We fly SWA quite a bit because of the prices. We do print out our boarding passes ahead of time because I want to sit with my husband (I get nervous). But on our return flight home from vacations I do not have a computer to use and therefore I get to the airport very, very early to get an A. It's nerve wracking for me. I do hate the lining up at the gates. I can not believe how early people get into lines, sitting on the floor etc. I can understand people with B and C tickets lining up but I have never figured out why people with A tickets do. I would prefer an assigned seat and don't understand why they can't provide them.
Our next trip is on Independence Air, their prices for this trip were the same as Southwest. We have flown Jet Blue and we loved it but the airport that they are at is not as near to us as the one with SWA and Independence Air. I did have a problem with Jet Blue, the tv at my seat didn't work and that was one of the main reasons we booked Jet Blue, so we could watch tv.
Oh well. The bottom line is price, we like to travel and the low prices help.

I am not very fond of SWA myself but I have news and it may shock you based on your post: Welcome to America, land of CAPATALISM. You choose. So guess what if you don't like SWA, FLY SOMEONE ELSE. And if SWA's fare are lower and that's why you fly them, then you should be grateful that you can afford it.

Southwest is going to have to improve service if they want to stay ahead of upstarts like JetBlue and FlyI. Sometimes their attendants don't even come around to see if you have your seatbelt fastened while they always manage to remember to tell one of their lil' jokes or sing us a song.

I caught the flu on SW so many times that i avoid them whenever possible. Maybe it is their quick turnaround times..they don't have time to clean the planes properly or at least let some air run through the cabin that has not been recycled all day.

I've only flown with them once and, like several others, could not stand the cattle-like boarding routine and lack of seat assignments. BUT, like others, I like to spend my travel dollars on the destination, so I'm always looking for inexpensive flights.

Since that one flight on SWA many years ago, I have never, ever, been able to snag a cheap flight anywhere. The cheaper flights from Buffalo are always booked, no matter how far in advance you check (at least to the destinations I'm interested in), and quite honestly, I don't even think they're even all that cheap!

I don't even bother to check them anymore.

Southwest is only "cheap" when you're flying one-way or last-minute when the majors have high prices. Their advanced fares are usually higher than others.

But if I have to go up to Dallas from Houston right now, then I'll go to Hobby and fly SW for about $50 one-way. Flight every 30 minutes.

Not exactly on the subject, but addressing the problem of printing boarding passes when in a hotel and without a computer.

In that situation several times I've gone to the hotel desk or concierge and asked to use their computer to print out the the boarding pass. Never have had a problem doing that.

I suppose that might be an issue in smaller hotel/motels, but yo would think just about every establishment has a PC and Internet access.

I've flown SW only once, and quite honestly, it did not feel any more "cattle-like" than filing on to a plane with an assigned seat. You still have to wait for the people ahead of you to stow their things, arrange their pillows, etc. And I've lost assigned seating on other airlines due to oversell. So what's the difference?

In my market, Chicago Midway, SWA has been cheaper and with more departure/arrival times than any other airline. And I can always get a ticket.
Just FYI.

They also run last minute specials. Such as last week they had roundtrip to Pittsburg for $69. ROUND TRIP. And also $79 each leg to San Fran. is available right now.

You do not need to do the line thing, which does become cattle-like only because of A personality types' angst, because NO ONE needs to sit on the floor as they do. In either A or B all you do is stay seated in the regular gate area and wait until your line designation enters and follow them. You actually have LESS chance of getting next to the 400lbs. person, as you can PICK where you sit.

And do not assume that the clean up times between flights are any better for United or American. In Chicago, it is not the case.

I have a solution for you, CB: Stop using them.

To me it's all about value for dollar spent. IMO, unassigned seats are a small price to pay for cheap fares and (relatively) consistent departures. Plus, their Frequent Flyer rewards are the easiest and most fair of any program out there.

I also think it's a little inaccurate to compare SW to Jet Blue. Their routes are vastly different. Jet Blue does not service the midwest at all -- not even Chicago. And they do not fly between cities on the West coast. I couldn't book a flight from Seattle to Long Beach, for example.

For many, SW is the only option against mega carriers like AA or United, and the competition keeps these carriers honest.

Another vote for Southwest- I love them.
Its cheaper for me to drive to Portland Or from Eugene and fly to San Diego than it is to fly from Eugene and has
enabeled me to fly down and see my daughter several times this year.

Clarkboy, do you know you can check-in on-line, at home, 24 hours before the flight even if you're checking in your luggage? This will help you to get into boarding group A and better seats.