There's No Hiding Brian FT

[Garry Russell]

One for Fly Texas

N8301J Boeing 737-8H4 of Southwest made it's first flight on the 23 Feb

That a new variant for Southwest, their first 800...and to think I wouldn't notice

Out of interest, what's the reason for these, anything to do with Boeing 717 replacements or just general expansion??

[Chris Trott]

From what Gary Kelly's said, it's neither. It's a flexibility deal. The 737-800s they're getting are ETOPS certified which would allow them to fly California - Hawaii but that's not a firm commitment. The aircraft being delivered this year are replacing 737-300's, so they're not "growing" the fleet at all even though they're adding a bit to total seat capacity.

A couple of blogs / columns from Terry Maxon, who's a Dallas guy and pretty "in" with most of the airlines around here -

http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/arch ... nside.html

http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/arch ... thwes.html

[FlyTexas]

The new 800's won't be replacing the 717's. They will be used mainly on our long distance routes...hopefully some day to Hawaii. They will also be used in slot controlled stations in the northeast. Everyone at Southwest is very excited about the 800's. They'll have the new Sky Interior in them. Cool! They will also require a fourth FA due to the increased number of paxs over our 300's, 500's, and 700's. Now that all 4 FA jumpseats will be occupied on the 800's there won't be a jumpseat available for Southwest employees to ride on. We call it "flying fourth". I've never flown fourth because I hear that the 'C' FA will sometimes put you to work serving peanuts and pretzels to the paxs.

Here's the lovely lady.
http://www.airliners.net/photo/Southwes ... 2070120/L/

Brian

[Garry Russell]

Thanks Brian

I just wondered what was going on with such a step up during these times

Sky interior is becooming the thing now...matches the exterior too

Maybe some 900's one day....

[Paul K]

By the way Brian, when in the USA last September, I saw this and thought of you. Can't remember where it was though...Pittsburgh or Charlotte NC.

[FlyTexas]

The 737-800s they're getting are ETOPS certified which would allow them to fly California - Hawaii but that's not a firm commitment.

One of the most common remarks seen today on the Southwest Airlines employee website (regarding the first flight of this aircraft) was "Aloha N8301J." I'd say that Southwest employees are definitely excited about the prospect of flying nonrev to Hawaii.

Sky interior is becooming the thing now...matches the exterior too

I never thought of it that way but I guess it does match the exterior.

By the way Brian, when in the USA last September, I saw this and thought of you. Can't remember where it was though...Pittsburgh or Charlotte NC.

Great pic Paul! One of our lovely 700's. Things are definitely getting interesting at Southwest. With the AirTran acquisition we now deal with international flights. I'm now a charter member of a newly formed reservations systems group who works international flights. On Wednesday I worked my first international flight...from Punta Cana, Dominican Republic to Detroit, Michigan USA. Paxs flying with passports adds a whole new dimension to my work.

Brian

[Chris Trott]

Things are definitely getting interesting at Southwest. With the AirTran acquisition we now deal with international flights. I'm now a charter member of a newly formed reservations systems group who works international flights. On Wednesday I worked my first international flight...from Punta Cana, Dominican Republic to Detroit, Michigan USA. Paxs flying with passports adds a whole new dimension to my work.

Yes, but at least the CBP/DHS paperwork gets automatically generated through Panther or whatever you guys are using now. I had to try and do it through COBRA (which was just an Excel spreadsheet) and it got interesting at times, even though we were only handling 2 flight crew and maybe a mechanic or "courier".

[Chris Trott]

By the way Brian, when in the USA last September, I saw this and thought of you. Can't remember where it was though...Pittsburgh or Charlotte NC.

<Pretty Picture>

Hey Paul, that is Pittsburgh. Charlotte doesn't have any hills around it. Great pic of a Canyon Blue.

I still remember when so many people around here were acting like it was a major travesty for SWA to dare change the scheme. Now everyone loves it.

[Paul K]

Ah, thanks for that Chris. For the life of me, I couldn't remember where I was at the time.

[Chris Trott]

No problem Paul. I've been into PIT a couple of times as well, so it helps with the ID. Granted, the first time was in the dead of night.... Thankfully all my trips into CHS have been in daytime.