Gesamt
← Back to Squawk list
RIP to the 'Southwest effect'?
There were times in the recent past when industry analysts and journalists automatically added the words "America's low-fare leader" after the Southwest Airlines' name. Now it's safe to say those days are over -- perhaps permanently. (www.usatoday.com) Mehr...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
This article is coming out now? Southwest hasn't had the lowest fairs in over 5 years.
The result of airline consolidation is that fares and fees go higher, yet the majors (Delta, UA, AA) hide the bag fees and change fees, all unethical fees, designed to 'hook' a customer. How about the stunt where a passenger arrives early and could go on an earlier flight where seats are available and the majors want a few hundred bucks for the privilege of filling an empty seat earlier? The remaining airlines have no loyalty to their customers, so why should we have loyalty to them?
SW, on the other hand, doesn't hook for bags, and allows a change without a direct penalty (they require that you pay the going rate for the alternate date). SW is an ethical carrier - they don't lie, they don't 'hook, and I like their service. So I skip the others.
As for the fares narrowing, I just had a last minute trip - on Kayak UA and AA were over a grand for a west coast to Little Rock - SW had a senior fare for $330. I'm staying with SW.
SW, on the other hand, doesn't hook for bags, and allows a change without a direct penalty (they require that you pay the going rate for the alternate date). SW is an ethical carrier - they don't lie, they don't 'hook, and I like their service. So I skip the others.
As for the fares narrowing, I just had a last minute trip - on Kayak UA and AA were over a grand for a west coast to Little Rock - SW had a senior fare for $330. I'm staying with SW.
I fly SWA almost exclusively for 3 reasons. 1.) They fly in/out MDW instead of ORD so I spend less time delayed, pay less tolls to get there, and generally have no/low stress. 2.) Bags fly free. I'm a big guy (height not girth) and a bag with a weeks business clothes has to be checked. I never have to sweat that it's going to cost me an extra $50 to have the right amount and types of clothing. 3.) Wanna get away fares! Book far enough in advance, the fares are hard to beat.
SWA entered the CLT market in march 2013. I can look on line and find that US fares are consistently lower than SWA's....Much lower. Sometimes $100 less.
For example a mid week departure and return( theoretically the cheapest days to fly) RT form CLT to ALB and back is about $260 on US. Some of those are non stop.
SWA is $70 to $100 more with one stop....The only advantage SWA has over US is that two bags fly free. Which of course would balance out the fares. SWA's peoplle are generally nicer and better at customer service. SWA does no assign seats. That sucks.
US does.
For example a mid week departure and return( theoretically the cheapest days to fly) RT form CLT to ALB and back is about $260 on US. Some of those are non stop.
SWA is $70 to $100 more with one stop....The only advantage SWA has over US is that two bags fly free. Which of course would balance out the fares. SWA's peoplle are generally nicer and better at customer service. SWA does no assign seats. That sucks.
US does.
They don't need more money. There is more to life like job security and a pension plan owned 100% by the employee after 5years.
I've never worked for any large company in which you weren't 100% vested in 5 years or less. My current company completely vests in 4 years. Are you saying it's different at SWA?