Thoughts on southwest airlines?

[thegrouse]

I quit flying them due to many of the above issues. I have had a much better experience on other airlines. The savings (if any) does not offset the hassle of flying with them.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Not a fan of the cattle call boarding, and also anytime there is a negative story in the news about airlines or unruly passengers, Southwest is usually involved. I remember when flying was something people dressed up for. Now its like riding greyhound.

 

[kda082]

Wife gets me drink coupons from her work travels. Southwest for me.

 

[Theringworm]

Last I heard, Pilots and Flight attendants are still scheduled to strike in June I believe due to the outdated scheduling software SW uses which is the source of the numerous delays and cancelations earlier this year. Also wanting pay adjustments in line with inflation I believe. All of our scheduled travel from June on has been booked on a different carrier just in case they do indeed strike. I haven't heard much on the strike since they made the announcement a month or so ago, but I would definitely do some research on it prior to booking.

 

[MattB]

Besides Alaska, SWA is my favorite airline. They have had their issues of late for sure and - as stated previously - they may not be the best choice for travel from one coast tot he other , but they still rate highly with me.

The trick to alleviate concerns around boarding/seating assignments/overhead bin space is to either pay the nominal charge to get an "A" boarding assignment or set an alarm for 24 hours prior to your flight so you can log onto the website and check in as early as possible.

 

[Rich M]

I have no issues w SW.

been on plenty of lousy flights from all companies over the years. When you fly you roll the dice on delays and such. None are immune.

 

[Coveyleader]

Hard pass!

 

[menhaden_man]

Denny’s of the air.

I’d go Alaska or Delta if you can. I fly between 25-50k miles per year.

 

[FLATHEAD]

I've flown A LOT with SW. No problems whatsoever.

 

[tkhuntsman]

I'm probably going to fly to Montana this year to elk hunt this year.
With their 2 free checked bags Southwest is really an affordable option. Does anyone have an option one way or another on Southwest as a whole?

Thanks
PD Gohil

WV

They left my family and I stranded for a week over the holidays and sent our checked bags across the country on another plane pretty LAF probably won't ever use them again

 

[tkhuntsman]

I'm probably going to fly to Montana this year to elk hunt this year.
With their 2 free checked bags Southwest is really an affordable option. Does anyone have an option one way or another on Southwest as a whole?

Thanks
PD Gohil

WV

They still haven't gotten around to sending me my full refund for all the extra expenses that we incurred either just a couple of lame $200 vouchers which weren't even half the cost of the actual tickets and about 1/3 of the other funds.

 

[CMF]

Just be careful if they change your flight. I flew with them in January and they bumped my flight up, which was no big deal, but they didn't ask, they just sent an email. The problem was the new flight never had a chance of making the connection, which they should have known, and I should have realized too, but I don't fly often. Then they gave me a choice of staying in St. Louis for the night(no thanks)and being back at airport for 4am or flying to ABQ instead of El Paso(we were in Las Cruces at the time). So the wife had to drive 3 hours to get me instead of 1 to get me.

 

[Carpet Capital Shyster]

I'm probably going to fly to Montana this year to elk hunt this year.
With their 2 free checked bags Southwest is really an affordable option. Does anyone have an option one way or another on Southwest as a whole?

Thanks
PD Gohil

WV

I love Southwest and have had no issues flying them. Heck, we had flights to Denver booked in April when my mom got sick and then to San Antonio in October for right around the time she passed away and they were very kind about us cancelling at the very last minute both times. We had non refundable tickets both times and they just made the whole experience so much better than I would have expected. No hoops to jump through, just kind words and an easy voucher for a future flight. They earned my loyalty with that.

We’re flying them to Bozeman from Atlanta in June and then Birmingham to Bozeman in September. I think all airlines are feeling the crunch right now. American Airlines misplaced a pistol and a fully packed backpack of mine last year on the way to Kalispell. We almost didn’t make our itinerary as we were supposed to be camping up near Belly River the very next day. Was a complete nightmare. I grew up in Georgia where everyone flies Delta or nothing at all, but after decades of flying Delta, it doesn’t stand out at all to me.

 

[NRA4LIFE]

I go Alaska for many reasons (live near Seattle). If I can't get Alaska, SW is the next option. My free cooler of meat coming back is a plus with them.

 

[displacedtexan]

I dislike them slightly less than I dislike American.

 

[Happy Antelope]

Well free cancellations, good internet, free bags, direct routes, safesy performance of any US airline, etc. Nothing to not like.

 

[Ucsdryder]

I've flown southwest a lot for business. 3 quick things stand out

1- always seems like there is a connection somewhere.

2- thier terminals are in the worst possible locations.

3- no assigned seats. Doesn’t seem like a big deal except if your on a full plane and everyone before you took all the overhead bin space so they want you to check your bag with all your expensive gear like optics in it.

All of the above add time and hassle, which may or may not be worth it in the end.

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

I wouldn’t normally pay the extra money for early boarding but with 7-8k worth of optics on a hunt you bring up a valid point on #3. Might be money well spent to make sure you have a spot for your carry on!

 

[CorbLand]

I wouldn’t normally pay the extra money for early boarding but with 7-8k worth of optics on a hunt you bring up a valid point on #3. Might be money well spent to make sure you have a spot for your carry on!

Flew southwest to Arizona last December for a sheep hunt. My backpack had NLs, SLC 15s and my ATS 65. It went under my seat.

 

[BlackTail]

Flying and going through the airports suck, regardless of who you’re flying with. For every horror story you hear about Southwest, someone could tell you the exact same story with a different airline. If Southwest is flying where you want to go, with flight times you like and a price you’re willing to pay, book it and cross your fingers!

 

[wyosteve]

I have horror stories about United and Frontier as well. Don't plan to use either of them again.