The Back Alley Archives

http://www.slate.com/articles/business/ ... cess_.html

Thought this was an interesting article. Southwest turns a profit every year, despite every other major player in the industry having gone through labor problems, bankruptcies and other difficulties.

I like Southwest airlines so much. It makes me hate flying with any other carrier.

I used to hate SWA because I'd routinely get screwed in the seating cattle-call. Then I realized I could be bumped up to the front of the line for a small fee, and it's made me happy ever since. I've got long legs, so I really need to sit in the exit row, preferably where there's no seat in front of me.

I'd like to fly JetBlue one of these days, or maybe Virgin. They're supposed to be pretty good.

I'm with you Doc. Exit row seats are the only way to fly.

And I know they are able to recline, but if the seat behind you is occupied by anyone over 5' tall (or anyone really), please keep your seatback up! If I have to look at the top of your head in my lap, you better be giving me head! /endrant

Southwest is a great airline! We fly them almost exclusively. I have never had any problems with them - no lost luggage, no majorly delayed flights, no staying overnight in Atlanta, etc. From Austin, I can get a straight shot to Tampa, Orlando, or Ft. Lauderdale and be there in 2.5 hours. As long as other airlines continue charging for luggage, I will continue to fly Southwest.

Southwest is nice. Low expectations but typically good service and they are on time a ton. Nothing flashy obviously. I've flown with them a bunch and really like them.

I like SW too but I must admit we had a LONG delay coming back from Vegas which was not good. We were supposed to leave around 5 p.m. PST and ended up leaving about about 9:30 PST putting us in Orlando around 4 a.m. EST. And I don't sleep well on planes. But overall, I like their online booking and I actually used their Travel agency for my trip to Vegas and booked our room through them. They were better about the way they sell and being up front with pricing and not try to bait and switch you like so many others. I'm kinda picky about that.