Anyone know how many SW Early Bird Checkins are sold per flight?

[goofy4tink]

There was the time, reported here many times, when I was flying SW and sat and watched a woman walking around the gate are for at least an hour prior to departure, with her son who was about 7ish (if I remember correctly). I boarded early on....among the first 20 or so. Got a nice window seat in ten front of the plane. Great. Well, everyone was seated when that woman, who had been at the gate, walking around, for an hour, boarded with her DS. And of course there were no seats together. The FA made the announcement that they needed two seats together for a mother and her child. No one moved. 5 mins later, the announcement came.....'we are not moving away from the gate until this mother is seated with her child. Come on people, lets make this happen so we can leave.' A couple gave up their seats, behind the wing, and went to different areas of the plane. The mother then asked the FA if there were seats closer to the front! When that was denied, she asked if the person sitting in the window seat could change with her so that her DS could sit there! Nope, didn't happen. Incredible sense of entitlement.

On the other hand, I was flying AirTran. I paid extra to board early since I had carry on only. So boarded, stowed my stuff and plopped down. Towards the end of the boarding process a family boarded. It was a largish group...maybe 8 pr so. English didn't seem to be their first language and they had obviously never flown before. They were scattered all over the plane...poor things. Well, I had lucked out and had the row to myself. I told the FA that I would be happy to move so that at least three of them could sit together. She thanked me, but said they were able to find them seats pretty much together in the back.

So, I will move...but it all depends on attitudes. Of you seem to have an entitled mentality, I am not moving.

 

[3happydancers]

There was the time, reported here many times, when I was flying SW and sat and watched a woman walking around the gate are for at least an hour prior to departure, with her son who was about 7ish (if I remember correctly). I boarded early on....among the first 20 or so. Got a nice window seat in ten front of the plane. Great. Well, everyone was seated when that woman, who had been at the gate, walking around, for an hour, boarded with her DS. And of course there were no seats together. The FA made the announcement that they needed two seats together for a mother and her child. No one moved. 5 mins later, the announcement came.....'we are not moving away from the gate until this mother is seated with her child. Come on people, lets make this happen so we can leave.' A couple gave up their seats, behind the wing, and went to different areas of the plane. The mother then asked the FA if there were seats closer to the front! When that was denied, she asked if the person sitting in the window seat could change with her so that her DS could sit there! Nope, didn't happen. Incredible sense of entitlement.

On the other hand, I was flying AirTran. I paid extra to board early since I had carry on only. So boarded, stowed my stuff and plopped down. Towards the end of the boarding process a family boarded. It was a largish group...maybe 8 pr so. English didn't seem to be their first language and they had obviously never flown before. They were scattered all over the plane...poor things. Well, I had lucked out and had the row to myself. I told the FA that I would be happy to move so that at least three of them could sit together. She thanked me, but said they were able to find them seats pretty much together in the back.

So, I will move...but it all depends on attitudes. Of you seem to have an entitled mentality, I am not moving.

Incredible!

My DH would definitely not budge for anyone thinking they were entitled! No how, no way. He'd let the plane sit. I know when my DD was little (truly little), and before EBCI, I made sure my butt was up and at the computer at exactly the 24th hour prior to flight to make sure we had the best shot possible to sit together. And I made sure we were at the airport EARLY (we are about 15 min. from Islip) to allow for mishaps or whatever!

 

[Anna114]

Incredible!

My DH would definitely not budge for anyone thinking they were entitled! No how, no way. He'd let the plane sit. I know when my DD was little (truly little), and before EBCI, I made sure my butt was up and at the computer at exactly the 24th hour prior to flight to make sure we had the best shot possible to sit together. And I made sure we were at the airport EARLY (we are about 15 min. from Islip) to allow for mishaps or whatever!

That's the thing of it, me too! If it is that important to me I made it so. In 2002 we were in EPCOT when I went to guest services to check in. I wanted my boys 6, 12, DH and I to sit to close together as possible. That's my problem.. no one else's. By the by we are on the other end of Nichiols so about 20 min. Love ISP.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Was wondering where this "young child" was while mom was busy pleading?

I dunno. Not with her, certainly. It wasn't like I was demanding proof she had a young child. My oldest is 7 and my youngest is 4, I consider them both to be "young children," and I don't drag them up to the counter with me if I ever need to talk to the gate agent...I just have them sit where I can see them. I figured she did the same. Plus, I was called up by a gate agent, who I assumed wouldn't have asked me to move if it wasn't warranted. Oh well. It wasn't a big deal, but I think it's a funny story to share.

 

[3happydancers]

That's the thing of it, me too! If it is that important to me I made it so. In 2002 we were in EPCOT when I went to guest services to check in. I wanted my boys 6, 12, DH and I to sit to close together as possible. That's my problem.. no one else's. By the by we are on the other end of Nichiols so about 20 min. Love ISP.

Hi there; we are closer to Stony Brook Rd off MCR. We love ISP too. Makes flying easy except lately with SWA's flight offerings and prices but I think that seems more the norm these days.

I use to run to guest services, while DH took our DD on rides, for the 24 hour check in too (until EBCI) for the same reason.

 

[3happydancers]

I dunno. Not with her, certainly. It wasn't like I was demanding proof she had a young child. My oldest is 7 and my youngest is 4, I consider them both to be "young children," and I don't drag them up to the counter with me if I ever need to talk to the gate agent...I just have them sit where I can see them. I figured she did the same. Plus, I was called up by a gate agent, who I assumed wouldn't have asked me to move if it wasn't warranted. Oh well. It wasn't a big deal, but I think it's a funny story to share.

I was more curious. Of course you wouldn't demand proof or carry on. I thought maybe the gate agent would have seen her child and realize the child was older than the mom was claiming.

 

[Anna114]

Hi there; we are closer to Stony Brook Rd off MCR. We love ISP too. Makes flying easy except lately with SWA's flight offerings and prices but I think that seems more the norm these days.

I use to run to guest services, while DH took our DD on rides, for the 24 hour check in too (until EBCI) for the same reason.

I'm over in the "work zone" 347 & 112. It should be done just as we are ready to retire to NH . I use EBCI so I don't have to get up and pray as the boarding pass numbers come up. SW has started to minimize the direct flights to MCO. Luckily the flights my husband and I like to take, first thing in the AM and come home last flight out are still direct flights.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

.....

BUT.....other airlines? Oh dear God. When JetBlue starts their boarding process and then announce boarding for those traveling with children that need extra time to get situated? And families with teens get up and board? One time, my dd, at the age of 10, looked at the horde of families doing this, said to me 'Hey Mom, I think I might need some extra time to sit down! What is wrong with those people?' Sure some could have some hidden disability, but if that were the case, they could have boarded with medical preboards. And of course, they take forever stowing their stuff and deciding who is sitting next to who..oh, I guess that's why they needed extra time! Reverse it getting off the plane...takes them forever to gather their stuff and get off!

Not all airlines have a policy of letting families pre-board. United doesn't. I have to admit, when I'm flying UA, I have enjoyed watching families, often with older kids, push past boarding Group 1 to get on the plane, only to have the gate agent check their boarding passes and tell them to go back in the line with their numbered group. I don't understand why they would even want to board first; let the kids run around as long as possible.

 

[DebbieB]

Not all airlines have a policy of letting families pre-board. United doesn't. I have to admit, when I'm flying UA, I have enjoyed watching families, often with older kids, push past boarding Group 1 to get on the plane, only to have the gate agent check their boarding passes and tell them to go back in the line with their numbered group. I don't understand why they would even want to board first; let the kids run around as long as possible.

Everyone is pushing for overhead space for carryons these days. Businessmen in suits will knock over little old ladies to get on first.

 

[3happydancers]

Everyone is pushing for overhead space for carryons these days. Businessmen in suits will knock over little old ladies to get on first.

 

[3happydancers]

I'm over in the "work zone" 347 & 112. It should be done just as we are ready to retire to NH . I use EBCI so I don't have to get up and pray as the boarding pass numbers come up. SW has started to minimize the direct flights to MCO. Luckily the flights my husband and I like to take, first thing in the AM and come home last flight out are still direct flights.

We fly the same flights; first early non stop and the last non stop coming home. We have no idea where we are going upon retirement. Just know we can't afford to live here and I don't want to go to a cold climate.

 

[3happydancers]

I'm over in the "work zone" 347 & 112. It should be done just as we are ready to retire to NH . I use EBCI so I don't have to get up and pray as the boarding pass numbers come up. SW has started to minimize the direct flights to MCO. Luckily the flights my husband and I like to take, first thing in the AM and come home last flight out are still direct flights.

We fly the same flights; first early non stop and the last non stop coming home. Wonder if we ever flew the same flight? We always go the last 2 weeks in August which sometimes run into the first few days in September, depending on the school year.

We have no idea where we are going upon retirement. Just know we can't afford to live here and I don't want to go to a cold climate.

 

[kamcgrory]

I think it depends also on the individual and their morals. My husband is a business traveler, and would give up his seat for any lady or older gentleman. He had stood on many Disney buses after giving up his seat even though dead tired. Just the way he was raised.

 

[3happydancers]

I think it depends also on the individual and their morals. My husband is a business traveler, and would give up his seat for any lady or older gentleman. He had stood on many Disney buses after giving up his seat even though dead tired. Just the way he was raised.

My DH is not a business traveler but would definitely give up his seat for a lady or anyone who obviously needs a seat, and he suffers from a bad leg. He would also help others having a problem lifting bags and/or reaching the overhead compartments.

 

[keishashadow]

Everyone is pushing for overhead space for carryons these days. Businessmen in suits will knock over little old ladies to get on first.

One of the reasons I have segued away from flying AT is because they have that odd zone boarding.

We pay to select our seats near the front of the plane but the prime overhead space is often taken by those sitting far in the back who inevitably charge up the aisle as soon as the plane lands & try to make a quick escape clogging up the aisle If you have a tight connection it's one thing, but if you're too cheap to pay for a seat and don't want to haul your bag down the aisle...

imo not unreasonable to expect that people take the overhead space above their seats whenever possible & FAs enforce it.

 

[rdevine10]

Not all airlines have a policy of letting families pre-board. United doesn't. I have to admit, when I'm flying UA, I have enjoyed watching families, often with older kids, push past boarding Group 1 to get on the plane, only to have the gate agent check their boarding passes and tell them to go back in the line with their numbered group. I don't understand why they would even want to board first; let the kids run around as long as possible.

Many years ago flying out of MCO the airline we were flying on would not preboard families traveling with small children, they said there were too many. Well we were traveling with I think a 5 year old a 2 year old. The 2 year old in a car seat to be exact!

Well, wouldnt you know it but the stewardess got nasty with us on the plane because we needed to sit- I told her we HAD asked to get on early as we knew it can take a couple extra minutes to install the car seat.

Otherwise I am in total agreement- let them move around as much as possible!

 

[mmbl]

We fly the same flights; first early non stop and the last non stop coming home. Wonder if we ever flew the same flight? We always go the last 2 weeks in August which sometimes run into the first few days in September, depending on the school year. We have no idea where we are going upon retirement. Just know we can't afford to live here and I don't want to go to a cold climate.

For retirement: check out Texas. Great State in most regards and reasonable cost of living. Everything from big metro areas (6-7 million) to very small towns. I'm a native New Yorker who relocated years ago; very glad I did!

 

[3happydancers]

For retirement: check out Texas. Great State in most regards and reasonable cost of living. Everything from big metro areas (6-7 million) to very small towns. I'm a native New Yorker who relocated years ago; very glad I did!

Thanks for tip! I was hoping to stay closer to family (most live on the East Coast), but I guess I should leave my options open and do some research. Being too far away could become a problem as we grow old.

 

[goofy4tink]

One of the reasons I have segued away from flying AT is because they have that odd zone boarding.

We pay to select our seats near the front of the plane but the prime overhead space is often taken by those sitting far in the back who inevitably charge up the aisle as soon as the plane lands & try to make a quick escape clogging up the aisle If you have a tight connection it's one thing, but if you're too cheap to pay for a seat and don't want to haul your bag down the aisle...

imo not unreasonable to expect that people take the overhead space above their seats whenever possible & FAs enforce it.

Yep, I've seen that happen too. Only once have I seen someone be told to move their bag. I was lucky enough to snag a seat up front...there weren't all that many of us, but the overheads were pretty full. So, when a woman got on, and wanted to put her bag close to her seat, she was unable to. The closest spot she could find was about 5 rows behind her. The FA asked quite loudly if any of those bags belonged to anyone sitting far away from them. A few hands went up, they were asked to move their bags closer to their seats! That was applauded by those of us in the front.
Just drives me nuts when people do that. I refuse to allow anyone to move past me as we get off that plane. I wait for those in front of me, those behind me can wait for me.

 

[3happydancers]

Yep, I've seen that happen too. Only once have I seen someone be told to move their bag. I was lucky enough to snag a seat up front...there weren't all that many of us, but the overheads were pretty full. So, when a woman got on, and wanted to put her bag close to her seat, she was unable to. The closest spot she could find was about 5 rows behind her. The FA asked quite loudly if any of those bags belonged to anyone sitting far away from them. A few hands went up, they were asked to move their bags closer to their seats! That was applauded by those of us in the front.
Just drives me nuts when people do that. I refuse to allow anyone to move past me as we get off that plane. I wait for those in front of me, those behind me can wait for me.

Usually we sit a little further back (don't know why) but we don't budge until those in front of us has had the chance to retrieve their things and the line starts moving. Of course like other's have said, if a person is meeting a connecting flight and has 10 minutes to get their; then I can at least understand their anxiousness to hightail it off the plane.