Southwest will start service to Denver next year. Huzzah!
Southwest will enter a market that is already super-competitive: Denver-based low-cost carrier Frontier Airlines and United Airlines both have major operations here. It’s arrival likely will lower fares on some routes as other carrier match its prices.
The airline has shied away from Denver International Airport because of its high costs. But Southwest said DIA has improved its cost structure enough so that it now makes sense for the airline to come here. Also working in DIA’s favor: the airport ranked No. 1 in the nation in on-time performance last year ? an important factor for the nation’s No. 1 on-time airline.
I used to fly SW pretty regularly when I was in Southern California. Definitely no-frills, but efficient and effective at it. Glad to hear they’re coming to Denver at long, long last.
Cool….can’t wait for DH,IMoM to show up on Airline…*Evil Grin*
I promise not to be the Drunk Guy, the Belligerent Guy, the Guy Who Showed Up At Take-Off Time And Is Mortally Offended They Had Already Pushed Back, or the Guy Who Is All Of The Above.
Ok… 🙂
But can you be disgruntled confused guy at the counter that gets a little extra attention…how then bitches a little to get free stuff?
Beats being the Human Interest Story.
Okay, should I understand any of this? Is it a TV show, or something?
Airline is a syndicated “reality” TV show about (for the most part) life for folks who work the ticket and gate counters for a major airline (Southwest, in particular). The tales are familiar to anyone who does any sort of customer service, but the half hour usually consists of:
A. Person X is intoxicated, and can’t be allowed to board. Bewilderment and/or belligerency ensues.
B. Person Y has missed their flight (or isn’t allowed to bring something on board, or is part of a group that missed their flight). Two variations:
B1. Y wants Something Done About It Right Now, Dammit. Belligerency ensues.
B2. Y is in tears and it’s a heartrending tale that gets the gate clerks scrambling to figure out what to do. Supportive, sympathetic pseudo-drama ensues.
C. Person Z is a human interest story — an athlete travelling to a competition, for example, or a performer who does tricks in the concourse, or a Real Character of some sort. Often this tale is followed up beyond the airport.
The “message” of the show is:
1. Don’t drink too much at the airport. Or on the plane. Or before you arrive.
2. Be courteous and polite. Discourtesy and impoliteness only make you look like an ass and discourage the folks that can help you from doing so.
3. Those posted times when the flights are going to leave? They really do leave. The warnings that you need to be at the gate 20 minutes before the flight or else your seat may be given away? It really will be.
4. Don’t expect exceptions to the rules unless you really push #2.
5. Customer service is a lot harder than it looks because customer frequently suck (see #1-4).