Parents were supposed to come up from Columbus, but we postponed that until New Year’s.

first

Happy...HOLIDAYS FRIENDS!

Anyone get fucked by Southwest Airlines this past week? I had to drive to Nashville from Denver because of it. 

The first problem is flying with Southwest. 

Yes, I am an elitist traveler. 

posted by Automatik

Happy...HOLIDAYS FRIENDS!

Anyone get fucked by Southwest Airlines this past week? I had to drive to Nashville from Denver because of it. 

Seems like a long ass drive. Lol but if you’re lucky it looks like they may give you some sweet southwest points for your problems!

posted by iclfan2

Seems like a long ass drive. Lol but if you’re lucky it looks like they may give you some sweet southwest points for your problems!

The problem is that you still have to fly with those annoying bastards - cattle heard boarding, every flight attendant a wanna be stand up comic.  I pass on SW always.

posted by Laley23

The first problem is flying with Southwest. 

Yes, I am an elitist traveler. 

Only a frequent flyer can truly appreciate "status".  Nothing irritates me more than having my carry-on gate checked because they ran out of overhead space, and then having to wait for it in baggage claim.

posted by Laley23

The first problem is flying with Southwest. 

Yes, I am an elitist traveler. 

I used to be, until I realized they fly to my most traveled destinations, and their cancellation policy and 2 free checked bags. They're the most convenient option for me (most of the time), and it's not even close.

I got 50k points and credit for the 2 cancelled tickets. If they reimburse my additional travel expenses (~$700) I'll come out on top. 

I did lose 2 days of PTO though, but I got some solid BBQ in KC, so it wasn't that terrible.

I fly a lot. The "status" BS is overblown unless you're laying down in a seat and/or enjoying the perks of a lounge. If not, you're the same cattle as everyone else.

posted by Automatik

I fly a lot. The "status" BS is overblown unless you're laying down in a seat and/or enjoying the perks of a lounge. If not, you're the same cattle as everyone else.

It's overblown until they run out of overhead space, or a flight gets canceled and you'd really want to be in the front of the line to re-book.

The occasional 1st class upgrade is nice, but unless you have major points forget it for popular destinations and/or the typical business crowd times.

I don't think its overblown. I am going to lose Diamond on Delta after having it for 6+ years. But I don't travel for work anymore. 

I had connections held for me. I never didnt have luggage space. If my flight was cancelled or I missed, I booted some other shmuck off the flight so they could get me where I needed to go. Once they put me on 1st class on American because they had a mechanical issue and I missed connection.

Yes, its overblown if you are lower to middle tier. But the top level definitely saves your ass. I never didnt make it where I needed to go -- even if they had to book me on another airline. That is before the Skyclub access, upgrades to business/first on 75% of flights and Comfort Plus on 100%. As someone who 6'1, that is huge. Plus getting off the place early saves upwards of 20 minutes vs the back of the plane. 

posted by Laley23

I don't think its overblown. I am going to lose Diamond on Delta after having it for 6+ years. But I don't travel for work anymore. 

Yeah, first tier on most routes is enough to guarantee overhead space and picking a decent seat.  And upgrading a seat for free is worth it as well, but some airlines don't give that to you until the next tier.

I remember years ago I had a flight canceled, and everyone was rushing to be first in line to re-book.  I took my time strolling up knowing there wasn't a single person in that line getting a seat before me.

Getting off early, at least on larger flights, is a definite bonus.  But I'll usually sit further back to get an aisle or window, and I'll even take the back if I think I can get a seat by myself.

posted by gut

Yeah, first tier on most routes is enough to guarantee overhead space and picking a decent seat.  And upgrading a seat for free is worth it as well, but some airlines don't give that to you until the next tier.

I remember years ago I had a flight canceled, and everyone was rushing to be first in line to re-book.  I took my time strolling up knowing there wasn't a single person in that line getting a seat before me.

Getting off early, at least on larger flights, is a definite bonus.  But I'll usually sit further back to get an aisle or window, and I'll even take the back if I think I can get a seat by myself.

In 2015, I was traveling with 3 colleagues in China for a month.  Our host would tell the people at airports (where we were taking domestic flights) that we were "important Americans".  We were most certainly not, but he told us this may work to our advantage.  Several times it did where we would get escorted onto flights before anyone.  

One trip out of Zhengzhou, it went so far as police escorting us through security, to the bar (not kidding) and then onto the plane.  At the gate, one cop had a baton that he used to shove people aside while yelling commands at them.

It made me feel guilty at first, but after 4 weeks of traipsing around that country, zero fucks were given when some poor bastard got pushed aside for my sweaty ass to get aboard.