Southwest Airlines Consumer Reviews - Page 5

OMAHA, NEBRASKA -- My 15 year old son was flying alone for the first time. When we checked in I explained what we were told when we bought the ticket. We were told if he needed assistance he could ask for it. The employees responded with coldness and rudeness. Told me my son was on his own. They didn't care at all. Nothing reassuring was said at all to follow up on the conversation. Clearly neither one of these employees has children. Great job Southwest on hiring those cold souls.

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- Don't fly Southwest. It's not worth the cheaper fare. Fly a real airline with assigned seats. Unless you want stand around like idiot for an hour and get nowhere, fly United or real airline. Tried to save some money by takimg southworst. Don't do it. Not worth it.

I'm a business traveler whose flown Southwest Airlines 3 weeks in a row - in addition to many other times. I checked in 21 hours before my flight & position C45. I called customer service stating this to see if I can get into a better position. Zero help. Zero options besides paying for an upgrade. Delta you earn a higher status with every flight. This is not my 1st bad experience. Southwest has just lost my business!

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA -- I have read other negative reviews and am astonished to read their negative experiences. I have always flown Southwest when possible for over 20 years. Other than an occasional unfavorable flight attendant, I have always had a great flight.

They have NEVER charged me one single cent when making any change, EVER! Their phone personnel have always been cheeringly helpful. I think that this site only gets complainers and, from my perspective, they are, for the most part, highly embellished.

TEXAS -- Talked with Customer Relations about a minor ticketing problem. A bunch kids with six months experience — all SUPERVISORS. One spills the beans and tells me THEY HAVE MONITORS AND THEY WATCH CNN. BEWARE when you're on hold for an hour. When told how they stack up against their competition and the growing bad reviews an older-sounding lady barked at me about HARASSMENT.

FLORIDA -- Acabo de postear un review en ingles acerca de Southwest, pero creo q es bueno q los latinos y personas q no hablan ingles conozcan que esta es una de las mejores aerolineas que tiene estados unidos, yo vole a Cuba desde fort lauderdalle y fue increible, te dejan llevar dos maletas de 50 libras totalmente gratis, tanto para ir como para regresar fueron muy puntuales, el personal muy amistoso y agradable.entiendo que alguien pueda tener otra opinion, pero yo lo recomiendo a todos mis amigos.les doy 5 estrellas por su gran servicio

FLORIDA -- I don't have any complaint about this airline, for me is one of the best airlines. I was traveling to Cuba from Fort Lauderdale and was fantastic, the personnel are very friendly, and you feel that they are really taking care of you and very punctual. Always I share my experience with all my friends and recommend it at all times. I give it five stars for its awesome service.

Almost three weeks ago now, I flew Southwest Airlines via Midway (MDW) airport to Phoenix (PHX) Sky Harbor Int'l Airport. When I arrived at my destination, my Macbook, GPS & bag of jewelry were no longer in my checked luggage. I pulled directly off the belt. The Phoenix police looked at security tapes leaving only one location left, Chicago. The police in Chicago did nothing but mail me a letter confirming I called them about 7 days AFTER I returned home from vacation.

It could only have been either a Southwest employee after my dad and I dropped our bags off at the curbside check-in or a TSA employee scanning our bags, as my dad received a notification in his bag, but I did not (what thief would promote his job title?). Now to clearly think like a thief, the Southwest employee would have to rush to get our bags on the plane, because we were definitely running to catch the flight. They have no idea what is packed in the bag, and just turn it over to TSA before it enters the belt onto the plane.

The TSA agent, on the other hand, screened the bag, knowing fully well what was inside, with no need to ruffle the bottom portion of my luggage (which was left neatly packed exactly as I had left it and strapped in). So, there is a TSA thief still working at Midway Airport.

Almost three weeks later I finally was able to contact someone at Midway working in TSA who stated, "I received your complaint pertaining to your missing items from your checked luggage. While we have had numerous incidents here at Chicago Midway similar to yours, we have found that no TSA employee at Chicago Midway has been involved with any missing items from passengers luggage. However, we have no problem with investigating this issue for you. In order to do so, I am in need of some additional information." I sent this information all in already, but sure I can forward ANOTHER copy.

With all the talk of the drug rings, money hoards, and IPODS down pants, I assume fully well this guy is going to be no help, not look at the tapes and rather continue to support his lying, thieving employee. Communication with airlines and airline affiliated government programs, such as TSA, is horrible. After three weeks, do you really think you are going to recover my things?

Something should have been done immediately, not just paperwork, but actual physical search of the videos and employees the second that call was made for future customer satisfaction and future flying safety. If this guy is checking bags, what does that say about the safety of our country? Nothing. He's too preoccupied with his own money scheme. All Chicago, Midway fliers need to be aware that their bags are not safe.

NAPA, CALIFORNIA -- Let me start off by saying I generally have had positive experiences with Southwest in the past. That being said they have failed miserably on my most recent encounter with the airline. My wife and 10-week old son were set to return from a family trip to Iowa this week when my wife came down with the flu. When we tried to move her flight the first time I was charged an additional $142 and I was told it was due to changing the return city from SFO to Sacramento. I understood that and was told IF I needed to change my flight again due to her illness that as long as the itinerary stayed the same I would not encounter additional change fees.

Unfortunately my wife is still down with the flu and I had to extend the return flight this morning once again to give her time to rest. I was told to do so, even though I was using the same itinerary, that I would be charged an ADDITIONAL $150. My original cost was $210 for the return flight. My current cost to get my family home is now $502. All of this and the customer service agent tried to tell me SW does not have "change fees". That is blatant false advertising. They can say they do not have a change fee and claim that "her original fare was no longer available" but this is a change fee no matter how you slice it.

Again, I was fine with the $142 as I changed the itinerary but the last $150 this AM is utter extortion. I feel taken advantage of and I just hope that you don't get sick if you fly Southwest. The irony is my wife most likely got sick on their plane. Great little profit center they have created. Southwest - I am 31 and travel for business at miminum twice per month. You have lost my business along with the business of anyone I can convince not to fly with you and it's a shame because your flight attendants are some of the best in the business. It's too bad your customer service and business practices do not match their professionalism.

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- Flight 657 (New Orleans to Houston) was delayed; there was about 15-20 minutes between departing 657 and boarding flight 3506 (the connecting flight to Philadelphia). The arriving/departing gates were in closeness. I decided to use the bathroom and then, with my colleague, went to Buffalo Wild Wings for a beer, to go. The bar attendant put it into a clear plastic cup and we walked across to the boarding gate. I sat with my daughter and we both fiddled with our cell phones as they charged. I approached the counter to inquire if flight 3506 had been delayed and to verify that we were at the correct gate.

Many passengers' gates were changed (last minute), and the personnel looked frustrated in dealing with the overcrowding and standby situations. I struggled to limp to the counter because of leg pain. When I approached the counter, the Southwest Customer Service representative stated that our flight would be boarding in 10 minutes, however I would not be allowed to fly. I actually thought she was joking. She stated that I was drunk. I asked her if she was kidding. I offered to recite the Gettysburg address or to say the alphabet backwards.

She asked me if I was on any medication. I disclosed that the only medication I take was for ADHD. She remarked that that medication should not be mixed with alcohol... She handed me a piece of paper with writing on it and instructed that I take it to the Hilton and that they would give me a room. She also questioned if I wanted her to call the cops. I responded that was exactly what I wanted her to do. When the police arrived he spoke with me and informed me that the airline reserves that right to refuse passengers. He also told me that he knew I wasn't drunk but could not give me a breathalyzer, as they are only used in traffic situations.

I was advised by an observer that the situation was not fair and suggested that I go to the hospital for a toxicology report for proof of random mistreatment. The hospital personnel and hotel staff were equally in shock when learning of the situation. They were so embracing. They helped alleviate the distress of the situation.

** says that she called Southwest, but was again told that the airline reserves the right to refuse passengers for boarding. She also received an automated e-mail response from Southwest saying that they are looking into the incident. She says that she feels "so disempowered; as a patron, customer, and a citizen. I just couldn't believe this mistreatment could be legal." She says she will never fly Southwest again.