If Northwest Attendants Strike, It Could Be a Bumpy Ride

The fare hikes apply to travel booked in September, making them the first increases of the fall.

Most major airlines, including American, US Airways and Continental, matched the increases. But as of yesterday, fares were still fluctuating. That's because United backed away from the hikes in several cities where it competes with such low-cost carriers as JetBlue and AirTran that did not match the move.

Southwest Survey: Southwest Airlines last week e-mailed surveys to thousands of its frequent fliers seeking responses on its test program for assigned seating.

As part of an eight-week test, Southwest last month began assigning seats for flights in and out of San Diego.

The e-mail asked frequent fliers not only if they liked the idea of assigned seating but also whether they would actually fly the airline more or less frequently if the system became standard.

Southwest is the nation's only major carrier that does not issue assigned seats to its passengers. Instead, it has had an open-seating policy for the past 35 years. Many of its passengers have likened the boarding process to a cattle call.

Members of the airline's frequent-flier program who did not receive the e-mail can access the survey at http://www.southwest.com/rapid_rewards/rr_survey.html . Respondents have to enter their frequent-flier number to respond.

The airline said it wants to hear from all Southwest passengers -- not just frequent fliers -- but it has not set up an e-mail address for those respondents. Southwest spokeswoman Beth Harbin said passengers are welcome to write to: Southwest Airlines Customer Relations, P.O. Box 36611, Dallas TX 75235.