It is finally time for Southwest Airlines to start assigning seats
Apr 30th, 2002, 02:00 PM
#64
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This is an issue of simple economics.
Do some passenger's not like the current system? Yes.
Are they losing passengers (i.e revenue) because of this? Maybe, maybe not. Probably not much given the consistent traffic levels.
Would it be expensive to reprogram the computers to generate seat assignments? Probably. Not to mention the increased cost for calls to the 800 number from people wanting seats or wanting to change seats.
Is there a payback given the demand side, point 2, and the expense side, point 3? Probably not.
Until they start losing passenger traffic, or fear loss of traffic (or it becomes an issue of security) their isn't much financial motivation.
Do some passenger's not like the current system? Yes.
Are they losing passengers (i.e revenue) because of this? Maybe, maybe not. Probably not much given the consistent traffic levels.
Would it be expensive to reprogram the computers to generate seat assignments? Probably. Not to mention the increased cost for calls to the 800 number from people wanting seats or wanting to change seats.
Is there a payback given the demand side, point 2, and the expense side, point 3? Probably not.
Until they start losing passenger traffic, or fear loss of traffic (or it becomes an issue of security) their isn't much financial motivation.
Apr 30th, 2002, 02:02 PM
#65
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Not "worked", Anna. "Works". You bellyachers seem to forget: SW is filling their seats with no effort whether you join them OR NOT! I'll fly them any time their schedule coincides with mine.
I don't understand the big deal here. You don't like the system, DON'T FLY THEM, but don't for a second think it's any skin off their teeth! It's not. There are too many just like me who could care less.
I don't understand the big deal here. You don't like the system, DON'T FLY THEM, but don't for a second think it's any skin off their teeth! It's not. There are too many just like me who could care less.
Apr 30th, 2002, 02:43 PM
#66
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Traveling man,
RE: "It is so civilized to fly on American, where people still crowd at the gate to board, ignore the call by rows and block the aisles while they shove three month's worth of luggage in the overhead." Don't people do that on SW as well? Just so they can be the 1st of their "Group by number" to board?
I'm not a bellyaching, I am just one who prefers not to fly SW. I typically fly American b/c of the seat assignment thing, b/c SW's frequent flier program stinks and b/c their destinations are so limited (also affecting their FF program). I'll pay more to fly American, but in quite a lot of instances I find that if you book early enough or book one of AA's web specials, it's cheaper than SW. I think in the past 3 years of traveling, i've flown SW once (not by choice) and i've only been tempted one other time because the ticket was $30 cheaper. I opted for AA instead.
RE: "It is so civilized to fly on American, where people still crowd at the gate to board, ignore the call by rows and block the aisles while they shove three month's worth of luggage in the overhead." Don't people do that on SW as well? Just so they can be the 1st of their "Group by number" to board?
I'm not a bellyaching, I am just one who prefers not to fly SW. I typically fly American b/c of the seat assignment thing, b/c SW's frequent flier program stinks and b/c their destinations are so limited (also affecting their FF program). I'll pay more to fly American, but in quite a lot of instances I find that if you book early enough or book one of AA's web specials, it's cheaper than SW. I think in the past 3 years of traveling, i've flown SW once (not by choice) and i've only been tempted one other time because the ticket was $30 cheaper. I opted for AA instead.
Apr 30th, 2002, 04:38 PM
#67
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I flew SW once and was told it had 1 change of planes. To save money, I decided to opt for this over a non-stop. Well once I got on I found out that besides the one change of plane, there was a stop over that was on the ground for 2 hours. I guess since it was the same flight #, they didn't think to tell me about it! Well, it took me 10 hours to get to the east coast!! Never again. I'll gladly pay more for a non-stop! I suppose SW might have it's place for a 1 hour flight or something similar but don't ever think you can fly coast to coast!! By the time you get there, it's time to turn around and come home. Most of my travel is business related and it's impossible to fly them for business for the same reasons given above. Give me a non-stop any time! Kiki
May 1st, 2002, 03:34 PM
#68
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Jean, my dear, you are certainly allowed to choose not to fly on SWA.
My drollness was directed at those who seem to think that flying coach class on any other airline is somehow more civilized than flying on Southwest, as if to liken coach class air travel to the golden days of rail travel with cloth tables and white-gloved waiters. In my opinion, coach class travel on pretty much all airlines is a cattle call, waiting in line, all of us jammed into the smallest space possible and served unrecognizable foods. For this privilege I prefer to pay the lowest fare possible, and often that is on SWA.
If I could afford to travel in business class I would be singing a different tune. But as it is, all I expect from an airline is to get me safely and quickly from point A to point B for the lowest fare possible. This does not indicate that I eat at Denny's, far from it, but just that I don't see a discernable difference in the "civility" between SWA, American, United, etal.
David, stuff it in your pipe and smoke it. Boarding by rows or boarding by groups or boarding by boarding number, it's all the same. People crowd at the gate and try to sneak into an earlier "group" no matter what airline you are flying.
My drollness was directed at those who seem to think that flying coach class on any other airline is somehow more civilized than flying on Southwest, as if to liken coach class air travel to the golden days of rail travel with cloth tables and white-gloved waiters. In my opinion, coach class travel on pretty much all airlines is a cattle call, waiting in line, all of us jammed into the smallest space possible and served unrecognizable foods. For this privilege I prefer to pay the lowest fare possible, and often that is on SWA.
If I could afford to travel in business class I would be singing a different tune. But as it is, all I expect from an airline is to get me safely and quickly from point A to point B for the lowest fare possible. This does not indicate that I eat at Denny's, far from it, but just that I don't see a discernable difference in the "civility" between SWA, American, United, etal.
David, stuff it in your pipe and smoke it. Boarding by rows or boarding by groups or boarding by boarding number, it's all the same. People crowd at the gate and try to sneak into an earlier "group" no matter what airline you are flying.
May 1st, 2002, 04:22 PM
#69
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Traveling man,
If all you care about is getting from point A to point B, Southwest sounds like the airline for you. No need for you to be on the defensive. Also, the other reason I prefer American Airlines is that they have the most legroom in coach of any other airline, so there is definitely a significant difference when comparing American to United, Southwest, etc. Also, I prefer assigned seating so that if I need to make a connection, I can try to get a seat closer to the front of the plane so that I can get off quicker.
If all you care about is getting from point A to point B, Southwest sounds like the airline for you. No need for you to be on the defensive. Also, the other reason I prefer American Airlines is that they have the most legroom in coach of any other airline, so there is definitely a significant difference when comparing American to United, Southwest, etc. Also, I prefer assigned seating so that if I need to make a connection, I can try to get a seat closer to the front of the plane so that I can get off quicker.
May 2nd, 2002, 01:10 AM
#70
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I agree with David. Traveling Man, how can you say it's all the same when boarding? If I have a RESERVED SEAT, it doesn't matter WHEN I get on the damn plane because the seat I reserved will be MINE, PERIOD!! Now do you understand? (SW is only good for very short flights ONLY, but I don't use them anymore, so I couldn't care less!!)
May 2nd, 2002, 04:00 AM
#72
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Funny how situations can affect different people differently. I am not typically a no-frills person, but love Southwest's seating policy. On airlines with reserved seating I sometimes have trouble getting seats together to fly with my family. On Southwest - no problem. I do - and will continue to - see out Southwest flights.
May 6th, 2002, 12:33 PM
#73
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Just thought I might mention that in fact SW has one of the best frequent flyer programs around. You only need 16 trips (8 round trips) if you book at the 800# or you get double credits online so you only need 8 trips (4 round trips) for a free ticket. The ticket is good for 1 year, you can use it like a full fare ticket, making reservations with as little as 1 hour before flight. Your ticket isn't limited to just a block of seats per flight. You do not have to pay to have a ticket reinstated if you make a reservation and decide to change or not go. You can change your return flight with no penalties. You can also use 1/2 of your free flight and only fly 1 way, use the other 1/2 at another time. The ticket can be given to and used by anyone else. It is incredibly flexible. Oh, and their SW visa is also better than other award charge cards. I have yet to find another FF program to come even close to SW.
May 6th, 2002, 12:59 PM
#74
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SW having the best frequent flyer program.....you've got to be kidding.
I believe SW airlines has a perfect nitch for a certain market, those who want safe, affordable travel and don't mind showing up rediculously early for their flight (or risk getting stuck in middle or undesireable seats). For those like myself who travel 150,000 miles each year for business purposes, it is the absolute worse. I have elite status with a couple of airlines who fly non-stops coast to coast etc. Due to elite status, I rarely fly anything but first class (but pay coach price)....now this to me is best of all frequent flyer programs. I'm confirmed for 1st class 72 hours prior to flight time and keep my seat as long as I'm at the gate within 15 minutes of flight time....how can you beat that? I also accumulate miles at a rapid rate (double miles for each flight).I suggest SW leave their seating policy alone, they have a winner for the market they attract. It's absurd to compare their frequent flyer program with major airlines if you are a TRUE frequent flyer and want to take advantage of your miles seeing the world.
I believe SW airlines has a perfect nitch for a certain market, those who want safe, affordable travel and don't mind showing up rediculously early for their flight (or risk getting stuck in middle or undesireable seats). For those like myself who travel 150,000 miles each year for business purposes, it is the absolute worse. I have elite status with a couple of airlines who fly non-stops coast to coast etc. Due to elite status, I rarely fly anything but first class (but pay coach price)....now this to me is best of all frequent flyer programs. I'm confirmed for 1st class 72 hours prior to flight time and keep my seat as long as I'm at the gate within 15 minutes of flight time....how can you beat that? I also accumulate miles at a rapid rate (double miles for each flight).I suggest SW leave their seating policy alone, they have a winner for the market they attract. It's absurd to compare their frequent flyer program with major airlines if you are a TRUE frequent flyer and want to take advantage of your miles seeing the world.
May 6th, 2002, 01:20 PM
#75
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Not to pick on you Al, but you've just demonstrated a pet peeve I see unbelievably often. You said something was "the absolute worse". That may have been a typo but I don't think so. I have seen this same error so often I began to question whether I had the word wrong. What you meant was, it's the "absolute worst". Something can be worse than something else, but if it's the baddest of bad so to speak, then it's the worst!
May 6th, 2002, 02:39 PM
#76
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This is for "x" who left that message on 4/30/02
What crawled up your shorts? This was all about giving our opinions. Does a difference of opinion wound you that deeply? Or was the 30th of April a bad day? Let me guess...you work for SW?
Either way...get over it!
What crawled up your shorts? This was all about giving our opinions. Does a difference of opinion wound you that deeply? Or was the 30th of April a bad day? Let me guess...you work for SW?
Either way...get over it!
