Soap Box Day Today

[frawin]

Bonnie, I agree, we always fly Southwest.  It goes to most places that we need to be.  The flights were packed this past weekend, but the crew is always friendly and accommodating.  My biggest complaint was the Kansas City Airport.  We had to fly from LAX to KCI and change planes to come on to Tulsa.  After deplaning at KCI, we wanted to get a bite to eat as our connecting flight was late (weather) and also we had to get to another gate.  So, had to go through security again to get to the area where the other flight would be arriving (still Southwest).  It isn't the fault of the airline--it is the way the airport is set up.  Because Frank has so much metal in his body (back and knee surgeries) and I have a pacemaker) we have to be "patted down" can't go through like most people do.  It gets to be difficult at times especially when there are a lot of people flying.

Myrna

[Bonnie M.]

I've had the same experience at the Kansas City airport.  I'm sure they have a reason for doing what they do, but it's not "user friendly!" 

Some of the Flight Attendants for Southwest are downright "clever!"  We've had some good laughs along with them, at their antics!

We were planning to drive back to Kansas for the Memorial Day/Week,  (almost two weeks, as it will turn out!) but after thinking about getting to use our "free" tickets, I think I'll try and get plane reservations, using those tickets.  It doesn't do any good to have something "for free," if you can't use it!  We have several times we're going to need to be going back this year, so we'll probably be driving back at least once!  $ $ $ $ !!!

[frawin]

Bonnie, I too, like the free tickets.  We put everything possible on our card and then just pay it off when the bill comes.  Saves writing so many checks, plus we get to keep the money a little longer.  The only thing with SW now is that they only have so many "free" seats on each flight.  You might want to get your reservations for Memorial Day is you are thinking about using them.  We could only get "free" seats one way this last trip.  Had to pay for the return "ouch" as we didn't plan far enough ahead.  I am going to Houston Friday to take care of my grandchildren while our son and daughter-in-law are gone and was able to get it ahead far enough that I have a "free" trip.  He qualified for the trip and the spouses get to go, so am glad to help out.  Certainly have plenty to get done here, but grandkids are so special and I haven't gotten to see them since early August of 2007.

Myrna

[Bonnie M.]

I've been in the process of getting our confirmed tickets.  Their "Rapid Reward" system is down (that's scary,) but the agent went ahead and gave me confirmation numbers, and I'm to call back each hour.  The tickets are supposed to be held until midnight tomorrow.  Nothing is easy. at least, hardly ever!  I had to change the day we're flying out, going one day earlier, in order to get the flight we wanted.  I don't want to land in Tulsa at 10:00 at night, then drive to Longton!  We like to stop for supper at the Copan Truck Stop, and I don't think it would be a good thing to stop there at midnight!

We do the same as you do with our Southwest Visa card.  We charge everything on our card that we can, then pay it the next day after we receive the statement.  It's surprising how often those "free" tickets come around.

I'll let you know when the tickets are actually purchased, and I've received my email confirmation. 

[Bonnie M.]

'Tis done!  The tickets are purchased, the e-mail confirmation has been received, looks like we're all set!  That's actually a relief!

[frawin]

Good, I'm glad you got them Bonnie.  You can always cancel if you need to.  I had to do that once, and they didn't charge me anything for cancellation.  I'm sure you won't want to cancel, but one never knows.  If you get to Bartlesville and can't make it on to Longton, give us a call--we have an extra bed!  We've never stopped at the Copan Truck stop yet, but hear they have very good catfish.  We are usually in a hurry to get to Owasso, get what we needed, and get back home.  But, some friends told us it is good, so we plan to try it some time!  Do you know people at Elk Falls?  I'll bet you do.  You know, they have a basket dinner at noon on the Sunday of Memorial Day.  We take Mother every year and enjoy seeing people that we wouldn't see otherwise.  The Morton family always come, some of the Osborns, Buchanna's, etc.  I know you will be at your alumni gathering on Saturday, as we will too.

Myrna 

[Bonnie M.]

Thanks for the kind offer of a bed to sleep in!  By the time we get to Bartlesville, we feel like we're "almost home!"  But, "one" never knows!

Yes, we know all of those people you mentioned, from Elk Falls.  We've been friends of the Mortons for years, also Osborns, etc.  I know that Joan and Loyd Baughman usually go to the dinner, and Rowland and Gladys Jones, etc., etc.  It would be fun to meet you. 

[Teresa]

Okay.. get this!!!!

I called last night because my vouchers are void after Friday.
What I dealt with was  the airline company's who said that what I found online wasn't the right pricing. ( Go figure and try talking to a Pakistan guy who was arguing with me.. and so I ask for someone else and got somebody from Chinese .)
God I was so pissed. I had the website ( THEIR website)  right in front of me as I was talking to them...

and get this...
I couldn't use my vouchers ( worth $200 each)  if I chose from the list and made up my own itinerary flights.
In other words.. a lot of the flights were already booked up and sold out. so I chose one from the departing.. and one from the arriving list.
It was $163 one way.. ( x2 =$326 each for rd trip)
I told them what I wanted.. they took all the information ..flight # layovers etc and matched it up on their end.. Then gave me this amount of $596.00 AFTER my vouchers..  Shocked
I said.. "No.. it should be $252.00 after my vouchers"
They said.. Oh no.. you can't use your vouchers on those flights!
(You can only imagine what my BP did  at that time)
Calmly and through gritted teeth I ask "Why"...?

They said because it was not considered a round trip pkg. . It was separate scheduling.

I said no it wasn't. It was a round trip I was going and coming back.
She said.. No.. it is not a round trip pkg that we have put together as a "full trip pkg".
I said" But most of the flights..even these... are sold out. "
She replied in her broken English " I'm sorry but I can't change the scheduling that you see.
I ask what she could get me in a round trip..

Now ..listen to this!~~~~~~~~~does it get any more corrupt than this???...................
She gave me the exact   ^&$#$@$^%damned $^%  itinerary that I gave to her. WITH the bigger price of course.
And the fact that she had only 5 seats left.

I told her AGAIN that was what I just had given her.. and I had in front of me  the lower prices.!!"
She said..
" What website are you using..? ((in that stupid condescending voice)

My god, I thought I was going to blow a gasket,.. but still I was scary calm but not nice voiced...
I said in a very slow and deliberate voice...... I'm using YOUR... MAIN... WEBSITE.  And I told her the address..
She said it wasn't coming up on her screen and that all she had was the other pricing.
Then.. "I'm sorry  for all your trouble.. do you want these reservations or do you not?!

Hell I had to have them ..as we have to be in Ky the day before NRA and that was obviously all that was left. out of Tulsa.
(Flying out of Wichita was $1,023 each)

So I said I'd take them..What should have been $252 total.. cost us $598.
So we ended up using our vouchers and when the smoke cleared had a savings of a whopping $34.

*end of the story** Blond loses.. airlines win.

I also ask if this conversation was recorded and she said it was.. and I gave them a piece of my mind.. ( for all the good it will do)

[Bonnie M.]

You always wish there was "someone at the top" to talk to, but there never seems to be!  It really doesn't make you want to accomodate them again, by taking their "vouchers" and giving up your seats on an overbooked flight, does it?  Oh, well!

[Diane Amberg]

On a different topic, since today is Friday... Why does Ta Ta get to have her own car company? Can I have one too? And when does she have time to sneak off to India anyway?