I'm sure if the situation was as you described, we wouldn't have been able to get on the plane early. In reality, we only got on a few people ahead of when we were "supposed" to get on. We had B passes numbered 4-8. There were only 3 families with children, and the other families went first (they had infants). I didn't think it was necessary to say "no, we won't go on. We will wait until it's our turn." It would have been 3 people to get on ahead of us! lol. special peDon't you ever take advantage of rks alotted to you in life? Like free upgrades, special passes, etc.? I just saw this as something extra that we received. And we always sit in the back, so it wasn't like we took away from the business class (who always want to sit in the front).
Sure I do....but, not at the risk of really annoying those behind me.
Really, in all seriousness, I wasn't pointing fingers at you, but at the airline. They are the ones who disregarded their own policy. Obviously if they are going to disregard their policy and let someone board when it's against policy,it isn't the passengers duty to remind them of said policy.
My point was that it is when policy is ignored, and a lack of consistency happens that people get annoyed.
You say 'perks'...like special passes or free upgrades....well, this isn't remotely the same thing. IF the airline had said that at any given time we may ignore our policies and allow some chosen few to board earlier than they are entitled to board, then sure...that's the same thing.
But..that wasn't the case. My point was this.....lets say there are 7 other families, with children that do not meet the 'family boarding' ages...like yours. But, one family (who asked about the ages of preboarding) was allowed to just go ahead and board between the A group and the B group..now, you have those families further back in the B group, where they are supposed to be, feeling that they have been passed over. They start heading to the gate attendant's counter and asking why they can't board now....well, the gate attendant is going to pretty much have to allow them to board as well. (and we all know that those who have seen this family board early are all going to go up and find out why they weren't entitled to board then as well!!!). So, now we have the first family, with 3 kids boarding between A and B (no kids under 5), then add the other 7 families, with maybe 2-3, or more, kids getting to board. You now have a total of almost 30 people boarding when they weren't supposed to...all because a gate attendant tried to be nice.
That was my point...it really wasn't that you should have declined the offer..no one would be expected to do that. My point was that airlines, as well as other companys, tend to ignore their own policy, making it difficult to know what to expect from them. Can you imagine how a family would feel, after reading here about all those families that were allowed special priviledges of boarding early, and were shocked to get there and find out that they aren't going to be able to do that???
Personally, I still think that SW should have a special boarding pass for those with children under 5....when you purchase your airfare, you will be able to designate any under 5 children...then when you do online checkin, and get your assigned spot, you will be assigned a special boarding group due to having under 5 children. BUT....there will be a particular area of the plane that you have 'reserved'....that would most likely be towards the rear of the plane. Why? Simply because it is usually those with children that need more time to get situated (and that's the reason for earlier boarding to begin with) and then it takes them longer to get ready to get off the plane. If those with younger children were towards the rear of the plane, there would be less hold up trying to get everyone on, and off, the plane. Which means faster turnaround times for the planes.
And yes, I know this is a very unpopular thought. But, it does get tiring to have to stand there, waiting (on both ends of the flight) while families get situated and/or put together to leave the plane.
As for taking anything away from business class..you don't have to worry about that. They have paid dearly for the perk of being able to board right after the medical preboards. You aren't impacting them at all. They are paying close to double what the normal person is paying for that right to board first...in addition to other things like being fully refundable.
Just be online 24 hrs prior . You can do this at a park or resort at Guest Services or on a smart phone. Relax and have a GREAT time
We already knew it was a full flight, and since there are 4 of us, we just assumed dh would sit with one child, and I would sit with another. That's how we always do it.
