Saving seats on SWA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We flew Southwest earlier this year with three kids and our au pair. We did family boarding but you are only allowed two adults with family boarding so my husband, the au pair, and my three kids boarded and I was in the absolute last boarding group. I was prepared to sit not with my family and the guy ahead of me made it to the back where my family was sitting before me. Unsurprisingly, when my husband pointed me out and said he was hoping I could sit in the middle seat between him and my three year-old, the guy choose to make his way back to the front and sit in the only other open seat, a middle seat not near a three year-old. It was kind of a pain for us to switch places and made it clear it is ridiculous to have a two adult cap on family boarding. The flight attendant told me next time to just all board together at family boarding and they would not stop us. But, we are rule followers and didn’t want to seem like we were taking advantage. In the end, our rule following slowed everything down.

Weird that you had the au pair board with your husband instead of yourself. What’s up with that?

Not her, but maybe she didn't want to leave a teenage girl alone in the airport gate area.

Why do you think an au pair— who came to this country from another country to be responsible for your children— isn’t capable of waiting 15 minutes at an airport gate to board a plane in a later group??? Seriously?

[Anonymous]

I flew SWA for the first time this past year and hated the experience so much that I'll never do it again. I did check-in 24 hours before the flight and received a B6 or something like that placement. Not only did I see people butting in line to stand with their friend/family member (and I know this to be true because I did see their ticket in their hand with their boarding spot printed), but there were several seat savers on the plane. And, the flight attendants and gate attendant did NOTHING about it.

Lastly, boarding took so long because people were all fretting about where to sit, can't sit in the middle, can't sit with their families, etc.

It was all so unpleasant and felt so hostile.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I stopped paying for early boarding on southwest because they, like every airline in 2024, have hoards of not actually disabled being wheeled down in a wheelchair so they board first. I used to get a bulk head almost guaranteed with early boarding and I don’t remember the last time it was even close to available even in A1.

Yes, so many questionable pre early boarding.

They should tell the pre boarders they are not allowed to choose a bulkhead. They DO tell them that they cannot sit in the exit row.

Why? I pre-board with my child (who has an ADA covered condition) and we typically choose a bulkhead, because there’s nothing about her condition which makes a bulkhead less safe (unlike an exit door, which you have to be fit to open!) and because seating her in a bulkhead means no risk of someone having their seat kicked. This seems more considerate, what’s your objection?

[Anonymous]

PP from above - and I forgot to add, that there were a few families that got priority family boarding because they had one small child that must have fit the description to get priority boarding, but then they also shuffled about 3 to 4 other "kids" or "cousins" or "friends" along too that were very much over the age of 13.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP from above - and I forgot to add, that there were a few families that got priority family boarding because they had one small child that must have fit the description to get priority boarding, but then they also shuffled about 3 to 4 other "kids" or "cousins" or "friends" along too that were very much over the age of 13.

They’re not going to do anything to stop this, because a parent separated from their kid has a DoT complaint. They’re trying to avoid having to let all families board first which will absolutely mess up their model.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We flew Southwest earlier this year with three kids and our au pair. We did family boarding but you are only allowed two adults with family boarding so my husband, the au pair, and my three kids boarded and I was in the absolute last boarding group. I was prepared to sit not with my family and the guy ahead of me made it to the back where my family was sitting before me. Unsurprisingly, when my husband pointed me out and said he was hoping I could sit in the middle seat between him and my three year-old, the guy choose to make his way back to the front and sit in the only other open seat, a middle seat not near a three year-old. It was kind of a pain for us to switch places and made it clear it is ridiculous to have a two adult cap on family boarding. The flight attendant told me next time to just all board together at family boarding and they would not stop us. But, we are rule followers and didn’t want to seem like we were taking advantage. In the end, our rule following slowed everything down.

Weird that you had the au pair board with your husband instead of yourself. What’s up with that?

Not her, but maybe she didn't want to leave a teenage girl alone in the airport gate area.

Why do you think an au pair— who came to this country from another country to be responsible for your children— isn’t capable of waiting 15 minutes at an airport gate to board a plane in a later group??? Seriously?

I’m the PP with the au pair. I’m sure she would have been fine but she wanted to sit with us and I figured that I’m a 49-something woman who has flown hundreds of times and would be better able to navigate the boarding process at the tail end of a fully booked plane.

One of the problems is that SWA has changed the family boarding process so that it only applies to families with children under 6. We also had a 7 and 9 year-old who didn’t qualify, but the under-six year-old can do family boarding with two adults and any siblings. I joined the final boarding group because it wasn’t necessary that I sit with my family. But, it turned out that me and another guy were the last two people to board. Instead of sitting next to my 3 year-old, he decided to walk back to the front of the plane and take the other open seat and I walked back and sat next to my kid. Seats next to preschoolers are apparently the last chosen!

The flight attendant told us to just all board together next time since we were a party of six and filled a whole row of six seats. That makes more sense to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We flew Southwest earlier this year with three kids and our au pair. We did family boarding but you are only allowed two adults with family boarding so my husband, the au pair, and my three kids boarded and I was in the absolute last boarding group. I was prepared to sit not with my family and the guy ahead of me made it to the back where my family was sitting before me. Unsurprisingly, when my husband pointed me out and said he was hoping I could sit in the middle seat between him and my three year-old, the guy choose to make his way back to the front and sit in the only other open seat, a middle seat not near a three year-old. It was kind of a pain for us to switch places and made it clear it is ridiculous to have a two adult cap on family boarding. The flight attendant told me next time to just all board together at family boarding and they would not stop us. But, we are rule followers and didn’t want to seem like we were taking advantage. In the end, our rule following slowed everything down.

Weird that you had the au pair board with your husband instead of yourself. What’s up with that?

Not her, but maybe she didn't want to leave a teenage girl alone in the airport gate area.

Why do you think an au pair— who came to this country from another country to be responsible for your children— isn’t capable of waiting 15 minutes at an airport gate to board a plane in a later group??? Seriously?

I’m the PP with the au pair. I’m sure she would have been fine but she wanted to sit with us and I figured that I’m a 49-something woman who has flown hundreds of times and would be better able to navigate the boarding process at the tail end of a fully booked plane.

One of the problems is that SWA has changed the family boarding process so that it only applies to families with children under 6. We also had a 7 and 9 year-old who didn’t qualify, but the under-six year-old can do family boarding with two adults and any siblings. I joined the final boarding group because it wasn’t necessary that I sit with my family. But, it turned out that me and another guy were the last two people to board. Instead of sitting next to my 3 year-old, he decided to walk back to the front of the plane and take the other open seat and I walked back and sat next to my kid. Seats next to preschoolers are apparently the last chosen!

The flight attendant told us to just all board together next time since we were a party of six and filled a whole row of six seats. That makes more sense to me.

40 something!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I stopped paying for early boarding on southwest because they, like every airline in 2024, have hoards of not actually disabled being wheeled down in a wheelchair so they board first. I used to get a bulk head almost guaranteed with early boarding and I don’t remember the last time it was even close to available even in A1.

Yes, so many questionable pre early boarding.

They should tell the pre boarders they are not allowed to choose a bulkhead. They DO tell them that they cannot sit in the exit row.

Why? I pre-board with my child (who has an ADA covered condition) and we typically choose a bulkhead, because there’s nothing about her condition which makes a bulkhead less safe (unlike an exit door, which you have to be fit to open!) and because seating her in a bulkhead means no risk of someone having their seat kicked. This seems more considerate, what’s your objection?

It’s a premium seat you are getting without paying the premium. And taking it away from those paying the premium. It’s zero sum.

[Anonymous]

As long as I get a seat, I’m happy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I stopped paying for early boarding on southwest because they, like every airline in 2024, have hoards of not actually disabled being wheeled down in a wheelchair so they board first. I used to get a bulk head almost guaranteed with early boarding and I don’t remember the last time it was even close to available even in A1.

Yes, so many questionable pre early boarding.

They should tell the pre boarders they are not allowed to choose a bulkhead. They DO tell them that they cannot sit in the exit row.

Why? I pre-board with my child (who has an ADA covered condition) and we typically choose a bulkhead, because there’s nothing about her condition which makes a bulkhead less safe (unlike an exit door, which you have to be fit to open!) and because seating her in a bulkhead means no risk of someone having their seat kicked. This seems more considerate, what’s your objection?

It’s a premium seat you are getting without paying the premium. And taking it away from those paying the premium. It’s zero sum.

So? You aren’t paying for a bulkhead seat, you’re paying to board in the first group. If six people line up before you, you’re equally not getting the “premium” seat you feel you paid for. This way no one has their flight impacted by a squirmy toddler behind them. My way considers other people, your way considers only your own comfort, I’m not sure you’re the moral high ground.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I stopped paying for early boarding on southwest because they, like every airline in 2024, have hoards of not actually disabled being wheeled down in a wheelchair so they board first. I used to get a bulk head almost guaranteed with early boarding and I don’t remember the last time it was even close to available even in A1.

Yes, so many questionable pre early boarding.

They should tell the pre boarders they are not allowed to choose a bulkhead. They DO tell them that they cannot sit in the exit row.

Why? I pre-board with my child (who has an ADA covered condition) and we typically choose a bulkhead, because there’s nothing about her condition which makes a bulkhead less safe (unlike an exit door, which you have to be fit to open!) and because seating her in a bulkhead means no risk of someone having their seat kicked. This seems more considerate, what’s your objection?

It’s a premium seat you are getting without paying the premium. And taking it away from those paying the premium. It’s zero sum.

So? You aren’t paying for a bulkhead seat, you’re paying to board in the first group. If six people line up before you, you’re equally not getting the “premium” seat you feel you paid for. This way no one has their flight impacted by a squirmy toddler behind them. My way considers other people, your way considers only your own comfort, I’m not sure you’re the moral high ground.

You didn’t pay for anything. So I’m not sure what your point is. You are just boarding early for free. Don’t pretend this is about anyone but you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I stopped paying for early boarding on southwest because they, like every airline in 2024, have hoards of not actually disabled being wheeled down in a wheelchair so they board first. I used to get a bulk head almost guaranteed with early boarding and I don’t remember the last time it was even close to available even in A1.

Yes, so many questionable pre early boarding.

They should tell the pre boarders they are not allowed to choose a bulkhead. They DO tell them that they cannot sit in the exit row.

Why? I pre-board with my child (who has an ADA covered condition) and we typically choose a bulkhead, because there’s nothing about her condition which makes a bulkhead less safe (unlike an exit door, which you have to be fit to open!) and because seating her in a bulkhead means no risk of someone having their seat kicked. This seems more considerate, what’s your objection?

It’s a premium seat you are getting without paying the premium. And taking it away from those paying the premium. It’s zero sum.

So? You aren’t paying for a bulkhead seat, you’re paying to board in the first group. If six people line up before you, you’re equally not getting the “premium” seat you feel you paid for. This way no one has their flight impacted by a squirmy toddler behind them. My way considers other people, your way considers only your own comfort, I’m not sure you’re the moral high ground.

You didn’t pay for anything. So I’m not sure what your point is. You are just boarding early for free. Don’t pretend this is about anyone but you.

We’re boarding early for free because it’s safer for my child, and the ADA considers it a reasonable accommodation. Airlines are following the law by letting people with disabilities preboard, not doing anyone a favor. They could enforce it more strictly (and SWA required more documents than any other airline) but it’s just the law.

So in following the law I choose a compliant seat that doesn’t belong to anyone because southwest has an open seating policy. If I sat in your paid-for bulkhead seat on American or United you’d have something to complain about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I stopped paying for early boarding on southwest because they, like every airline in 2024, have hoards of not actually disabled being wheeled down in a wheelchair so they board first. I used to get a bulk head almost guaranteed with early boarding and I don’t remember the last time it was even close to available even in A1.

Yes, so many questionable pre early boarding.

They should tell the pre boarders they are not allowed to choose a bulkhead. They DO tell them that they cannot sit in the exit row.

Why? I pre-board with my child (who has an ADA covered condition) and we typically choose a bulkhead, because there’s nothing about her condition which makes a bulkhead less safe (unlike an exit door, which you have to be fit to open!) and because seating her in a bulkhead means no risk of someone having their seat kicked. This seems more considerate, what’s your objection?

It’s a premium seat you are getting without paying the premium. And taking it away from those paying the premium. It’s zero sum.

So? You aren’t paying for a bulkhead seat, you’re paying to board in the first group. If six people line up before you, you’re equally not getting the “premium” seat you feel you paid for. This way no one has their flight impacted by a squirmy toddler behind them. My way considers other people, your way considers only your own comfort, I’m not sure you’re the moral high ground.

You didn’t pay for anything. So I’m not sure what your point is. You are just boarding early for free. Don’t pretend this is about anyone but you.

We’re boarding early for free because it’s safer for my child, and the ADA considers it a reasonable accommodation. Airlines are following the law by letting people with disabilities preboard, not doing anyone a favor. They could enforce it more strictly (and SWA required more documents than any other airline) but it’s just the law.

So in following the law I choose a compliant seat that doesn’t belong to anyone because southwest has an open seating policy. If I sat in your paid-for bulkhead seat on American or United you’d have something to complain about.

Southwest requires literally nothing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I stopped paying for early boarding on southwest because they, like every airline in 2024, have hoards of not actually disabled being wheeled down in a wheelchair so they board first. I used to get a bulk head almost guaranteed with early boarding and I don’t remember the last time it was even close to available even in A1.

Yes, so many questionable pre early boarding.

They should tell the pre boarders they are not allowed to choose a bulkhead. They DO tell them that they cannot sit in the exit row.

Why? I pre-board with my child (who has an ADA covered condition) and we typically choose a bulkhead, because there’s nothing about her condition which makes a bulkhead less safe (unlike an exit door, which you have to be fit to open!) and because seating her in a bulkhead means no risk of someone having their seat kicked. This seems more considerate, what’s your objection?

It’s a premium seat you are getting without paying the premium. And taking it away from those paying the premium. It’s zero sum.

So? You aren’t paying for a bulkhead seat, you’re paying to board in the first group. If six people line up before you, you’re equally not getting the “premium” seat you feel you paid for. This way no one has their flight impacted by a squirmy toddler behind them. My way considers other people, your way considers only your own comfort, I’m not sure you’re the moral high ground.

You didn’t pay for anything. So I’m not sure what your point is. You are just boarding early for free. Don’t pretend this is about anyone but you.

We’re boarding early for free because it’s safer for my child, and the ADA considers it a reasonable accommodation. Airlines are following the law by letting people with disabilities preboard, not doing anyone a favor. They could enforce it more strictly (and SWA required more documents than any other airline) but it’s just the law.

So in following the law I choose a compliant seat that doesn’t belong to anyone because southwest has an open seating policy. If I sat in your paid-for bulkhead seat on American or United you’d have something to complain about.

Southwest requires literally nothing.

They asked to see her medical devices and her doctors note before we boarded. UA, Delta and American haven’t.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I flew SWA for the first time this past year and hated the experience so much that I'll never do it again. I did check-in 24 hours before the flight and received a B6 or something like that placement. Not only did I see people butting in line to stand with their friend/family member (and I know this to be true because I did see their ticket in their hand with their boarding spot printed), but there were several seat savers on the plane. And, the flight attendants and gate attendant did NOTHING about it.

Lastly, boarding took so long because people were all fretting about where to sit, can't sit in the middle, can't sit with their families, etc.

It was all so unpleasant and felt so hostile.

It doesn't make sense how you could be in B6 and have people fretting about how to sit with families. B6 means the plane is just over 1/3 full. Were you flying into Orlando or something that would have an extreme number of little kids? I've seen Southwest not allow people to board out of order before.