What is the status with Southwest purchase of Airtran?
Nov 10, 2011 | 1:43 pm
#16
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN A-list preferred, United Club Lietime (sic) Member
Posts: 22,822
There are very few airside kiosks on Southwest or any other airline. People just line up to see the Gate Agent at the podium. IMHO Southwest would need to triple its staffing for Gate Agents to handle assigned seating.
Nov 10, 2011 | 1:53 pm
#17
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: ATL
Programs: Southwest A-List, Delta Kryptonium Medallion, Marriott Titanium and LT Platinum, National Executive
Posts: 1,891
That may be true for seasoned travelers (like those on FT). But for the leisure travelers and travel novices (which WN does more than its fair share of attracting), being self-sufficient at an electronic kiosk is asking a lot. It reminds me of the times I go to the drive-up ATM at the bank. Inevitably, there will be someone in front of me that is either a) trying to refinance their mortgage using the ATM; 2) hasn't mastered the ability to pull up close enough to the machine without having to open their door to push the buttons; or 3) just can't figure out this new-fangled technology.
Last edited by nsx; Nov 10, 2011 at 2:09 pm Reason: replaced the incendiary K-word
Nov 10, 2011 | 3:39 pm
#18
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Blue Ridge, GA
Posts: 5,844
No way.
I seldom see more than one GA at FL gates - even on full flights. Sometimes an agent at an adjacent gate will staff the desk while the arriving plane is met and the jetway is moved. More often, though, the desk is empty during de-planing and as flights are checked for those w/connections.
Nov 10, 2011 | 6:45 pm
#19
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: ORD, MDW or MKE
Programs: American and Southwest. Hilton, Marriott, IHG - whichever is rated well and cheapest
Posts: 6,567
Absolutely. Instead of the logical 'spreadsheet' method, I use the illogical 'paperclip' method. Just last week, I canceled a flight and calmly went into 'look at my travel funds' and found that my new travel funds expired in 6 weeks. Since I am not flying WN as much, I had to scramble to not loose those funds.
Nov 10, 2011 | 9:16 pm
#20
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Atlanta
Programs: HH Gold, Airtran A+ Elite
Posts: 247
From wnflyguy at www.airliners.net:
"Hot new rumor this week is the Nov 13 schedule release for next years summer flying going to have the biggest tweaks to both WN and FL flying.
Rumor has it that a FULL Code share will be released, Open seating on economy seats only on all FL flights, Bags fly free and no change fee at FL.
717 FL crew base coming to LAS or MDW.
New WN/FL crew base coming to LAX,TPA or FLL.
5 small FL cities being cut.
MIA FL flights moving up to 10 flights a day."
"Hot new rumor this week is the Nov 13 schedule release for next years summer flying going to have the biggest tweaks to both WN and FL flying.
Rumor has it that a FULL Code share will be released, Open seating on economy seats only on all FL flights, Bags fly free and no change fee at FL.
717 FL crew base coming to LAS or MDW.
New WN/FL crew base coming to LAX,TPA or FLL.
5 small FL cities being cut.
MIA FL flights moving up to 10 flights a day."
Nov 10, 2011 | 9:37 pm
#21
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: ATL
Programs: Southwest A-List, Delta Kryptonium Medallion, Marriott Titanium and LT Platinum, National Executive
Posts: 1,891
Nov 11, 2011 | 5:50 am
#22
Join Date: Sep 2010
Programs: Avis Preferred Plus
Posts: 622
"Triple its staffing" to handle assigned seating?
No way.
I seldom see more than one GA at FL gates - even on full flights
No way.
I seldom see more than one GA at FL gates - even on full flights
Nov 11, 2011 | 6:23 am
#23
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: ORD, MDW or MKE
Programs: American and Southwest. Hilton, Marriott, IHG - whichever is rated well and cheapest
Posts: 6,567
The reasons are not important. It is what it is. Either you accept it or find another airline because it is not going to change.
Most Airtran regulars on FT seem to be moving on to other airlines. Your moving to other airlines is your most effective method for getting WN to change this policy.
Most Airtran regulars on FT seem to be moving on to other airlines. Your moving to other airlines is your most effective method for getting WN to change this policy.
Nov 11, 2011 | 7:31 am
#25
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: ORD, MDW or MKE
Programs: American and Southwest. Hilton, Marriott, IHG - whichever is rated well and cheapest
Posts: 6,567
I suspect you will never see Airtran get rid of fees. Those will probably only come as the schedule slowly becomes WN branded.
Nov 11, 2011 | 2:15 pm
#26
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Blue Ridge, GA
Posts: 5,844
Tip #2(e):
Take a ketchup packet and squeeze it onto a napkin. Stick it in your nose, then close your eyes. If you open your eyes after the doors have closed, and there is no one next to you, enjoy!
Take a ketchup packet and squeeze it onto a napkin. Stick it in your nose, then close your eyes. If you open your eyes after the doors have closed, and there is no one next to you, enjoy!
Nov 11, 2011 | 8:20 pm
#28
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Baltimore, MD
Programs: HH Gold, AA, WN, Amtrak
Posts: 40
This interview with WN CFO has some interest tidbits and insights...
http://businessfinancemag.com/print/10352
http://businessfinancemag.com/print/10352
Nov 12, 2011 | 9:44 pm
#29
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: MKE
Programs: WN CP, Hilton Gold
Posts: 205
Any word on if we'll be able to use RR points to book AirTran flights in 2012?
My wife and I are hoping to fly to Punta Cana from Milwaukee in March/2012. Southwest only flies from Atlanta, but AirTran has a round trip from MKE.
My wife and I are hoping to fly to Punta Cana from Milwaukee in March/2012. Southwest only flies from Atlanta, but AirTran has a round trip from MKE.
Nov 12, 2011 | 11:16 pm
#30
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Northern New Jersey
Programs: OnePass, AAdvantage, TrueBlue, HHonors
Posts: 2,709
You'll see that happen this coming spring.
Are you talking about pilots or FA's?
At this point, complete rumor. Why would a new base be needed? At this point post merger, you will already have bases in BWI, DAL, LAS, MCO, PHX, OAK, and ATL. Why would another base, especially in the Southwest or Florida be needed?
Ummm... It'll be more than that. 4 already gone. Two more smaller and 2 larger just added to the list.
Ummm... Not a chance. If I had to put money on it, I'd put money on the FL MIA flights being way DOWN for the summer and will never recover... And I'd be gaurenteed to win the bet.
Are you talking about pilots or FA's?
At this point, complete rumor. Why would a new base be needed? At this point post merger, you will already have bases in BWI, DAL, LAS, MCO, PHX, OAK, and ATL. Why would another base, especially in the Southwest or Florida be needed?
Ummm... It'll be more than that. 4 already gone. Two more smaller and 2 larger just added to the list.
Ummm... Not a chance. If I had to put money on it, I'd put money on the FL MIA flights being way DOWN for the summer and will never recover... And I'd be gaurenteed to win the bet.