Paper schedules might disappear
Jan 26, 2009, 4:14 pm
#1
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN Companion Pass, A-list preferred, Hyatt Globalist; United Club Lietime (sic) Member
Posts: 21,663
Paper schedules might disappear
As many of you know, Southwest is the only major US airline that still prints paper schedules. I just participated in an email survey (no bonus credits, sorry) that ended with the following question:
You indicated that you use the Published Flight Schedule Booklet to check flight schedules for Southwest Airlines. How often do you use this booklet when traveling or planning trips with Southwest?
Always
Frequently
Occasionally
Never
From this, I surmise that Southwest is considering discontinuing paper schedules. IMHO, that might be a good decision. I've used the paper schedules before to help me make last-minute plan changes, but most of those times I was not far in space or time from Internet access. The paper schedule is a security blanket, and deleting it would lighten my travel bag by a few ounces. I might load a pdf schedule onto my laptop, or I might just do without.
Always
Frequently
Occasionally
Never
Jan 26, 2009, 5:51 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: WN CP
Posts: 6,360
Jan 26, 2009, 6:43 pm
#7
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: ORD, MDW or MKE
Programs: American and Southwest. Hilton and Marriott hotels primarily.
Posts: 6,468
Jan 26, 2009, 7:14 pm
#9
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Downtown Denver
Programs: WN A-list/CP, HHonors Diamond, IHG Plt,*wood Plt,F9 Summitt, Hyatt Diamond,
Posts: 391
I just clutched my Nov '08 printed copy of the schedule............oh be still my heart!
Ok, I had the same survey and said no to the demise! The way the schedule changes who cares!
Ok, I had the same survey and said no to the demise! The way the schedule changes who cares!
Jan 27, 2009, 8:17 am
#10
In Memoriam - Company Representative - Southwest Airlines
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: Southwest spokesperson
Posts: 1,201
Seriously, we did eliminate the printed schedules one other time, and the uproar was that for many business travelers who were away from their computers, they used the schedules to find an earlier or later flight. Of course that was before the proliferation of web-abled portable devices. If we do discontinue them, I will be sad. I have been collecting timetables since 1959 (as a kid), and I love too just go back and read them from time to time.
Jan 27, 2009, 8:56 am
#11
Original Member and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Kansas City, MO, USA
Programs: DL PM/MM, AA ExPlat, Hyatt Glob, HH Dia, National ECE, Hertz PC
Posts: 16,580
I always try to have one when I travel and I do like that they have it, but quite frankly even I would agree it's probably a waste of resources.
Jan 27, 2009, 11:31 am
#13
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Bay Area
Programs: UA 1K, AA Plat, WN A-list, AS MVP 75K, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 380
I get a new one in the mail (as a freight forwarder) hot off the press every time it comes out. It goes straight into the recycling bin. 
I personally don't see use use for it, but I'm sure there are those that do.
I personally don't see use use for it, but I'm sure there are those that do.
Jan 27, 2009, 1:45 pm
#14
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: ELP
Programs: SWA RR
Posts: 438
I saw the paper schedule at the airport last time I was there and picked it up thinking, "This can't be around much longer".
Does anybody remember when these schedules had the flight prices listed? Back when there was one price for M-F flights between 8:00 and 5:00 (7:00?) and another price for weekend and evening flights?
I'm sure it's not "if", but "when" the last schedule is published. I hope SWA Brian can give this FT crowd a heads up when this happens - I would make it a point to go to the airport to get one as a memento.
Does anybody remember when these schedules had the flight prices listed? Back when there was one price for M-F flights between 8:00 and 5:00 (7:00?) and another price for weekend and evening flights?
I'm sure it's not "if", but "when" the last schedule is published. I hope SWA Brian can give this FT crowd a heads up when this happens - I would make it a point to go to the airport to get one as a memento.
Jan 28, 2009, 9:08 am
#15
In Memoriam - Company Representative - Southwest Airlines
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: Southwest spokesperson
Posts: 1,201
I saw the paper schedule at the airport last time I was there and picked it up thinking, "This can't be around much longer".
Does anybody remember when these schedules had the flight prices listed? Back when there was one price for M-F flights between 8:00 and 5:00 (7:00?) and another price for weekend and evening flights?
I'm sure it's not "if", but "when" the last schedule is published. I hope SWA Brian can give this FT crowd a heads up when this happens - I would make it a point to go to the airport to get one as a memento.
Does anybody remember when these schedules had the flight prices listed? Back when there was one price for M-F flights between 8:00 and 5:00 (7:00?) and another price for weekend and evening flights?
I'm sure it's not "if", but "when" the last schedule is published. I hope SWA Brian can give this FT crowd a heads up when this happens - I would make it a point to go to the airport to get one as a memento.