Many friendly and cheery folks were on hand in MSP from the marketing team this morning.

They ordered in hundreds of Star Tribune newspapers (no doubt due to advaned knowledge of the great front page coverage) and were distributing them in very stylish, very FREE laptop carrying cases. Two massage therapists on hand giving away free 10 minute massages. More free cookies, plus collectable MSP laminated business card luggage tags.

Southwest was smart to have Wifi on the MSP-MDW flight yesterday morning, because the reporter made sure to include the fact that the flight had free internet onboard!!

They are also touting the service as "direct to..... (philadelphia, columbus, orlando, etc) which is smart. Even though a stop is required, they are saying the magic words (cities) when advertising service to their new prospective customers. When returning the rental car I noticed even an Airport entrance sign had a color Southwest logo rotating through other announcements.

It was an interesting mix of customers... Businessmen who never book their own travel but wanted to sign up for Rapid Rewards. The gate agent did lots of training on the A/B/C system, and the benefit of Business Select. During boarding, two familes discussed how they could finally justify the cost of travel since it was so much cheaper now. Plus there was at least one deadheading crew member from another airline (didn't take them long, did it???)