RJSAviator76

So the answer is what? Sit there and b!tch about it not changing?

I'm cautious about Watterson... not really impressed so far.

ZapBrannigan

This is arguably a good thing. Full airplanes is the business. To be fair, they've done everything they can to make space positive travel an option. 20% off tickets coming soon, cash in SWAG for Rapid Rewards. I can't really complain about them filling up seats with revenue pax. That's what pays my mortgage.

flensr

No, they haven't done "everything they can" to make space positive travel an option, not even close. There are plenty of relatively inexpensive bennies they could throw out that they simply won't because they like how things are going right now, have all the data and don't need our input, and employee QOL is of no benefit to the company (direct quotes from company mgt this year).

They could offer employee travel tickets guaranteed at our lowest fare class no matter how full the plane is. They could offer more than 5 20% coupon codes per year, perhaps make it more codes with a higher discount, say 50%. They could offer "free" upgrade to the highest fare class for all employee ticket purchases. They could offer free wifi to employees (basically a zero cost benefit that they still won't ever consider because this is SWA and we're stuck on stupid). No, there are an awful lot more things SWA could do to make space positive travel an option, things that are standard at several other airlines. Even spirit lets employees buy tickets at their cheapest fare but they get carryon and checked bags free which usually darn near double the ticket price so those spirit employee tickets are nearly 50% off in some cases. Lots of things they could do, that they aren't doing and probably never will because this place is laser focused on carrying on doing things the exact same way we've done (and failed at) for the last couple decades.

ZapBrannigan

Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t they just announce a few weeks ago unlimited 20% off fares for employees without the need for discount codes? It was at the same pep rally where they announced BNA domicile.

maniac28

If I had to buy a ticket and fly somewhere the last place I would buy one would be from SWA. I mean BoJo doesn't fly us. Why should I?

ZapBrannigan

I bought tickets on Alaska for our last family vacation. They at least offered a nonstop whereas we would’ve had to go through DEN on SWA. No thanks.

flensr

They can announce all they want, I haven't seen it yet. Plus, 20% is kinda meh compared to what some other airlines offer. They haven't given any details either, like blackout dates, etc. For example, the last 20% codes they gave us were round-trip only and had a lot of blackout dates which limited their utility. SWA mgt has a history of taking a nice benefit and somehow effing it up so I'll believe it when I see it.

Grumpyaviator

even at 20% it’s not that cheap, plus it’s on us. we fly aa.

Hobbit64

I just traveled to a wedding. I flew myself. Waaaaaay easier. General Aviation is the best kept secret.
2 years ago, we traveled on swa for spring break. We lost a day of vacation because of a mini-meltdown.
I truly hope we get back to the company I worked so hard to join.

BusBoe

Yeah. That's if you don't end up in a fireball on the ground. GA flying is NOT safe and I would never dare fly my family GA.