For a while it seemed that United was boarding planes from the front to the back. The alleged explanation was that, this way there was some overhead space left for the forward-sitting passengers. What this actually accomplished was to make boarding totally chaotic and miserable.

And the “24-hours-to-the-dot” ahead limit on printing out boarding passes. Why?
And, it’s 2009 and their crappy software can still double books seats.
And they will happily move you from a delayed flight to a canceled flight.
And now they charge for luggage, curbside check-in, snacks, meals, headphones, blankets, pillows, and for all I know, air (which isn’t outside-circulated as much and thus there’s way more chance of infection).
And they pull back from a gate with a known broken plane and count it as “on time departure.”
And their frequent flyer programs are more deceiving and “full of small print/exception lies” than even Congress.
And the “entertainment systems” are usually partially or completely broken and in any event have more commercials than content.
And if you dare to complain, they throw you off and claim you’re a terrorist.
And the employees are even more miserable than the passengers if that’s possible. The pilots are so pissed off they fly right past the damn airport.
And First Class is now worse than “cattle” in the Airplane movies.
And ticket pricing and restrictions rival the best torture of the Inquisition.

And that’s all on a good day.

To misquote Harry Chapin, “it’s got to be the getting there not the going that’s good.”

I’m not going to do the math, but I suspect 85% of the US population (excl. AK/HI) live within 50 miles of an airport serviced by SWA. That you don’t is irrelevant.

Because most people aren’t that lucky. I have never lived in a city that Southwest served within 50 miles of my home.

Generally I prefer Continental. If you fly enough to get elite status, they are one of the smoothest operations around. Virgin America is nice and has some great routes from SFO, although you’re right about those entertainment systems crashing. I never fly USAir or American, and United is just annoying with the surcharges for everything.

#1 Amex Black Card, yes annual $400 fee is super steep but it gets you into airport lounges for American/Continental/Delta which, IMO, can earn you back the fee in a few visits, especially when the lounge has a shower.

#2 I once utilized an airport concierge for my wife and two kids when they were visiting nyc. The cost as I recall was only ~$100 and the service consisted of a polite, be-suited assistant who helped my wife with the kids/luggage, whisked them past security and into the airlines 1st class lounge (she held neither 1st class ticket or amex platinum). Probably saved her at least 3o minutes plus significant stress. If you want the name of this firm just shoot me a line.

Love the blog.

-D

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