Their new program has made them just another airline. Best thing they have going for them now is flying out of Hobby.
But what do I Know? Their stock is up around 8% today.
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I agree about flying out of Hobby being a plus. That’ll be their saving grace with me. Been a rough few years for them and I don’t see this helping.
I actually might be more likely to fly Southwest now. I don’t like checking a bag anyway, so if this brings their prices competitive with other discount airlines like Spirit and Frontier they’ll probably be my new preferred airline.
Yea other than Hobby being easier to fly out of. I think these moves make them less Southwest and more everyone else.
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Going to see if I can convince work to let me fly United as a result of these changes.
I know the policies at United will be stable. Can’t say the same for Southwest. Too many changes in such a short span of time.
And flight credits will now have expiration dates.
I typically have flown SW because it is generally cheaper, I have a ton of points, and I like knowing that regardless of when I book, my seat will mostly depend on when I check in. Besides, I’d rather choose where to sit when I get on the plane and can survey the landscape. 
If I want a different experience, I choose a different airline.
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I’m a loyal SW guy. I’m A-List Preferred. Like another poster said, the only redeeming feature is flying out of Hobby. I may switch to United. They will status match. I HATE flying in and out of IAH.
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Bob Crandall the old American Airline CEO once told Warren Buffet never to invest in airlines. "Great way to make a small fortune …out of a large one.
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A great way to become a millionaire is to be a billionaire who starts an airline.
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They only recently in the last few years got rid of the expiration dates, too.
Guess my carry on is going to be bursting at the seems.
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My favorite parking solution at both airports is “Fine Airport Parking”. Easy to make reservations, can usually find a good discount code and very good service. They do make flying out of IAH more bearable.
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No surprise, vultures/activist hedge funders rolled in and grabbed 12% stake 9 months ago.
Full disclosure: On some of these points, they’re not wrong. But if you were loyal to Southwest it’s probably a good time to reevaluate as they morph into something designed to primarily drive “shareholder value”
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Picked up my son from IAH last Saturday. They wouldn’t let people wait in cars outside of baggage claim at Terminal C. At first they did when I got there then all of a sudden gotta keep circling or find a cellphone lot.
Was after dark and rainy. What a pain in the arse.
That Cellphone lot at IAH that backs up to the wooded area is kind of sketchy at night.
- absolutely hate the carry on suitcase, hauling that dam thing thru an airport just aint worth the few minutes you save not waiting for it imo, even in hobby which was always one of the slowest to get luggage out
- but not suprised, everyione is all about squeezing the last dollar out, expect that to increase, always has, always will doesnt matter if it is 2025 or 1525*
For me, it’s not as much as the time being saved by not having to go to baggage claim. It’s knowing that my suitcase isn’t going to be lost. Typically, when I fly, I have to wear a suit or at least a sports coat the next day. I don’t want to have to be stuck wearing the same clothes I wore the day before on the plane to a meeting.
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