I have the reverse of the usual situation: my "alternative airport" - Manchester, N.H. (MHT) - is closer than Boston's Logan, but is usually more expensive. Three weeks ago I was faced with a choice between a $1700 round trip to Houston from MHT or $217.58 out of Logan - same advance notice, same airline (Delta, or their Comair affiliate MHT-CVG), nearly the same itinerary (similar arrival and departure times, same flights CVG-IAH-CVG) no Saturday night stay. Even though it was a client's money and they never would have known, I flew from Boston. This wasn't the first time there was a huge price difference in favor of BOS.

When will the Southwest Effect kick in?