I really dislike flying with SWA due to their boarding process

[tjmw2727]

My limit is 8 - 10 hours max as I am the only driver, anything over 10 we fly and WDW is well over 10 !

 

[FreeTime]

I highly doubt you would.

I would and I have. I have said to people before when a seat is not occupied by a person but stuff, "I'm going to sit there." If they don't move the sweater or item I will hand it to them. I have never had anything more happen than eye rolling when the person that they were trying to save the seat for boarded a hundred people back. If I pay for ebci or happen to be an A lister this year or happen to get a low boarding number, I like everyone else, regardless of boarding number have the option to sit where I want. If you are trying to save a seat in a location I prefer, I will take it. If you prefer to try and save a seat you should move further back. My biggest pet peeve is people that try to save a seat for their lap baby. I paid for a seat for my infant to ensure that they were safe and we had plenty of room. I have asked people before if their baby has a paid ticket. If the answe is no, guess who will sit there. People often board with an unticketed baby and try to save a seat for dad. sitting by a baby doesn't bother me. on swa the odds are the flight will be sound out so that lap baby will be in the lap the entire flight regardless.

 

[DebbieB]

I would and I have. I have said to people before when a seat is not occupied by a person but stuff, "I'm going to sit there." If they don't move the sweater or item I will hand it to them. I have never had anything more happen than eye rolling when the person that they were trying to save the seat for boarded a hundred people back. If I pay for ebci or happen to be an A lister this year or happen to get a low boarding number, I like everyone else, regardless of boarding number have the option to sit where I want. If you are trying to save a seat in a location I prefer, I will take it. If you prefer to try and save a seat you should move further back. My biggest pet peeve is people that try to save a seat for their lap baby. I paid for a seat for my infant to ensure that they were safe and we had plenty of room. I have asked people before if their baby has a paid ticket. If the answe is no, guess who will sit there. People often board with an unticketed baby and try to save a seat for uuudad. sitting by a baby doesn't bother me. on swa the odds are the flight will be sound out so that lap baby will be in the lap the entire flight regardless.

One time I was on a totally full SW flight and the last person couldn't find a seat because someone put a lap baby in a seat. No one fessed up so they started reading off the names, then finally someone picked up their child.

 

[bumbershoot]

My biggest pet peeve is people that try to save a seat for their lap baby.

I hate that on any airline. I was on Alaska or United in the last year and a lady had a lap baby. She did state that and made a show of containing the baby when her seatmates showed up. But one of the assigned seatmates ended up moving across the row, to sit in a MIDDLE seat, so that the baby could have her aisle seat. Nice of that lady, but UGH. And then that lap baby (must have been so close to 2 years old it could touch the number) would NOT sit down. Up, down, up, down, in the aisle, bumping into people, back in the aisle, over and over and over. Meanwhile, 2 rows back (I was in the row between them), a mom with her 7 year old and could-be-lap-baby sat squashed into one row with the baby in his nice safe carseat. She paid for that seat. The other lady didn't pay for her baby's seat. One was nicely contained and was a pleasure to be around (he did cry a bit out of hunger) and the other was just a nuisance and danger to people trying to walk in the aisles.

 

[Jake]

I can never get a cheaper price from southwest. And boarding without paying the additional money does become a problem. It's so hard to get through the airport and then having to put up with Southwest

 

[Boopuff]

We fly SW a lot. I've never had anything but a A boarding position (DH is fanatical about it!) Love the idiots who fill the overhead and the FA have to start putting their bags further and further down the plane. I've seen some people in the low number rows get their bags placed way, way in the back. I love when I'm in row 30 walking out past the "me-firsters" who have to wait for the plane to empty to get their bags from the way back!

 

[sam_gordon]

We fly SW a lot. I've never had anything but a A boarding position (DH is fanatical about it!) Love the idiots who fill the overhead and the FA have to start putting their bags further and further down the plane. I've seen some people in the low number rows get their bags placed way, way in the back. I love when I'm in row 30 walking out past the "me-firsters" who have to wait for the plane to empty to get their bags from the way back!

So people who are already on board and have bags in the overhead have those bags moved? I would be upset.

 

[goofy4tink]

So people who are already on board and have bags in the overhead have those bags moved? I would be upset.

I think the issue is when people board, stuff their bags into the first overhead bin they come to and then find seats further removed from that bin area. I don't tend to see it nearly as much with SW as other airlines. With SW, those that want their bags up front are usually sitting up front. I have never seen a FA move a bag to a further removed area from where the passenger is seated. Not unless that passenger is seated in a seat towards the rear of the plane (on an airline with seat choice when booking) and stuffs the bag in the first bins as they pass by to their seat in the rear of the plane. Then, I have seen FAs tell them to take their bag with them, to a bin closer to their seat. That's when the plane is boarded from the rear first.

 

[DisDadDVC]

Overhead space is less of an issue on SW due to their free bag policy.

 

[Boopuff]

The time I've seen bags moved to the back is the seat savers friends. So the seat saver is sitting pretty in the front of the plane, but as the plane fills and people who are heading toward the back are stowing their bags up front. So by the time seat-savers companions board there's no more room in the front bins. The FA takes the bag to the back. So the seat saver and pal get stuck up front as the plane empties since pals bag is all the way in the back.... KARMA!!

 

[hisgal2]

On every SW flight I've ever been on, I've gotten a mid A boarding number just by checking in at the 24 hour mark. I'm a little crazy when it comes to the check in tho. Also, every flight I've heard the same thing when they are telling us to line up: "it is up to you to check those around you to see if they belong where they are. Most people are not bold enough to do that. They just try to find the numbers around theirs and then get in line. I've found people who were supposed to board in B or even C in the A line and nobody cared to even ask....or cared that they were in the line....until I asked what their boarding position was. Once the flaw was found, they end up getting the stink eye from everyone else and usually back out of the line. It wasn't my intent to do that to them at all, but my point is that SW doesn't seem to care if people attempt to board early and leave it up to the masses to police the line on their own. Personally, I don't much care where I end up on the plane...to me, we all get there at the same time and I normally could care less about how long it takes to get off the plane. I will say that if you are trying to make a really, REALLY tight connection, you can mention something to the FA and SOMETIMES they are nice enough to ask everyone to stay seated so you can get out and make your next flight (we've had to do that after a horribly late take off in Philly...tho, there were about 15 of us all trying to make the same connecting flight and we were NOT traveling in a group). I also keep myself pretty drugged for motion sickness while on a plane. I know I have the chance of getting sick,so I take the precautions to avoid that.

I didn't realize that, so thanks for the info, DisDadDVC!

Oh really, hmmm, I've never noticed those before, so I'm gonna have to pay attention to that! If I ever get on early enough to get that row, I just may go ahead and go for it now! Thanks, pooch!

Yes, the tables are in the arms of the seats. I NEVER take the front row on any plane for 2 reasons. 1- To me, the seats in the front are just a tad narrow because of the trays in the armrests. 2- You cannot store anything on the floor because under YOUR seat is for the row behind you and there is no row in front of you to put your stuff under. The second row is always my goal.

They also don't have any rule allowing seat-saving.

Not rows and rows of people - rows and rows with only one person in each. That's not the result of a connecting flight.

I was on my way home from New Orleans last year and was solo on a connecting flight through Chicago. It landed in the connecting city and after everyone not connecting deplaned, there were about 7 or 8 of us left on the plane. I was reading a book and not really paying attention until a guy came into the plane and said "if I read your name, you need to grab your things and come with me". He called names out, people got their stuff and deplaned with him. It was about 2 minutes after that when I realized the plane was very, VERY quiet. I look around and I am the ONLY person on the plane!! Kind of freaky! Turns out I was the only person who bought the connecting ticket. Everyone else was a standby and the flight from Chicago to Philadelphia was sold out, so no room for the standbys.
First time posting a picture. Hope it shows up.

So people who are already on board and have bags in the overhead have those bags moved? I would be upset.

I have seen bags moved a few compartments away. The FAs will move things around to get everything to fit. The most common problem is people boarding with bags that are larger than the allowed carry on size.

 

[Minniekins]

...
Yes, the tables are in the arms of the seats. I NEVER take the front row on any plane for 2 reasons. 1- To me, the seats in the front are just a tad narrow because of the trays in the armrests. 2- You cannot store anything on the floor because under YOUR seat is for the row behind you and there is no row in front of you to put your stuff under. The second row is always my goal.
...

Oh, wow, thanks for that update, I'm glad you responded to this! I guess that makes sense about being a tad narrower because of the trays and I want it as wide as possible! Makes me a bit claustrophobic anyway, as they are pretty narrow already. And I need the under of the seat in front of me for my personal carry on, so that wouldn't work either. Thanks for the heads up, glad I know what's really up with getting a spot there now!

 

[goofy4tink]

On every SW flight I've ever been on, I've gotten a mid A boarding number just by checking in at the 24 hour mark. I'm a little crazy when it comes to the check in tho. Also, every flight I've heard the same thing when they are telling us to line up: "it is up to you to check those around you to see if they belong where they are. Most people are not bold enough to do that. They just try to find the numbers around theirs and then get in line. I've found people who were supposed to board in B or even C in the A line and nobody cared to even ask....or cared that they were in the line....until I asked what their boarding position was. Once the flaw was found, they end up getting the stink eye from everyone else and usually back out of the line. It wasn't my intent to do that to them at all, but my point is that SW doesn't seem to care if people attempt to board early and leave it up to the masses to police the line on their own. Personally, I don't much care where I end up on the plane...to me, we all get there at the same time and I normally could care less about how long it takes to get off the plane. I will say that if you are trying to make a really, REALLY tight connection, you can mention something to the FA and SOMETIMES they are nice enough to ask everyone to stay seated so you can get out and make your next flight (we've had to do that after a horribly late take off in Philly...tho, there were about 15 of us all trying to make the same connecting flight and we were NOT traveling in a group). I also keep myself pretty drugged for motion sickness while on a plane. I know I have the chance of getting sick,so I take the precautions to avoid that.



Yes, the tables are in the arms of the seats. I NEVER take the front row on any plane for 2 reasons. 1- To me, the seats in the front are just a tad narrow because of the trays in the armrests. 2- You cannot store anything on the floor because under YOUR seat is for the row behind you and there is no row in front of you to put your stuff under. The second row is always my goal.


I was on my way home from New Orleans last year and was solo on a connecting flight through Chicago. It landed in the connecting city and after everyone not connecting deplaned, there were about 7 or 8 of us left on the plane. I was reading a book and not really paying attention until a guy came into the plane and said "if I read your name, you need to grab your things and come with me". He called names out, people got their stuff and deplaned with him. It was about 2 minutes after that when I realized the plane was very, VERY quiet. I look around and I am the ONLY person on the plane!! Kind of freaky! Turns out I was the only person who bought the connecting ticket. Everyone else was a standby and the flight from Chicago to Philadelphia was sold out, so no room for the standbys.
First time posting a picture. Hope it shows up.


I have seen bags moved a few compartments away. The FAs will move things around to get everything to fit. The most common problem is people boarding with bags that are larger than the allowed carry on size.

Getting mid-A slots, at the 24 hr window, depends on what airports you're flying in and out of! I haven't had a mid-A slot in years, even with EBCI!! A1-15 is taken by business select, so regular boarding slots start at A16. I did get A35 last time I flew. And I used EBCI!! I was exhausted so paid an addtl $40 to move up to A2!! Got a window, went to sleep!

I still can't understand the huge carry on bags when flying SW! Geez, you get two free checked bags.....I suppose if you only need a small bag, but if it won't easily fit in the overhead bin, it wasn't small to begin with. I truly think that if a bag doesn't easily just slip into the overhead, the FA should gate check it.

 

[hisgal2]

Oh, wow, thanks for that update, I'm glad you responded to this! I guess that makes sense about being a tad narrower because of the trays and I want it as wide as possible! Makes me a bit claustrophobic anyway, as they are pretty narrow already. And I need the under of the seat in front of me for my personal carry on, so that wouldn't work either. Thanks for the heads up, glad I know what's really up with getting a spot there now!

I'm the same. I usually only travel with a carry on and a personal bag. I actually use a carry on bag that is smaller than the max size, so I can easily get in, slip it into the overhead and sit down. I like my personal bag to be on the floor in front of me, so the extra leg room in the front row is not worth me having to get up and get into the over head every-single-time I need something. I use a fairly large back pack as my personal bag. In it, I put everything that would normally be in my purse (and then I just put the purse itself into my carry on and swap everything out when I get to my hotel) plus my tablet, books, paper work, etc. that I need. I also keep a sweatshirt or very thin blanket in the back pack. I usually take a sweat shirt because it's my favorite thing to wear........just know you have to take it off when going through security or they'll wand you because of the extra bulk (read: annoying!).

Getting mid-A slots, at the 24 hr window, depends on what airports you're flying in and out of! I haven't had a mid-A slot in years, even with EBCI!! A1-15 is taken by business select, so regular boarding slots start at A16. I did get A35 last time I flew. And I used EBCI!! I was exhausted so paid an addtl $40 to move up to A2!! Got a window, went to sleep!

I still can't understand the huge carry on bags when flying SW! Geez, you get two free checked bags.....I suppose if you only need a small bag, but if it won't easily fit in the overhead bin, it wasn't small to begin with. I truly think that if a bag doesn't easily just slip into the overhead, the FA should gate check it.

I've noticed most of these too large bags are ok width wise, but they are too long for the over head compartment. So, since those bags are too long to slip into the compartment long ways, they are forced to turn them and put them in sideways which then takes up twice as much space. Also, most people put their carryons into the overhead compartment incorrectly. You are supposed to put them in with the handle going in first and the wheels sticking out towards the door of the compartment. It makes it a pain to get it out, but that is actually the proper way to do it. Another problem in general with the overhead compartments is that there just isn't enough space for every-single-person to be taking one onto the plane, but because the checked baggage fees are soo ridiculous, most people now just do a carry on. I fly Delta and American and Alaskan more than any other company and I will admit that I am one to hover to snag the front boarding position of my boarding group IF I have to get to a connecting flight or somewhere super fast. If not, I don't worry about it since I've already picked my seat online after I bought the ticket. In that case, I actually hang back and let other people board. Here's the reason-- if there is no more overhead compartment space, they will gate check the carry on for free and alot of the time, they'll either have the bag continue to your final destination (they'll send you out to the little counter and print out a luggage tag) or if you will be landing at your final destination without a connecting flight, they'll just take your bags to the luggage claim with all the others. I'm completely fine with not having to drag my carry on through the airport until I get to baggage claim.

The last couple times we've flown Alaskan Air, they've announced that the flight was completely sold out and if anyone wanted to gate check their bags, they'd print out a tag and get it to your final destination. We flew to Anchorage, AK 2 summers ago with a 5 year old and a 6 year old (well behaved and travel well) and that happened. I had planned on each person in the family just pulling a carry on behind them and we were checking 1 large bag anyways because of having to take a firearm with us. Well, they made the announcement and we all checked those carryons and just ended up with our personal bags. It was great!! Ended up happening on the way home as well.

 

[goofy4tink]

I'm the same. I usually only travel with a carry on and a personal bag. I actually use a carry on bag that is smaller than the max size, so I can easily get in, slip it into the overhead and sit down. I like my personal bag to be on the floor in front of me, so the extra leg room in the front row is not worth me having to get up and get into the over head every-single-time I need something. I use a fairly large back pack as my personal bag. In it, I put everything that would normally be in my purse (and then I just put the purse itself into my carry on and swap everything out when I get to my hotel) plus my tablet, books, paper work, etc. that I need. I also keep a sweatshirt or very thin blanket in the back pack. I usually take a sweat shirt because it's my favorite thing to wear........just know you have to take it off when going through security or they'll wand you because of the extra bulk (read: annoying!).



I've noticed most of these too large bags are ok width wise, but they are too long for the over head compartment. So, since those bags are too long to slip into the compartment long ways, they are forced to turn them and put them in sideways which then takes up twice as much space. Also, most people put their carryons into the overhead compartment incorrectly. You are supposed to put them in with the handle going in first and the wheels sticking out towards the door of the compartment. It makes it a pain to get it out, but that is actually the proper way to do it. Another problem in general with the overhead compartments is that there just isn't enough space for every-single-person to be taking one onto the plane, but because the checked baggage fees are soo ridiculous, most people now just do a carry on. I fly Delta and American and Alaskan more than any other company and I will admit that I am one to hover to snag the front boarding position of my boarding group IF I have to get to a connecting flight or somewhere super fast. If not, I don't worry about it since I've already picked my seat online after I bought the ticket. In that case, I actually hang back and let other people board. Here's the reason-- if there is no more overhead compartment space, they will gate check the carry on for free and alot of the time, they'll either have the bag continue to your final destination (they'll send you out to the little counter and print out a luggage tag) or if you will be landing at your final destination without a connecting flight, they'll just take your bags to the luggage claim with all the others. I'm completely fine with not having to drag my carry on through the airport until I get to baggage claim.

The last couple times we've flown Alaskan Air, they've announced that the flight was completely sold out and if anyone wanted to gate check their bags, they'd print out a tag and get it to your final destination. We flew to Anchorage, AK 2 summers ago with a 5 year old and a 6 year old (well behaved and travel well) and that happened. I had planned on each person in the family just pulling a carry on behind them and we were checking 1 large bag anyways because of having to take a firearm with us. Well, they made the announcement and we all checked those carryons and just ended up with our personal bags. It was great!! Ended up happening on the way home as well.

Interesting...I've had a number of FAs tell me carry on bags should go in wheels first. I've seldom had an issue. The one and only time I had an issue was when flying on a smaller plane....they had less deep bins on one side of the plane, but regular depth on the other side. My bag, fully within the limits and actually smaller, wouldn't go in wheels first due to the way the door closed. Had to turn it around. But that's the only time.....and the FA did mention that as we boarded!!!

 

[kamik86]

Interesting...I've had a number of FAs tell me carry on bags should go in wheels first. I've seldom had an issue. The one and only time I had an issue was when flying on a smaller plane....they had less deep bins on one side of the plane, but regular depth on the other side. My bag, fully within the limits and actually smaller, wouldn't go in wheels first due to the way the door closed. Had to turn it around. But that's the only time.....and the FA did mention that as we boarded!!!

I have been on a plane a few times where my bag would only fit one way... not sure if it was wheels first or handle first though.

On SW planes it fits either way. With room for a coat on top.

I honestly wish FA would pull out the sideways bags and check those instead of making those that board last have to check their properly fitting bags.

 

[goofy4tink]

I have been on a plane a few times where my bag would only fit one way... not sure if it was wheels first or handle first though.

On SW planes it fits either way. With room for a coat on top.

I honestly wish FA would pull out the sideways bags and check those instead of making those that board last have to check their properly fitting bags.

Have to agree. If the bag doesn't fit in the sample bin at the gate, it doesn't go on the plane. SW isn't flying many less than full planes anymore. If only half the passengers bring a regulation sized carry on bag, the bins will be full. And if a few people have to turn their bags sideways? Others aren't going to get a spot.
This is why I seldom have a bag in the overhead.....usually keep it at my feet. If I'm sitting on the aisle, then maybe I'll put the bag up if it's a long flight.

 

[siskaren]

I still can't understand the huge carry on bags when flying SW! Geez, you get two free checked bags.....I suppose if you only need a small bag, but if it won't easily fit in the overhead bin, it wasn't small to begin with. I truly think that if a bag doesn't easily just slip into the overhead, the FA should gate check it.

The last time I went to Disneyland was when no airlines charged for checked luggage and my flight home was delayed because of weather but also because everyone's carry-ons wouldn't fit in the overhead bins. (I just use a backpack which fits under the seat in front of me.) I think some people don't want to wait at baggage claim or perhaps don't trust their luggage to be out of their sight.

 

[kamik86]

Have to agree. If the bag doesn't fit in the sample bin at the gate, it doesn't go on the plane. SW isn't flying many less than full planes anymore. If only half the passengers bring a regulation sized carry on bag, the bins will be full. And if a few people have to turn their bags sideways? Others aren't going to get a spot.
This is why I seldom have a bag in the overhead.....usually keep it at my feet. If I'm sitting on the aisle, then maybe I'll put the bag up if it's a long flight.

I have seen flight attendants take out bags that were small enough to fit under the seat if the owner didn't have a bag under their seat already. (However again this was done before making those with too large bags that were sideways check them)

I almost always have one of each. My backpack at my feet and my little roller bag up top. If both DH and I are flying we most of the time only have the one roller bag between us, but both have one at our feet. This is the one with our kindles and headphones, etc.

 

[Boopuff]

I think some people don't want to wait at baggage claim or perhaps don't trust their luggage to be out of their sight.

I totally agree with this... I really truly don't trust bag check! I worry about the security and privacy of my bags. My DH has had to check bags because of his job. He can always tell his bag has been rifled through. Sometimes he gets the red-card in the bag sometimes not. I always pack all my unmentionables and small items in clear baggies. That way if the bag I check gets a going-through no one is touching my stuff directly.... ick! However, I will take the airline up on the gate check since at that point no one can go through the bag! Also last on..first off!