Southwest preboarding question

[candyht]

I flew Southwest in April to Phoenix with my 4 year twins. Since we had small children and car seats with us, we were allowed to preboard. Will we be allowed to preboard for our upcoming Orlando flight in December? I'm just assuming that a majority of the flights going to Orlando will probably have small children.

[lawgs]

looks like southwest is introducing a new boarding procedure...


http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/abp.html


looks like they are doing away with plastic cards.....but probably will still have pre boarding....

[mickey4ver]

Why oh why can't SW just give you a darn seat assignment too! Other airlines do this and still offer competitive pricing. That is just one of my gripes with SW. I feel like it is a cattle call trying to get on the plane and find a seat.

[DisneyKidds]

We just flew SW over Memorial Day weekend and I think they said that preboarding is for families with children 4 and under, and others needing special assistance.

I agree, the change in check in procedures probably will not affect preboarding.

[mickey4ver]

If you read their Q&A thing on their site about this new procedure, you will see that it doesn't stop how they board...."
we've done this for 31 years and it works" :rolleyes: it just seems to make it easier to get you a boarding pass, and instead of being herded by number groups, they will now herd you A B C groups....yippee:mad:

[inkkognito]

I noticed that ATA seems to be taking a "jab" at Southwest in some of their TV ads by pointing out that they have low fares AND seat assignments. Southwest has never been that much cheaper from Chicago to MCO, and they don't have times that work well for us, so we almost always do ATA. Of course, we are a childless couple, so on an Orlando flight we'd probably be the last to board by the time the preboard was done!
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Cub at: www.*****************

[sgtdisney]

Originally posted by inkkognito
I noticed that ATA seems to be taking a "jab" at Southwest in some of their TV ads by pointing out that they have low fares AND seat assignments.

ATA has been altering a lot of there services lately. They are moving up...... They are now going to offer complimentary movies, short subjects and audio on their planes and also recently announced that they will be serving hot snacks on flights over 3 hours and a revised cold snack on shorter flights. All this and they are still making a profit.

[mickey4ver]

A friend out in AZ says there is a commercial for America West I believe, that shows people being called by supposedly SWest to board, and then it shows a mosh pit scene on the plane! Too funny and my sentiments exactly. Good, cheap or whatever, that whole boarding issue turns me off with Southwest. They need to "get over the last 31 years" and get with the times:D

[betterlatethannever]

Q. Will boarding passes still be issued on a first-come, first-served basis?
A. A specific number of boarding passes from each boarding group will be available at each of the three checkin locations. At each checkin location, the allocated boarding passes will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis until 20 minutes prior to scheduled departure, at which time, all remaining boarding passes will be available only at the Departure Gate.

It is possible (probable) that, for example, those checking bags at the ticket counter would end up with a B or C boarding pass while at the same time a person checking bags with a skycap could get an A boarding pass.

[mickey4ver]

Sounds to me as if they are randomly distributed to the places that you can check in. Seems about the only thing it saves is getting into a line about 45 minutes ahead of time at the departure counter to get your boarding pass. I've seen people standing in line to be first an hour before they handed them out.

[GAIL HAYDEN]

I think this is GREAT!!!!! We always "curb" the luggage and then get into line, it will be nice to get everything done at once.
As to people wanting SWA to get with the times, well, there is an old adage that, IMHO, applies here. " If it ain't broke, don't fix it".
This has worked for them for 31 years, they are about the only airlines that made money in the last year. Their on time is one of the highest and they are a nice safe airline. If you don't like the method, don't fly them. That is a no brainer.
They are the best priced in CT and I think their boarding system is just fine.
They don't preboard children over the age of 5. I do agree that the preboarding seems to take forever, but, on other airlines, it seems to take the 1st class passengers forever to find a seat and stow their stuff and get their preflight drinks.
What holds people up, on SWA, are the folks who REFUSE to check their luggage, they just have to carry it on. Luckily, SWA is cracking down on that and really insisting that folks follow the rules (about damn time).
We really like them and will continue to flly the airline, for us, they are great.

[sgtdisney]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
As to people wanting SWA to get with the times, well, there is an old adage that, IMHO, applies here. " If it ain't broke, don't fix it".
This has worked for them for 31 years, they are about the only airlines that made money in the last year. Their on time is one of the highest and they are a nice safe airline. If you don't like the method, don't fly them. That is a no brainer.
They are the best priced in CT and I think their boarding system is just fine.

ATA made money last year and also so far this year. They have an excellent safety rating, and have always been on time when I have flown with them, plus they have pre-assigned seating and at least here in Chicago are always priced competitively with SWA. ATA has also just announced free in flight entertainment as well as hot meals on flights over 3 hours. ATA just recently started renewing their fleet with all new 737-800s and 757s. In markets where ATA and SWA compete, as long as they remain competitively priced, I would go with ATA personally. I think that is what people mean by saying that SWA needs to get with the times...

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Sgt Disney,
You are totally correct, ATA did make money last year and has done well this year. ( You notice I did not say SWA was the only one that made money). Yes, they are competative with SWA and their safety record is very good. Their travel rewards are, at this time, even better than SWA's, however, they don't fly from where I live. Perhaps when/if they do, I will most definitely look at them.
Right now, I like SWA (Delta is second) and don't feel that they should change much. The boarding procedures with most airlines is like a cattle call, the only difference is that you have a seat assigned, for us (since we are well past the children stage of our lives) it is not a big deal to us or to most of the SWA passengers we have spoken with.

[mickey4ver]

Gail has spoken, so the rest of us need to retreat:D

[sgtdisney]

Gail,

It is too bad ATA doesn't fly to your area. They are a smaller carrier than SWA in that respect. I guess all I was trying to say is, that for me, if all other things are equal, i.e., price, safety, route etc., I would rather fly on an airline with pre-assigned seating. It is just something I feel better having. But again, this is just my preference, I know a lot of people don't mind the SWA boarding experience. When I travel for vacation, I have kids in tow and it just seems easier to me to not have to worry about getting on the plane first to get a seat I am happy with...... :)

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Sgt Disney,
You have to do what works for you. :) If you are happy then I am happy for you. In all honesty, if Delta were to offer the same fares, I would possibly fly Delta, it would be dependent on a few factors.

[GAIL HAYDEN]

mickey4ver
Was that comment necessary? Do you feel better now?

[mickey4ver]

sgtdisney: I agree with your reasoning, even though I don't have little ones in tow, I just like knowing where I'm sitting. That is a personal preference for us, don't expect the whole world to do what works for us.

Gail, you dis peoples opinions all the time, its fine, to each his own, you're entitled to your opinion, but you are quite stern in your dis's sometimes too, so I was just having some fun, guess you didn't see my smiley face, and yes, I guess you could say I feel better.;) Perhaps you don't see your comments as being harsh sometimes, but I "read" them that way. You are very helpful too, but I just think it is your "tone" sometimes that gives the impression of your opinion being a tad more important than the next poster.

[GAIL HAYDEN]

mickey4ver ,
This medium is a difficult one to discern anyone's "tone".
For the record, I do not feel that anyone's opinion is less important than mine. I don't feel that I am the "last word" on anything. I do state my opinion, perhaps more terse than most people can accept, however, it is not stated with the intent of outdoing anyone else. I don't have time to get into the up close and personal posts that some do. I state what I feel or an answer to a question in the most concise way I know. I am sorry that it comes across in a way that you find offensive, however, it is not the intent.
It truly irritates me to read posts from people thinking that the world, airline, Disney or whatever needs to stop and change because they are not happy with the way it functions. This "entitlement" mentality really drives me up the walls, that is why I have not been visiting the board as much lately. I certainly do not wish to imply that you are one of those people aforementioned or SGT Disney either. He is as much a "square shooter" as I am, he just elaborates and couches more. I don't have the time to get into the up close and personal many seem to have the time for.
I am glad that you find me helpful sometimes, it is nice to know that I have not wasted my time.
BTW, the icon you used is one I rarely see, so, forgive me if I misread the intent.

[sammi]

Gail you've helped me a lot 2 years ago with our trip and for that I say THANKS!:)

Question: What airlines is ATA? Sorry for the ignorance but I'm from up in Canada and can't for the life of me figure out which airline it is! Thanks!:)

[sgtdisney]

Originally posted by sammi
Question: What airlines is ATA? Sorry for the ignorance but I'm from up in Canada and can't for the life of me figure out which airline it is! Thanks!:)

ATA stands for American Trans Air. They are a lower fare carrier based in Indianapolis, but their largest hub is Chicago's Midway airport. They are the 10th largest airline in the USA based on revenue passenger miles flown.

[Gary M]

ATA is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. It is either the 10th. or 11th. largest airline in the USA. They fly many flights out of Midway Airport in Chicago. They are buying new planes and are advertising they will have the youngest fleet of planes, when the purchases are complete.

I live in Indiana and have flown ATA for years. DW and I belong to Ambassadair Travel Club which is owned by ATA. ATA does fly international. You might go to: www.ata.com for more info.

[sammi]

Oh... LOL That's why I didn't know who they were!:p

Thanks to you both and I'm heading over to take a look at their website. We're thinking of flying out of Buffalo next March and maybe they also fly out of there too!;)

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Sammi,
You are more than welcome, anytime. Always happy to help.
I did not know much about ATA until SGT Disney told me about them. They don't fly in my area, but, I am sure they will grow and from what I have read, their safety record is excellent.