Then why buy Amadeus and wait until mid
2014 to take over international ops?

Because the current system isn't capable of the many transactions required to sell international tickets. Things like currency conversion, passport and visa requirements and a myriad of other complexities have to be integrated in to a res system that can't be simply turned off.

It has been likened to changing the engine on a car - while travelling to the highway.

Assigning seats however, is not the issue.

OK, Chief. If you say so, but you're starting to sound like your crew we heard on the freq last week repeatedly asking ATC for "direct BEANO". The Controller patiently informed them that they didn't seem to have the equipment suffix for a flight through WATRS airspace. . . which didn't seem to sink in. "We got ETOPS!" They kept repeating. "We can take direct BEANO!". :rolleyes:

That's pretty funny...and scary.

The same myriad of complexities that takes most airlines 6-8 months to get figured out.

That's right.

And, just for the record, these changes aren't usually implemented into the existing "live" software, but are run on a parallel system, until the bugs are worked out. . . . More like having an engine built and run on a test stand, while the "real" car is being driven, if you want to continue to use the same poor analogy.

Most airlines have a system in place that already does most if not all of the things that a new system will replace. SWA does not. The current system which is being replaced does not have the ability to: assign seats, codeshare or facilitate dual class ticketing. Of course that makes some sense since up until recently SWA did not assign seats, codeshare or offer dual class ticketing.
Again, running a parallel system is only possible if you have one to run. The current system in use can't be run in parallel because it doesn't have the ability to do the things that the new system will do. You run one until you're ready to start up the other one, then sit back and watch the chaos. And rest assured there will most likely be some chaos when the old is shut down and the new is turned on.

I heard that SWA sent their check airman a letter saying that International Operations won't begin until Oct 2014. That's cutting it pretty close since the last AT B737 is supposed to transition to SWA in Sep 2014, and AT disappears NLT 1 Jan 2015. SWA wouldn't miss another deadline would they???

As of August 11th, we have been doing Class II navigation through WATRS airspace. Taken directly from the bulletin;

So yes, incorrect equipment suffix notwithstanding, the crew stating that they DID have the proper equipment because they were in an ETOPS aircraft is 100% correct. Your assumption that the crew didn't understand the distinction between WATRS and ETOPS certification is not.


Chief.

A current flight in WATRS airspace;

Southwest (WN) #1699 ? 24-Aug-2013 ? KBWI - TJSJ / SJU Flight Tracker ? FlightAware