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

[Anonymous]

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.

Yeah, this happened to me when flying with my 5 year old. I eventually managed to guilt the guy next to me (window seat) into swapping with my kid. But it was very, very touch and go--basically just before they locked down the cabin. DD was freaking out.

Happened again a couple of years later, but by that time I was like, "Okay, honey! Talk to you later!" And the guy sitting next to her jumped up--panic stricken--and asked to change seats with me.

What a difference a couple of years makes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

FYI, Southwest is actually really awesome for peanut allergies--a good friend of mine has a very serious peanut allergy and will only fly Southwest. If you tell them ahead of time, they won't serve peanuts on your flight, and you can get a medical preboard pass (not family boarding, actual preboarding before the A group) to pick your seat and make sure it's not covered in peanut crumbs from the last flight. Its the only airline he found that was accomodating at all wrt his allergies.

[Anonymous]

Aren't you all ashamed of being so selfish that you make your children someone else's problem?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At the end of it all, I guess were the worst to ever happen, I would want that mother to be be her child. And that child to be by his mother. And I would switch a damn seat to make sure I didn't prevent that.

agreed. what is wrong with you people? I guess I was less sympathetic prior to having kids of my own, but I still moved the one time it was asked of me. what is the big deal? there could be a hundred different reasons why they didn't board earlier, or get seat assignments next to each other. but at the end of the day what do those reasons matter...? you are the final reason a little kid would be sitting away from their parent. take the higher ground FFS.

[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.

NP here. if you are 6'4 and you think you have materially more room for your legs in the window or aisle seat, that means you are a leg spreader - please know that we all hate you. including me, a 6'0 woman - who will gladly tell you to get your legs out of my space. i can't tell how long your legs are but i'm going to guess they are no longer than mine (36" inseam). yes, sometimes it sucks to be tall, like on airplanes and in old stadiums and movie theaters. but most of the time it is awesome so suck it up.

[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!

One man's "special privileges" are another's common courtesy. Try being a decent human being for a day. You might like how it feels.

[Anonymous]

pay the $12.50 each way for group A boarding and you won't have a problem. If you're too cheap for that, you shouldn't be traveling.

[Anonymous]

I know this is about SW, but those of you unwilling to switch seats--please realize that sometimes we DO pay for seats together and select seats together, and the airline changes them. We recently returned from a family vacation we booked 9 months in advance with premium seats together on American Airlines. About a month before we left, our flight was changed (completely--different time, different connecting city), and NONE of our seats were together. We were lucky that they were all aisles and windows, but both the agent on the phone and the agent at the ticket counter said they couldn't help us. Because we were giving up aisles/windows for middles and it was a long flight, people were pretty willing to accommodate (and we didn't all need to be together in a row), so it was fine, but I was STUNNED by the airline's unwillingness to help solve a problem THEY created.

[Anonymous]

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.

That's fine, if you refuse to change seats, its up to you to deal with the situation in whatever way you feel best that does not cause DS physical harm and is not verbally aggressive. But then you're going to have to persist in ignoring him for quite a while before he gives up. It's up to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know this is about SW, but those of you unwilling to switch seats--please realize that sometimes we DO pay for seats together and select seats together, and the airline changes them. We recently returned from a family vacation we booked 9 months in advance with premium seats together on American Airlines. About a month before we left, our flight was changed (completely--different time, different connecting city), and NONE of our seats were together. We were lucky that they were all aisles and windows, but both the agent on the phone and the agent at the ticket counter said they couldn't help us. Because we were giving up aisles/windows for middles and it was a long flight, people were pretty willing to accommodate (and we didn't all need to be together in a row), so it was fine, but I was STUNNED by the airline's unwillingness to help solve a problem THEY created.

This is so true- you can do everything you can in advance and have it blow up in your face. But apparently some people would still scoff, because you had the audacity to have bad luck.

[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.

At the risk of stating the obvious, entitled parents who fail to understand the concept of "first come first served" and insist on special privileges just because they fucked sans protection don't exactly fit the definition of "kind and fun," either. Next time, do a little better for your precious cargo and upgrade from the Walmart of airlines.

Actually, what am I saying...I don't fly SW. Please stay there... even if you're not their target demographic

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:8 is WAY too old for that crap. Is your kid special ed?

Aren't you a nasty piece of work.

Are YOU special ed?

[Anonymous]

I have moved multiple times on flights, mostly to accommodate families with small kids but also once for a couple on their honeymoon. It really wasn't a huge deal for me (my husband was going to put in earbuds and go to sleep anyway) and the people I switched for were incredibly appreciative, overall it was a bright spot in my day.

Helping others has been proven to provide a significant mood boost, helps combat anxiety and depression, and contributes to an overall improved sense of well-being. Perhaps those of who are feeling so cranky about switching seats with others tried doing it, your general level of crankiness would improve. It would be a win-win for everyone!

[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.

That's fine, if you refuse to change seats, its up to you to deal with the situation in whatever way you feel best that does not cause DS physical harm and is not verbally aggressive. But then you're going to have to persist in ignoring him for quite a while before he gives up. It's up to you.

That's fine. That's why I get a window- I stay out of everyone's way, put in the earplugs and take my book out. I assure you I won't even hear him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know this is about SW, but those of you unwilling to switch seats--please realize that sometimes we DO pay for seats together and select seats together, and the airline changes them. We recently returned from a family vacation we booked 9 months in advance with premium seats together on American Airlines. About a month before we left, our flight was changed (completely--different time, different connecting city), and NONE of our seats were together. We were lucky that they were all aisles and windows, but both the agent on the phone and the agent at the ticket counter said they couldn't help us. Because we were giving up aisles/windows for middles and it was a long flight, people were pretty willing to accommodate (and we didn't all need to be together in a row), so it was fine, but I was STUNNED by the airline's unwillingness to help solve a problem THEY created.

This has happened to me several times, several, including at the gate (we got upgraded and suddenly issued new boarding passes but no seats together and we were forced to accept them or we would be put on next flight). I am not sure how airlines are allowed to get away with this, but In the heat of the moment the airline employees tell you there is nothing you can do. It doesn't matter if you pay via miles or full price. They have F*ed my family so many times on so many airlines. We are a family of 4 and we ALWAYS fly a carrier that allows us to preselect seats and we select them. It now gives me such major anxiety that we will not be together. A selected seat is no guarantee that will be your seat when you get to the airport. So before you go off on people for asking to switch, remember that airlines are sticking it to everyone any and each way that they can and that the family may not have bought 4 random seats and had actually done everything they could to be together.