Jun 26 2006
A Pass Service Closed DownSeveral months ago, we highlighted a service which, for a small fee, would get you a Southwest Airlines "A Pass." I questioned the founder of the service and was told that business people and those who couldn't get to the computer to log on within the 24 hour limit were stepping up to fork over $5.00 for the promise of being within the first group to board their Southwest Airlines flight.
I was surprised to receive an e-mail from a reader alerting me that the website, Get an A Pass, had ceased business. But, why?
I just flat out asked the owner, Anthony Kirlew, and found out more. Here are his comments:
Liz: A reader contacted me after finding that your service was no longer offered. He was disappointed. Why did you discontinue the “Get an A Pass” service?
Anthony: We were contacted by Southwest Airlines and asked to cease operations. We had to make a business decision and determine whether or not it made sense for us to invest the time and money resources to keep the site going, given the income limitations of a $5 service that is performed for which we have to pay people. Contrary to some speculations, our services were provided by US based individuals and not outsourced to overseas firms or performed by computers.
Liz: How many users do you estimate will be similarly disappointed?
Anthony I have quotes from customers that were upset to see us go away, and from those that loved what we did. I feel that it will have a detrimental effect on Southwest Airlines, and I hope they see this as they continue on their mission to shut down the companies that are sending them business (do the stock holders other than myself realize what they are doing?). I was once quoted saying “Southwest asking us to stop doing business is like asking a personal trainer to stop getting people to come into their gym”. I personally was not a fan of Southwest and chose to fly America West (now US Airways) for markets that they both serve, such as BWI – PHX, a very popular route, which I take very frequently. I know that many others have voiced a similar sentiment, but for now BoardFirst will serve the need.
Anthony: We are conducting a survey on our website to see what Southwest’s Customers Have to say. It can be accessed here on our web site: www.getanapass.com.
Liz: Do you anticipate providing a similar service in the future?
Anthony: We started the business to turn a profit and if we determine that we can make that happen in light of the potential legal challenges in this niche industry, we will definitely resume service and return to serving our very satisfied customers.
We are also in discussions with a travel firm that regarding the sale of our site, so the legacy may be carried on by another entity.
Liz: Why, in your opinion, is www.boardfirst.com continuing to offer the service?
Anthony: They believe that they are providing a quality service in an underserved market and they are willing to invest the time, money, and legal resources to fight Southwest Airlines and stay in business.
Wall Street Journal Summarizes Southwest Airlines Concerns
A recent Wall Street Journal article titled, "Southwest Makes It Harder to Jump the Line," explains why Southwest Airlines may have requested the A Line services to shut down. Apparently, Southwest Airlines had been receiving complaints from customers that it was getting harder and harder to get the coveted A Pass. They listened and responded. Are they being short-sighted?
Directly from Southwest
Southwest Airlines' own blog summarizes Southwest Airlines' position on the subject. "We don’t want our Customers to mistake the services as one supported by Southwest and to transact with companies that may not provide the level of Customer Service we hope to provide - thus potentially putting their personal information in the wrong hands." Interstingly, they are now going to test elimination of the three lines and check out how assigned seating works. Watch for more on this.
