Flyin Miata Posted July 23, 2012 Report Share Posted July 23, 2012 I'm flying from Cleveland to Charleston, SC this October for a wedding. Looked at all the normal travel sites, lowest price found was $400 round trip. Checked Southwest directly and found $300 for business class, and even cheaper for the back of the bus. My question is to anyone that has used the airline, have you ever had any problems? Anything to be concerned about? I'm all for getting the cheapest flight but not if it's going to make my trip a pain in the ass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unfunnyryan Posted July 23, 2012 Report Share Posted July 23, 2012 My dad has been taking southwest several times a year from here to Vegas for close to a decade now, never a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrMeanGreen Posted July 23, 2012 Report Share Posted July 23, 2012 Cattle cars of the skies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twistedfocus1647545489 Posted July 23, 2012 Report Share Posted July 23, 2012 I have ONLY flown SW (5-6 times). Never a bad experience and an unbeatable price if they go where you want to go. Tip: Most (all?) of their planes are all one section, making the seating location choice your only real value for paying business-class rates. At boarding time you line up by letter/number. If you give any shits about where you sit or whom you sit with, book the cheapest flight but do the early-bird check-in for $10 each way, or save another $20 and just check in exactly 24 hours before your take-off time for an early "spot". If you get it right when they start allowing check-in you'll usually be just behind anyone who paid for the upgrade or early-bird check-in. Worst I have seen is class B (of A-C) but still got the seat I wanted and only got split up from my co-flier once (no big deal). I usually get A for free just by being diligent with check-in time. You'll need to repeat that process for your return flight though if you don't pay for the early-bird. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twistedfocus1647545489 Posted July 23, 2012 Report Share Posted July 23, 2012 Cattle cars of the skies. True, but I hate flying anyway, so it might as well be cheap as balls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Not Brian Posted July 23, 2012 Report Share Posted July 23, 2012 I've used them. They have planes. They fly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STEVE-O Posted July 23, 2012 Report Share Posted July 23, 2012 Never had a issue with them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flyin Miata Posted July 23, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2012 Cattle cars of the skies. For a short flight like this, I can deal with it. It'd be different if I were flying overseas or anything longer than 4 hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KillJoy Posted July 23, 2012 Report Share Posted July 23, 2012 Cattle cars of the skies. I have ONLY flown SW (5-6 times). Never a bad experience and an unbeatable price if they go where you want to go. Tip: Most (all?) of their planes are all one section, making the seating location choice your only real value for paying business-class rates. At boarding time you line up by letter/number. If you give any shits about where you sit or whom you sit with, book the cheapest flight but do the early-bird check-in for $10 each way, or save another $20 and just check in exactly 24 hours before your take-off time for an early "spot". If you get it right when they start allowing check-in you'll usually be just behind anyone who paid for the upgrade or early-bird check-in. Worst I have seen is class B (of A-C) but still got the seat I wanted and only got split up from my co-flier once (no big deal). I usually get A for free just by being diligent with check-in time. You'll need to repeat that process for your return flight though if you don't pay for the early-bird. Both of these. A + is 2 free Checked Bags. We have flown SW MULTIPLE times over the last few years. Check in early, pick a "good" seat... EZ PZ. :thumbup: KillJoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flyin Miata Posted July 23, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2012 I have ONLY flown SW (5-6 times). Never a bad experience and an unbeatable price if they go where you want to go. Tip: Most (all?) of their planes are all one section, making the seating location choice your only real value for paying business-class rates. At boarding time you line up by letter/number. If you give any shits about where you sit or whom you sit with, book the cheapest flight but do the early-bird check-in for $10 each way, or save another $20 and just check in exactly 24 hours before your take-off time for an early "spot". If you get it right when they start allowing check-in you'll usually be just behind anyone who paid for the upgrade or early-bird check-in. Worst I have seen is class B (of A-C) but still got the seat I wanted and only got split up from my co-flier once (no big deal). I usually get A for free just by being diligent with check-in time. You'll need to repeat that process for your return flight though if you don't pay for the early-bird. Thanks for the tips. I just read about their check-in process on their website and wouldn't have known about it unless you mentioned that. I can just do the check in from my phone a day before so that's probably the way I'll go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farkas Posted July 23, 2012 Report Share Posted July 23, 2012 Kayak.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twistedrx7 Posted July 23, 2012 Report Share Posted July 23, 2012 i use southwest whenever i can Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evan9381 Posted July 23, 2012 Report Share Posted July 23, 2012 Flew them last march to drive my grandma back to OH from tampa, one way $125. Flew them again this feb, booked december-ish, $330 round trip. cheapest i found, wasnt worried about stupid shit on the plane, they got me on, gave me a drink and peanuts, got me to my destination. they didnt crash my plane so im happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PRD2BDF Posted July 23, 2012 Report Share Posted July 23, 2012 Love southwest and I get the best seats. Thanks pre-boarding pass! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twistedfocus1647545489 Posted July 23, 2012 Report Share Posted July 23, 2012 Thanks for the tips. I just read about their check-in process on their website and wouldn't have known about it unless you mentioned that. I can just do the check in from my phone a day before so that's probably the way I'll go. No problem. That's exactly what I do (book return flight from my phone). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flyin Miata Posted July 23, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2012 Well I guess I expected the normal horror stories that you always hear about certain airlines, but this is great. Looks like Southwest for me. Nothing like flying down one day, getting drunk at a beach wedding the next, and flying back after. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acklac7 Posted July 23, 2012 Report Share Posted July 23, 2012 Whatever you do don't fly United. Worst airline ever. There basic seating (on all Domestic flights) is an absolute fucking joke. If it came between driving 8 hours or flying 3 i'd much rather drive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blazer427X3 Posted July 23, 2012 Report Share Posted July 23, 2012 I've never had a bad experience with the many Southwest flights I've taken. They do a pretty good job of staying on schedule too. Before booking a ticket with carriers who have reserved seating ( SWA seats by groups but no assigned seat # ) I usually go to seatguru to pick out the best seat still available on the plane. You can use it for a Southwest flight to learn where the prime spots are on 737's and know which seat to grab as you board. http://www.seatguru.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acklac7 Posted July 23, 2012 Report Share Posted July 23, 2012 I've never had a bad experience with the many Southwest flights I've taken. They do a pretty good job of staying on schedule too. Before booking a ticket with carriers who have reserved seating ( SWA seats by groups but no assigned seat # ) I usually go to seatguru to pick out the best seat still available on the plane. You can use it for a Southwest flight to learn where the prime spots are on 737's and know which seat to grab as you board. http://www.seatguru.com/ FYI United charges you like $50 for any/all prime spots other then there bullshit basic seating (this includes exit seats). They also prohibit you from changing seats once the plane is in the air. The few times I have been stuck with them I wait until everyone has boarded then simply walk on board like a bo$$ and sit down in the business-class seats like I own them - usually works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blazer427X3 Posted July 23, 2012 Report Share Posted July 23, 2012 FYI United charges you like $50 for any/all prime spots other then there bullshit basic seating (this includes exit seats). They also prohibit you from changing seats once the plane is in the air. The few times I have been stuck with them I wait until everyone has boarded then simply walk on board like a bo$$ and sit down in the business-class seats like I own them - usually works. USAIR is the airline I avoid. They are very strict on luggage weights and try hard to collect that extra money at the ticket counter. Their fees to change a reserved flight are beyond stupid. Another good thing about SWA ... no fee if you have a reservation and need to change your flight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeitgeist57 Posted July 23, 2012 Report Share Posted July 23, 2012 For Southwest, make sure you schedule some sort of alarm for EXACTLY 24hrs in advance of your departure time. You'll want to get your boarding passes ASAP to get a good "zone" for boarding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BloodRed Posted July 23, 2012 Report Share Posted July 23, 2012 Of all the airlines I have ever flown on, SW by far the win. Never a single problem. big plans so real seats, great service and always on time, if not early. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wease Posted July 23, 2012 Report Share Posted July 23, 2012 Kayak.com FYI, Southwest does not show up in a Kayak.com search. You have to search their site... :nod: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hahn Posted July 23, 2012 Report Share Posted July 23, 2012 Flying with Southwest to go Southeast, sounds like bad juju. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KennyFKINPowerz Posted July 23, 2012 Report Share Posted July 23, 2012 I fly Southwest only anymore. I have had bad experiences with almost every airline except for Southwest. I have taken probably 20 flights with Southwest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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