Requirement for switch my biz travel to WN
Aug 27, 2008, 3:17 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA Gold, SPG Plat, HH Gold
Posts: 991
Requirement for switch my biz travel to WN
I'm probably the demographics that WN is trying to lure aboard. I buy more than my fair share of shorthaul full fare tickets (mainly SAN-SFO). The rest of my flying is middle fare priced JetBlue/United SAN-BOS/JFK. I'm a United 1K and Southwest A-Lister.
Here is all Southwest has to do to get all my short haul business. And I even promise to buy B.S. fares too...
Give me a B.S. checkin line (akin to the elite or first class checkin) where I can check in my bags without a wait. The whole idea of B.S. is that you don't have to wait and can get to the head of the line. That should apply to the baggage counter too. Remove the headache of waiting in line to checkin my bags and they'll get all my short haul full fare business.
Here is all Southwest has to do to get all my short haul business. And I even promise to buy B.S. fares too...
Give me a B.S. checkin line (akin to the elite or first class checkin) where I can check in my bags without a wait. The whole idea of B.S. is that you don't have to wait and can get to the head of the line. That should apply to the baggage counter too. Remove the headache of waiting in line to checkin my bags and they'll get all my short haul full fare business.
Aug 27, 2008, 6:02 pm
#2
Join Date: Oct 2001
Programs: LTP, PP
Posts: 8,698
Not a bad idea but I don't see it being implemented given that they apparently appear to be going 95% self check-in kiosks anyway.
I don't care how its done as long as I can do it fast. And its worth repeating again, why install all these machines if 50% of them are going to be out of service or unavailable at peak times?
I don't care how its done as long as I can do it fast. And its worth repeating again, why install all these machines if 50% of them are going to be out of service or unavailable at peak times?
Aug 27, 2008, 8:36 pm
#3
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 757
skylane, I'd go for that. and joshua I don't think it would matter that it's a self checkin kiosk, just need to get to the front of the line.
they have a priority line for the screening checkpoints (at least here in PHX), so doing a seperate line for BS that gets priority for an open checkin kiosk makes sense too and only requires rearranging the queue dividers. heck in OAK, they already have two seperate check in areas one which nobody seems to use.
they have a priority line for the screening checkpoints (at least here in PHX), so doing a seperate line for BS that gets priority for an open checkin kiosk makes sense too and only requires rearranging the queue dividers. heck in OAK, they already have two seperate check in areas one which nobody seems to use.
Aug 27, 2008, 9:34 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2006
Location: BOS and ...
Programs: UA 2MM, AA 600k, DL 500k, Hyatt GP 1M, HH Gold, Rad. Gold, CP Gold, Miracle Fruit-su Club
Posts: 9,950
In Manchester and San Francisco, there used to be checkin kiosks at the back of the lobby for those not checking luggage. Now, these are at the end of the counter. It's not clear that one can walk right up to them without having to stand in line with the customers checking bags, until one sees someone else do it. I wonder why this was done.
Then, at security in SFO, the Clear line has become the rush line, where people who get there tight before their flights are moved through quickly.
Then, at security in SFO, the Clear line has become the rush line, where people who get there tight before their flights are moved through quickly.
Last edited by Firewind; Aug 28, 2008 at 12:13 am
Aug 28, 2008, 9:11 am
#5
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Dallas, TX, AA 3MM EXP, WN
Posts: 1,808
Just wondering why you are checking a bag. Use the short hops out of Texas all the time and if I am gone less than a week will all fit in travelpro, more than a week they have cleaners at my destination and commute with dirty/clean undies.
Also with WN large frequency have you thought of day trips. I once commuted daily between DAL-HOU for about 6 months. Sleeping in my bed trumps staying in hotel
Just some thought to help out
Also with WN large frequency have you thought of day trips. I once commuted daily between DAL-HOU for about 6 months. Sleeping in my bed trumps staying in hotel
Just some thought to help out
Aug 28, 2008, 9:25 am
#6
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: WN CP
Posts: 6,360
I know this isn't what you had in mind, but WN is testing Express Bag Drop in OAK and HOU. Assuming it is as "express" as its name states, it sounds like it may address your concern if and when it is implemented system-wide.
http://www.blogsouthwest.com/blog/express-bag-drop
http://www.blogsouthwest.com/blog/express-bag-drop
Aug 28, 2008, 9:42 am
#8
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: LAS-DEN
Programs: WN CP & B-list. Disillusioned fmr UA-1P/2P,F9-Ascent; Fmr AA-Plat,CO-Gold,NW-Silver,TWA-Elite
Posts: 1,630
Although I don't buy B.S. fares, I never find that the wait to check bags is all that bad in DEN or LAS. DEN is usually walk right up. If there is a line, I just go outside and curbside check it for $1 tip. Never a line there.
In LAS, the inside line usually is about 20-30 deep but the outside line is usually about 5-7 deep, so 5 minutes or less to check the bag.
Of course, other airports may vary, but I've never really seen the wait as what I consider unacceptable. Using curbside for just $1 is worth it.
In LAS, the inside line usually is about 20-30 deep but the outside line is usually about 5-7 deep, so 5 minutes or less to check the bag.
Of course, other airports may vary, but I've never really seen the wait as what I consider unacceptable. Using curbside for just $1 is worth it.
Aug 28, 2008, 9:59 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: HH Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 10,458
Although I don't buy B.S. fares, I never find that the wait to check bags is all that bad in DEN or LAS. DEN is usually walk right up. If there is a line, I just go outside and curbside check it for $1 tip. Never a line there.
In LAS, the inside line usually is about 20-30 deep but the outside line is usually about 5-7 deep, so 5 minutes or less to check the bag.
Of course, other airports may vary, but I've never really seen the wait as what I consider unacceptable. Using curbside for just $1 is worth it.
In LAS, the inside line usually is about 20-30 deep but the outside line is usually about 5-7 deep, so 5 minutes or less to check the bag.
Of course, other airports may vary, but I've never really seen the wait as what I consider unacceptable. Using curbside for just $1 is worth it.
Aug 28, 2008, 10:05 am
#10
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: WN CP
Posts: 6,360
Aug 28, 2008, 11:05 am
#11
Join Date: Oct 2001
Programs: LTP, PP
Posts: 8,698
Although curbcrusher will inevitably disagree with me, come to PHX and see what long lines are really like. Come in the morning on a peak travel day and witness 500 passengers in line to check bags. Witness the WN agents talking to each other instead of greeting and helping passengers. Witness the 8 closed, unmanned e-check in machines, just sitting there idle, while you cool your heels in line for 60 minutes. Come to PHX!
2 flights a day for 6 months would be hell on ANY airline at any airport unless private planes were involved. Then it would be my idea of Heaven, especially if I got to drive!
