"Airline" show

[GuppyPuppy]

Saw it for the first time a couple of days ago.

When I first heard about the show I thought, "Wow, free advertising for Southwest". After seeing the show I thought, "Why would Southwest want this type of exposure?".

The episode I saw included passengers getting bumped who were trying to get to Florida, a passenger wearing a tiger suit who seemed to be just a bit crazy, two overweight people who were told they might have to buy an extra seat, a drunk passenger who was trying to get to a funeral, and a passenger who was wearing a mini mini skirt and had no undergarments...problem was, it was a man!

After seeing this episode I wondered how anyone would be enticed to fly on WN (when the price is matched by another airline). Personally I wouldn't have wanted to sit next to any of these people.

I remember seeing an episode of MAD TV where, in one skit, a passenger stated, "Thank God for Southwest Airlines, the ghetto bus of the sky". The episode of "Airline" I saw did nothing to dispel that perception.

Also, thought the show was pretty boring (like most "reality" TV), but I guess I was in a mind-numbing sort of state while on my layover.

GP

 

[FL717]

I recently had the opportunity to travel 3 one way legs on on SWA. I used to jumpseat on them all the time but hadn't been on them in a while. I purchased these tickets on their website, and they were quite inexpensive. They also were able to provide all the direct (non stop) flights to avoid connections and airport appreciaiton.

I like and believe in the SWA model... BUT... BUT.... I gotta say thet their product is borderline subpar. No assigned seating, cattlecar, and rearward facing seats. Miserable ride to say the least. And the prize for being the last to get on, horrible seats, and no overhead baggage space.

I will put my airline product against theirs anyday. If SWA would go to assigned seating, and a business class, and some sort of IFE (inflight entertainment) god help all of us. That is what AirTran is doing, and why we are kicking along at a good rate, and if we could get SWA people skills, we would never have to worry again.

There is one thing that stands apart with SWA, and that is their people. If it were not for their GREAT people, they would be in trouble.

SWA knows how to treat their customers, and it was glaringly obvious during my trip.

Good for them, and thanks SWA.

 

[rangridr]

You could put a camera in any major airport and you would most likely find the same kind of people. Welcome to America....home to a diversity....that is what you see.

Also, I would rather fly for the "ghetto bus in the sky" any day because I know they are more concerned about saving money for their passengers, as well as keeping cost down so they can take care of their retirees and employees down the road.

As a passenger, no one can beat SWA on boarding times and getting me to where I want to get to fast. I am so sick of sitting on these legacy carriers that take an hour to board and 45 minutes to taxi and take off. If it means no assigned seating and extra perks as well as a cheaper ticket...I'll take it any day and so will most passengers. If you want luxury and want to pay for it and you're not worried about the time sitting on the ground, then I agree, the other carriers might suit your style.

Just my two cents.

 

[DrinkSweetTea]

and 45 minutes to taxi and take off

I wasnt aware that SW could taxi and takeoff safely and faster then everyone else.

As a passenger, no one can beat SWA on boarding times and getting me to where I want to get to fast

So when you connect as a passenger on Southwest and have to go stand in another line to get a boading "letter" and then have to once again stand in the cattle line when boarding begins..this is better as a passenger?

 

[rangridr]

People have a preference....obviously passengers don't mind what you call the "cattle lines" or else SWA woudn't be in the black. All airports are going to have "cattle lines" especially since 9/11.

 

[Salty Dog]

I just flew SWA for the first time this Mon and Tue, paid for by my company. Here's my take:

The airplanes looked like pieces of sh!t. What are those, surplus JT8Ds from Boneyard B-52s? The hose-off leather seats weren't all that bad, but it did look a little dingy inside. Like a bus, I guess.

The ticketing/boarding was no different to me than any Major carrier. I sat until the appointed time, I got on, I sat down in the nearest seat vice an assigned one. My boss and I shared a side so two seats w/nobody in the middle. Both planes were less than 1/2 full. The flight down to IAH was maybe a quarter full. This differs from AMR/UAL/DAL how?

Love field is closer to our corporate HQ but the A parking garage is under construction and is a piece of sh!t. I prefer D/FW big time but it is more expensive.

The costomer service is no different than AMR/DAL/UAL/etc. that I have observed w/the exception that when I was on my cell phone trying to get some work done when they were getting ready to take off the stewardess hit me with a rolled up magazine. I thought that was kind of funny. And hung up.

Their uniforms looked like street clothes and it could be argued that the Majors have more class. I would agree. The pilots looked a little disheveled but that was probably a function of how many hours into the day they were.

Ticket people: no difference.
Gate people: no difference.

Frankly, I didn't feel any more "special" or particularly well attended to on LUV than I did on the legacy carriers.

My conclusion: LUV ain't doin' customer service or personal attention any better than anyone else. Their only advantage is cost (as far as I know, I didn't buy the tickets and didn't compare). Frankly, I would pay more for a little class and a meal, but I don't guess were' back to the meal part yet, are we?

Just my humble opinion.

 

[GuppyPuppy]

I wasnt aware that SW could taxi and takeoff safely and faster then everyone else.

Sometimes I wonder...

GP

 

[Satan]

sw is way overrated

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

SouthWest's "airline" is a waste!!

I think SW's "Airline" reality show is a waste. I used to work the ticket counter before being a pilot and those kind of BS customer service problems occur everywhere and you have those same ahole passengers running all over the place. I think "Airline" is boring, because it focuses on problems with passengers in the boarding area. Who Cares!! It would be cool if there was a reality show having to do more with the crew, and have lots of flying scenes. Wouldn't viewers like to see that kind of stuff as opposed to some passenger complaining about his bags?

 

[chawbein]

NO!

People want to see a couple of drunk, high, white-trash-dirt-bags get pissed off and cuss and threaten to sue and just get rowdy. No one wants to see FA's pass out peanuts and cokes. No one wants to see out the front window during cruise...boooooring. Not to me though, I love flying. Just my $0.02.

EDIT:
Oh yeah, I think that the show is invaluable to the reputation of SWA's customer service department. They've turned every friggin cheek on their body and are ready for more. The same people patron the other airlines too, but there are a greater percentage on SWA. Also note that they aren't going to show the couple whose trip goes absolutely smoothe, and doesn't make a scene. That doesn't make for interesting television.

 

[captainv]

it's the unusual stuff that makes it on TV - guy in a tiger suit, drunk pax, wedding dress run over by a tug...

so, if they filmed the flight crews, they'd end up only showing unusual situations. bad wx, go-arounds, diversions, mx problems. those situations reinforce the negative attitudes passengers have, i.e. the planes break down, weather is scary, this airline can't get people to their destination on time...

for the same reason you don't see many stories about "normal" passengers, you wouldn't see episodes about "normal" flights. so i think it's a good thing they don't focus on the negative side of our jobs. besides, what if the camera filmed a crew busting an FAR or making some kind of procedural error - even mistakenly reading back the wrong altitude clearance. would you want a camera crew up there with you?

 

[sandman2122]

A Joke for you!

Heard this the other day - it's a joke so don't take it personally (you could actually apply this to some other airlines).

Did you know every time a Southwest airplane takes off somewhere there's an empty trailer park!

I gotta laugh...

 

[Typhoon1244]

I wasnt aware that SW could taxi and takeoff...faster then everyone else.

In many of their cities, they do. We used to depart ELP the same time they did. As soon as the tow bar was disconnected, they'd come up on tower: "Southwest Sixten-twenty-one's ready at eight-right." (Wind 230@9)

Now I don't know the 737...it's possible that there is no required pre-takeoff engine warmup/stabilization period or checklist on that airplane. They certainly couldn't have done all those things during that short taxi! I guess that's their secret.

 

[cubegirl7]

what i find annoying and frustrating is that every time i see a show/movie that has anything to do with flying/aviation it's always something negative. i really can't stand when they try to incorporate plane crashes in a tv show. (saw something on this week--dont remember the shows name) what happened? at one time flying was considered something grand and wonderful. today everyone especially the media just focus on horrible things.
maybe someone will come along and make a show about flying that shows the fun, beautiful and exciting part of it.

 

[RJones]

In many of their cities, they do. We used to depart ELP the same time they did. As soon as the tow bar was disconnected, they'd come up on tower: "Southwest Sixten-twenty-one's ready at eight-right." (Wind 230@9)

In all the jets I've flown you have a 10 knot tailwind component. In the -200 it's 15 knots dry, -300/-500/-700 10 knots dry. So, what's the problem???? If you're legal to do it then ask for it and go!

Now I don't know the 737...it's possible that there is no required pre-takeoff engine warmup/stabilization period or checklist on that airplane. They certainly couldn't have done all those things during that short taxi! I guess that's their secret.

Once again, in all the jets I've flown I've never heard of a "pre-takeoff engine warmup/stabilization period." This must be unique to your CRJ 200. Now, I have heard of and here at SWA we have after landing stabilization cool down time considerations...besides, our engines never cool down due to our short gate times.

RJ

 

[Typhoon1244]

...in all the jets I've flown I've never heard of a "pre-takeoff engine warmup/stabilization period." This must be unique to your CRJ 200.

I guess so: it's two minutes.

So you guys have no checklists either? Just light 'em up and go?

 

[wil]

RJones- Last year in AMA we were working our away around weather and getting vectors for a VOR to 13. SWA was shooting the ILS to RWY 4. Winds were 14023G28. Not sure if the nose gear was lost on touch down or the return to the runway. It looked like the engines were totally trashed. Why would your company continue to take such risks?
Last week into LBB the winds were 170 at 18. We flew the visual pattern for 17. And, guess who came on the radio asking for the staight in to 26? Right, SWA. Now, I know we are all big boys/girls and can land in a stiff crosswind but given the more appropriate choice would you want to sit across from the FAA if something went wrong? The taxi time has got to be close to the same.
I had thought about applying to SWA but , from what I have seen, I just don't think I would fit in to the SWA mentality.
I fly under one rule (well maybe several) and that is, if I had to sit across the table from the FAA and /or Company, can I justify my actions and decisions?
I am not trying to sound cocky but as a kid who grew up in SOCAL and flew SWA it has been disheartening to see your line operations first hand.

 

[captainv]

>maybe someone will come along and make a show about flying >that shows the fun, beautiful and exciting part of it.

it's a noble thought, but what would you show? you'd have no problem filling a special on day-in-the-life of an airline pilot, but then what? how would you fill 20 episodes?

it's a common complaint about the media, too much negative news. but when it comes to what people read, hard news wins out over features by a huge margin. and sadly, dear abby, the comics, and (in Florida) the obituaries get read more often than anything written by a reporter...

but if you 've got some good ideas, pitch it to A&E. with the success of Airline, maybe they'd listen.

 

[GogglesPisano]

The show's a rip-off of "Airport" on the BBC.

(Without the accents.)

 

[skydash]

Hey Wil- Compare our 30+ year safety record against the other major carriers.......hhmmm
Also, from the pilots at Southwest..Thank you for NOT applying.
LUV ya!!