Anyone have SW make you give up EBCI seat?

[gmeh1]

I don't have a problem with it, if you're not in an exit or bulkhead row.

Those are generally considered, particularly by business travelers, to be the best seats on the plane. Part of what we earn by giving southwest thousands and thousands of dollars of business, is first crack at the good seats, and overhead bins.

So when a guy gets on, who was not in business select but was high on the boarding list, so probably an a-list pax, grabs the only 2 seats on the plane that have no passengers on either side, while his wife clearly wandered onto the plane 20 minutes later and was enjoying a beer instead of waiting in line, it was irritating.

It was flagrant, and his attitude about it was equally annoying.

As far as I'm concerned, you can save 3 entire rows in the back of the plane-- I don't care. But when you grab the BEST seats, and take one for someone who does not have the right to it (since they're boarding 80 people behind you) it is an obnoxious thing to do.

It would be exactly the same thing to me as having one person wait in line, then calling a family of 4 up to join you at the last second. Is it against the rules? maybe not. Is it really rude and obnoxious? Yes.

Wait one here. What I hear you saying is you don't care where they save seats as long as it isn't a seat you want. I find that annoying and an obnoxious "entitlement" attitude. Anyone can purchase a business select fare and get that wonderful boarding number and get all those "perqs". You don't know what that couple paid for the fare and the fact that they had a lower boarding number entitles them to select any seat they want. The factors in the woman's boarding later than you would have liked means really nothing. All it means is she was doing something that may have caused her to be delayed in boarding, it really does not matter what she was doing. Saving seats is not against the rules, deal with it.

 

[HBGdancermom]

How far in advance do you book the EBCI?

 

[LisaS]

How far in advance do you book the EBCI?

The earlier you add EBCI to your reservation, the better your boarding position will be. I usually purchase my tickets the day SW releases the schedule and I add EBCI at that time. There is some evidence that if you change your reservation to take advantage of price drops, it also changes the EBCI purchase date putting you further back in line.

 

[HBGdancermom]

The earlier you add EBCI to your reservation, the better your boarding position will be. I usually purchase my tickets the day SW releases the schedule and I add EBCI at that time. There is some evidence that if you change your reservation to take advantage of price drops, it also changes the EBCI purchase date putting you further back in line.

Thanks!

 

[mmdisneylover]

I was just curious how often this really happens.

I see on here where people post that they SW won't let young children (ones too old for family boarding, but too young for the parent to be comfortable with them sitting by themselves. ) sit by themselves and they will force people to move to accommodate. Has anyone ever experienced this after they paid for EBCI. Do you get your EBCI refunded or other compensation if you and your travel companion are now sitting in middle seats on opposite ends of the plane after you paid for a good boarding position?

I have flown many times. If I'm by myself or a short flight I usually just check in at the 24 hour mark. I've even changed with someone to a middle seat once so they could sit with their teenager who was uncomfortable sitting by themselves. I don't have a problem being between two strangers. I'm used to public transportation.

However, this upcoming trip is with my boyfriend, it's somewhat romantic and we are flying from CA to FL so a longer flight. We really want to sit together so I sprung for EBCI round trip. Now if someone tells me they our seats for their family, who didn't buy EBCI, how likely is it that Southwest will force me to move, and will they refund my EBCI?

I just want to be prepared, I don't generally cause trouble, and would be fine moving if they could find us something together. But if SW forces you to accommodate do they refund your EBCI or offer some other compensation? I've never been forced to change on sW, it's always been voluntary, but this time the circumstances are a little different and want to be prepared, especially flying to Orlando where there is likely to be lots of families with kids.

I don't think they can ever make you move they can ask you but can't make you or anyone else unless something has changed.

 

[arielchickenofthesea]

Completely agree. I can't understand why an adult who can fully take care of themselves would consider a seat location on a plane more important than the safety and security of a child.

How about if you are a somewhat physically disabled (very bad back and knee and must use a wheelchair to get to the plane) adult who also has a terrible fear of flying and must sit next to her husband.

I am able fully take care of myself, but NEED the moral support of my husband to get through the flying experience and that is why I would NOT give up my seat. My physical disability is not a liability once I am seated, as I am in a airline seat or wheelchair. I just canmnot walk very well and am in a great deal of pain if I have to sit in coach (which I NEVER do or would NEVER do!))

It is getting on and off the plane and through the airport and anywhere else that requires the help of wheels. I also can be terrified in turbulence and easily get panicked while flying if there is turbulence of any kind.

I fly because I have to to get to the places I want to go to, ports to go on cruises, WDW. DL and family visits. I take medication for the flights yet still have a fear of flying.

But my physical disability makes it impossible for me to sit anywhere but First Class anyway, so we never fly SW. I still would not give up a seat in First Class to a child if asked, because of my pain and disability (and children do not belong in First Class anyway. We had two children in First Class the last flight just a few weeks ago at Christmas and the screaming was intolerable from one of them and the loud questions about everything from the other child was very irritating. I really don't think that babies and young children prone to screaming and cryiing should be seated in First Class. JMHO.

I knnow that may not be a popular viewpoint on a family oriented Disney Message Board but we pay a very high price for First Class tix and it shoud be a first class experience. I think there should be a section for those who want to travel with their kids at a premium ticket price, but not directly in the First Class cabin.

Anyway, the bottom line is I would not give my seat to a child because my physical disabilty and my fear of flying preclude me from doing so. I HAVE to to sit next to my husband and put the death grip on his arm or hand in rough skies and often will hide my face in his shoulder or chest. I do not think a stranger would appreciate that...

And if I booked that far out on an airline that had a seating priority arrangement and I had paid for that that option, why would I give up a seat after paying an extra amount to sit where I wanted to. Is the airline going to refund the extra amount for the priority seating arrangement?
Just my own humble opinion....

 

[DebbieB]

How about if you are a somewhat physically disabled (very bad back and knee and must use a wheelchair to get to the plane) adult who also has a terrible fear of flying and must sit next to her husband.

I am able fully take care of myself, but NEED the moral support of my husband to get through the flying experience and that is why I would NOT give up my seat. My physical disability is not a liability once I am seated, as I am in a airline seat or wheelchair. I just canmnot walk very well and am in a great deal of pain if I have to sit in coach (which I NEVER do or would NEVER do!))

It is getting on and off the plane and through the airport and anywhere else that requires the help of wheels. I also can be terrified in turbulence and easily get panicked while flying if there is turbulence of any kind.

I fly because I have to to get to the places I want to go to, ports to go on cruises, WDW. DL and family visits. I take medication for the flights yet still have a fear of flying.

But my physical disability makes it impossible for me to sit anywhere but First Class anyway, so we never fly SW. I still would not give up a seat in First Class to a child if asked, because of my pain and disability (and children do not belong in First Class anyway. We had two children in First Class the last flight just a few weeks ago at Christmas and the screaming was intolerable from one of them and the loud questions about everything from the other child was very irritating. I really don't think that babies and young children prone to screaming and cryiing should be seated in First Class. JMHO.

I knnow that may not be a popular viewpoint on a family oriented Disney Message Board but we pay a very high price for First Class tix and it shoud be a first class experience. I think there should be a section for those who want to travel with their kids at a premium ticket price, but not directly in the First Class cabin.

Anyway, the bottom line is I would not give my seat to a child because my physical disabilty and my fear of flying preclude me from doing so. I HAVE to to sit next to my husband and put the death grip on his arm or hand in rough skies and often will hide my face in his shoulder or chest. I do not think a stranger would appreciate that...

And if I booked that far out on an airline that had a seating priority arrangement and I had paid for that that option, why would I give up a seat after paying an extra amount to sit where I wanted to. Is the airline going to refund the extra amount for the priority seating arrangement?
Just my own humble opinion....

No one is asking someone with a physical disability to give up their seat.

I doubt they are going to exclude children from first class. If their parents have the money, they are glad to take it.

 

[Gracie09]

No one is asking someone with a physical disability to give up their seat. I doubt they are going to exclude children from first class. If their parents have the money, they are glad to take it.

Yup they were very happy to take money when dd 1 flew first class with us. If the parents want to pay who are you to say they shouldn't be there. Btw the flights attendants commented how well behaved she was.

Btw if you fly first class they generally don't overbook. Pretty much when you buy your seat that's your seat. So it is unlikely you will be asked to move.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

....

Btw if you fly first class they generally don't overbook. Pretty much when you buy your seat that's your seat. So it is unlikely you will be asked to move.

Not true. I personally have lost a first class seat. It happens; you can be bumped out of first due to an aircraft swap, if a seat is needed for a federal Air Marshal, if a seat is broken, etc. Your seat assignment can be changed by your airline in any class.

 

[Gracie09]

Not true. I personally have lost a first class seat. It happens; you can be bumped out of first due to an aircraft swap, if a seat is needed for a federal Air Marshal, if a seat is broken, etc. Your seat assignment can be changed by your airline in any class.

An air Marshall or broken seat is different than a parent wanting to sit with a child. And I said unlikely. I think those situations fall in the unlikely umbrella. Like in the unlikely event of a water landing you seat cushion is a floatation device.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

An air Marshall or broken seat is different than a parent wanting to sit with a child. And I said unlikely. I think those situations fall in the unlikely umbrella. Like in the unlikely event of a water landing you seat cushion is a floatation device.

 

[MaleficentRN]

Not true. I personally have lost a first class seat. It happens; you can be bumped out of first due to an aircraft swap, if a seat is needed for a federal Air Marshal, if a seat is broken, etc. Your seat assignment can be changed by your airline in any class.

Were you flying with rewards or a premium member upgrade?

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Were you flying with rewards or a premium member upgrade?

I upgraded a paid economy seat with miles. My husband did as well (this was on United where we are both 1Ks); my seat was given away, his was not. I never got an explanation of why this happened, but UA did move us to a later flight in First; two people were bumped out of first on that flight to accommodate us. I assume they had lower status.

 

[DebbieB]

I've been bumped out of my seat many times on legacy airlines. Sometimes right at boarding time. I remember one time on Delta I had a seat in the third row of coach, when I boarded a slip popped out and I was given a seat in the 2nd to last row. Apparently they had some people who were in first class on a cancelled flight and could not get first class on the new flight. So they put them in the first rows of coach and gave them free drinks. And bumped people assigned there to new seats. So there's no "guarantee" with them that you will sit together even with pre-assigned seats.

 

[PatMcDuck]

Completely agree. I can't understand why an adult who can fully take care of themselves would consider a seat location on a plane more important than the safety and security of a child.

I would not move on a flight, that I paid for EBCI. I was flying alone, and had my window seat. They asked for volunteers, not sure it would have helped for me to move anyway, as I was just a single seat. But in my head, I thought, no way, I got my good seat, not moving.

That sounds sort of awful, but I am being honest…… of course if it was a major commotion, I would have, I guess.

And we once had 6 seats together, 3 and 3, one behind another. They bumped 3 of us to the back, the very last row. I did not realize it was the VERY last row, until I walked to the back of the place. And it was pretty awful back there. (no recline and BATHROOM traffic and smells) I was cool about the seat switch, at first, after all, we were 3+3 anyway; but ugh. So there is no guarantee of seats anywhere, I guess.

 

[Disneylover99]

We bought EBCI.

On a flight coming home from Orlando I was asked by a flight attendant if I could move back one seat because an elderly passenger in a wheelchair and her son needed to sit together. I was in an aisle seat while my husband and two children were in the three seats across from me.

Moving back one seat shouldn't have been that big of a deal, but I'm not going to lie. It really bugged me!

 

[Momoftwins+1]

This is why I don't fly SW unless I'm flying alone or only with DH. That head of the line cattle call price gets steep when you have to pay for 5 people, both ways and I won't take the chance of not being able to sit with my children. We are going United to MCO and have booked close to the back of the plane to make the " I have to pee " at the last minute statements easier to handle and so we can have them gather themselves to get off the plane without getting in the way of others who may be in a hurry (we won't be).

I think if you have children you should make sure you purchase those early computer booked cattle call options to ensure you sit together or purchase tickets on an airline that allows you to select seats. It is the parents responsibility not the passengers that thought ahead and was willing to fork out the extra cost for their boarding letter/number.

I was on a SW flight a few weeks ago and a family got on late ( and by late I mean I was the 2nd to last to board the plane at boarding time due to purchasing the ticket 5 hours before the flight and they got on after I had already been seated in the 2nd to last row of the plane) and the stewardess was trying to find people willing to move around to let family members sit together. At least they could have gotten there on time...

 

[sam_gordon]

This is why I don't fly SW unless I'm flying alone or only with DH. That head of the line cattle call price gets steep when you have to pay for 5 people, both ways and I won't take the chance of not being able to sit with my children. We are going United to MCO and have booked close to the back of the plane to make the " I have to pee " at the last minute statements easier to handle and so we can have them gather themselves to get off the plane without getting in the way of others who may be in a hurry (we won't be).

I think if you have children you should make sure you purchase those early computer booked cattle call options to ensure you sit together or purchase tickets on an airline that allows you to select seats. It is the parents responsibility not the passengers that thought ahead and was willing to fork out the extra cost for their boarding letter/number.

I was on a SW flight a few weeks ago and a family got on late ( and by late I mean I was the 2nd to last to board the plane at boarding time due to purchasing the ticket 5 hours before the flight and they got on after I had already been seated in the 2nd to last row of the plane) and the stewardess was trying to find people willing to move around to let family members sit together. At least they could have gotten there on time...

Two items I want to comment on...

1) Even with "assigned" seats, there is no guarantee you'll sit with your travelling companions until the door of the plane is closed. Equipment changes and weather delays can have people sitting by themselves, even on "legacy" airlines.
2) Regarding your last story, the "late" family may have purchased EBCI or had A boarding passes from checking in at T-24. A late connection though had them getting to your plane late. That's not their fault.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

?......

I was on a SW flight a few weeks ago and a family got on late ( and by late I mean I was the 2nd to last to board the plane at boarding time due to purchasing the ticket 5 hours before the flight and they got on after I had already been seated in the 2nd to last row of the plane) and the stewardess was trying to find people willing to move around to let family members sit together. At least they could have gotten there on time...

The previous poster is right; this family might have been boarding late through no fault of their own (late connecting flight, security delay, etc).

By the way, the term stewardess had not been used in many years. They are flight attendants.

 

[bookgirl]

DH and I have flown SW many times and we've never seen any one 'forced' to give up their seat. Frequently (especially flying to Orlando) people have been asked if they would switch seats to accomodate a family wanting to sit together. Sometimes they've offered drink vouchers if you're willing to switch. In all our flights that's as far as it went, someone has always been willing to switch so there was never a 'forced' switch.

I wouldn't worry. Go enjoy!

Ditto I've seen them offer booze. I've never seen them force a move but I have seen them lay on a thick layer of guilt.

My mom is a nervous flyer and refuses to change away from me or my stepdad.

By myself...

I absolutely feel bad but being larger and claustrophobic in the middle I would not switch no matter what they offered as far as drinks or EBCI back (free flight maybe depending on length of flight). I would sit in the middle if I had no choice as far as my seating number but if I got a seat, I'm sorry I'm in the seat.

Not even the fine I'll put my child next to YOU would deter me. Worked in daycare and special ed for decades....your kid does not scare me.

I fly with an ipad and headphones, I'm in my own little world.