An odd flight question

[rwdavis2]

On another board there was a question about why you can't get off a plane at one of its intermediate stops when it's cheaper than a non-stop. I know and understand the why-nots. But here's a twist of which I don't know the answer:

Assuming one is flying Southwest (no assigned seats) how do they know which specific person got off the plane at the midway point? They may know that there are not the expected number of people on the plane when it takes off again but not who got off, correct?

You could just grab your carry-on luggage and go as if you meant to get off there in the first place. This also assumes you are not changing planes to a connecting flight but just making a stop to drop off and pick up with no plane change.

What am I missing?

 

[Dis_Dreamin]

Are you referring to skipping the connection? If so, you'll have a boarding pass for that flight as well, which is scanned upon boarding. That will show who did and didn't get on the flight.

 

[bicker]

I don't know how Southwest works, but the flight attendants on other airlines keep track of passengers who stay on-board at connection points for a flight, and they are entered on the manifest for the flight, along with those entering the aircraft at the connection point. That way, the airline has a full list of who's on board, and can detect any throwaway tinkering people try to pull off.

 

[rwdavis2]

Are you referring to skipping the connection? If so, you'll have a boarding pass for that flight as well, which is scanned upon boarding. That will show who did and didn't get on the flight.

Once I thought about it I figured out why it won't work on Southwest. Their schedule does not tell you where the stop is when the flight is listed as "1 Stop". Flights the require you to board another flight with a separate boarding pass, I know, won't work. But I had thought that if, on SW, you are not required to change planes then no one would know who you were. You just get off when it lands at the intermediate stop.

My exact scenario was:

Buy a SW ticket for flight that is listed as "1 Stop" and not, non-stop. This means you don't get off the plane at the "1 Stop". The plane leaves off and takes on passengers. So when people who meant to get off are doing so you join them as long as you have carry on luggage. The flight crew has no idea who you are since there are no assigned seats.

But, again, this won't work since Southwest does not tell you where that "1 Stop" is when buying the ticket.

 

[CPT Tripss]

But it's not difficult to determine where the "1 stop" is with a little additional searching.

 

[Diegosmom]

Its real easy to figure out what that one stop is and with southwest not sure it would be cheaper anyway (they base there flights on miles). Once everyone gets off flight attendants count the people remaining. They know they are suppose to have say 10 people...they only count 9...so now they have to check everyone to see who is missing so the manifest is correct...so they would know you got off...

 

[rwdavis2]

Its real easy to figure out what that one stop is and with southwest not sure it would be cheaper anyway (they base there flights on miles). Once everyone gets off flight attendants count the people remaining. They know they are suppose to have say 10 people...they only count 9...so now they have to check everyone to see who is missing so the manifest is correct...so they would know you got off...

I've never see the crew actually start asking people their names. Do they? I'd never do this as it's to much trouble for the money saved.

 

[bumbershoot]

I've never seen them take names. A person could easily just get massively confused and get off the plane, and be out of the airport before the flight finished boarding the new people.

They tell you where it's stopping, once you choose the flight and continue on. Just looked at some flights:

San Diego, CA to Seattle, WA
Friday, July 8, 2011
Travel Time 4 h 05 m
(1 stop, no plane change)

#296 Depart San Diego, CA (SAN)
Stops in Oakland, CA
6:55 AM
Arrive in Seattle/Tacoma, WA (SEA) 11:00 AM


And the difference for a flight where there's a change:

Seattle, WA to San Diego, CA
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Travel Time 6 h 05 m
(1 stop, includes 1 plane change)

#3457 Depart Seattle/Tacoma, WA (SEA)
9:40 AM
Arrive in San Jose, CA (SJC) 11:50 AM
#3916 Change connect, change plane in San Jose, CA (SJC)
2:25 PM
Arrive in San Diego, CA (SAN) 3:45 PM



I'm not a rule-breaking type of person, but a part of my brain likes thinking of these interesting things, so thanks!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

On another board there was a question about why you can't get off a plane at one of its intermediate stops when it's cheaper than a non-stop.

Actually you can do this, as long as you have no checked baggage and they allow passengers off the plane. Just don't make a habit of doing so on the same airline.

As others have stated, you can easily find out where a SWA jet is stopping. Just call the airline and ask.

 

[Brian Noble]

I've been under the impression that SW typically doesn't violate the "triangle inequality" in its fare structure. If that's true (and it might not be, I haven't checked in a while) then hidden city ticketing won't really help, because the direct ticket with the throwaway segment will cost more than a non-stop to the destination of choice.

 

[ImprovGal]

Southwest actually does allow hidden city ticketing. It doesn't apply to checked baggage, so fly with carryon-only. From Southwest's Customer Service Commitment (last revision 6/22/11): "With respect to all of our fares, Southwest Airlines does not prohibit or penalize what is commonly known as ―hidden city‖ ticketing, nor does it prohibit or penalize what is commonly known as ―back–to-back‖ ticketing. ―Hidden city‖ and ―back-to-back‖ reservations and tickets are authorized for travel on Southwest Airlines. It is important to note that your luggage will be checked to the final destination as shown in your reservation record. Should you choose to deplane at a stopover or connection point, you will be responsible for making arrangements to have your luggage delivered to you. Southwest will not entertain a lost or delayed baggage claim or interim expenses in this circumstance."

If you're going to deplane at an intermediate stop, it would be a good idea to let the gate agent or flight attendant (if the crew is continuing on) so they can balance out the passenger manifest.