Favorite Airlines

[southsider2k5]

As a person who is chronically late, this is why I don't like the free for all, lol

 

And I am obsessively early to everything.

[IlliniKrush]

After riding public transit for the better parts of 15 years, SWA just reminded me of boarding a train. The people who get there early, get the best seats. People who board later miss out.

Planes that have assigned seating should board back to front. At least in the normal cabin. Takes so long to board the plane because the family in row 15 has to unload all their crap up top, into the seats, then finally get in, while everyone else behind them waits. Repeat over and over and over. It's the most inefficient process.

 

All for 5-10 minutes of boarding earlier? What's the rush? You know you have a seat, and rarely, if ever, have I seen them not be able to take everyone's carry on in the bins or in the closet. Are you guys really seeing that happen a lot?

 

It's the funniest damn thing, every time. People rush to line up way ahead of their group being called, then bull rush to get in...all to sit there and wait some more. Things would be so much more efficient if they just boarded a few rows at a time, back to front.

 

I've never given a s*** if I'm in group A, B, C, D, whatever...we're all going to the same place, I have to wait on the plane a shorter amount of time, and I have a seat waiting for me.

[StrangeSox]

After riding public transit for the better parts of 15 years, SWA just reminded me of boarding a train. The people who get there early, get the best seats. People who board later miss out.

This hasn't really been true for southwest in a decade. They used to hand out boarding cards at the gate, but now you get your boarding position when you check in.

[Chisoxfn]

Planes that have assigned seating should board back to front. At least in the normal cabin. Takes so long to board the plane because the family in row 15 has to unload all their crap up top, into the seats, then finally get in, while everyone else behind them waits. Repeat over and over and over. It's the most inefficient process.

 

All for 5-10 minutes of boarding earlier? What's the rush? You know you have a seat, and rarely, if ever, have I seen them not be able to take everyone's carry on in the bins or in the closet. Are you guys really seeing that happen a lot?

 

It's the funniest damn thing, every time. People rush to line up way ahead of their group being called, then bull rush to get in...all to sit there and wait some more. Things would be so much more efficient if they just boarded a few rows at a time, back to front.

 

I've never given a s*** if I'm in group A, B, C, D, whatever...we're all going to the same place, I have to wait on the plane a shorter amount of time, and I have a seat waiting for me.

Now a days, it is crucial to get your carry ons on (more often then not the compartments get full so you really do need to get on board that plane early). The airline will let you check for free but since I'm traveling for business, the last thing I want to do is chance my luggage getting lost and/or spend anymore time at the airport waiting then I need to.

[StrangeSox]

Having to gate check your bag is the worst.

[LittleHurt05]

Having to gate check your bag is the worst.

 

On the small puddle jumpers, everyone has to gate check their roller bag because the overhead bins are too small. Then after your flight as you wait patiently in line on the jet bridge for your bag, some asshole cuts to the front of the line just because he thinks he is important or something. THE WORST!

[IlliniKrush]

Now a days, it is crucial to get your carry ons on (more often then not the compartments get full so you really do need to get on board that plane early). The airline will let you check for free but since I'm traveling for business, the last thing I want to do is chance my luggage getting lost and/or spend anymore time at the airport waiting then I need to.

I guess I just haven't been on enough flights where that happens. Most times I see the plane full and then they have to go close the open doors of the spots that had room in them.

[greg775]

On the small puddle jumpers, everyone has to gate check their roller bag because the overhead bins are too small. Then after your flight as you wait patiently in line on the jet bridge for your bag, some asshole cuts to the front of the line just because he thinks he is important or something. THE WORST!

 

It's pretty interesting. I have this pseudo duffel bag that is quite sturdy (it's not a gym bag per se but definitely not luggage) and has lasted a helluva long time and is still going strong as we speak. I don't even have to gate check it on puddle jumpers because it actually fits up top. I've even packed enough clothes in there for up to six day trips. I don't trust the airlines to get my luggage to me on tight connecting flights although SW seems to come through all the time for my travel companions.

 

I thought it was interesting that American Airlines (I think Delta does it too) lets you board early (before your zone is called) if you have no carry ons that go in the overhead. That's a good idea as long as people don't change their minds and steal the overhead space.

[greg775]

I only fly once every few years so my favorite airline would have to be whichever one I can get the cheapest ticket for at that particular time.

Flying is an interesting topic to me. I was thinking the other day that my sister and one of my brothers never fly anywhere. They pretty much stay in Chicagoland year round. Travel is a big time headache, a big time hassle but I can't imagine staying in my home base city a full year without going anywhere. I'm not judging them or anybody. I just think of all the places I've been on work's dime. I despise travel UNTIL i get checked into the hotel and then enjoy travel until it's time to go back to the airport.

My fave destinations: New Orleans, New York, Hawaii, Boulder, Colo., Vegas.

 

Having a favorite airline is like having a favorite dentist.

 

They're necessary, and some are less painful than others...but they all suck.

 

I would have to agree, although I currently believe SW is a little better than suck. If you pay the extra 12.50 per flight you are pretty much assured a spot in the top 30-40 of group A, which pretty much guarantees you stress free flight knowing you'll get an aisle seat and knowing you'll have room for your carry on up top.

[Reddy]

See, this is why I don't like Southwest. I want to know where I'm sitting before I buy the ticket rather than leaving it to chance.

 

I've had the best experiences with United, including a last-minute change of reservations due to delay, but I don't fly much.

agree 100% on all of the above

[cabiness42]

Planes that have assigned seating should board back to front. At least in the normal cabin. Takes so long to board the plane because the family in row 15 has to unload all their crap up top, into the seats, then finally get in, while everyone else behind them waits. Repeat over and over and over. It's the most inefficient process.

 

All for 5-10 minutes of boarding earlier? What's the rush? You know you have a seat, and rarely, if ever, have I seen them not be able to take everyone's carry on in the bins or in the closet. Are you guys really seeing that happen a lot?

 

It's the funniest damn thing, every time. People rush to line up way ahead of their group being called, then bull rush to get in...all to sit there and wait some more. Things would be so much more efficient if they just boarded a few rows at a time, back to front.

 

I've never given a s*** if I'm in group A, B, C, D, whatever...we're all going to the same place, I have to wait on the plane a shorter amount of time, and I have a seat waiting for me.

 

If I am flying an airline where I have an assigned seat, I always wait until the last group to board, regardless of which group I'm actually in. Way more comfortable to sit in the terminal for 15 minutes than on the plane. I usually don't carry on anything more than one small bag I can put under my seat, so I'm not worried about the bins being full.

[NorthSideSox72]

Anyone have any opinions on AirTran? Flying out to the Dominican Republic in a couple weeks with them. I know they're owned by SWA but wasn't sure if they deliver a similar experience.

I flew them a number of times when I was living in Memphis, though that was like a decade ago now. I liked them. Planes were all new and comfortable - and quiet (in terms of engine noise). Airfares were cheap. Only downside is they fly almost exclusively in/out of Atlanta, so their routes only make sense for some destinations, and you generally need to make a connection (unless you are going to or from Atlanta).

 

Of course, going to the DR, you'd likely have to make a connection somewhere anyway.

 

[StrangeSox]

We flew Airtran to Puerto Rico three years ago, and it wasn't bad. Haven't really flown them since they've been merged with SWA, though.

[Jenksismyhero]

agree 100% on all of the above

 

I don't get the issue with SW boarding. It takes approx 15 seconds to check-in 24 hours before your flight. And you're guaranteed, at worst, a B group boarding pass which means you'll have half the plane to choose from.

[StrangeSox]

I didn't travel much last year and lost my a-list preferred status, but for a while there I was getting A16 (the highest you can get without paying for business select) pretty consistently.

 

OTOH, lots of people pay the extra $12 or whatever it is for the early check-in now, so even if you're refreshing every second when you get to the 24 hour window, you'll end up in the B's no matter what. Still beats their old system of having to arrive at the gate hours ahead of time to stand in line to get your boarding card, though.

 

I'm not sure exactly what it'll impact, but SWA is upgrading their ticketing/reservation system in the near future. Their current one is really, really dated.

[RockRaines]

If I am flying an airline where I have an assigned seat, I always wait until the last group to board, regardless of which group I'm actually in. Way more comfortable to sit in the terminal for 15 minutes than on the plane. I usually don't carry on anything more than one small bag I can put under my seat, so I'm not worried about the bins being full.

Thats literally the only condition where SWA is not ideal. You will have to "check in" early and get on the plane early. I get checked in automatically and are always A no matter what so I know I will have a good seat and overhead bin space, however I do have to make sure I am in the gate when boarding starts. If I am flying United I am usually the last person on the plane right before they shut the doors.

[SnB]

Planes that have assigned seating should board back to front. At least in the normal cabin. Takes so long to board the plane because the family in row 15 has to unload all their crap up top, into the seats, then finally get in, while everyone else behind them waits. Repeat over and over and over. It's the most inefficient process.

 

All for 5-10 minutes of boarding earlier? What's the rush? You know you have a seat, and rarely, if ever, have I seen them not be able to take everyone's carry on in the bins or in the closet. Are you guys really seeing that happen a lot?

 

It's the funniest damn thing, every time. People rush to line up way ahead of their group being called, then bull rush to get in...all to sit there and wait some more. Things would be so much more efficient if they just boarded a few rows at a time, back to front.

 

I've never given a s*** if I'm in group A, B, C, D, whatever...we're all going to the same place, I have to wait on the plane a shorter amount of time, and I have a seat waiting for me.

All about the carry ons. I rarely check a bag and have been on countless flights where they run out of carry-on space if you're the last group to board.

[RockRaines]

Planes that have assigned seating should board back to front. At least in the normal cabin. Takes so long to board the plane because the family in row 15 has to unload all their crap up top, into the seats, then finally get in, while everyone else behind them waits. Repeat over and over and over. It's the most inefficient process.

 

All for 5-10 minutes of boarding earlier? What's the rush? You know you have a seat, and rarely, if ever, have I seen them not be able to take everyone's carry on in the bins or in the closet. Are you guys really seeing that happen a lot?

 

It's the funniest damn thing, every time. People rush to line up way ahead of their group being called, then bull rush to get in...all to sit there and wait some more. Things would be so much more efficient if they just boarded a few rows at a time, back to front.

 

I've never given a s*** if I'm in group A, B, C, D, whatever...we're all going to the same place, I have to wait on the plane a shorter amount of time, and I have a seat waiting for me.

Sometimes they have that, sometimes they dont.

 

If getting on and off a plane is a top priority of anyone do not fly frontier in and out of Denver. They actually have longer boarding times because it takes people a really long time to get on and off. I am sure its because of tourism and all the gear but also it seems like I sit next to a first time flyer almost every time back from there.

 

of course they have Directv (like SWA does now BTW) and you can watch things like Blackhawks games in the air.

[RockRaines]

I don't get the issue with SW boarding. It takes approx 15 seconds to check-in 24 hours before your flight. And you're guaranteed, at worst, a B group boarding pass which means you'll have half the plane to choose from.

Not everyone wants to board quickly, and I get that. However I like choosing my own seats as much as possible especially since you can choose to sit by certain people. Its a good way to ensure a 2 hour conversation with a cute girl on a flight.

[southsider2k5]

Planes that have assigned seating should board back to front. At least in the normal cabin. Takes so long to board the plane because the family in row 15 has to unload all their crap up top, into the seats, then finally get in, while everyone else behind them waits. Repeat over and over and over. It's the most inefficient process.

 

All for 5-10 minutes of boarding earlier? What's the rush? You know you have a seat, and rarely, if ever, have I seen them not be able to take everyone's carry on in the bins or in the closet. Are you guys really seeing that happen a lot?

 

It's the funniest damn thing, every time. People rush to line up way ahead of their group being called, then bull rush to get in...all to sit there and wait some more. Things would be so much more efficient if they just boarded a few rows at a time, back to front.

 

I've never given a s*** if I'm in group A, B, C, D, whatever...we're all going to the same place, I have to wait on the plane a shorter amount of time, and I have a seat waiting for me.

 

Except then the peons take all of the overhead space, and the first/business class people paying top dollar for tickets won't have that.

[dasox24]

Not everyone wants to board quickly, and I get that. However I like choosing my own seats as much as possible especially since you can choose to sit by certain people. Its a good way to ensure a 2 hour conversation with a cute girl on a flight.

This is exactly what happened on my Southwest flight to Houston over Christmas. I was already seated and just gave this very cute girl a bit of a smile as she was waiting in the aisle to choose a seat. She promptly sat in the seat next to me (a middle seat, nonetheless) and made for some nice conversation for 2 hours.

 

I used to dislike the "choose your own seat" aspect of Southwest... until that flight.

[NorthSideSox72]

Regardless of airline, it is amazing the difference between various flights within each airline and boarding routine. For a while I was on the same 6:15am flight on Monday morning from O'Hare to LaGuardia on AA every week. On that flight, by the time they finished calling the high-status groups, the plane was 90% full. And everyone was in the seats quick, it was like a complex dance.

 

On the other hand, I remember around that same time on the same airline (AA), flying on a Saturday from O'Hare to Albuquerque, and it was me and one other dude in the high-status group to board.

 

 

Sometimes they have that, sometimes they dont.

 

If getting on and off a plane is a top priority of anyone do not fly frontier in and out of Denver. They actually have longer boarding times because it takes people a really long time to get on and off. I am sure its because of tourism and all the gear but also it seems like I sit next to a first time flyer almost every time back from there.

 

of course they have Directv (like SWA does now BTW) and you can watch things like Blackhawks games in the air.

 

Do you know the A-terminal trick at DIA? You can avoid the security and tram bottleneck if you have a gate in the first terminal if you just take that skywalk across. The security lines are usually a ghost town over there.

 

[Chisoxfn]

Except then the peons take all of the overhead space, and the first/business class people paying top dollar for tickets won't have that.

My favorite and only enjoyable part of business travel is when I've flown first / business (which is rare and our companies policy is only for flights over like 5 hours, which will happen on ocassions from the west to east coast). I really don't understand how an individual could pay a full first / business fare though (or logically justify the cost). Only way I'm ever doing it on my own dime is with my points. And that doesn't mean I enjoy flying, its just a lot less tiresome of an experience because you have space and service and somewhat edible food.

[Sonik22]

I flew them a number of times when I was living in Memphis, though that was like a decade ago now. I liked them. Planes were all new and comfortable - and quiet (in terms of engine noise). Airfares were cheap. Only downside is they fly almost exclusively in/out of Atlanta, so their routes only make sense for some destinations, and you generally need to make a connection (unless you are going to or from Atlanta).

 

Of course, going to the DR, you'd likely have to make a connection somewhere anyway.

 

Its actually a non-stop flight out of Midway to Punta Cana. I wasn't sure if they followed to first come first serve seating process like SWA now.

[Jenksismyhero]

My favorite and only enjoyable part of business travel is when I've flown first / business (which is rare and our companies policy is only for flights over like 5 hours, which will happen on ocassions from the west to east coast). I really don't understand how an individual could pay a full first / business fare though (or logically justify the cost). Only way I'm ever doing it on my own dime is with my points. And that doesn't mean I enjoy flying, its just a lot less tiresome of an experience because you have space and service and somewhat edible food.

 

 

I got upgraded to first class once on a flight back from Atlanta. It was amazing. Sucked it only lasted like 2 hours.