I can't believe I booked with Southwest..

[poohbear2]

I always said no way. I love the ability to choose my seats, I want to be able to sit next to my family etc. But I couldn't pass up the fare price. Not how things have been lately. I hope I didn't jump the gun. But you really didn't have too much time to think about it. GEE it was like trying to get concert tickets!!

 

[Kim&Chris]

Southwest is the best. Have you ever flown with them before? I know what you mean about chosing your seats, and the A, B, C lines for boarding are a pain, but you just can't beat the prices. And the customer service is great (which means alot to me).

 

[slruud]

Where in the world did this flaccid fallacy about not being able to sit with your family on Southwest flights originate??? Irresponsible people who show up late get what's left over, responsible people get to the gate on time or early and get to pick and choose.

 

[zoesmama]

I fly with Southwest all the time and we've always sat together. And if you have a child under 5 you get to pre-board so you know you will be together. And more than likely if the flight is not full no one will want to sit near you if you have a small child...LOL...but you know what I mean.

You can check in online 24 hrs in advance and get Boarding group A. Easy.

It's actually nice to pick your seat once you are on the plane because then you really see how the plane is configured. I had a friend who knew all the configurations of each plane model, but come on, how many of us can quote that information?

Plus a lot of times we end up running into friends at the gate and decide to all sit together.

 

[poohbear2]

We usually show up two hours before a flight. Enought time? I will also try to check in online. I do like the N/S flights. Hmm...maybe I will be a SOUTHWEST convert after all is said and done.

 

[Kim&Chris]

Plenty of time. Don't fret about not being able to sit with your family....we've been using SWA since the day they arrived in Philly and have not had one problem (even the times we've had C boarding passes).

 

[zoesmama]

Are you flying out of Manchester? Funny how Southwest is now Northeast too?

Get a rapid rewards number too. Easy to rack up free flights and until recently less restrictions than other airlines.

I usually check in online then show up about 1-2 hrs prior if I have luggage and about 45 min. - 1 hr if I have carryons. You already have boarding pass so it is just how long your airport's security line is. In New Orleans we have one concourse/security which is just Southwest so the line moves rather quickly. We also have our favorite place to grab breakfast before we board. They do give you drinks/peanuts onboard and on longer flights, a snack box.

They give little kids a coloring book, crayons and pilot's wings. Oh and their inflight magazine is superb. No I don't work for them, but am a very happy customer.

 

[emmabelle]

I flew out of Manchester in August to Disney and had no problems getting seats with the A boarding passes. I was watching and I think even the B's had no problems. People tended to fill in all the empty seats from the front to the back. I didn't see people taking seats all over the plane.

 

[salmoneous]

We usually show up two hours before a flight. Enought time? I will also try to check in online. I do like the N/S flights. Hmm...maybe I will be a SOUTHWEST convert after all is said and done.

The issue isn't so much when you show up, but when you check-in. That's what determins which boarding group you are in. Do try and find a way to be sure you'll check in online close to the 24-hour mark.

 

[CPer'sMom]

I also was hesitant to try SWA because I like having my seats in advance....but we started flying them about 2 years ago and now it's always my first choice if possible. Their CS is amazing when compared to other airlines (and many other businesses for that matter) and their prices & other policies are great.

I have one example of that from today ~~ My DD was scheduled to fly BWI to Nashville this afternoon. There is severe weather in the area today - strong winds, thunderstorms, even the threat of tornadoes. So probably many delays at the airport this afternoon and evening. I called SW earlier today to see about the possibility of switching to a flight tomorrow. When the rep looked up the info she said that no flights had yet been delayed "because of weather"; her plane was delayed though (possibly because of another late arriving flight).
The agent changed her to a flight tomorrow morning at no charge (if I'd done it on-line the price was $70 more than what I'd paid). She didn't even hesitate to do so - simply asked me what flight she'd prefer and thanked me for choosing SW

We always check in on-line & get our 'A' boarding passes ~ never have a problem getting good seats on the plane.

maybe I will be a SOUTHWEST convert after all is said and done.

I think that'll be the case once you try SWA

 

[poohbear2]

Thanks!!!!

 

[Got Quattro?]

Irresponsible people who show up late get what's left over, responsible people get to the gate on time or early and get to pick and choose.

AHMEN!

I get so sick of people blaming someone or something else for their own mistakes.

 

[cepmom]

I also was hesitant to try SWA because I like having my seats in advance....but we started flying them about 2 years ago and now it's always my first choice if possible. Their CS is amazing when compared to other airlines (and many other businesses for that matter) and their prices & other policies are great.

I have one example of that from today ~~ My DD was scheduled to fly BWI to Nashville this afternoon. There is severe weather in the area today - strong winds, thunderstorms, even the threat of tornadoes. So probably many delays at the airport this afternoon and evening. I called SW earlier today to see about the possibility of switching to a flight tomorrow. When the rep looked up the info she said that no flights had yet been delayed "because of weather"; her plane was delayed though (possibly because of another late arriving flight).
The agent changed her to a flight tomorrow morning at no charge (if I'd done it on-line the price was $70 more than what I'd paid). She didn't even hesitate to do so - simply asked me what flight she'd prefer and thanked me for choosing SW

We always check in on-line & get our 'A' boarding passes ~ never have a problem getting good seats on the plane.



I think that'll be the case once you try SWA

you sound like me!! I never wanted to fly SW either. DH uses them frequently for work and the prices honestly can't be beat(most times). I love flying out of PVD rather than BOS too.

This past August we were to fly to MCO right about when Ernesto was to blow through the area. Even though no flights to MCO had been cancelled, SW let me rebook my flight to a day earlier at no charge. The CS is awesome, the no change fee/cancellation fee is unheard of! I love that I can book my flights then change as I see fit or if a price changes at no penalty. I don't want to fly any other airline now!! I love SW!

 

[DonnaL]

poohbear2, I quite confident you will become a SW convert once you've flown with them. As another poster said, you simply cannot beat their customer service. IMO, there is no comparison in the airline industry. As far as sitting together, we sometimes travel with 2, 4 or 6 and we've always managed to sit together. Actually, our last trip it was DH and I and two friends and I forgot to do online checkin at 24 hr mark (remembered at about 14 hours). Don't remember if we got B or C passes, but, had no trouble sitting together and there were a LOT of preboards on that flight (lots of little children). It actually worked out better because we got to choose where we wanted to sit (all adults in our group this trip.....didn't really want to sit near all the little ones LOL). I just love SW's customer service, prices, and policies. There has been talk of assigned seating, but, I honestly hope they decide against it. Definitely sign up for Rapid Rewards.....you have two years to earn your 16 credits for a free flight and get two for each flight, plus car rental partners, and if you have an American Express card you can convert your AE points to RR points.

 

[Tasmen]

I would probably fly Southwest more if their flight options from Sea-tac were better. I really only like them for short haul flights. I'd rather pay more for the convenience of not having to switch planes a lot. That being said, they are a good airline and I would highly advise that if you can, make sure you get your boarding passes 24 hours ahead of time. Online check in is super easy. I've yet to get into a group other than A using the online check in. Print your boarding passes at home, use the skycap and head straight to security. Enjoy your trip!

 

[jlovesee]

I have flown Southwest many, many, many times and only once (a few years ago) did I not sit next to my husband. This was back when you had to check in again on a connecting flight. This was before they started offering to option to check in online. As long as you check in 24 hours before your flight you will be fine. You can then print the boarding pass off at the airport.

In comparison to other airlines I have flown many others, US Airways, Delta, Continental, TWA (when it existed), American, Northwest and Midwest Airlines, and I have had CONSISTENTLY better service, and more reliability (as far as getting somewhere on time) on Southwest then on any of the other airlines.

You have absolutly nothing to be worried about.

Jennifer

 

[PlutosFriend]

I prefer to fly Southwest, imagine that! I find them a lot friendlier than other carries I have used. I have never had a problem sitting next to my family or friends either. They make it very easy to get an A boarding pass.

 

[PlutosFriend]

It's actually nice to pick your seat once you are on the plane because then you really see how the plane is configured. I had a friend who knew all the configurations of each plane model, but come on, how many of us can quote that information?

.

Good points! Having the freedom to choose once you get on the plane gives you the choice to avoid certain people if that is what you choose!

 

[DisneylandPlanner]

I always said no way. I love the ability to choose my seats, I want to be able to sit next to my family etc. But I couldn't pass up the fare price. Not how things have been lately. I hope I didn't jump the gun. But you really didn't have too much time to think about it. GEE it was like trying to get concert tickets!!

I am so there with you. I hate Southwest because of the seat thing, I could not let my craziness pass up a $87 flight from Orlando to Sacramento

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

The one thing that I love about Southwest....... I just got a Ding for a flight I booked last month... One quick call (total of 2 mins) and 2 mins online rebooking, and now I have a $100 credit for a future flight! WOO HOO!