Actual experience airtran through southwest

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I have no doubt they'll move you, and if they don't, I don't know anyone who wouldn't switch to let a parent sit with their little one. If for no other reason than (as my friend says) do *you* really want to have to entertain my 4 year old the whole flight?

Depends. If the parent acts like a brat and tries the threaten me with your kid act or otherwise acts up,I will take the kid.

 

[lazer]

Depends. If the parent acts like a brat and tries the threaten me with your kid act or otherwise acts up,I will take the kid.

I'd take most kids over parents...for the record!

 

[Gracie09]

I don't think ppl are really threatening to have strangers "watch their kids".

My four year would gladly sit next to anyone, but pretty sure most strangers wouldn't want to sit next to a random kid.

And, some of us don't have the luxury of booking on AirTran. Oddly enough the flight we needed was only available on AT thru SW. I even called and they said sometimes it happens, rarely but it does. So, I couldn't pay for boarding/preferred seats/whatever they're called these days.

We will see what happens 24 hours before our flight! And when we get to the airport.

There is always another option. You just may not like it as much

 

[DebbieB]

Just checked in at EXACTLY the 24 hour mark for a SW flight through Airtran and it gave me the following seats:

11 E, 12 F, 12 D and my youngest child got two dashes in the seat number. So I called and they told me that her seat would be 20 F. 8 rows away It is all one confirmation number and all four people on the same confirmation number... you would THINK they could try to group those four people together.

They may have just had random seats left after the people who paid for their assignments.

If you can't get them changed, I would put an adult in 20F and the rest of the family in 11 & 12. It will be easier to get people to move around in 11 or 12 than all the way back to 20.

 

[maxiesmom]

I have no doubt they'll move you, and if they don't, I don't know anyone who wouldn't switch to let a parent sit with their little one. If for no other reason than (as my friend says) do *you* really want to have to entertain my 4 year old the whole flight?

If someone was being a witch about the seating assignments, I wouldn't entertain their 4 year old. I'd put on my headphones as I usually do, and block out the world. If the child was plopped down with some snide comment, then no, I wouldn't go out of my way to be helpful.

As Gracie09 said, that threat (which is what it is) is getting old. Very old.

 

[Deb T.]

All I can say is "wow". I would NEVER deny a parent to sit with their child, especially any children under the age of 13. If there was an emergency onboard, I would want the child to have the comfort and aid of their parent. I have been onboard a plane that had to make a true emergency landing - it is not a pleasant experience for anyone of any age. I would at least hope that those of you who would sit next to a child in defiance of their parent would at least not leave the child behind in an emergency.

 

[brettb]

If someone was being a witch about the seating assignments, I wouldn't entertain their 4 year old. I'd put on my headphones as I usually do, and block out the world. If the child was plopped down with some snide comment, then no, I wouldn't go out of my way to be helpful.

As Gracie09 said, that threat (which is what it is) is getting old. Very old.

And how many times has this actually happened in real life as opposed to the internetz?

The only thing "older" than the semi-snarky "well, enjoy my 4 year your old sitting next to you comments" ON THE INTERNETZ are the "I *paid* for my seat assignment, if you need to sit with your children you need to pay (through the nose/fly another carrier/yadda yadda yadda) to book so that you're guaranteed to sit with your family" (also on the INTERNETZ.)

Aw, heck, as long as all this silliness stays on the INTERNETZ, I don't really care. On both my flights, all the SW customers - us included - who booked with points were all intermingled and worked things out to everybody's satisfaction with smiles and friendly conversation. (This included one mom who didn't really care about sitting with her husband with lap baby and her older son. She had a great conversation a woman and her daughter behind us and we happily passed clean diapers to Dad when necessary.)

 

[maxiesmom]

And how many times has this actually happened in real life as opposed to the internetz?

The only thing "older" than the semi-snarky "well, enjoy my 4 year your old sitting next to you comments" ON THE INTERNETZ are the "I *paid* for my seat assignment, if you need to sit with your children you need to pay (through the nose/fly another carrier/yadda yadda yadda) to book so that you're guaranteed to sit with your family" (also on the INTERNETZ.)

Aw, heck, as long as all this silliness stays on the INTERNETZ, I don't really care. On both my flights, all the SW customers - us included - who booked with points were all intermingled and worked things out to everybody's satisfaction with smiles and friendly conversation. (This included one mom who didn't really care about sitting with her husband with lap baby and her older son. She had a great conversation a woman and her daughter behind us and we happily passed clean diapers to Dad when necessary.)

I've been on a flight where a woman asked me to trade my up front aisle seat for her in back middle one so that she could sit next to her daughters. They looked around 10 or so. I refused, as I have clausterphobia, and sitting between 2 strangers near the back would cause a panic attack, and make me a mess for the whole flight. I refused to trade.

One of the people sitting in front of me traded with her. Know how much attention she paid to those kids she just had to be near? Every so often her arm would come over the back of the seat and she would drop down a bag of snacks. That was it.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I have refused to move when seeing the hissy fit as did a lot of others. The woman was finally offered two options..,, sit down in the available seats or get off

And then it got hysterical. As she started off the plane with her kid someone yells out a name. Turns out she has 4 other adult family members on the plane including 3 in a row. They proceed to yell at her about how now they can't sit together and play cards because she would not just sit down. I thought the Flight Attendant and Gate Agent were going to kill everyone involved.

 

[brettb]

I've been on a flight where a woman asked me to trade my up front aisle seat for her in back middle one so that she could sit next to her daughters. They looked around 10 or so. I refused, as I have clausterphobia, and sitting between 2 strangers near the back would cause a panic attack, and make me a mess for the whole flight. I refused to trade.

That's totally fair. I assume you were both nice about it and that the person in front of you wasn't in the aisle, otherwise you would have been happy to move forward a row the mom and daughters could have been in the same row.

One of the people sitting in front of me traded with her. Know how much attention she paid to those kids she just had to be near? Every so often her arm would come over the back of the seat and she would drop down a bag of snacks. That was it.

This? Not so much. Maybe being one row apart was close enough for *them* not to be a mess for the whole flight.

I have refused to move when seeing the hissy fit as did a lot of others. The woman was finally offered two options..,, sit down in the available seats or get off

And then it got hysterical. As she started off the plane with her kid someone yells out a name. Turns out she has 4 other adult family members on the plane including 3 in a row. They proceed to yell at her about how now they can't sit together and play cards because she would not just sit down. I thought the Flight Attendant and Gate Agent were going to kill everyone involved.

Of course there are crazy jerks out in the real world.

Here's the thing: Southwest / Airtran has a temporary customer service issue during this transition phase. A lot of people are faced with a seating situation that isn't what they're used to AND will be resolved once the merger is complete. For now, Southwest (and perhaps AirTran if passengers who book a SW flight through AT can't buy EBCI) is delivering below-normal customer service.

My point is that us Southwest customers who may be heavily invested in SW Rapid Rewards and have seen SW flights scaled back / replaced by the AT flights, don't need to freak out when we're not assigned seats together.

I don't think I've seen any reports of the gate agent being able to re-seat people together - and that was out experience, too. But even at that point, there's no reason to panic. Maybe I'm not experienced enough, but it seems to me that if a reasonable request is made nicely, there are enough nice people (who are able to be flexible without putting themselves in distress) that things will work out once on board.

 

[chrissy92972]

On 8/22 I flew from Baltimore to Orlando with my three children. So 1 adult and three ten year olds.

This was our first flight in almost 8 years so to say I was nervous was an understatement.

I booked on the Southwest site but had Air Tran Flights both ways. On 8/22 I checked in at 24 hours exactly and we ended up in row 17 with 4 seats in a row. We had the three seats on the right side of the plane and the aisle on the left. The window seat was a child and his mom and siblings were directly in front of us.

When we got to the airport in Baltimore we checked in with our computer boarding passes and she printed new ones. Also our checked luggage was free. She did ask me how I booked the flights. They were all one confirmation number.

On the way home on 8/30 I checked in at exactly 24 hours and we were assigned row 11 and had the three seats on the right and the window seat on the left. We had a single adult sitting in the aisle.

After reading the stories on here, I know we lucked out, but thankfully I was able to sit with my son who has type 1 diabetes and didn't have to make any special requests.

Chrissy

 

[Gracie09]

And how many times has this actually happened in real life as opposed to the internetz?

The only thing "older" than the semi-snarky "well, enjoy my 4 year your old sitting next to you comments" ON THE INTERNETZ are the "I *paid* for my seat assignment, if you need to sit with your children you need to pay (through the nose/fly another carrier/yadda yadda yadda) to book so that you're guaranteed to sit with your family" (also on the INTERNETZ.)

Aw, heck, as long as all this silliness stays on the INTERNETZ, I don't really care. On both my flights, all the SW customers - us included - who booked with points were all intermingled and worked things out to everybody's satisfaction with smiles and friendly conversation. (This included one mom who didn't really care about sitting with her husband with lap baby and her older son. She had a great conversation a woman and her daughter behind us and we happily passed clean diapers to Dad when necessary.)

It called being a responsible parent. If I have to pay a bit more to sit near my kids, I do it. Whether its a different flight different airline or booking the same flight a different way. This whole i have a kid im special stuff is out of control. If I paid for a product, and a specific seat is a product, then I intend to use it barring the pilot telling me to move. And even then I would request a refund.

 

[Granny square]

It called being a responsible parent. If I have to pay a bit more to sit near my kids, I do it. Whether its a different flight different airline or booking the same flight a different way. This whole i have a kid im special stuff is out of control. If I paid for a product, and a specific seat is a product, then I intend to use it barring the pilot telling me to move. And even then I would request a refund.

Yup. It is totally crazy to not put one's child ahead of money. They are our responsibility.

 

[shyjade]

I an a responsible patent who has always flown AirTran to Orlando and paid extra to reserve our seats. This time I thought I would try Southwest, knowing they assign zones. On the SW website I found 2 seats on a direct AT flight. Because of my previous AT experience, I thought I would be able to pay to reserve our seats as I have always done in the past.

It is rude to assume I am an irresponsible parent because I made an assumption based on all my previous experiences with AirTran and missed the fine print indicating I couldn't pay to reserve my seats! I hadn't discovered the DIS posts when I booked our flights in April. It was an honest MISTAKE. And I'm not the only one on this forum who did.

It must feel amazing to be so perfect that you can insult and judge people who make honest mistakes! Where do you get off judging other parents as irresponsible?! Shame on you, hop of that high horse of yours and have some respect for others!

 

[Granny square]

Not perfect by far. But so tired of people not planning, and not taking fiscal responsibility and expecting others who did to adapt. It is the attitude that families deserve something they were too cheap to pay for. And chances are those same families are taking the crew to bbb or some other expensive extra outing that was more imperative than sitting together on the plane.

I fly tomorrow and even though am alone, paid for ebci. I have to be able to get up and move due to a heart condition.

 

[Gracie09]

I an a responsible patent who has always flown AirTran to Orlando and paid extra to reserve our seats. This time I thought I would try Southwest, knowing they assign zones. On the SW website I found 2 seats on a direct AT flight. Because of my previous AT experience, I thought I would be able to pay to reserve our seats as I have always done in the past.

It is rude to assume I am an irresponsible parent because I made an assumption based on all my previous experiences with AirTran and missed the fine print indicating I couldn't pay to reserve my seats! I hadn't discovered the DIS posts when I booked our flights in April. It was an honest MISTAKE. And I'm not the only one on this forum who did.

It must feel amazing to be so perfect that you can insult and judge people who make honest mistakes! Where do you get off judging other parents as irresponsible?! Shame on you, hop of that high horse of yours and have some respect for others!

Not perfect but I do read the warnings that sw and AirTran posted that says if you buy AirTran through sw your seats are assigned when you check in t-24. It's right there before you confirm your seats. At a minimum it would make me pause and make a phone call asking the airline what the deal was. I don't have much sympathy when it would have taken thirty seconds to read the warning and a five minute toll free phone call to the airline to make sure you understood what you read.
Also of you booked sw you can change your flight to another open one without penalty but you have to pay any price difference. So again a way you can rectify a mistake without inconveniencing others.

 

[maxiesmom]

It must feel amazing to be so perfect that you can insult and judge people who make honest mistakes! Where do you get off judging other parents as irresponsible?! Shame on you, hop of that high horse of yours and have some respect for others!

I don't find it very respectful of others to act as if they have an obligation to switch seats with you, as you have a young child and they don't.

Using your own experiences as an example: What if you went to the airport, and you were separated from your child on the flight, and asked someone to move but they refused? Would you be respectful of their choice to keep their seat? Or would you think"Gee, I am a parent here! They can't possibly need that seat as much as I do?" Or would you stop and consider they may have a need of that seat too? Maybe the one they are sitting with is terrified of flying? Maybe they need an aisle seat because they are clausterphobic?

I understand mistakes are made. But what bothers me is the attitude of some that being a parent means their needs trump everyone else's. But be aware that other people may have a need of the seat they are in too. And they don't owe anyone an explanation of why they say "No" if they do when they are asked to trade seats.

 

[shyjade]

Not all of us who are in this situation are asking to be switched, our expecting anything. My child knows we well likely be separated during the flight, and why (I made a mistake).

 

[zoo2tycoon]

I don't find it very respectful of others to act as if they have an obligation to switch seats with you, as you have a young child and they don't.

Using your own experiences as an example: What if you went to the airport, and you were separated from your child on the flight, and asked someone to move but they refused? Would you be respectful of their choice to keep their seat? Or would you think"Gee, I am a parent here! They can't possibly need that seat as much as I do?" Or would you stop and consider they may have a need of that seat too? Maybe the one they are sitting with is terrified of flying? Maybe they need an aisle seat because they are clausterphobic?

I understand mistakes are made. But what bothers me is the attitude of some that being a parent means their needs trump everyone else's. But be aware that other people may have a need of the seat they are in too. And they don't owe anyone an explanation of why they say "No" if they do when they are asked to trade seats.

Totally agree with you!


And Shyjade--you did make an error--you didn't read the details of what you were booking. It is not unreasonable to expect someone to read the details of what ticket they are booking before they hit purchase.
BUT ...it happens all the time people don't read then complain, whine and call foul. They realize there is a penalty for changing flights, there is a baggage fee, there is a fee for seats, there is no cancelling the flight because you changed your mind.

People are so click happy and don't read...if you don't read you have nobody to blame but yourself.

 

[lazer]

Totally agree with you!

And Shyjade--you did make an error--you didn't read the details of what you were booking. It is not unreasonable to expect someone to read the details of what ticket they are booking before they hit purchase.
BUT ...it happens all the time people don't read then complain, whine and call foul. They realize there is a penalty for changing flights, there is a baggage fee, there is a fee for seats, there is no cancelling the flight because you changed your mind.

People are so click happy and don't read...if you don't read you have nobody to blame but yourself.

Click happy and don't read...so you didn't read the part where she said she made a mistake? Ironic.