Anyone here actually been DENIED pre-boarding on Southwest with children under 5?

[tjmw2727]

Anyone who doesn't move to let a small child sit next to a parent is selfish and self-centered, yes, IMO.

As previously stated, you don't know why they boarded late. Most likely, their previous flight was late, giving them NO CONTROL over when they got on the plane.

Actually, in my case it was the familes with lap babies who were selfish. Trying to keep an extra seat they didn't pay for by placing the lap baby on it and saving other seats for auntie, granny etc. Also those who save the middle when they don't need it. IMHO you should take the seats you want and if you are a party of two take aisle aisle or someone sits in a middle seat. Taking aisle window in hopes of having an extra for yourselves messes up the rest of the boarding and no that seat won't remain empty! If everyone would just choose a seat they are happy with and not try and save a middle then more familes would end up together. So I can see examples of selfishniss and entitlement in both senarios.

Having moved from an aisle seat that I waited in the front of the A line for almost an hour to ensure for a window seat with obnoxious rowmates I will carefully consider my options before I "volunteer" in the future.

On Southwest if you check in online and get to the airport early there is no reason why you won't get to sit with your family. With the legacies if they change your seat assignments your pretty much out of luck.

TJ

 

[Donna]

Not to change the subject, just wondering why everyone likes aisle seats. I prefer a window, i guess for something different to look at but i noticed alot of people do like that aisle. It seems when i've had an aisle seat, you get bumped alot and there's not so much to look at. To each his own, of course, but i was just wondering what everyone likes about having that aisle seat. I know some airlines charge MORE for an aisle seat so it must be preferred for a reason!

 

[ducklite]

Not to change the subject, just wondering why everyone likes aisle seats. I prefer a window, i guess for something different to look at but i noticed alot of people do like that aisle. It seems when i've had an aisle seat, you get bumped alot and there's not so much to look at. To each his own, of course, but i was just wondering what everyone likes about having that aisle seat. I know some airlines charge MORE for an aisle seat so it must be preferred for a reason!

You can stretch out a little more in an aisle seat. There's really not much to look at out the window through most of the flight. I feel much less claustrophobic in an aisle seat. And if you want to use the lav it's just easy to get up and go, as opposed to bothering everyone else in the row to let you out and then back in again.

Anne

 

[bavaria]

What I find interesting is that I was reading about this very subject on a different forum (not sure where), and the people there were saying that the majority of the parents they saw who were raising a fuss about being next to their child wanted to switch from a sub par seat, like the middle, to an aisle seat. Never did they want to go from the good seat to the middle to be next to their kid.

Marseeya, I read this fairly often on flyertalk.com in the United forums. (United rewards its frequent travellers with seats in Economy Plus which has extra leg room, and anyone wanting an E+ seat must pay for an 'upgrade' whether they switch at checkin, at the gate, or even on board the aircraft). Frankly, a lot of times it seems to come down to 'ask nicely' on those boards - the frequent fliers who get angry seem to have been asked to move by someone who expected them to move.

(Using 'you' here in the general sense - not directed at anyone poster and in particular not at the one I quoted above) And let's not forget that many 'issues' as one of you called them are invisible. If you saw me you would see an apparently healthy, robust young woman. Besides my raging claustrophobia I have other physical conditions which may be invisible to you, but are very real to me, so please don't assume that I will gladly change seats with you. How do we assign value to my physical pain in relation to your not sitting directly next to your child?

I agree that it's about personal responsibility. Since I fly internationally, I can't check in on line. I arrive early and I DON'T fly carriers like SW, or buy an Air Canada Tango ticket, since I can't preselect a seat on those flights. If I book my ticket a few days before my trip (or even day of my trip), which happens quite a bit, I take whatever steps I need to to try and get a seat which needs my needs. But I don't fudge the rules or assume that my problem should become someone else's problem.

 

[goofy4tink]

Anyone here watch the Kentucky Derby yesterday? They interviewed one of the trainers, who was actually onboard that Sioux City flight that somersualted and crashed years ago. Seems he got three young people out, then heard an infant crying...ran back and there was the baby, up in the overhead storage area!!! Good example of why you should buy those babies seats and put them in a carseat!!!
I always end up in the middle seat myself...not by choice but dh is 6'4" and needs the aisle seat to stretch those legs a bit, and dd, 12, likes to lean against the 'wall' and nap...so, of course mom gets the squished middle seat!

I think we're all going to have to agree to disagree as far as those latecomers who want to sit together. Your idea of the 'right thing to do' may not be the same as someone else's idea of the 'right thing to do'. And we aren't going to change anyone's mind here.

 

[mdhkitten]

Well, I'm finally leaving for my WDW vacation tomorrow! Hooray! Now, for the bad news. I always check in online as soon as I'm able and have always been able to get A boarding passes. Well, 30 minutes ago I attempted to check in and entered my confirmation number and got this very vague message saying that I have to check in at the airport, not giving me any reason why. I called Southwest and they say that sometimes the computer randomly picks people that have to get their boarding passes at the airport. Nice! I was able to check in and get my mom's boarding pass, so at least she is taken care of in case we're unable to pre-board. I should arrive at our airport in plenty of time to get an A pass. What I'm concerned about is Orlando. If it doesn't let me check in online here, the SW people said that I probably couldn't here either. I'll be getting to the airport there about 3 hours ahead of time, but with so many people that will check in 24 hours before their flight, it seems almost impossible to get a good boarding pass at MCO. Has anyone else encountered NOT being able to print your boarding pass online? If so, what was the reason? Did that also make you have to go through the major security screening? Sorry, I have no clue why this is happening as it never has in the past and I have no criminal history. I'm really trying not to worrry too much at this point, but it's kind of hard not to. Thanks for your help!

 

[goofy4tink]

Have a wonderful trip!!!! Everything will be fine...just take your time and don't worry!!! Have fun with your dd, they grow up so fast!!!

 

[Marseeya]

Not to change the subject, just wondering why everyone likes aisle seats. I prefer a window, i guess for something different to look at but i noticed alot of people do like that aisle. It seems when i've had an aisle seat, you get bumped alot and there's not so much to look at. To each his own, of course, but i was just wondering what everyone likes about having that aisle seat. I know some airlines charge MORE for an aisle seat so it must be preferred for a reason!

I want an end seat wherever I go whenever possible. I've got a touch of social anxiety and I don't like people "trapping" me in anywhere -- I get panicky. For me, a window seat would be fine if the middle seat is empty, which it will be on our next flight because I bought two plane tickets. There is an upside to being fat. Most people don't want to get too close. (maybe it's contagious? )

 

[Marseeya]

Marseeya, I read this fairly often on flyertalk.com in the United forums. (United rewards its frequent travellers with seats in Economy Plus which has extra leg room, and anyone wanting an E+ seat must pay for an 'upgrade' whether they switch at checkin, at the gate, or even on board the aircraft). Frankly, a lot of times it seems to come down to 'ask nicely' on those boards - the frequent fliers who get angry seem to have been asked to move by someone who expected them to move.

Ahh, yes, that's where I read it. You're right about the whole "expectation" issue -- it's true in so many cases. It kind of reminds me of the bus seating debates.

 

[ducklite]

Ahh, yes, that's where I read it. You're right about the whole "expectation" issue -- it's true in so many cases. It kind of reminds me of the bus seating debates.

Reminds me of the time DH and I were on SW. We boarded on our "A" passes, and took an aisle and center. two flouncy blondes get on with "C" passes, and say to me and the guy in the aisle seat across from me "Hey, can you guys all move over so me and my friend can sit across from each other and talk?"

I'm sure you can guess how we both answered. It was something along the line of "Back of the bus, sweetheart."

Anne

 

[Marseeya]

Reminds me of the time DH and I were on SW. We boarded on our "A" passes, and took an aisle and center. two flouncy blondes get on with "C" passes, and say to me and the guy in the aisle seat across from me "Hey, can you guys all move over so me and my friend can sit across from each other and talk?"

I'm sure you can guess how we both answered. It was something along the line of "Back of the bus, sweetheart."

Anne

I'm sure the people in the back of the plane were thrilled to hear their yapping the entire trip too.

 

[dudspizza]

Very interesting reading... I have been following this from the beginning.....

I totally agree that people need to be responsible for themselves and make sure they take the proper measures to sit together by getting the A pass and getting there early....

It is amazing people will teach thier children to break the rules.... it was stated earlier and I will say it again, kids learn by example. Adults who have the entitlement attitude pass it on to their kids...

Two stories.... I was working at my PT job this morning at a golf course. 4 guys decided they wanted to start early and did not check in at the pro shop (which wasn't open yet) and when we told them to leave, we got the "do you know who I am?" talk. Yeah, I know who you are... you are the guy who's back side is headed for the parking lot right now....

Second was on Delta. My dad and I were flying back from LA when we found out the Delta put us on DIFFERENT flights from LA to SLC. He left 2 hours before me and met me in SLC. We had no clue about this problem until we checked in. Well, on the flight I was given a nice seat, near the back , but with tons of extra leg room. Well, a guy comes to me and asks me if I would switch with him since his party was spread all over the plane. I took one look and saw he was in the middle and told him my story and that my dad and I were not even on the same plane..... he said, I understand and went back to sit down...... I wasn't giving up my seat to anyone...... at least they were on the same dang plane!

Enjoy, everyone!

Duds

 

[kaytieeldr]

I suspect people with small kids didn't board first because they were trying to run off excess energy of their little ones, limiting the time they spent on the confines of the plane. They probably didn't realize it would jeapordize their chance of sitting together. New parents sometimes make judgments in error like that.

If a child is running off excess energy, odds are the parent isn't all THAT new at it. Parents need to plan ahead. A parent who knows Southwest has open seating needs to board in a timely manner to ensure the likelihood of being seated with their child, or needs to fly a different airline.

 

[mdhkitten]

Ok, just got back from WDW and wanted to report that I had no problems pre-boarding at MCO yesterday with my mom and daughter, and there were quite a few pre-boards, too. The only problem that I had was that when we got back yesterday and I got my suitcase, I noticed that it seemed a little wet on the outside, but it was storming right before we left Orlando, so I figured that maybe it got a little wet from the rain. Well, we got home and opened my suitcase and EVERYTHING was soaked. Fortunately nothing that could be ruined (I carried that onboard), but it's still a huge inconvenience. I tried calling SW, but they won't do anything unless something is ruined. Oh well, at least we had a good time at WDW!

 

[NotUrsula]

Anytime you have damage to or theft from checked luggage or the contents, you MUST make your claim *before leaving the airport*. This applies to ALL airlines, BTW, anywhere in the world.

If you leave, you've lost, because the airline will claim that whatever it is might have happened after the luggage left their possession. If the luggage is picked up in the bag room by a service such as ME, you have to report it to the service immediately upon receipt, and they get to duke it out with the airline as to whose fault it is.

If *anything* about your baggage looks odd when you retrieve it, open it up and inspect it on the spot, right there on the floor in baggage claim. (Though I do recommend standing off to the side a bit, away from the belts.) It may be a hassle, but it is worth the time.

 

[dlrhine]

Ok...I've read through most of the post and just wanted to give you a personal example. It is DH and I and our two girls ages 5 and soon to be 4. Now both of my girls look big, but because of my younger DD will will always be preboarding with SW. As long as SW serves peanuts on any flights we'll have to preboard so that we can wipe down all of the seats and tray tables of all of our seats. See she is contact allergic so if Any of us touch peanut dust or peanut anything and then touch her she will have a reaction. So we preboard and get our seats and then wipe them down with clorox wipes...we will have to do this the rest of her life. If SW stops serving peanuts then it won't be an issue anymore....but with a deadly peanut allergy she is covered under the American's with Disabilities Act...and you wouldn't know that by looking at her, plus she looks like she is 5 but she is only 4. I'd rather not have to wipe down everything but I do it so she can travel safely, no one wants a medical emergency at 32,000 feet. I'm sure some say I should drive then...but I get very car sick, so that isn't an option either. We've managed now 8 trips to WDW by making sure we spend the time to wipe things down...but because we need the extra time getting on, we don't need it getting off. My girls know to hurry and they walk off like an adult.