av8r4aa

Maybe its just me ......but I don't think so.
Seems like everywhere I go in the USA that SWA goes
there is gross preferential treatment toward Southwest.

Just the other day I was in Tampa. I had to wait until
4 SWA jets took off before I could go.
Mind you that I was at the end of runway long before them.
And I was ready to go.

I am getting very tired of SWA being my pushy neighbor.
Most all ATC people are "paid off" by SWA anyway.
That is NOT the way that the system was designed.

For those of you that don't know the facts, here they
are:
Every year SWA goes to each and every ATC facility
across the country. There is a lavish party thrown complete
with massive amounts af alcohol , free tickets, drawings for many
free items. Such as l very expensive gift certificates and flat screen
televisions, just to name a few.

Now I thought the entire USA airspace is first come first served?

I guess it is more like: The most free stuff given out is served first.

I try to do my part and taxi as slow as possible when SWA is behind me.
I suggest you do the same.

I did get a SWA to go around because I slowed way down early
and took my sweet a$$ time getting off the runway.

I bet those guys were ****ed! GOOD .

SWA your days are coming when the rest of the people
in the sky are fed up with your actions.

AUS_ATC

Av8r4aa,

I'm approaching my 19th year as an FAA Air Traffic Controller with the FAA. After having worked at five different FAA Facilities, I must say that SWA is THE BEST. There. I said it. Come get me. Flame away.

From a consumer standpoint AND from an Air Traffic Control standpoint, SWA is THE BEST.

The glory days of flying are over. Yea, sure... SWA operates a "cattle call" as some like to refer to their boarding process, but I have always arrived at my destination with cash in my pocket and ON TIME to boot. If you want to be treated like a King, when you are merely another CEO wannabe, then go pay for the $1,500 First Class Ticket to stroke your ego. As for me, I'll take a friendly flight crew, jovial cabin crew, and an on-time performance that ROCKS!

You wrote the following: Every year SWA goes to each and every ATC facility across the country. There is a lavish party thrown complete with massive amounts af alcohol , free tickets, drawings for many free items. Such as very expensive gift certificates and flat screen televisions, just to name a few.


Try as I might, I am unable to recall ever being invited to a SWA party. I've worked at three facilities where SWA operates, and I have NEVER seen a "lavish party" thrown by SWA in an effort to gain influence within the ATC system. Expensive gift certificates? Flat screen TV's? Give me a break! If you have evidence of this happening, then I challenge you to contact the FAA OIG and file your complaint.

You want to know why YOU sat on the taxiway and waited to depart? I'll tell you: SWA hustles. SWA is motivated. SWA will hit a gap when we need them to. SWA is ready when they round the corner. SWA never has to wait for numbers. SWA will fly slow on request. SWA will fly fast on request. SWA will change runways on request. SWA will call the traffic in sight and is willing to follow. SWA will make an s-turn without complaining. SWA says "nice job" and "thanks for your help". I could launch three SWA departures between YOUR two company arrivals because SWA ROCKS! SWA has never taken goverment bail-out money.

I know... here it comes... your gonna say that SWA is unsafe. I'm not a pilot, so I can't vouche for what goes on in the cockpit, but I can say that from a consumer and ATC standpoint... SWA ROCKS! I've never seen an unsafe act with SWA.

You sat on the taxiway because your attitude came through on the frequency. ATC knew that you would not hit the gap. ATC knew that you were not motivated. ATC knew that you would sit on the runway and possibly cause a go-around situation. ATC knew that you would climb out at some godawful rate that would slow down the entire departure push. ATC knew that you were a disgruntled employee who was unwilling or unable to perform because of your jealous attitude towards SWA.

AAL pilots call all the time to complain about SWA, but you know what? SWA wins the tie-breaker every time. It's a tie at the runway for departures? SWA goes first because there won't be a go-around. XXX and SWA on opposing downwinds? SWA will get a base turn first every time because they are MAKING MONEY and MOVING PEOPLE. XXX and SWA call for a clearance at the same time? SWA will get the clearance first, because I will not have to read the clearance three times to the flight attendent for future issuance to the Captain.

First come, first serve? You betcha. But you better be ready to go, and you better be ready to hustle.

MEM_ATC

av8r4aa

well folks,
there you have it.

In plain text and black and white.
Brought to you from your tax dollars at work.
(reference ATC)

SWA does get preferential treatment!
YOU SAID IT YOURSELF.

What a dumba$$.

You just validated what I said.

Hey thanks for the confession,
You don't mind me forwarding your post
on to the FAA do you?

AUS_ATC

Har! And how many tax payer dollars have been spent to bail your worthless airline out of bankruptcy? Or maybe you are still waiting for the call to the majors? Still flying checks and newspapers? Quit your *****ing and get off of my taxiway, SWA is behind you and they're ready to go!

Everyone has the opportunity to be number one and hit the gap, but when you leave the ramp at a snail's pace that causes 15 other aircraft to burn thousands of pounds of fuel waiting for your ****-poor attitude -- don't expect ATC to hold other aircraft for you.

If that's preferential treatment in YOUR eyes, then that is YOUR perception -- and only YOU can change YOUR perception of the world.

MEM_ATC

AVIVIII

Just a guess, but that itsn't the "attitude" that you were talking about is it?

Gunter

The only one word reply that fits this post...

JACKASS

bluebravo

I can see both sides of this...

Southwest has gotten a little out of hand, and are getting the "special treatment" that has been posted, and in theory it's wrong...

BUT

Southwest is ready to go, will sidestep, speed up, slow down, and will light up the taxi ways just for the get there/shut down. Why should ATC help someone out when SWA is giving 100% ALL THE TIME, when AAL is ready, there's 2 stacked in the curve burning Jet A. It's just a good point.

Now I will end by saying this, SWA is on top right now, but it will come to an end, I just hope someone else can pick up SWA's on time flights, nice crews, better prices, and clean aircraft. Otherwise SWA will be on top longer and longer, not saying thats a bad thing

fireman0174

I'm not or ever was a SWA pilot, but I could think of a lot more words more appropriate.

FlyerJosh

The truth is, yes- I've seen it too. But I also know that I worked for an airline that had a pretty decent reputation with ATC once we changed names. The airline had to work for it. We did the same thing - made most ATC requests, were positive and upbeat, didn't ***** over the frequency, and were ready to go when we got there.

There are airlines out there that have good reputations, and those that have bad ones. How many times have you been behind an American Airlines flight taxiing so slow that a senior citizen with a walker could probably beat them to the runway? That's just one example.

Maybe when you ditch you're **** poor attitude and learn to work with ATC and not against them, you'll find things going your way a bit more.

shackone

Hehehe!!

One of my funniest SWA stories was the day I was letting down into the old Austin airport. I was on an extended base, descending through around 4000 or so when ATC advised I was #2 behind a SWA aircraft on a long final.

I could see him in front and below us...and after watching him for a moment I was surprised at what seemed to be a pretty high ground speed.

So I asked approach what the ground speed was on that traffic. Without a moment's hesitation, he came back with "360 knots"!!

I wasn't surprised a bit that a SWA guy would be blowing around at that kind of speed...but I sure was surprised that ATC would put it on the tape!!