For whatever reason, this posting didn't distribute last weekend. I Googled the question of WN's foray into B727 service and came back with this http://airtransportbiz.free.fr/Fleets/SWA727.html If you don't follow the link, WN wanted to test the B727 on some of their new (and longer) routes. While Howard Putnam was Prez of SW, he leased a BN 727. (Putnam later became CEO of Braniff) Long story short, it was the wrong type of aircraft and the bird was returned early to BN. However Southwest needed additional aircraft prior to their 737-300s being delivered and they least a bunch of 727s in 1983 and 84. Ironically they were all former BN models. RT Simpson Phoenix