rb traveler, to clarify: profits at SW are 13% not 41%. That is an increase of 41% in this quarter:

http://money.cnn.com/2005/07/14/news...500/southwest/

Topping, just because I like the bag of peanuts with the label "FRILLS."

Really, Southwest rocks!

Guys, if you spend some time on Fodor's reading the "airline" and "Europe" forum, you will know that even an assigned seat is not a guarantee you won't be moved or bumped.

There was a resent thread on European forum where a lady described her long flight to Europe for honeymoon, and she was in tears because they wouldn't seat the couple together.

Yes, it seems like "survival of the fittest" on SW, but not really. Can you arrive early enough to get the A pass? If I remember correctly, they start to accept luggage 4 hours before the flight. Even B pass is not bad.

Last time I flew SW (on business trip) I was able to check in online and got "A" seating. It was an early AM departure from BWI to Chicago, and I checked in the night before.

If I have to show up four hours early to get the chance at a reasonable seat, I'd rather take Greyhound. At least the seats would be more comfortable.

My sister, another Fodorite, is coming down to Houston from Dallas tomorrow on a last-minute trip.

CO, AA and Southwest all have basically the same last-minute fare, about $205 r/t, including tax.

Well, despite the fact that she lives closer to DAL than DFW; and despite the fact that WN has more frequent flights, and with larger aircrafts (737 vs ERJ-145); she decides to fly AA.

I guess seat assignments and, more importantly, FF miles, do make a difference...

WE just got back from our trip and flew SW both ways. I did get up to print out my boarding pass. But I usually wake up some time in the night anyway, so not a big deal. The flight going out was nice. The pax who fly SW all seem used to the drill, and are good sports. Basically, don't ask much.

The flight back I was a little worried about the boarding pass thing since we were staying in a hotel. A Marriott. They said no problem, just bring them the confirmation number. We were up late for our final banquet anyway, so between after parties upstairs, I took the elevator down, the nice lady printed it out for me, and then we were set. There were some young men behind me down in the lobby doing the same thing.

We had two teen girls with us, so they held our places in the A line while we had a drink at the bar and watched the golf tournament. Worked out pretty slick.

The flight back was non stop and very calm and relaxed, even though it was full. The pax all seem to be OK with the SW system. It was four hour flight, but we all thought it went very fast.

SW does a good job.

Southwest's new leather seats are nice, but its employees are even nicer. I have never, in 20+ years of business, met an employee taking out a personal bad day on customers.

THAT is why I LUV SW!

I live in Plano, somewhat convenient to both DFW and DAL. I prefer AA on long haul business travel but will choose WN for local (HOU,ABQ,SAT) travel, I just cannot abide the RJ's. Southwest's cancellation policy is extremely generous unlike AA's "Die or Fly". I don't think WN can afford to fly from DFW, their whole shtick is fast turn around, (as well as smart hedging on jet fuel) you don't make money if the plane is on the ground. In the last 3 weeks the AA plane has been on the ramp at DFW for 15-20 minutes waiting for a gate to open. Employees? Don't get me started, AA's are a surly bunch, like 'why are you here'. WN's on the other hand are always cheerful, and their pre-flight announcements are funny but compliant with the FAA.

Nobody mentioned one of the reasons I like Southwest so much: one-way fares. It's such a sensible idea but most airlines penalize you for it.