Reply to Flying SW with a kid too old for family boarding

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]The whole point is southwest wants your family to be able to sit together. They want you to board together after the special people who paid extra for group A so as not to anger them. When my kids were slightly older than the age cut off, we stood in our assigned boarding area, and the gate agent told us to go ahead and board with the families. They do not want to deal with kids sitting alone more than anyone else (well, except for the one bitter child-free PP above)[/quote]

Wow, nobody has ever told us to board with families! I always board in a low level panic that we won't find 2 seats together. My husband has had to sit separate from DS and I, but we always manage to get DS and I together.

Otherwise, I would expect someone to move for us. Only an idiot would think it's ok for a small child to sit next to a stranger on a plane. [/quote]

Only an idiot would think it's a stranger's responsibility to see that your kid is traveling in a way that is comfortable to him/you.   [/quote]

No really. You think it's cool for an 8 year old to sit next to strangers on a plane? Unsupervised? And what, you'd rather sit with the unsupervised kid that switch seats so he can sit with him parent? WHY? Please explain your reasoning. [/quote]

What is an 8 year old going to do on a plane that needs supervision?[/quote]

Tell me you've never worked in a public school without telling me you've never worked in a public school.... ;)

Anyway, it doesn't really matter.  By implementing its boarding policy the way it does, Southwest shows it wants to be efficient and minimize conflicts.  If that means letting an 8yo board with the rest of their family rather than be separated or try to figure it out once everyone is on board, that is what they'll do.  There are plenty of other airlines that will nickel and dime you for everything if that's your preference.  [/quote]

I'm a former public school teacher who wouldn't have any qualms about my 8 year old sitting next to someone else on a plane.

I think that the correct thing to do, if your youngest kid 6 and up is to try your best to get A or B boarding.  If you can't, and your don't think your kid is developmentally ready to sit by themselves, then ask for family boarding.  But at least try.

OP's situation is different.  I think OP is fine.  One purpose of family boarding is because people with little kids board more slowly, and family boarding helps with that.  An 8 year old without little siblings doesn't need the extra time.  [/quote]

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