Anyone not been able to sit next to their kids on Southwest?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are a family of 4 and all had to sit separately. (kids were 8 and 10) The flight attendant tried desperately to get someone to move so my 8 yr old who was freaking out about sitting alone would be able to sit next to one of us, but no one budged!!

After the 4th announcement by the flight attendant a man moved to another seat and asked the man next to him, whom he didn't know, to move too in a kind of "come on man, let's do this" kind of way. I'm so thankful for him.

I'll always look for other airlines before I look for Southwest again. It's not the service, the flight attendant was so nice and really tried, but I will always opt for any airline with assigned seats from now on.

I posted this on a different thread about SW and got dogged out because of it. I was told my child is old enough to get over it, that I was acting entitled, why should they give up their seat, etc. Typical DCUM nastiness, but I never thought that people were as nasty as they sometimes act on here in real life. I was dead wrong because that must have been some of the thoughts of the people on the plane since they wouldn't move.

It is astounding to me that we as a society in a first world country where we pride ourselves on our civilized lifestyle and high education that we have become so selfish and arrogant that it is too inconvenient to switch seats so a crying child could sit next to their parent on a cross country 6 hour plane trip.

I totally agree. I can't believe that this country is so anti-kid that grown men and women would not move for a child younger than nine. It's crazy. I can't even imagine this ever happening in a country like Italy or Spain. They would publicly shame any adult who wouldn't move.

Agreed. I refused to move for two adults once, but I would never do that for a little kid.

Kind of reminds me of my metro commute. When the train is busy, which is most times going and coming from work, I pretty much always stand, considering it good exercise. Sometimes I feel like sitting, and then I think that an older, heavier, or disabled person might come in and I wouldnt want to take a seat from them.

But I see so many able bodied young men just plopped in their seats, staying stubbornly in their seats even when a pregnant woman is looking for a place to sit.

It's gross and disgusting.

They would definitely be SHAMED in Europe. Made fun of and laughed at. And thats how it should be, IMO. Because it really is pathetic.

Totally agree with both of you! I've moved for families, and now I have a family. Children need to sit with their parents. Period. What if there is an emergency landing? What if oxygen masks are deployed? (It happens). Do you really want your kids at the mercy of strangers at best, or abandoned at worst in such a situation?

When I was little we travelled a lot. Once the flight attendants wanted to seat me several rows away from my mom... I was terrified. They insisted again and again that the plane was full. My mom sat down with me between sections of the plane where the flight attendants buckle in, and told them we would buckle in there, unless they found us seats together. My mom would not budge to their pleas, and miraculously they found seats. This was not an American airline, and we were flying somewhere over Asia and Europe. The flight ended up very turbulent - stuff flying through the cabin... I never forgot that my mom fought that we could sit together. I realize that nowadays such a "sit in" may result in removal from the plane... But I will find a way to sit with my kids, if I'm ever in such a situation.

[Anonymous]

I'd never move for anyone!

Your lack of planning does not constitute a crisis for me!

Travellling is a terrible experience at best. We practically receive a cavity search before we even get to the gates and then you want me to move my seat to compensate for your unwillingness to pay the cost of assigned seating?

Come on ... get real! You have a thousand travel options that don't include inconviencing me. You can drive, walk, take of bus or a train. Or here's a news flash for you - you can fly an airline that has assigned seating.

People who feel entitled to special privileges because they have kids can kiss my ass ... because I'm not moving!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are a family of 4 and all had to sit separately. (kids were 8 and 10) The flight attendant tried desperately to get someone to move so my 8 yr old who was freaking out about sitting alone would be able to sit next to one of us, but no one budged!!

After the 4th announcement by the flight attendant a man moved to another seat and asked the man next to him, whom he didn't know, to move too in a kind of "come on man, let's do this" kind of way. I'm so thankful for him.

I'll always look for other airlines before I look for Southwest again. It's not the service, the flight attendant was so nice and really tried, but I will always opt for any airline with assigned seats from now on.

I posted this on a different thread about SW and got dogged out because of it. I was told my child is old enough to get over it, that I was acting entitled, why should they give up their seat, etc. Typical DCUM nastiness, but I never thought that people were as nasty as they sometimes act on here in real life. I was dead wrong because that must have been some of the thoughts of the people on the plane since they wouldn't move.

It is astounding to me that we as a society in a first world country where we pride ourselves on our civilized lifestyle and high education that we have become so selfish and arrogant that it is too inconvenient to switch seats so a crying child could sit next to their parent on a cross country 6 hour plane trip.

I totally agree. I can't believe that this country is so anti-kid that grown men and women would not move for a child younger than nine. It's crazy. I can't even imagine this ever happening in a country like Italy or Spain. They would publicly shame any adult who wouldn't move.

Agreed. I refused to move for two adults once, but I would never do that for a little kid.

Kind of reminds me of my metro commute. When the train is busy, which is most times going and coming from work, I pretty much always stand, considering it good exercise. Sometimes I feel like sitting, and then I think that an older, heavier, or disabled person might come in and I wouldnt want to take a seat from them.

But I see so many able bodied young men just plopped in their seats, staying stubbornly in their seats even when a pregnant woman is looking for a place to sit.

It's gross and disgusting.

They would definitely be SHAMED in Europe. Made fun of and laughed at. And thats how it should be, IMO. Because it really is pathetic.

Totally agree with both of you! I've moved for families, and now I have a family. Children need to sit with their parents. Period. What if there is an emergency landing? What if oxygen masks are deployed? (It happens). Do you really want your kids at the mercy of strangers at best, or abandoned at worst in such a situation?

When I was little we travelled a lot. Once the flight attendants wanted to seat me several rows away from my mom... I was terrified. They insisted again and again that the plane was full. My mom sat down with me between sections of the plane where the flight attendants buckle in, and told them we would buckle in there, unless they found us seats together. My mom would not budge to their pleas, and miraculously they found seats. This was not an American airline, and we were flying somewhere over Asia and Europe. The flight ended up very turbulent - stuff flying through the cabin... I never forgot that my mom fought that we could sit together. I realize that nowadays such a "sit in" may result in removal from the plane... But I will find a way to sit with my kids, if I'm ever in such a situation.

Totally agree. Your mom sounds awesome, btw.

I had a similar experience growing up but my mom allowed us to get split up. I remember being really scared. Thank goodness we didnt have turbulence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are a family of 4 and all had to sit separately. (kids were 8 and 10) The flight attendant tried desperately to get someone to move so my 8 yr old who was freaking out about sitting alone would be able to sit next to one of us, but no one budged!!

After the 4th announcement by the flight attendant a man moved to another seat and asked the man next to him, whom he didn't know, to move too in a kind of "come on man, let's do this" kind of way. I'm so thankful for him.

I'll always look for other airlines before I look for Southwest again. It's not the service, the flight attendant was so nice and really tried, but I will always opt for any airline with assigned seats from now on.

I posted this on a different thread about SW and got dogged out because of it. I was told my child is old enough to get over it, that I was acting entitled, why should they give up their seat, etc. Typical DCUM nastiness, but I never thought that people were as nasty as they sometimes act on here in real life. I was dead wrong because that must have been some of the thoughts of the people on the plane since they wouldn't move.

It is astounding to me that we as a society in a first world country where we pride ourselves on our civilized lifestyle and high education that we have become so selfish and arrogant that it is too inconvenient to switch seats so a crying child could sit next to their parent on a cross country 6 hour plane trip.

I'm going to guess that you are about 5'4", right? Because if you were 6'4", you'd understand that it's not just inconvenient to sit in a middle seat for a 6 hour cross country trip. It's really uncomfortable. But hey, that's their problem, right? Your connecting flight was delayed, so they get to spend the next 6 hours with their knees in their chin. Heaven forbid the repercussions of your bad luck fall on you - make someone else bear the burden. Unreal. Note: I'd most likely move for a kid. But your outrage that random passengers won't inconvenience themselves to make sure your flight is as comfortable as can be is absurd. The irony is, I'm sure you are a recliner, too.

Well, if you are that big you should just pay the money to upgrade to business or first class instead of inconveniencing everyone elese by digging your knees into your back.

I mean seriously, why would you inconvenience everyone else by being so cheap and choosing general admission Southwest Airlines?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd never move for anyone!

Your lack of planning does not constitute a crisis for me!

Travellling is a terrible experience at best. We practically receive a cavity search before we even get to the gates and then you want me to move my seat to compensate for your unwillingness to pay the cost of assigned seating?

Come on ... get real! You have a thousand travel options that don't include inconviencing me. You can drive, walk, take of bus or a train. Or here's a news flash for you - you can fly an airline that has assigned seating.

People who feel entitled to special privileges because they have kids can kiss my ass ... because I'm not moving!

Then pay for your flight on United. Don't fly Southwest. Their target customer is kind and fun people so you are really not their target demographic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd never move for anyone!

Your lack of planning does not constitute a crisis for me!

Travellling is a terrible experience at best. We practically receive a cavity search before we even get to the gates and then you want me to move my seat to compensate for your unwillingness to pay the cost of assigned seating?

Come on ... get real! You have a thousand travel options that don't include inconviencing me. You can drive, walk, take of bus or a train. Or here's a news flash for you - you can fly an airline that has assigned seating.

People who feel entitled to special privileges because they have kids can kiss my ass ... because I'm not moving!

Then pay for your flight on United. Don't fly Southwest. Their target customer is kind and fun people so you are really not their target demographic.

Pretty sure most of the whiners on here don't even fly Southwest- sounds too lowbrow for their tastes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are a family of 4 and all had to sit separately. (kids were 8 and 10) The flight attendant tried desperately to get someone to move so my 8 yr old who was freaking out about sitting alone would be able to sit next to one of us, but no one budged!!

After the 4th announcement by the flight attendant a man moved to another seat and asked the man next to him, whom he didn't know, to move too in a kind of "come on man, let's do this" kind of way. I'm so thankful for him.

I'll always look for other airlines before I look for Southwest again. It's not the service, the flight attendant was so nice and really tried, but I will always opt for any airline with assigned seats from now on.

I posted this on a different thread about SW and got dogged out because of it. I was told my child is old enough to get over it, that I was acting entitled, why should they give up their seat, etc. Typical DCUM nastiness, but I never thought that people were as nasty as they sometimes act on here in real life. I was dead wrong because that must have been some of the thoughts of the people on the plane since they wouldn't move.

It is astounding to me that we as a society in a first world country where we pride ourselves on our civilized lifestyle and high education that we have become so selfish and arrogant that it is too inconvenient to switch seats so a crying child could sit next to their parent on a cross country 6 hour plane trip.

I'm going to guess that you are about 5'4", right? Because if you were 6'4", you'd understand that it's not just inconvenient to sit in a middle seat for a 6 hour cross country trip. It's really uncomfortable. But hey, that's their problem, right? Your connecting flight was delayed, so they get to spend the next 6 hours with their knees in their chin. Heaven forbid the repercussions of your bad luck fall on you - make someone else bear the burden. Unreal. Note: I'd most likely move for a kid. But your outrage that random passengers won't inconvenience themselves to make sure your flight is as comfortable as can be is absurd. The irony is, I'm sure you are a recliner, too.

Well, if you are that big you should just pay the money to upgrade to business or first class instead of inconveniencing everyone elese by digging your knees into your back.

I mean seriously, why would you inconvenience everyone else by being so cheap and choosing general admission Southwest Airlines?

For real. Tall people are a pain to sit near. Either they are digging their knees in your back or dangling their feet in the aisle and tripping people. Just pay for an airline that has the rows with extra legroom! Economy Plus or whatever it is, you don't even have to go business class. Then people can't ask you to switch.

[Anonymous]

How much doe Southwest's A boarding cost?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are a family of 4 and all had to sit separately. (kids were 8 and 10) The flight attendant tried desperately to get someone to move so my 8 yr old who was freaking out about sitting alone would be able to sit next to one of us, but no one budged!!

After the 4th announcement by the flight attendant a man moved to another seat and asked the man next to him, whom he didn't know, to move too in a kind of "come on man, let's do this" kind of way. I'm so thankful for him.

I'll always look for other airlines before I look for Southwest again. It's not the service, the flight attendant was so nice and really tried, but I will always opt for any airline with assigned seats from now on.

I posted this on a different thread about SW and got dogged out because of it. I was told my child is old enough to get over it, that I was acting entitled, why should they give up their seat, etc. Typical DCUM nastiness, but I never thought that people were as nasty as they sometimes act on here in real life. I was dead wrong because that must have been some of the thoughts of the people on the plane since they wouldn't move.

It is astounding to me that we as a society in a first world country where we pride ourselves on our civilized lifestyle and high education that we have become so selfish and arrogant that it is too inconvenient to switch seats so a crying child could sit next to their parent on a cross country 6 hour plane trip.

I feel for you, PP. There are a lot of selfish, nasty people in the world.

It's actually selfish and self-absorbed to assume people have to move to meet your needs. People often pick their seats for specific reasons, they have that right and judging them for it because things aren't going your way is selfish as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone is welcome to sit next to my 6 year old and not change seats. But recognize that he will likely talk to you about legos and ask you questions about yourself during the flight.

If he was seated next to me, he would be ignored, because I fly with earplugs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are a family of 4 and all had to sit separately. (kids were 8 and 10) The flight attendant tried desperately to get someone to move so my 8 yr old who was freaking out about sitting alone would be able to sit next to one of us, but no one budged!!

After the 4th announcement by the flight attendant a man moved to another seat and asked the man next to him, whom he didn't know, to move too in a kind of "come on man, let's do this" kind of way. I'm so thankful for him.

I'll always look for other airlines before I look for Southwest again. It's not the service, the flight attendant was so nice and really tried, but I will always opt for any airline with assigned seats from now on.

I posted this on a different thread about SW and got dogged out because of it. I was told my child is old enough to get over it, that I was acting entitled, why should they give up their seat, etc. Typical DCUM nastiness, but I never thought that people were as nasty as they sometimes act on here in real life. I was dead wrong because that must have been some of the thoughts of the people on the plane since they wouldn't move.

It is astounding to me that we as a society in a first world country where we pride ourselves on our civilized lifestyle and high education that we have become so selfish and arrogant that it is too inconvenient to switch seats so a crying child could sit next to their parent on a cross country 6 hour plane trip.

I feel for you, PP. There are a lot of selfish, nasty people in the world.

It's actually selfish and self-absorbed to assume people have to move to meet your needs. People often pick their seats for specific reasons, they have that right and judging them for it because things aren't going your way is selfish as well.

Would you be willing to assist a 5 year old sitting next to you in s crisis? You know, put their oxygen mask on and all that and help them evacuate?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone is welcome to sit next to my 6 year old and not change seats. But recognize that he will likely talk to you about legos and ask you questions about yourself during the flight.

If he was seated next to me, he would be ignored, because I fly with earplugs.

Lol. Others should not have to move or worry about entertaining someone else's child just because selfish parents try to guilt them by playing the kid card.

[Anonymous]

I had this happen to me on amtrak. Finally my 5 year old son and I just sat down on the floor in the baggage area. Finally some really old people offered us their seats. but all the young people just looked away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had this happen to me on amtrak. Finally my 5 year old son and I just sat down on the floor in the baggage area. Finally some really old people offered us their seats. but all the young people just looked away.

Hope you didn't actually take the seats from the really old people. And the young people probably just looked away because they got there first.

[Anonymous]

I was skeptical of SW, but flew them this week with 2 kids under 4. It was awesome. We did family boarding, full flights both ways but no problem getting seats. A few families around us commented that they made it a point to sit near other families - I stop my kids from kicking, but if they do bang into the seats at all here and there another parent will be more understanding than a random business traveler.

The staff was friendly and accommodating. They have a sense of humor. They offered to take my gate checked baby gear to the gate for me.

Worth noting that they do serve peanuts- I was nervous for my peanut allergic kid as I smelled it in the air, but we were fine.

I would fly them again, with or without kids. If you check in right at 24 hours you'll probably get B group and have no problems getting seats, just maybe not in the front of the plane. Boarding this way was quick and easy.