Onward and Upward

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Tue, 05/02/2006 - 10:00 — Angela Vargo

It's been a week since we launched...thanks to all for feedback, ideas and contributions. When we set out on this journey it was clear we couldn't do all we wanted at launch. What you can be sure of is that we have lots planned. Here is some of our fave feedback:

Add photos. We're going to incorporate Flickr into the site so that you can easily share shots with our readers and us. We'll also flag some of our favorites. This is something we planned to do at the outset and your comments emphasized what a great idea this is.
Share some of our favorite Customer letters. We get a ton and we're happy to share some of the best of the best, as in this example from Brian Oberkirch.
Add more insider tips about traveling on Southwest as described by Robert Scoble on his blog.

Special shout-out to Andy Lark, our master of all things blog, and our design firm, RD2. Without them, we'd just be a blank page.

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Comments

Angela,

Glad to see that you are listening to conversations and taking to heart what the community has to say.

Also, I love the diversity of posting that seems to have developed. Keep up the great work!

Jeffrey Treem — Tue, 05/02/2006 - 15:35

Congratulations on the style and tone of 'Nuts about Southwest'.

I mentioned your site on my blog 'Serge the Concierge' today.

Even though I have not being flying 'Southwest' yet, I like the company.

Have a good day

Serge
Biz:
http://www.njconcierges.com
Blog:
http://www.sergetheconcierge.com

Serge Lescouarnec — Tue, 05/02/2006 - 15:59

When Southwest decided to enter the Wright Amendment feud, it reminded me of that scene in the movie "Die Hard' when the police officer finally realizes that there's trouble in the high rise and Bruce Willis says "welcome to the party
pal". For too many years, lots of flyers (but especially the people of Dallas) seethed at the flight
restrictions at Love. But thankfully, Southwest brought their savvy, confidence, and big guns to the
fight. We all know who's going to win...it's inevitable. And when Love is free again, Dallasites won't
be able to thank Southwest enough. We'll of course fly that much more, but I for one would like to
have the damnest ticker tape parade this town's ever seen.

Thanks for joining the party and making such a difference. Our metropolitan region is more than
big enough for two airports. And of course living closest to Love, I live closest to the best one.

Best of luck always,
Don Abbott

Don Abbott — Tue, 05/02/2006 - 20:43

i was wondering about something, if someone can help me out with this issue then please shoot an e-mail or replay to this blog, but first and formost, this blog site is awsome , i always wondered where i could get southwest information after leave the company back in may of 2002 , now i can get updated to the fullest. Now, back to my question , i was wondering if anyone could find me information on upcoming HUB's southwest will be carrying to. I have also been wondering will we ever fly to the northern east-norther region like wisconsin. thanks for the info guys

Ivan Roberts — Wed, 05/03/2006 - 08:07

I blog mostly about technology but as a loyal Southwest customer ( I fly enough to qualify for a free companion pass most years) I use you as examples in many a blog. I know you receive a number of kudos but you probably do not get enough for encouraging a group of dreamers around the world who are rasiing the quality of aviation around the world. Here is a recent blog I wrote after a global trip...

http://florence20.typepad.com/renaissance/2006/04/da_vinci_is_loo.html

vinnie mirchandani — Wed, 05/03/2006 - 14:37

Delighted to find this site today. I live near Ontario in southern California, fly 5 or 6 times a year, and nearly always fly Southwest. It's the cheapest, never had any luggage lost, my flights are usually on time, the peanuts are as good as anyone's, the staff are cheerful--sometimes downright funny.

Blessings,

Shirley

shirley buxton — Wed, 05/03/2006 - 17:17

This is very exciting. Just wanted to say kudos for all the awards. I found out about them first, tho, in an email from Alaska Airlines. They were bragging about their kudos; I went to the site and found out SWA was way ahead! I travel SW whenever possible. Will you get to the area between Salt Lake and Spokane any time soon? Hope so.
Kathy

Kathy — Thu, 05/04/2006 - 16:00

Thanks Kathy - we are so proud of our Rapid Rewards team. They do an amazing job of providing a frequent flyer program that is actually rewarding.

To all of you RR members and Companion Pass holders...you know exactly what I'm talking about!

Here's a link to this year's Freddie Awards (the Oscars of FF programs):

http://www.freddieawards.com/events/?event_key=12

Angela Vargo — Thu, 05/04/2006 - 16:23

Just found out about this new site today. Very cool. I've mentioned it on my site at www.monsterdisplays.com. From all of us at Budget Displays, Exhibits & Graphics, congratulations on the awards! We fly Southwest 85% of the time for our business travel, and love the service!

Cheers!

Stance

Business:
http://www.monsterdisplays.com

Blog:
http://budgetblogs.net

Stance Schudy — Thu, 05/04/2006 - 17:04

Congratulations on your Awards. Very Deserving.
Glad to have this site as I wished to thank SW for all their good service. Recently in Omaha, Nebraska
I was leaving for vacation, taking my sweet time thinking I had plenty extra before the flight. However, I
had misread my ticket. The attendant at the front counter was pleasant, calm, and politely mentioned our luggage
may not make the plane as it was only 19 minutes until takeoff. Wow! We still had to make it across the airport, through
the security checkpoint, and to the plane. Well, we made the flight and to our relief, the luggage also made it. I still
recall the courtesy shown to us although we probably were frustrating as customers. By the way, on my return trip
I was a little more diligent about the times, and as usual, that flight went just fine.

Mari Mac — Thu, 05/04/2006 - 20:17

I would like to thank an unknown employee of Southwest. I was at the airport seeing my daughter and little darling grandchildren off on a Southwest flight. I was very sad and teary eyed as I said goodbye to my little grandchildren. Tears were running down my cheeks as I waved to them. Just then a wonderful Southwest employee came up to me and gave me a big hug. (She too had grandchildren and understood my tears!) On what other airline would you find such compassionate employees????? You guys are the best!!

Deanna Corbidge — Thu, 05/04/2006 - 20:38

I have always had pleasant flights and your awards are earned and deserved. I have noticed though, while waiting in line that the number of people sneaking in is getting a bit much. It appears that the original 30 in each boarding class has increased and now there is a large number of people congregating around the gate for each class and jumping in line. On a recent flight I was about 15 people back but so many got in front of me that I actually did not move forward for quite some time. Since there are numbers on the boarding pass, perhaps we could line up in number sequence, or better yet, extend the lines and posts to restrict line jumping within a boarding group. Am I the only one who notices this or is it just everyone for themselves and courtesy is a thing of the past?

Ken Kinderman — Thu, 05/04/2006 - 23:58

Interesting that Southwest wants to blog about the airline. I'm mightly skeptical that reasonable comments from the public, about the abysmal service, lowest-quality employees, asinine policies and downright intellectual dishonesty of the company will ever get published. But then again, I'm just basing my perception on how the company has behaved here in Dallas for the last two decades. I;ll be interested in reading about the airline.
As a *very* frequent flier (120,000+ miles per year) I studiously avoid Southwest because every time I've ever set foot near a Southwest counter, employee or airplane I've been amazed that more planes don't end up nose first in the dirt. So, Southwest's competition get's my business and that of my company - and not one single dime has been spent with y'all in nearly a decade.
Maybe, someday, when Southwest learns what honesty, integrity, and ethical behavior are all about you'll see my money again. Until then, you can reach me on every other airline - except this one.
John

faultolerant — Fri, 05/05/2006 - 15:10

Thanks for your comment...as you can see, we are not shying away from controversy on this blog. We know and appreciate that people have opinions of Southwest - both good and bad - and this blog is a forum to share ideas, experiences, revelations, etc. We also know and appreciate that Southwest isn't for everyone but I will tell you that we work very hard to provide a fun, safe, and affordable travel experience for all of our Customers...afterall, that's what LUV is all about.

Angela Vargo — Fri, 05/05/2006 - 17:50

I would personally LUV to see you expand to SC...and hopes of seeing that? I drive 300 miles just to fly southwest now.

CHRISTINA — Fri, 05/05/2006 - 18:42

We miss flying on Southwest. We have relocated to South Carolina. When are you coming to Myrtle Beach? There is room at the airport for you. Check it out. Thanks.

Ann — Sat, 05/06/2006 - 00:33

Please include some photos of flight attendants climbing into overhead bins and on top of seatbacks ;-)

-Ellen aka Q of S

Queen of Sky — Sun, 05/07/2006 - 20:07

I had banned Southwest about 8 yrs ago because of your no assigned seating policy. This caused my family alot distress when
my children were expected to sit several rows from me. My daughter was 4 and my son was 6. The people next to me would not exchange seats and I had to resort to threatening to get off the plane before I could get any help! Would it cost so much more for
you to incorporate advanced seating into your plan? Although my children are older now I opt to fly on airlines that allow you to
choose your seats in advance. When people go on a family vacation they want to sit with their family not strangers,
especially kids! I fly out of JFK on a different airline instead of Islip which is more convrnient for this reason. Please think about it.

Susan B — Fri, 05/12/2006 - 14:03

I've heard that Southwest is looking into the possiblity of assigned seats and international flights. It looks like they are
backing away from their roots! Personally I think that Southwest should continue its policy of not assigning seats. I like being
able to sit at any seat I want. And it simplifies boarding since passengers don't need to look for their assigned seats. Why fix
what is not broken? If you don't like this policy especially because you are travelling with family members, you should get to the
airport early so you can have a wide variety of seats to choose from. It is great to embrace technology, but you should stick with
your basic business strategies that have made Southwest a consistently profitable airline.

As for international flights, Southwest should seriously look into it, but should not expand too quickly too soon. It would be
great if Southwest started to serve Canada since fares are ridiculously high there. And since passengers can pre-clear
immigration before departing the US, it would be operationally feasible.

Kumar — Mon, 05/22/2006 - 04:06

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