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Southwest Airlines

Posted by Hoghead on Sat Nov 7 02:37:19 2009

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Anybody ever use Southwest Airlines? I find it interesting that the airline also has the following web sites:

Southworst.com
Southworst.net
Southworst.biz

All 3 of the sites have the same message:

Southwest Airlines strives to maintain a high level of Customer Service and is proud of its corporate reputation and responsiveness to its Customers. As part of that effort, Southwest wants to control the release of inaccurate and irresponsible information about the Company via the Internet. If you would like more information on Southwest, please go to www.southwest.com.

It appears like they are somewhat concerned about what people post. Maybe if they did a better job of running their airline, they would not need to be so concerned about what people post about them.

A few days ago, I used Southwest from Philadelphia to Minneapolis by way of Chicago Midway. Trip time was scheduled for about 5 1/2 hours. But, I arrived in Minneapolis almost 12 hours after my scheduled departure. I have never seen an operation that had so many people that did not have a clue about what they were supposed to be doing. That includes customer service agents, flight dispatchers, and pilots. One of the best examples of their incompetence was sending at least 2 planes from Chicago Midway to Minneapolis without enough fuel--after arriving over Minneapolis, they were unable to land immediately because a runway closed for construction combined with low visibility was causing an air traffic control delay. So, the planes flew to Milwaukee for fuel. After 3 hours travel time--on top of leaving Chicago almost 4 hours late--we had made it all the way to Milwaukee.

The good news is, Southwest agreed to refund my fare after I made a long distance call to their headquarters.

If you need to be somewhere by a certain time, I do not recommend Southwest Airlines with a connection at Chicago Midway.

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(520361)

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Re: Southwest Airlines

Posted by LuchAAA on Sat Nov 7 03:12:47 2009, in response to Southwest Airlines, posted by Hoghead on Sat Nov 7 02:37:19 2009.

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I don't think they have an fatalities, so that's all that counts.

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(520373)

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Re: Southwest Airlines

Posted by LuchAAA on Sat Nov 7 04:21:11 2009, in response to Southwest Airlines, posted by Hoghead on Sat Nov 7 02:37:19 2009.

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all airlines use a minimal amount of fuel, so the plane is as light as possible, thus saving on fuel. they all do it.

can you provide us with some flight numbers, so we can check out what happened? flightaware.com should still have some of this.

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(520380)

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Re: Southwest Airlines

Posted by Nabinut on Sat Nov 7 06:45:51 2009, in response to Southwest Airlines, posted by Hoghead on Sat Nov 7 02:37:19 2009.

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The many times I've used Southwest, it's been great. Flights either leave on time or early and arrive early. The one time something was out of the ordinary was my last flight to Chicago. It wasn't the pilot's fault but another plane was on the runway we were supposed to land on and had to spend 10 minutes circling before landing...and we were still early!

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(520394)

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Re: Southwest Airlines

Posted by cortelyounext on Sat Nov 7 08:17:03 2009, in response to Southwest Airlines, posted by Hoghead on Sat Nov 7 02:37:19 2009.

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Despite reports to the contrary, pilots are basically clueless. B7 flying.

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(520411)

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Re: Southwest Airlines

Posted by Orange Blossom Special on Sat Nov 7 10:33:20 2009, in response to Re: Southwest Airlines, posted by LuchAAA on Sat Nov 7 04:21:11 2009.

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I know they all calculate their fuel, but do they all cut it that close where they can't hold for a while w/o running home?

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(520413)

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Re: Southwest Airlines

Posted by cortelyounext on Sat Nov 7 10:45:24 2009, in response to Re: Southwest Airlines, posted by Orange Blossom Special on Sat Nov 7 10:33:20 2009.

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In theory, if it were up to the company, then yes. In practice, the decision rests solely with the pilot and, to an extent, the dispatcher. Generally speaking and without delving which means getting into the details and calculations, you need to carry a minimum of 45 minutes additional fuel beyond your intended destination/furthest alternate. Beyond that, there is holding fuel and 15 minutes SCF fuel for "unplanned contingencies." Pilots generally will pad the fuel load for any number of reasons to include screwing management per se. No matter, after a handful of circuits in holding most aircrews typically need to really begin looking at options. B7 flying.

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(520466)

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Re: Southwest Airlines

Posted by busdude2 on Sat Nov 7 15:14:06 2009, in response to Southwest Airlines, posted by Hoghead on Sat Nov 7 02:37:19 2009.

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In my dealing with them they are on time most of the time. And in my airport service business most of my passengers use them. No problems actually they arrive early a lot.

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(520502)

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Re: Southwest Airlines

Posted by Deaks on Sat Nov 7 16:14:55 2009, in response to Re: Southwest Airlines, posted by LuchAAA on Sat Nov 7 04:21:11 2009.

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all airlines use a minimal amount of fuel, so the plane is as light as possible, thus saving on fuel.

Thanks for that Luch. I would have never have guessed.

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(520504)

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Re: Southwest Airlines

Posted by Deaks on Sat Nov 7 16:16:06 2009, in response to Southwest Airlines, posted by Hoghead on Sat Nov 7 02:37:19 2009.

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That sounds bad. Southwest have/had a good reputation I thought.

Of the airlines I have used, I rate BA as no.1 by a long way. United were the worst, again by a long way.

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(520506)

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Re: Southwest Airlines

Posted by cortelyounext on Sat Nov 7 16:17:16 2009, in response to Re: Southwest Airlines, posted by Deaks on Sat Nov 7 16:16:06 2009.

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IAWTP. United is horrible.



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(520507)

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Re: Southwest Airlines

Posted by LuchAAA on Sat Nov 7 16:17:37 2009, in response to Re: Southwest Airlines, posted by Deaks on Sat Nov 7 16:14:55 2009.

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you're going to be a dick today?

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(520520)

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Re: Southwest Airlines

Posted by SUBWAYSURF on Sat Nov 7 16:30:01 2009, in response to Re: Southwest Airlines, posted by LuchAAA on Sat Nov 7 16:17:37 2009.

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Better than being a dick all the time, like your sorry ass.

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(520521)

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Re: Southwest Airlines

Posted by Deaks on Sat Nov 7 16:31:17 2009, in response to Re: Southwest Airlines, posted by cortelyounext on Sat Nov 7 16:17:16 2009.

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I had a really bad experience with them. Totally their fault, but then it was made out that my printer hadn't worked properly and printed the wrong thing! I've never used them since.

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(520522)

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Re: Southwest Airlines

Posted by Deaks on Sat Nov 7 16:31:48 2009, in response to Re: Southwest Airlines, posted by LuchAAA on Sat Nov 7 16:17:37 2009.

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Looks like I'll be following your lead then!

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(520524)

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Re: Southwest Airlines

Posted by LuchAAA on Sat Nov 7 16:47:28 2009, in response to Re: Southwest Airlines, posted by Deaks on Sat Nov 7 16:31:48 2009.

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Just change your name to Dicks.

I was simply answering a question in the thread. Not sure why you took the little pissant tone.

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(520526)

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Re: Southwest Airlines

Posted by Deaks on Sat Nov 7 16:56:07 2009, in response to Re: Southwest Airlines, posted by LuchAAA on Sat Nov 7 16:47:28 2009.

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Not sure why you took the little pissant tone.

It's too hard to resist with a guy that takes himself as seriously as you do. Not sure why you had to take the abusive tone though.


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(520532)

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Re: Southwest Airlines

Posted by cortelyounext on Sat Nov 7 17:20:09 2009, in response to Re: Southwest Airlines, posted by Deaks on Sat Nov 7 16:16:06 2009.

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BA has been disparaged in recent years for service and the typical delay and lost baggage complaints - that is not only from passengers but those in the profession as well which surprised me. Ever fly VA (Atlantic not America) and, if so, what do you think?

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(520538)

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Re: Southwest Airlines

Posted by Deaks on Sat Nov 7 17:59:48 2009, in response to Re: Southwest Airlines, posted by cortelyounext on Sat Nov 7 17:20:09 2009.

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Admittedly it's a year or two since I flew BA, but when I did the service was first class. But then again, BA fares to America are almost always higher than those you might find on Continental/Delta etc etc so you pay for the better service. I do remember them getting absolutely caned in the media over losing all those bags at T5 at Heathrow when it first opened, though.

I flew Virgin Atlantic last month. It was OK, better than most American carriers I have used but nothing spectacular. The standard of the trolley dollies/stewardesses is by far the best on Virgin, though, if you follow....

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(520573)

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Re: Southwest Airlines

Posted by FYBklyn1959 on Sat Nov 7 20:16:11 2009, in response to Re: Southwest Airlines, posted by Deaks on Sat Nov 7 16:16:06 2009.

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UA needs to go away. Either by merger with CO or just a B Chapter 7.

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(520591)

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Re: Southwest Airlines

Posted by LuchAAA on Sat Nov 7 20:36:16 2009, in response to Re: Southwest Airlines, posted by Deaks on Sat Nov 7 16:56:07 2009.

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It's too hard to resist a guy

Lonely in London are you?

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(520818)

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Re: Southwest Airlines

Posted by Hoghead on Sun Nov 8 06:00:37 2009, in response to Re: Southwest Airlines, posted by LuchAAA on Sat Nov 7 04:21:11 2009.

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All airlines do NOT use a minimal amount of fuel. NWA in particular does a much better job of having enough fuel. If the planes tanks are not big enough, a fuel stop might happen--such as a DC-9 flying from New York City to Minneapolis. If there is a serious unexpected ATC delay at Minneapolis, the 9 might have to go to Duluth to refuel. Southwest sent 2 planes on a less than 400 mile trip to an airport with known low visibility conditions and a main runway closed. And, they both had to backtrack all the way to Milwaukee for fuel. Ridiculous.

The flights were 1140 & 3220, but FA apparently makes data available for only the past 7 days. The flight departure date was 10/29. I believe there is a good chance SWA is less than accurate in reporting flight delay information to the DOT.

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(520821)

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Re: Southwest Airlines

Posted by Deaks on Sun Nov 8 07:14:48 2009, in response to Re: Southwest Airlines, posted by LuchAAA on Sat Nov 7 20:36:16 2009.

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Selective quoting is never a good idea. Especially for someone who does it as poorly as you do, Dick.

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(520882)

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Re: Southwest Airlines

Posted by LuchAAA on Sun Nov 8 14:38:14 2009, in response to Re: Southwest Airlines, posted by Deaks on Sun Nov 8 07:14:48 2009.

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Dicks,

Why did you start out being a dick in this thread?

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(520885)

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Re: Southwest Airlines

Posted by LuchAAA on Sun Nov 8 14:53:28 2009, in response to Re: Southwest Airlines, posted by Hoghead on Sun Nov 8 06:00:37 2009.

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During the period when fuel prices were very high in 2008, it was very common to not fill up, and use only the minimal amount. To this day, something similar is still done to make the plane lighter.





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(520889)

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Re: Southwest Airlines

Posted by cortelyounext on Sun Nov 8 15:25:53 2009, in response to Re: Southwest Airlines, posted by LuchAAA on Sun Nov 8 14:53:28 2009.

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You are true. I alluded to this in an earlier post.

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(520892)

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Re: Southwest Airlines

Posted by LuchAAA on Sun Nov 8 15:28:19 2009, in response to Re: Southwest Airlines, posted by cortelyounext on Sun Nov 8 15:25:53 2009.

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It was during that period that I was flying weekly. It was not fun.

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(520893)

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Re: Southwest Airlines

Posted by AMoreira81 on Sun Nov 8 15:30:40 2009, in response to Southwest Airlines, posted by Hoghead on Sat Nov 7 02:37:19 2009.

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A company may register dummy sites to prevent someone else from registering them.

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(520895)

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Re: Southwest Airlines

Posted by Easy on Sun Nov 8 15:39:38 2009, in response to Re: Southwest Airlines, posted by FYBklyn1959 on Sat Nov 7 20:16:11 2009.

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I used to fly them frequently back in the 90's and thought that they were decent. Back then Delta was my favorite. Now I don't fly as much and when I do the trips are short and Southwest has really grown on me.

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(520897)

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Re: Southwest Airlines

Posted by LuchAAA on Sun Nov 8 15:44:07 2009, in response to Re: Southwest Airlines, posted by Easy on Sun Nov 8 15:39:38 2009.

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jetBlue and Allegiant are the only two non-union carriers. so it shows you what level jetBlue is really on.

Southwest has about 3,300 flights a day, and has been around for about 35 years. They are trustworthy.

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(520899)

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Re: Southwest Airlines

Posted by Easy on Sun Nov 8 15:47:53 2009, in response to Re: Southwest Airlines, posted by LuchAAA on Sun Nov 8 15:44:07 2009.

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Jet Blue was technically a charter airlines when it first started. Similar to Sun Jet or whatever that airlines was that flew people to Florida.

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(520900)

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Re: Southwest Airlines

Posted by cortelyounext on Sun Nov 8 15:49:53 2009, in response to Re: Southwest Airlines, posted by LuchAAA on Sun Nov 8 15:44:07 2009.

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jetBlue and Allegiant are the only two non-union carriers.

Delta, even post-merger, is by no means "wholly unionized".

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(520902)

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Re: Southwest Airlines

Posted by LuchAAA on Sun Nov 8 15:52:38 2009, in response to Re: Southwest Airlines, posted by cortelyounext on Sun Nov 8 15:49:53 2009.

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but those in a safety-sensitive position are? right?

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(520912)

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Re: Southwest Airlines

Posted by cortelyounext on Sun Nov 8 16:24:01 2009, in response to Re: Southwest Airlines, posted by LuchAAA on Sun Nov 8 15:52:38 2009.

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Only pilots and dispatchers are unionized. Flight attendants (DAL) are "safety-sensitive" and so are mechanics and rampers depending on your definition. B7 flying and all these problems go away.

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(520914)

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Re: Southwest Airlines

Posted by LuchAAA on Sun Nov 8 16:32:20 2009, in response to Re: Southwest Airlines, posted by cortelyounext on Sun Nov 8 16:24:01 2009.

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Isn't most repair work outsourced anyway?

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(520916)

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Re: Southwest Airlines

Posted by AMoreira81 on Sun Nov 8 16:35:24 2009, in response to Re: Southwest Airlines, posted by LuchAAA on Sun Nov 8 16:32:20 2009.

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Yes; the FAA has approved certain centers in Latin America for repairs on American planes.

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(520939)

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Re: Southwest Airlines

Posted by cortelyounext on Sun Nov 8 18:13:44 2009, in response to Re: Southwest Airlines, posted by AMoreira81 on Sun Nov 8 16:35:24 2009.

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I hope those Latin America repair facilities do good work. I already pointed out the bent wings and the engines that are flat on the bottom and now this. Look at those landing gears. This is not going to end well...


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(520945)

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Re: Southwest Airlines

Posted by Terrapin Station on Sun Nov 8 18:56:47 2009, in response to Re: Southwest Airlines, posted by cortelyounext on Sun Nov 8 18:13:44 2009.

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lol

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(520952)

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Re: Southwest Airlines

Posted by Olog-hai on Sun Nov 8 19:01:10 2009, in response to Southwest Airlines, posted by Hoghead on Sat Nov 7 02:37:19 2009.

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SWA's the favorite airline of Amtrak-haters. That's what I remember about them . . .

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(521283)

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Re: Southwest Airlines

Posted by Dave on Mon Nov 9 05:41:39 2009, in response to Re: Southwest Airlines, posted by cortelyounext on Sun Nov 8 18:13:44 2009.

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That's a joke, right?

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(521300)

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Re: Southwest Airlines

Posted by Olog-hai on Mon Nov 9 07:08:33 2009, in response to Southwest Airlines, posted by Hoghead on Sat Nov 7 02:37:19 2009.

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I find it interesting that the airline also has the following web sites:
Southworst.com
Southworst.net
Southworst.biz
All three of the sites have the same message:
Southwest Airlines strives to maintain a high level of Customer Service and is proud of its corporate reputation and responsiveness to its Customers. As part of that effort, Southwest wants to control the release of inaccurate and irresponsible information about the Company via the Internet. If you would like more information on Southwest, please go to www.southwest.com.
Add southwestsucks.com to that list. (Here's a Google search for southworst to get away from SWA's internet-controlling noise.)

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(521302)

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Re: Southwest Airlines

Posted by Deaks on Mon Nov 9 07:15:25 2009, in response to Re: Southwest Airlines, posted by LuchAAA on Sun Nov 8 14:38:14 2009.

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As I said Luch: It's difficult not to be in a thread you've posted in. You're a real bad influence, as well as being absolutely dreadful at selective quoting. A three year old could have done it better than you did.

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