downstairs: The Southwest boarding process is the best if you're not lazy. Print your tickets very close to the beginning of the 24 hour window... and you'll pretty much be guarunteed to be right up front with the pick of the best seats.

Thats never the part that I hate, I hate the people who throw a shiat fit if you happen to be in front of them when they're A17 and you're A19. Like it really freaking matters.

For the life of me, I'll never understand the Southwest hatred. Best airline I've ever flown, hands down, with easily the least amount of bullshiat to get through. It's in stark contrast to the other major carrier around here (American), which I will never, ever fly again unless I absolutely have to.

Plus the new rapid rewards point system kicks major ass. Round trip tickets for as low as 6,000 points in some cases.

I like the Southwest boarding process, even if I'm at the back of the line. You get an organized, rational group of people getting on the plane.

On other airlines, they call group numbers but nobody cares and everyone just does a mass cattle rush to the gate. Nobody knows how to form lines anymore or anything. Its ridiculous.

MaxxLarge: The last time I gave up and flew,
They took all my liquids and goo.
It just seems unstable
To think I'd be able
To hijack a plane with shampoo.

Yes because if something is in a shampoo bottle it can't possibly be anything else.

GAT_00: Calmamity: I don't throw a shiat fit, but I'm 6'2" and 220. It matters.

What exactly helps? I'm 6' even but I can't find any seat on a normal plane with enough legroom. Is there some magical location I've missed with that much more legroom?

Emergency exit rows have more legroom.

Half to be able to get to the exit afterall

Considering Vodak is flammable, I don't really see them letting you on with that. Beer or wine, though, maybe.

/high test beer
//it's what's for dinner!

95629: mass cattle rush to the gate.

I got to see this in person last month. Gate agent at Nashville was boarding two regional jets simultaneously--one to Chicago and one to Denver. One of those where they send you down the chute and onto the tarmac, then it's up to you to pick the plane with the correct destination AND gate-check your carryon in the right place.

She was boarding Chicago and got through Zone 2, when she announced "Now boarding all passengers for Denver. All passengers to Denver may board now." 40 people rushed the gate. She said "Whoa whoa, sorry. I mean CHICAGO. Now boarding all to Chicago." --nobody comes forward. "Okay, status passengers and Zone 1 to Denver."

csb

95629: I like the Southwest boarding process, even if I'm at the back of the line. You get an organized, rational group of people getting on the plane.

On other airlines, they call group numbers but nobody cares and everyone just does a mass cattle rush to the gate. Nobody knows how to form lines anymore or anything. Its ridiculous.

This

I found it hilarious that one of the things you were allowed to bring in large quantities was hydrogen peroxide if you had a simple doctor's note. Hydrogen peroxide being one of the two main things you need to make TATP.

valkore: The Southwest boarding process is one of the best. Everyone is already in line and you file in easily. Ever other airline goes something like:

1) Pre-boarding (WTF is that?) for Super Ultra 20 Million Miler Gold Pressed Latinum Medallion Members

2) First class tickets and other various precious metal medallion members

3) Business class tickets

4) US Active Military (fine with me)

5) Disabled (fine) or people travelling with small kids (don't penalize me on top of having to listen to your shrieking crotchfruit the entire time)

So there's 5% of the passengers. Then it's:

6) Sections 1 and 2, which is when the mob starts descending on the lady scanning your ticket

7) Sections 3 and 4 AKA cattle call, at which point everyone is kind of glommed together and jockeying to get into somewhat of a line.

The thing is you're fighting to get on a plane with assigned seats! If you're group 3 and 4, which always get called together, why go up there and stand around. Just wait for a few minutes and get on with zero hassle.

I'm a huge Southwest fan. I fly for business all the time and my schedule can be unpredictable so I love that I can buy a business select ticket, show up an hour before my flight, go to the front of the baggage/security line, go to the gate and I'm on the plane first. If I need to change flights, it's as easy as a phone call or just showing up and seeing what flights are available to switch to. No charge at all.

Plus if you fly enough you get A-List status so when I fly for personal travel I still go to the front of the baggage check/security line. SW make traveling so much easier.

/Bags fly free
//Great customer service
///Free booze!!!
////Slashies fly SW too!

Subby just sounds butthurt that his airline charges bag fees, change fees, and fee collection fees.

Who gives a shiat. You're all going to the same place and you're all going to get there at exactly the same time. As long as you're in A or B you'll get an aisle or a window. Who cares?

Yay its a Southwest Airlines thread!

/Fly Southwest whenever I can
//Never a problem
///Proves that an airline can operate without screwing over the customer

Gig103: downstairs: Gig103: I was A 46 in the first 10 seconds.


On topic for the scanners, wouldn't it be cheaper to just dissolve the TSA?

/wishful thinking

So long as whatever you dissolve them in is less than 100 ml....

This is old news, actually. I think it was about a year ago that I heard a report on the radio that they've developed a way to scan liquids without opening their containers. The system could distinguish various types of wine without uncorking the bottle.

Wow, I'm one of the lucky ones. The moment the plane takes off, I just fall asleep.

So how long until Congress passes a bill making it illegal to have this kind of liquid scanner in an airport?

We already have ways of scanning liquids, but the tool is mainly in the hands of the military, HAZMAT teams, the CDC and the like.



With some limitations, it can scan solids, liquids, powders, and even things through glass.

You mean I can bring my own bottle of Diet Pepsi through security?

/Nah, they'll find a way to still ban it and make you buy a $4 bottle in the airport gift shop.

pedobearapproved: The thing is you're fighting to get on a plane with assigned seats! If you're group 3 and 4, which always get called together, why go up there and stand around. Just wait for a few minutes and get on with zero hassle.

Unless you've got a carry-on and briefcase. Then you want to get on a bit earlier so you can find space in the overhead bins. Especially now that we're getting charged for checking bags. I used to be a frequent business traveler (but spread out amongst many airlines so I never got real status) and getting on at the front of 3 vs the end of 4 makes a huge difference if you've got the carry-on.

Question for the Fark Frequent Flyer Club:

I'm going to be flying in about a month and a half with three children (including one toddler). Aside from the obvious (make sure they're entertained, have plenty of snacks, and are able to behave on the plane), what tips should I know? I haven't flown in over 10 years, and I've NEVER flown with kiddos. Anything that might help?

K.B.O. Winston: ladyfortuna: Considering Vodak is flammable, I don't really see them letting you on with that. Beer or wine, though, maybe.

Southwest will sell you vodka on the flight, so why not let you bring your own?

/from a safty standpoint, that is
//can we drop the 'vodak' meme? Vodka is a fine word, life should have more of it, not less



The grave stone is up, but the meme still appears to be running strong.

/Vodak.

Southwest boarding process

For once, subby gets it right.

The last thing one should have to do is wonder where they're sitting on the plane. Especially if one has a red-eye flight and/or has a long layover

For that, I've flown with American with no problems whatsoever. Predictable seating is a good thing, gambling is not.

AntonChigger: Yay its a Southwest Airlines thread!

/Fly Southwest whenever I can
//Never a problem
///Proves that an airline can operate without screwing over the customer

You forgot about the boarding process.

The current ban on items of more than 100 ml in hand baggage can only be lifted when airports are able to screen liquids quickly and without opening containers.

Or if some bureaucrat decides to.

MaxxLarge: Calmamity: I don't throw a shiat fit, but I'm 6'2" and 220. It matters.

At 6'5" and 350, I feels yah, brah.

Thankfully, I don't fly often...But when I DO, I tend to fly on airlines that let you request exit-row seats at check-in.

6'6" 290 and I do the same when I fly. Doing some mass transit in March I'm taking the train from Richmond to palm beach. Any rail travel tips folks?

morgantx: Question for the Fark Frequent Flyer Club:

I'm going to be flying in about a month and a half with three children (including one toddler). Aside from the obvious (make sure they're entertained, have plenty of snacks, and are able to behave on the plane), what tips should I know? I haven't flown in over 10 years, and I've NEVER flown with kiddos. Anything that might help?

No kids myself, but here are my general tips for making flying easier:

-If you're traveling with kids, I'd suggest checking all of the luggage you can and potentially even shipping some of it ahead of time if you can.
-Any liquids must be in the quart bag, less than 3oz containers. Make sure you can get that bag out quickly and easily when in the security line.
-Same with computers or other large electronics.
-Get there early. Sure, you might have to entertain the kids a bit longer, but being rushed will suck balls.
-Plan early so you can get seats all together. Asking people to split up can work, but not always.
-Make shoes easy to remove, make sure they wear t-shirts and that their pants stay up without belts. Going through security screening is all about making the process quick and painless. With kids you'll have some unique challenges and since TSA gives not a single damn about how your kids feel, making sure that they can get through the lines quickly and easily will be paramount to your enjoyment and piece of mind.

That's about it off the top of my head.