Southwest Airlines Community

I am 32 years old and have flown on almost every major airline around since the early 1980s as a toddler/child. From PSA (one of my favorites), Alaska, American, United (in the 80s another favorite), Northwest, jetBlue, Virgin America, USAir, I think I might miss a few here and there, Southwest hands down has the best flight attendants in terms of keeping passengers safe and comfortable, and bringing light to a bad situation. Through all this, they remain professional (even while telling their jokes). Professionalism doesnt mean always having to be tight collared and have a plain look on your face, it means understanding a situation, the customers needs, and sometimes breaking into song and dance or yelling YEE HAWW while the plane is hitting air pockets is exactly what some customers are looking for - thats what keeps Southwest Airlines Flight Attendants professional, they give the passengers a sense of relief in a bad time. Pilots are the biggest asset however to my safety. Their job is to get the plane off the ground, fly safely and get the plane and people on the ground in one piece, without any incidents aboard. Without them, I guess Id be taking a bus or a train right? Like pilots, and flight attendants, I know my duty on the plane as a passenger is to observe and ensure the safety of those around me. We all look out for each other, and it seems Southwest customers are the most diligent and dont let anything go unnoticed. If someone acts up, we quell it. If someone starts screaming, we quiet them. And if, god forbid, anything happens aboard, we all become cabin crew and risk our lives for the sake of others. Southwest as a brand, an airline, and a culture has taught us how to be the REAL passengers in the sky, and how to be the REAL support for those 6,000 pilots and tens of thousands of flight attendants that otherwise may not get shown appreciation, get that laughter in the cabin, or the clap at the end of the flight. Pilots and Flight Attendants may never have met, or know each others names, but to us passengers, you are our family in the sky and names mean nothing to us when its all about the smiles and claps we give back! ... View more

Hey Brian, Im reading old 4 year old comments, and still wonder if Southwest, after the few emergency landing and aircraft skin incidents, has any plans to finally ditch the older 737 models and move up to the 700 and 800's or if they plan to ever start using the 787 models. The composite body can withstand more fatigue that can come with Southwests multiple departures and arrivals, constant pressurization and accommodate larger more profitable routes across America, particularly ones where Southwest already flies 10+ daily non-stop fights from hubs like Phoenix, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Oakland, San Jose, Dallas, Baltimore, etc. More people, a plane that can withstand more fatigue, saves 20% fuel, this is everything Southwest is looking for, right? Also, the added benefit is that these new planes can be configured with some extra special amenities so Southwest can compete against other low fare airlines that provide a little more comfort, like jetBlue or Virgin America on those routes that all three airlines serve. It is definitely something to think about. ... View more