Standby for more trouble with the airlines?

[Harrier Dude]

Customer loyalty in the airline industry has more to do with pricing than anything else these days. Service is nonexistent among the US carriers. Perhaps SWA's "loyal customers" come from it being one of the cheapest, or best value if you will, airlines to fly one from Point A to Point B.

But to add to what you've said--I've heard nothing but good things about SWA.

I think that it might actually help SWA that they've never given anything but peanuts and beverages. They concentrate on the kind of customer service that doesn't really cost much (attitude, availability, etc) instead of the kind that does (meals, 1st class accomodations, etc).

That way, when the other stuff gets eliminated or cheapened, SWA still looks good because they haven't "cut service". Nobody seems to care/notice that they never offered it to begin with.

 

[nugget81]

I think that it might actually help SWA that they've never given anything but peanuts and beverages. They concentrate on the kind of customer service that doesn't really cost much (attitude, availability, etc) instead of the kind that does (meals, 1st class accomodations, etc).

That way, when the other stuff gets eliminated or cheapened, SWA still looks good because they haven't "cut service". Nobody seems to care/notice that they never offered it to begin with.

You're right. SWA used to advertise that they were the "No Frills Airline", but now that applies to them all.

 

[picklesuit]

That is a strategic national emergency ... and should be treated as such.

It will be nice not to ride next to every jackass in sweats and flip-flops. I can still remember when people could smoke on the plane and we dressed up to fly...

 

[HeloBubba]

It will be nice not to ride next to every jackass in sweats and flip-flops.... and we dressed up to fly...

I don't dress up, but I am mindful of any egress possibilities that may arise (i.e.: decent shoes, some sort of outer garment, etc.)

 

[A4sForever]

1. Ground service matters too.
2. A lot of those pilots on foreign airlines are American.
3. I think Singapore Airlines also has one of the best safety records.

I wanted to pass ... but I just couldn't let this go ... and as a result; the "correct" answers follow:

1. Some, but not much. You don't die on the ground -- only when you hit it ....

2. Only 'cause the LIPs (Local Indigenous Personnel) could NOT hack the program ... don't ask me for any "blue" links -- if you always have to "go there" then it's a sign that you have not accumulated too much "real world" knowledge(s) .... I've trained 'em, their companies have 'mea culpa'ed them, and they have paid $$$$$$$$$$$$ for their misdeeds, and I've been doing this for >30 years ... . I was approached by 2 foreign carrier prior to retirement -- I passed.

3. What you "think" doesn't matter ... SIA had a GREAT safety record for many, many years when run/staffed w/ ANGLO-SAXON round-eyes -- but not so much today (I was hired by 'em in 1974 -- short story why I didn't pull the trigger) ... and DITTO for most of the rest of the "not-so-round" eye airlines ... again, I KNOW whereof I speak as I've trained a LOT of 'em and my last round-eye airline started JAL after WW2.

 

[HAL Pilot]

No other major American airline can touch their level of customer loyalty and performance.

Loyal =ticket price.

And SWA's performance numbers aren't that great (on-time, lost bags, etc.).

 

[scoolbubba]

Loyal =ticket price.

And SWA's performance numbers aren't that great (on-time, lost bags, etc.).

very true. if it comes down to SWA and Continental in terms of price, and the numbers are close, Continental gets my business everytime just because I've never had a late flight on Continental or lost a bag. The past 4 SWA flights have been late (and for no good reason, no WX or Maintenance issues...more often than not it's a crew issue), but they are usually so much cheaper than anyone else, and i'm poor, so they win.


The rest of the time I'm willing to take a tylenol PM (Flight Doc be damned!) and suck up a 5 hour sardine ride on SWA until they cart my passed out carcass off the airplane.

 

[picklesuit]

I wanted to pass ... but I just couldn't let this go ... and as a result; the "correct" answers follow:

1. Some, but not much. You don't die on the ground -- only when you hit it ....

I'd rather have a good pilot than good waitstaff any day. Besides, most flights CONUS are HALF a P-3 mission anyway...so why do we get so bent out of shape with 4 hours away from an idiot tube not having our asses kissed by some female/wanna-be female hired by the airlines?

A4 has the gist of it...get from point A to point B safely, sit down,shut up and color.

I know I like all of the amenities, I'm a sucker for peanuts too, but having taken Greyhound across this country several times, I'll take the back of a cargo plane anytime, thanks.

 

[A4sForever]

Loyal =ticket price.

What he said .... SWA is a cattle-car. They cater to the grey-faced masses. They have had a major impact on and ruined the "class" that used to be the American airline industry ....

That's why I didn't stay w/ PSA ... a copy of sorts of SWA in the ol' days ...

SWA = A flying version of Greyhound bus, if you will ... and that's why they've prospered in a cheap, money-grubbing, "what's-in-it-for-me" society that has filled the skies and airlines of America for the past 25+ years .... and now have awakened and wonder "what happened " .... ????

 

[HackerF15E]

Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways and Emirates all are doing quite well. Surely in their oil-rich region fuel is much cheaper.

Nice idea, but they have to buy whatever's available at Gatwick, Heathrow, CDG, JFK, etc when they are flying back to home station. They can't reach back to the gas trucks in Dubai and get fueled up at their "own" prices, even if they may be lower.

 

[scoolbubba]

Is a :::gasp::: single national carrier subsidized with American tax dollars the answer to the national security issue at hand?

How are the European airlines staying afloat, haven't they been dealing with high fuel prices for far longer than we have?

 

[snake020]

Is a :::gasp::: single national carrier subsidized with American tax dollars the answer to the national security issue at hand?

Maybe. But if that happens then it'll never be profitable again. Look at USPS and Amtrak.

 

[A4sForever]

Is a :::gasp::: single national carrier subsidized with American tax dollars the answer to the national security issue at hand?

How are the European airlines staying afloat, haven't they been dealing with high fuel prices for far longer than we have?

Do YOU want to become a socialist "europe" ... little "e" ... with reason ???

I don't. That's why we're different and better than them ...

 

[scoolbubba]

Do YOU want to become a socialist "europe" ... little "e" ... with reason ???

I don't. That's why we're different and better than them ...

not at all. I ask because I don't see a way around this issue without a bailout for several of the big airlines, which is like putting a band aid on an artery.

my question about how do the british airways, lufthansas, and other national carriers of European nations survive still stands.

 

[Flash]

What he said .... SWA is a cattle-car. They cater to the grey-faced masses. They have had a major impact on and ruined the "class" that used to be the American airline industry ....

SWA = A flying version of Greyhound bus, if you will ... and that's why they've prospered in a cheap, money-grubbing, "what's-in-it-for-me" society that has filled the skies and airlines of America for the past 25+ years .... and now have awakened and wonder "what happened " .... ????

I am glad they have 'shaken-up' the airline industry. Who cares about 'class' when you are going from point A to B? So, people don't get dressed up and drink mimosas to fly any more, I just want to get to my destination, safely of course.

And I certainly don't see how it is a national emergency. So, some airlines are losing money, ain't that too bad. Businesses go through good and bad times, and some fail. If the 'mainline' airlines coudn't plan ahead when tehy were profitable for the leaner times, why shoudl the taxpayer bail them out? Why should airlines be so different than other businesses? Because they are 'cooler'? If a business can't survive without repeated outside intervention, why should it survive at all?

Maybe airlines should try and start looking and acting like Southwest, since it seems to be doing something that works (ie. making a consistent profit). So what if the stews and the food aren't as good as they used to be, go to Hooters and a restaurant if you want to oogle or eat good food. The airlines are safer and more convenient than ever, what is so wrong with that?