I love Southwest!
 

Southwest Airlines never ceases to amaze me.

I fly pretty regularly on a variety of airlines (really, whichever one gives the best prices).

Southwest has great prices.
Their people are a lot of fun
You get to sit where you want
They have enough legroom and comfortable leather seats
They fly efficiently (all 737 fleet, using inexpensive airports, fuel efficient
planning, quick turnaround time, and full airplanes), helping
customers save money
They care for their employees because they want to (not because of
labor unions)

I know this is a site about complaints, but I think those who deserve a compliment ought to be recognized once in a while.

I agree with you. Southwest is a really good airlines. Good service. For example one time i was flying with my brother and my mother from MDW-SEA. Since passengers came early we left 20 minutes early from Chicago. And got at Seattle 20 minutes early. The flight attendants crack good jokes definitely on the last flight of the day.

if the really left 20 minutes early they voilated the law by leaving before their scheduled time. I have actually found the "joking" to unprofessional and hoping they can "joke" their way through and emergency.
never been impressed by the cattle call boarding.

There is no regulation that states a flight can not depart before its scheduled time.

No departures BEFORE gate check-in deadline?
 

Carriers tell passengers that they need to be at the gate by X minutes before scheduled departure. If the passenger is not there on time, the carrier will give those seats away and board the aircraft.

Once the flight is fully boarded, or there are no more people onthe standby lists, the carrier will push the plane away.

In addition
 

If every passenger on the manifest happens to show up on time, which is rare, then the flight may leave as early as possible.

Southwest rocks. No bag fees, no change fees, good fares, wish they'd come to Alaska. Alaska Airlines used to be great, but with no competition (Delta and NW are partners and don't compete in this market) they are punishing us up here. If Southwest came to Alaska there would be a mass exodus from Alaska Airlines. Seriously. ps - don't forget Fairbanks is the second largest city so link us with flights to and from Seattle!

Question and comment
 

Joy: I'm a bit concerned. In one of the negative points you cited about Alaska you wrote: "power trippers (because I can)." Do you have any examples? It's been a while since I've flown with Alaska. However I've been thinking about using them, on the return portion of a trip to the east coast.

As I've previously indicated Southwest and Alaska (as I last knew the latter) each seem to have good qualities making them worthy of my business. Southwest FAs and gate agents have the best attitudes and Southwest appears to have the best reliability--although the service to LaGuardia may diminish that reliability. I remember the same positive attitudes at Alaska with a major plus--first class comfort.

Gromit has fits when I equate Southwest with Alaska. God knows what Bob The Drunk thinks--as if anyone cares!!

butterfinger, I'm hoping you can clear this up for me. (and others who may be confused) I thought that when you filed a flight plan and stated your ETD, you could not leave more than 10 min before said time due to a federal reg that has to do with flight tracking/timing. If a flight can leave whenever it wants (providing everyone is onboard) what's the purpose of putting an ETD? Just curious, I want to make sure I understand this correctly. Are there different rules for civilian/commercial flight plans?

They didn't violate a law. They can leave before their schedules time if they get approval from ATC and dispatch. The airline I work for can leave up to 10 minutes early, if all passengers are there, but need permission from dispatch to leave any earlier than that. It usually takes nothing more than a quick phone call to get that approval, and off they go.