel when I pick the airline to book on. I don't fly as often as I might -- but I had decent food the last time I flew, in November (of course, it was overseas, but...). Incidentally, Christina, I *am* on a self-imposed diet -- mainly cutting out more sweets except for fruits -- but this diet does not require abstaining from lunch if it's lunchtime while I am flying. <BR><BR>I do have one more question, though -- opinions on booking online, through a travel agent, or with the airline directly? I can't figure out the best way to manage it -- I'd have to pay an agent a commission, but would they be able to help if there are any problems with the airline, or would it be better to get my tix through the airline directly and deal with them directly? Or, though I've never done this before, what do you all think about booking online?

Patty

Christiana,<BR>If you decide to go with Southwest, definitely book online through their own website. It's extremely easy to use with all of the flight times and pricing displayed for you to choose. That way you can see if taking an earlier or later flight will save you any money or perhaps for a few dollars more you can go non-stop. I've been booking air tickets online for years and never had a problem. If you find that you've made a mistake and purchased something you didn't intend to purchase, just call the airline within 24 hours and they will cancel your reservation and refund your money.

Craig

Southwest Airlines website is very user friendly.I book online for the double mileage credit as well as the overall convenience.But they will not &quot;refund&quot; a NonRefundable Ticket.NO airline will.With Southwest,you get a Credit equal to the total amount of airfare you paid,the credit being good for a year from the date of the original ticketin date.I have heard people say the received a &quot;refund&quot; when they called within 24 hours of making the transaction.But as it turned out,they in fact received the &quot;credit&quot;.As for TravelAgents,Southwest is one of the few airlines still paying commissions.Mine does not charge a TicketingFee for a Southwest ticket since he gets a commission from Southwest.

Patty

Craig,<BR><BR>I've received a actual refund (credit back to Amex card) from Southwest and Delta airlines in the past. Both transactions were online bookings and both times I called within 24 hours of the transaction. I've also confirmed (but never had a chance to test) with Northwest airlines that they will refund within 24 hours of booking. <BR><BR>You bring up a good point about the Southwest credit policy though. Southwest doesn't charge a change fee like the other major carriers (which can be up to $100 on a domestic ticket) so the full amount of any money you pay is always good for up to one year in case you change your mind. You can even use your credit to purchase a ticket for someone else. Another reason why I love Southwest.

Christiana

Everyone, thank you for your comments. I have decided to go with America West instead of Southwest this time -- so can anyone tell what I might expect? If it helps to know this, I'll be traveling from Baltimore straight to Phoenix and back again.

Christiana

Everyone, thank you for your comments. I have decided to go with America West instead of Southwest this time -- so can anyone tell what I might expect? If it helps to know this, I'll be traveling from Baltimore straight to Phoenix and back again. The times I have for flights are &quot;Snack&quot; times.

hdbear

Christina, it's probably too late, but I would HIGHLY encourage everyone that if they have a choice between American West and Southwest to RUN, not walk, as fast as you can to Southwest.<BR><BR>Southwest is definitely unique among the carriers. I've flown everwhere on every airline for over 20 years and have more free tickets than I could ever use. I personally think that Southwest is, hands down, the best airline to fly. You just have to understand what you are getting and get someone to explain the boarding process to you. The MOST important thing is that Southwest has NEVER had a serious accident and that their employees love the company. There is no food service and my attitude toward that is SO WHAT? The last thing I want is airline food. Just plan your trip and take and nice snack onboard with you.<BR><BR>Boarding is a snap if you understand it. They assign you to four classes: A B C &amp; D by the time you check in. Just make sure you're at the airport a little early and check in as soon as possible. You should be in the first two classes; A or B. You then have to line up by letter. Try to be in the first part of the line. If you're a B holder, don't worry....there's plenty of seats. Everyone worries about getting a seat in the front, etc., but if you can make sure you're in the B class, you'll get the pick of a very nice seat. After that, sit back, relax and know that you're flying a fabulous, safe airline!!!