Southwest airlines only accepting reservations through January 9, 2009?

Question

Why on Southwest Airlines web sight they are only accepting reservations through January 2009?

Answer 1

"....On August 21, 2008, we plan to open the schedule for purchase through March 6, 2009. This date is subject to change.

On their vacations website http://www.southwestvacations.com/.  Create your vacation, it states the above.

Answer 2

I don't know the answer; however, note that on the 25th of this month, it will expand so you can book through March 2009.  

Answer 3

Southwest has always had a much shorter booking window that most mainline airlines.  This allows them to better control costs since they tend to have a better handle on what many of the variable costs will be closer to the date of travel.  This also allows them to minimize schedule disruptions.  If you booked at the maximum window (generally 330 days out) on a mainline airline you would likely see a schedule change at least once due to any number of factors.  This results in additional costs when passengers have to be rebooked.  The more they minimize this, the greater the cost savings.

Hope this helps!