March 17--It was 1985. Reagan was president, a new house cost $90,000, Bruce and Madonna were on the radio and seeing "The Color Purple" or "Back to the Future" in theaters cost $2.75.
And Southwest Airlines entered Midway airport on St. Patrick's Day 1985.
Southwest began serving Chicago with 40 employees and seven daily flights to St. Louis. Today, Midway is the carrier's largest operation, with more than 4,200 local employees and an average of 250 daily nonstop departures to nearly 70 destinations.
Southwest said Tuesday its employees in Chicago would celebrate the 30th anniversary with a traditional St. Patrick's Day meal of corned beef and cabbage.
In terms of passengers boarded, Southwest Airlines is the largest carrier in the U.S. and in Chicago, although it's smaller than the major network airlines when also considering the number of miles flown, a more common measure. It completed its merger with AirTran in December.
The airline has been known through the years for relatively low fares -- although that's not always the case anymore -- and superior customer service. Even today, it's the only major airline that doesn't charge for a checked bag, often $25 at other carriers, or to change a flight, sometimes $200 at other airlines.
Its on-time rates faltered in 2013 and 2014, but Southwest seems back on track, ranking in the top half of airlines for being on time during recent months.
Southwest says it operates the largest fleet of aircraft in the world made by Chicago-based Boeing.
gkarp@tribpub.com
