Thanks, Everyone, for weighing in. I'm also assuming that you can purchase water onboard? (I get so dehyrdated on flights.)

It looks like I would have to do the Chicago stopover from Burbank to NYC. Has anyone had experiences on this particular journey? The partner airline is ATA, which I have never flown before. So don't know how the seating works once you switch to ATA.

Cheers!

Water, juice, coffee, hot tea, and soft drinks are free and you get a pack of snack like things - sometime peanuts or pretzels or a little combo pack. You can buy adult beverages for a few $$. Carry some granola bars, cookies, dried fruit, sandwich [no limburger please] and you should be just fine.

I would check out ATA website and see what it says about checking in online.

Debi

How cheap is this flight (or how much less than other options) that you're willing to change planes etc.? That sounds crazy to me.

I'm with SusanCS except I want an aisle seat.

Hate Southwest, flew once, it scared me, never again.

FWIW, I don't like any of the low cost carriers. I'll put my money where my mouth is and pay extra to fly USAirways or United.

I have to say that my WORST flying experiences were with US Airways. Horrible customer service. Missed connecting flights.

Yeah, I'd say my experiences with the "big airlines" like USAir have been average at best over the last few years. To me attitude is everything in customer service, and Southwest's has been outstanding. At other airlines I get this "I hate my job" vibe from many (though not all) of the flight attendants and staff. The people working at Southwest seem to like their jobs.

And as I said I happen to prefer Southwest's open seating policy and no change fees. Otherwise, I suppose it's a matter of personal preference.

I agree Bettyo70,

MY worst experience has also been with Us Airways. I agree with all you say and also to include lost luggage with myself on top of poor customer service. In Miami I had to report it the people were not even there in the office. PHL is there "hub" so it is convenient for myself. I have always chosen my seats with southwest just to be moved somplace else and I have heard others complain about that as well.

i fly southwest about every 6 weeks to oregon.

i like SWA because the cost is competitive, the flights ususally on time, the staff generally friendly.

i like the no seat assignment because i generally travel alone and there is always a seat (always in the middle - but who cares) right up front and since I carry on my luggage, I can grab and go!

i hightly recommend them -- and they have been around for many, many years.

Just curious Go Travel, what happened on Southwest that scared you once so that you'll never travel on them again?

I just went Burbank to Oakland last Saturday. Comfortable, no frills. Nice. I will use it again next month when I have to got back.

I hate WN.

I only fly them when there's absolutely no other alternative. I don't enjoy fighting for a seat like a pack of starving raccoons over a trash can. It's also the only airline where, when you pay more, you get less. Why? Because if you fly last minute (usually the most expensive fare), you get the lousiest seat (because of the "A-B-C" seating system).

Also, if you book enough in advance, the legacies often beat WN's fares. So to all you WN fans, enjoy earning those free Rapid Rewards credits for that next free ticket to Lubbock on a crowded Greyhound bus with wings. I'll enjoy the more professional service on a legacy carrier, & keep earning FF miles so I can travel to Europe, S. America, Australia, etc.

What is WN?

WN = Southwest Airlines, as AA = American Airlines

"Because if you fly last minute (usually the most expensive fare), you get the lousiest seat (because of the "A-B-C" seating system)."

So, IF you buy a last minute seat on a "major" airline you will not pay top dollar and get a lousy seat??

While there may only be the higher priced tickets available on last minute flights on Southwest, if you checkin online 24 hours in advance, you can still be among the ones getting A boarding passes. I have even been unable to get checked in 24 hours in advance -either because I was busy at that exact moment, or simply forgot and still was able to get A assignments hours later. Guess it depends on flight, but it is possible.

And I think a full fare ticekt on SW will beat a full fare last minute fare elsewhere. And you can still get one way tickets that are truly one way prices.

Not trying to sell those who dislike Southwest to convert -- more seats for me; just trying to provide info.

nanabee, the boarding method.

Love em or hate em, they are the Number One Domestic carrier in the good ole US of A...One travel guru dubbed them the first Legacy Low Cost Carrier...Gotta be doin somethin right..

<<I'll enjoy the more professional service on a legacy carrier, & keep earning FF miles so I can travel to Europe, S. America, Australia, etc. >>

"Professional?" LOL. That's certainly not been my overall experience. While there are professional, good people working for the "majors" there are too many with bad attitudes whose major goal seems to be to get the customer to shut up when the airline is having a crisis. What, this flight is leaving late? Don't worry, they'll make it up in the air; your connections will wait for you in Chicago. (BS. I've seen that lie more than once.)

The service I've received on Southwest has always been professional. Sure, they can be a lot more laid back in terms of joking around, but most people LIKE that. Flying can be not much fun these days no matter who you fly with, and anything to lighten the load makes the trip seem more tolerable.

As for the "majors" and their frequent flyer programs: since 2000 all I've noticed is their increases in mileage requirements, increased fees for changes, and reduced number of seats available. I have a bunch of miles on a few of the major airlines that I'm now starting to see aren't worth much anymore.

Well, debi, it's really a law of averages, more than an absolute. One of the last times I flew WN, I had to go at the last minute -- 4 hrs. prior to departure. Had I been able to get a ticket on a legacy carrier, I would have stood a much better chance of getting an aisle or window seat since most travelers still check in & get seat assignments at the airport. With WN, as you know, seat assignments are non-existant, and, as you mentioned, since most WN fliers check in online, you're all but guaranteed a "C" boarding pass. Also, on the legacies, many last-minute fares are not that cheaper than first class -- that's not even an option on WN. So, I get stuck in the middle of Cletus & Lurleen on WN when I've paid the highest possible fare.

Andrew, if you like WN, that's fine. To each his/her own. I have to laugh when you talk about the "professionalism" on WN . . . Does that include the surly FA I had on my last WN flight? If some of the consumer feedback surveys are any indication, this WN myth is coming close to being exposed, as B6 & F9 are providing better service at sometimes even better fares.

Yeah, the FF programs aren't what they used to be . . . just like Rapid Rewards. I think, if I remember correctly, you used to be able to get that free ticket to Amarillo as long as there were available seats, but now that's no longer the case, right?

And no, in case you're wondering, I have no tie with any airline (other than as a passenger), btw.

Consumer Reports - FWIW - ranks Jet Blue and Southwest 2 of the top 3 airlines. Forgot the other - never heard of them. Maybe "midwest air?

Austin....F9 is Frontier.