Southwest boarding advice

[goofy4tink]

I will be flying non revs in few months. Do you really think it is ok for young children to sit wherever is available just because they didn't pay for the seat? My 2 year old will not be sitting by himself and I wouldn't let my 6 year old sit alone either. I don't understand how moving to another seat hurts anyone. My husband and I are prepared to have to split up but the kids will be seated next to one of us. It will be their first time flying, it will be for their protection, an the sanity of everyone else around.

So, here's the issue. Perhaps there are those who paid full fare for their seats, in addition to EBCI..so they would be able to get the seats they needed/wanted. Or, even those who paid the wanna get away fares, but also paid for EBCI so as to be able to sit with their child.
I can't understand why anyone would think that anyone else should be asked to move in order to make them more comfortable. If you want to be as sure as you can be about sitting with your child, you need to take responsibility yourself. You should never leave it up to the charity of strangers.

And yes, I truly think that someone who has not paid for their flight shouldn't expect paying fliers to give up their chosen seats. I think that everyone should make choices that work for their family, on each individual situation. I have always taken responsibility for my family.....I will not change seats with someone else, and be seated apart from my family, in order for someone else to be seated with their family. I just don't get that mentality.

I guess that there are going to be times that individual fliers may very well opt for changing seats. But here's the rub...my dh will almost always try to move to enable a family to sit together. BUT..he has to have an aisle seat. So unless you find a bunch of people, all willing to shuffle their seats around, and allow my dh to have an aisle seat, it isn't going to happen. And it's pretty much those solo travelers that you have to rely on in order to get seats together!!

 

[kaytieeldr]

I will be flying non revs in few months. Do you really think it is ok for young children to sit wherever is available just because they didn't pay for the seat? My 2 year old will not be sitting by himself and I wouldn't let my 6 year old sit alone either. I don't understand how moving to another seat hurts anyone. My husband and I are prepared to have to split up but the kids will be seated next to one of us. It will be their first time flying, it will be for their protection, an the sanity of everyone else around.

Then, respectfully, you need to purchase tickets. Non rev air passage comes with restrictions including, again, you board last - and only after everyone else waiting for that flight (including standby) is aboard. You may not even all get on the same plane.

 

[LilyWDW]

I never said to force someone. If flying alone, I would move around to accommodate families, paid or not. I would imagine that there are other people that would as well. There is no way I would break up a young child from their parent just because I paid for my seat. No one knows who did and didn't pay for their flight.

If it is such a huge deal for you to be seated by your children, then you should pay for your seats and not expect others to switch for you. Because that is what you are doing. You are expecting them to switch. What will happen if no one does? You need to take personal responsibility.

I wouldn't switch for you and neither would my flying companion. We pick/pay for our seats for a reason (which I will not get into here because it is personal). I wouldn't be rude about it but I would be telling you "Sorry, but we can't."

 

[sommergirl25]

I am stepping away from this. I am not a confrontational person and was afraid of the response I would get from asking that question. I'm not good at message boards and take things too personally. I have loved the DIS for the great info. I would never expect for someone to give me their seat. Out of the goodness of someone, we are able to make this trip using the non-revs ticket. I am blessed and lucky to be making it. We are going to try everything possible to be on a flight that we would not have this situation. I am just praying that if we were caught in this situation, that someone, out of the goodness of their heart would help us out. We will deal with what we get. Have a great day.

 

[Missytara]

I am usually a solo traveler and always get a window seat, due to my claustrophobia. I pay whatever I have to pay to get my seat and I am not moving for anyone, even though I am alone.

 

[gwynne]

I am stepping away from this. I am not a confrontational person and was afraid of the response I would get from asking that question. I'm not good at message boards and take things too personally. I have loved the DIS for the great info. I would never expect for someone to give me their seat. Out of the goodness of someone, we are able to make this trip using the non-revs ticket. I am blessed and lucky to be making it. We are going to try everything possible to be on a flight that we would not have this situation. I am just praying that if we were caught in this situation, that someone, out of the goodness of their heart would help us out. We will deal with what we get. Have a great day.

I have a question, did the person who provided the non rev tickets explain what the norms/rules are for non rev passengers for Southwest? Are there guidelines about things like asking paying passengers to switch seats with non revs? Not trying to give you a hard time, I just think it's kinder for you to know what the rules are (if any) before you fly. Some legacy airlines are pretty stringent about things like this, I don't know about Southwest.

 

[dsneprincess]

I am stepping away from this. I am not a confrontational person and was afraid of the response I would get from asking that question. I'm not good at message boards and take things too personally. I have loved the DIS for the great info. I would never expect for someone to give me their seat. Out of the goodness of someone, we are able to make this trip using the non-revs ticket. I am blessed and lucky to be making it. We are going to try everything possible to be on a flight that we would not have this situation. I am just praying that if we were caught in this situation, that someone, out of the goodness of their heart would help us out. We will deal with what we get. Have a great day.

Good luck to you. I sincerely hope you are able to find seats together. Probably 2&2 is easiest. I know how stressful this is. Our last JB flight, DS12 was scheduled to sit 1 row ahead, opposite side of plane from me. Total blind panic, waking up in night for 1 month prior(not his 1st flight either, just doesn't like to sit next to strangers anywhere!) After lots of praying, 2 seats opened for him &DH together. This was a huge relief for me as I was worrying about having to speak up & ask people to possible change seats. I wish you a relatively empty plane for your trip. Best of luck to you & have a great trip. I know not everyone can just buy tickets & EB to ensure seats together & I didn't even know that some of the last people on board didn't pay for their seats as I sure others don't. Again, best wishes to you for safe happy travels!

 

[aubriee]

I am usually a solo traveler and always get a window seat, due to my claustrophobia. I pay whatever I have to pay to get my seat and I am not moving for anyone, even though I am alone.

Same here, except due to my claustrophobia and the fact that I just hate flying period, I always get an aisle seat close to the front. If I ever flew Southwest (which I don't because I choose to always be able to purchase the seat I need), but if I ever did fly them, you better believe I'd be paying for EBCI even though most of my flights are solo. Once I got on that plane I'd be sitting in the very first aisle seat I came to (and if someone in the window or middle seat tried to tell me they were saving that aisle seat, I'd still sit anyway and if necessary get the FA involved). Once in the seat I need, I'd not be moving for anybody. I don't do middle or window seats, nor do I sit in the back of the plane. I can't stand looking up that long tube or feeling like I can't get out. I have no problem paying for the seat I need (or in the case of SW doing everything in my power to get on the plane early enough to choose the seat I need). Why should I give that seat up for someone who was not willing to pay the EBCI fee or to someone who didn't even pay for their ticket at all. As a solo traveler who always sits in an aisle seat close to the front, I have been asked many times to give my seat up. I did one time and got stuck in a middle seat in the back of the plane. Even keeping my eyes closed most of the flight, that was the longest and worst flight I have ever been on. This was on an Air Tran flight where I had paid the more expensive fee for one of those aisle seats in the front that guaranteed Boarding zone 1. I swore I would never give up my aisle seat again and haven't. When asked I just say I can't. It's no ones business why I can't. I have no problem being confrontational or advocating for what I need.

 

[maxiesmom]

I have a question, did the person who provided the non rev tickets explain what the norms/rules are for non rev passengers for Southwest? Are there guidelines about things like asking paying passengers to switch seats with non revs? Not trying to give you a hard time, I just think it's kinder for you to know what the rules are (if any) before you fly. Some legacy airlines are pretty stringent about things like this, I don't know about Southwest.

That is what has me worried for that poster. It doesn't sound like they know the ins and outs of non revenue tickets. The most important thing being they are not guaranteed to get on any specific flight. And that they are not guaranteed of getting on the same flight. Not how I would choose to travel with small children. Too stressful!

 

[bumbershoot]

Same here, except due to my claustrophobia and the fact that I just hate flying period, I always get an aisle seat close to the front. If I ever flew Southwest (which I don't because I choose to always be able to purchase the seat I need), but if I ever did fly them, you better believe I'd be paying for EBCI even though most of my flights are solo.

FWIW, one of the reasons I started flying SW ages ago was because I kept getting moved from my previously chosen seat on other airlines. I ended up preferring to TRULY choose my seat, as I got on the plane with SW, instead of thinking I'd chosen it only to get reassigned later on.

 

[Princess on the Run]

I never said to force someone. If flying alone, I would move around to accommodate families, paid or not. I would imagine that there are other people that would as well. There is no way I would break up a young child from their parent just because I paid for my seat. No one knows who did and didn't pay for their flight.

I am stepping away from this. I am not a confrontational person and was afraid of the response I would get from asking that question. I'm not good at message boards and take things too personally. I have loved the DIS for the great info. I would never expect for someone to give me their seat. Out of the goodness of someone, we are able to make this trip using the non-revs ticket. I am blessed and lucky to be making it. We are going to try everything possible to be on a flight that we would not have this situation. I am just praying that if we were caught in this situation, that someone, out of the goodness of their heart would help us out. We will deal with what we get. Have a great day.

I almost responded to you earlier but didn't because I feel like I am one of the few people who agrees with you about moving seats and wanted to avoid the drama that would ensue. But I feel badly that you feel badly now. Having nothing to do with whether or not you paid for your ticket or not, I think most people in the real world would happily move to allow a parent and small child to sit together. Most people don't care that much about one dumb seat to force a 2 year old to sit with a stranger on principal. Most people aren't so self-centered and thoughtless to look at a mother who is trying to seat her family and say "Too bad! I was here first!" And anyone who cares that much about getting their precious seat shouldn't fly SWA. There are people with actual special concerns and most of them are seated first (wheel chairs, etc). Everyone else may have a preference or an ideal situation but in life we compromise for others all the time. There are some small things we can do that mean very little to us but a lot to someone else and most people appreciate the value in that.

When I fly alone, I never have a problem moving to accommodate a family. I don't care what seat or row I'm in because the whole plane gets there at the same time. When I fly with my family, we go as far back as needed to get the whole row and then try to find a kind-looking person to offer the window seat to rather than have some creepy person next to my child. I never ever buy EBCI and have never had a problem finding seats for my family.

I hope you have a great trip and I feel confident that there are more compassionate people in the real world who would be happy to help you if you need to move a seats to be with your children.

 

[kaytieeldr]

And anyone who cares that much about getting their precious seat shouldn't fly SWA.

Anyone who pays a premium or fee to select their seat in advance or get a better selection of available seating shouldn't be expected to relinquish that seat to anyone without such foresight, nor should they be the target of scorn or sarcasm.

Several posters are concerned for the original poster that she isn't aware of the conditions/restrictions that accompany a non-rev ticket. Now multiply those times four. They're the last to board - after all the assigned passengers, after all the standby passengers. They may not all get on that flight. If it's a connecting flight, they may get on the first leg but all or some may not be able to fly the second leg. In any case, you take what you can get for seats. I'm NOT saying the OP would do anything out of line, just providing information.

The airlines don't care that the only way a passenger can afford to fly is on non-rev tickets. And those passengers represent the employee who got them those tickets - so no acting up/out, no causing a scene.

 

[Princess on the Run]

Anyone who pays a premium or fee to select their seat in advance or get a better selection of available seating shouldn't be expected to relinquish that seat to anyone without such foresight, nor should they be the target of scorn or sarcasm.

Sorry, I think it's ridiculous and I do look on people who are that petty with scorn and sarcasm. I don't believe $10 makes me better than anyone else and I have compassion for small children on planes (and the people on planes with them). You won't change my mind and I don't suspect I will change yours.

 

[tjmw2727]

Sorry, I think it's ridiculous and I do look on people who are that petty with scorn and sarcasm. I don't believe $10 makes me better than anyone else and I have compassion for small children on planes (and the people on planes with them). You won't change my mind and I don't suspect I will change yours.

Just have to chime in here - we are not talking about $10 but in the quote you posted the poster is flying non revenue - ie free tickets. So there very well could be issues getting not only seats together but seats at all especially at peak times or on close connections.

If nothing else I hope that poster did not really bow out of the converstation and is at least reading along. Do some reasearch on this "gift" you have been given and get some real wold information. Even if the passengers are compassionate the airlines are not and they will seat revenue passengers first.

There was a news story a couple months back about a family who became stranded while flying on non revenue tickets when they couldn't get on the last leg of the flight.

 

[ZoeBell]

Just to add in my 2cents. The $10 charge isn't really picking a specific seat. Even with paying it you aren't guaranteed anything. Once I booked the day SW put the schedule out and paid the extra $10 on the day I bought my ticket. I ended up with B seating. I also noticed A 1-14 were empty and was told were held for business customers. But there those boarding numbers sat, empty as we were lining up.

I'd move for a family as I'd hope if I needed it a kind soul would do the same for me.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Sorry, I think it's ridiculous and I do look on people who are that petty with scorn and sarcasm. I don't believe $10 makes me better than anyone else and I have compassion for small children on planes (and the people on planes with them). You won't change my mind and I don't suspect I will change yours.

The issue isn't what was paid, it's that any additional amount the airline charges (to select a specific seat, to simply not have to be at a computer exactly 24 hours prior to departure, etc.) was paid. Passengers with a special situation such as needing to be seated with a young child need to be equally proactive.

 

[Princess on the Run]

Just to add in my 2cents. The $10 charge isn't really picking a specific seat. Even with paying it you aren't guaranteed anything. Once I booked the day SW put the schedule out and paid the extra $10 on the day I bought my ticket. I ended up with B seating. I also noticed A 1-14 were empty and was told were held for business customers. But there those boarding numbers sat, empty as we were lining up.

I'd move for a family as I'd hope if I needed it a kind soul would do the same for me.

Correct. Paying for EBCI doesn't give you a guarantee of anything. And the more people who pay for it, the less it's worth.

I think that most people would move for a family, just like most people hold a door for someone behind them, or an elevator, or let a person with 1 item go ahead of them at the grocery store. Are we required to do these things? Of course not. But it's the decent thing to do and I feel like there are more decent people than jerks in this world.

 

[stitchlovestink]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZoeBell

Just to add in my 2cents. The $10 charge isn't really picking a specific seat. Even with paying it you aren't guaranteed anything. Once I booked the day SW put the schedule out and paid the extra $10 on the day I bought my ticket. I ended up with B seating. I also noticed A 1-14 were empty and was told were held for business customers. But there those boarding numbers sat, empty as we were lining up.

I'd move for a family as I'd hope if I needed it a kind soul would do the same for me.

Correct. Paying for EBCI doesn't give you a guarantee of anything. And the more people who pay for it, the less it's worth.

I think that most people would move for a family, just like most people hold a door for someone behind them, or an elevator, or let a person with 1 item go ahead of them at the grocery store. Are we required to do these things? Of course not. But it's the decent thing to do and I feel like there are more decent people than jerks in this world.

You are not comparing apples to apples there! LOL!
I do ALL of the above and then some!! Holding doors or elevators, letting MORE than one person go in front of me in a store if I know my transaction is going to be lengthy. Telling a mom with a little one they can have the next available stall in the restroom line because I can wait an extra minute longer than that child probably can (if that is the case at that moment...lol) and I AM A JERK because I won't give up my seat that I paid for to someone who is flying FOR FREE so they can have convenience??!! Again, it is time to accept PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY. If you want to accept & use these types of FREE tickets, then do it knowing that you may or may NOT get on the flight all together and your seating will be where the leftover spots are. If someone is willing to move, GREAT!! But the whole plane should not be held up while some try to play musical seats to make 'their' life more convenient. It's not fair to the other 130+ passengers...that's my opinion. Maybe that's why other carriers have specific rules regarding usage of these tickets, because of situations such as this? Not sure, but it's a thought...


Posted from Disney Forums Reader for Android

 

[gigi1313]

This is incorrect.

Family boarding on WN is for one adult and one child age 4 or under. It is possible it will not even be offered on a flight to Orlando. This is a time when you should opt for EBCI. Seating on WN is three across, so with a lap baby, you should be able to get three seats together.

What is WN?

 

[maxiesmom]

I think that most people would move for a family, just like most people hold a door for someone behind them, or an elevator, or let a person with 1 item go ahead of them at the grocery store. Are we required to do these things? Of course not. But it's the decent thing to do and I feel like there are more decent people than jerks in this world.

I don't know, to me it is kind of jerky to not pay the additional fees needed to ensure your family can sit together, and expect others to move to accommodate you.

At any rate, that doesn't apply to the OP at all as she doesn't yet have any seats on any plane. She is taking a huge chance flying non-rev with children. They will need to be lucky indeed to get on the same plane, let alone get seats together.