3 years ago I flew from BNA to SAN with the wife and 2 kids on those SW space A tickets. 88 bucks apiece round trip with the corporate travel surcharge. It was spring break week in Memphis, and I picked Wed to Wed to get the best chance of getting all of us on a flight. We drove over to BNA and we got the 4 last seats on the flight we wanted. We of course were scattered about the jet, but we got there. We had several days until our family reunion so it worked out.

Coming home we again managed to get all four of us on the same flight, at the last minute, and I even got to sit with one of the kids. All in all it was nerve racking though and not worth the savings. Since then we just buy tickets as far as advance as possible and rest comfortably knowing we at least have a seat.

This fall I bought tickets on NW from MEM to TPA for a 4 day golf trip with my brothers and Dad instead of jumpseating. I could check my golf clubs, figured I'd get upgraded to first class (because of all my deadhead FF miles) and the tickets were only about 210 bucks. Didn't even try to see if I could beat that with the space A tickets from corporate travel.

If I need to fly somewhere it is because I have a limited amount of time, so I'd rather buy the ticket and know I'll make whatever it is I am flying to.

FJ