Increased Pre-Boarders on Southwest

[jcemom]

I really wish SWA hadn't reinforced it by giving them what they wanted. On one hand I wouldn't have wanted the little boys (both under 4 I'm guessing) to have to wait for the next flight, but the parents didn't deserve to get their way.

 

[lawgs]

boston

at least now, if you pre board you cannot sit in the exit rows....and they seem to enforce that rule at least...

the "seat save" game is our favourite "observation" ritual when we fly SWA

 

[AngieWin]

We preboarded at MCO last week with 10 people, but 4 were under age 4. We always go straight to the back. The only time we take more than our seats is if I have checked with the airline prior and have confirmed that they have empty seats to use my ds's (2 months) car seat. On our flight home, it was overbooked and so he was on my lap, but I did see people who were spread out to make it look like there was no available seat next to them. The preboarding line that day was about 35 people, all of us with small kids. They even had to make an announcement before getting off the plane, that due to the large amount of strollers, they requested that we wait until last to get off the plane. No problem here, we had the last 2 rows!

 

[bubba's mom]

We saw some prime candidates for an episode of Airline last June at MCO. The flight ahead of us was completely boarded and ready to pull away when a family of four came walking...not running, but let's say briskly walking...up to the podium. It was their flight. The attendant explained to them that the flight was departing and they were too late, and besides, the flight was now full since their seats had been given to standby passengers...you know the whole procedure. The father proceeded to throw a fit, insisting that they should be allowed onto the plane because...get this...they had preboard passes! Um...apparently he doesn't know what the word PREboard means, lol. After much to-do can you believe they pulled the plane back up, got people to give up their seats and get off the plane, and put this family on. Then, the father comes storming back off the plane yelling because they don't have four seats together. SWA somehow convinced people to move around to get them seats together and the plane took off about 40 minutes late. I absolutely could not believe it!!!

That is ridiculous!! But, unfortunately the pain in the *** you have to put up with for the price you're paying.
AngieWin--my DH had a similar thing happen in March. His Mom went into the hospital (she lived Fla, us Pa) and he got on the next flight. (His Mom was terminal) He was traveling alone and when he boarded the plane, a "C" boarding pass, there were 2 people on either end of the 2nd or 3rd row...with the empty seat between them. He knew the plane was full (only bought ticket that morning) and he boarded and saw them and said, "Plane's full. You mind?" All of sudden, the aisle person moved next to window seated person, and DH had an aisle (which is what he prefers). His thinking was, the plane was full and he was sitting somewhere, may as well been toward the front (he had no checked luggage, just carry-on..his brother was waiting to pick him up at airport--obviously in a hurry). What people try to get away with...they thought since they separated nobody would sit in the row w/ them....didn't happen!! A shame the "crap" people will pull, and obviously, get away with!

 

[jcemom]

Funny you mentioned couples taking the window and aisle seats. DH and I did exactly that in June. I felt funny doing it because I know people were looking at us thinking we did it for the reason you mentioned...hoping nobody would take the center seat. When someone asked "mind if I sit here?" I think they were pretty surprised when we told them to go right ahead. Neither of us moved, LOL. Fact of the matter is, DH likes to sit near a window, and I'm a bit claustrophobic and prefer to sit on the aise.

 

[NotUrsula]

We were always told the car seat HAD to go next to the window.... maybe SW's policy is different??

No, that's an FAA rule, not a SWA rule; the seat has to go in a position where it "does not impede egress". I'm guessing that the woman failed to mention the carseat when she asked to preboard, because even when under-5 preboarding is suspended due to the number of eligible families, carseats still must be preboarded so that they are put in "legal" seat positions. (If under-5 preboarding is suspended, installing a carseat may only get two people onto the plane, the child and one adult who is going to install the seat; depends on the agent.)

 

[Lewisc]

Must admit I read this thread for amusement. As a regular viewer of "Airline" I find it hard to understand why anyone would ever fly this airline...too much stress for me...

The incidents shown on "Airline" are selected for entertainment value. They are certainly not typical of what the vast majority of SW guests experience.

 

[sarahsmom73]

I know I am thakful for preboarding. AS a neurotic mom and traveler it was a relief in Aprtl when DD 3 and I traveled by ourselves to WDW. I got up at 12:00 am to get an A pass which I did get, but is was a relief that I could get DD in and settled.

We are headed to WDW for Thanksgiving and I will try for A passes. We will be traveling with my Mom and Dad. I hope to pre board with DD. I have already let my parents know that they will not be able to preboard and they are OK with that. DD is now 4 and a tall 4 at that. If we get denied preboarding I won't have a problem, but it is a nice thing especially when you are traveling solo with a child. I think it is a great system when it is not abused.

 

[buzz2400]

I am starting to regret booking my dec. flight with southwest. I have never flown this airline but a lot of people reassured me that it is a great airline. I have this hangup that I need to sit with my son who is now 14. It is a stupid thing thinking "what if the plane crashes". Anyway I am so afraid that we won't be sitting together that I am losing sleep. I know you can get the boarding passes 24 hours before the flight so it might not be a problem going to orlando but coming back I will be in the parks so I won't be able to get the boarding passes right away. I guess my question is do the flight attendants make all efforts to try and sit families together.

 

[ducklite]

Most of the people on SW from Orlando ARE families. They don't want to be broken up any more than you do. The FA's primary concern is getting little ones seated with A (like in one but not both) parent rather than seating nuerotic parents with their teenagers.

BTW--It's NOT the FA's job to shuffle people around, they do it to provide a service, but they aren't required to do so.

Anne

 

[buzz2400]

ducklite:
I am very offended that you think I am being neurotic. I don't have the luxury of having a husband or any other children, it is just me and my teenage son. I have been dealing with a very bad case of depression and I hope you are happy that I am writing this while crying.

 

[jcemom]

If you're staying onsite you can have your boarding passes printed at the front desk or lobby concierge. I've done it at several WDW resorts with no problem. I'm not sure if they would do it if you weren't staying onsite, but I suspect they would. So, either have your resort check you in and print your passes, or if you're going to be in the parks all day, head to the nearest resort and ask if they'll do it for you.

 

[ducklite]

ducklite:
I am very offended that you think I am being neurotic. I don't have the luxury of having a husband or any other children, it is just me and my teenage son. I have been dealing with a very bad case of depression and I hope you are happy that I am writing this while crying.

So you think that someone else should split up so you can sit with your teenager? You think that a married couple or a middle aged woman and her mom all love each other less? I think not. I'm sorry that you are going through a difficult time in your life, but face the facts, putting younger kids with a parent is more important than putting a teenager with their mom. If it's that important to you, book a legacy carrier and get seats assigned from the start. End of story.

You can print your boarding pass with SW 24 hours in advance. Take a little time, leave a park and go to the nearest resort with a business center, and soend the few dollars to use a computer and log on and print it out. Sometimes if that's all you want to do they won't even charge you.

Anne

 

[CarolynNC]

I am starting to regret booking my dec. flight with southwest. I have never flown this airline but a lot of people reassured me that it is a great airline. I have this hangup that I need to sit with my son who is now 14. It is a stupid thing thinking "what if the plane crashes". Anyway I am so afraid that we won't be sitting together that I am losing sleep. I know you can get the boarding passes 24 hours before the flight so it might not be a problem going to orlando but coming back I will be in the parks so I won't be able to get the boarding passes right away. I guess my question is do the flight attendants make all efforts to try and sit families together.

Try not to worry too much. You don't want to spoil your vacation before it's even started. Flying can be stressful for some folks and I'm sure thinking about being separated just adds to that stress. I'm a white knuckle flier myself. Hopefully you can leave the park for a short while to get your boarding passes. If you get an A pass you probably will be okay. If not, perhaps you'll luck into a passenger who would understand your situation and make allowances. Although the flight attendant isn't required to help you find seats together they probably will if they aren't too busy. I've been asked to move several times to accomodate nervous passengers or couples who wished to be seated together. Even though I dislike the middle seat where I ended up I would move in the hopes it would ease another passengers turmoil.

Are you traveling near the holiday or a slightly slower time? Maybe your flight won't be sold out and you find you've worried for nothing. Even if you aren't able to sit together you will probably be near each other. Just give your son an extra hug before boarding just in case. Of course if he's like my son he'll probably die of embarrassment!

I love flying Southwest even if I don't always get the seat I desire. Their fares allow me to take trips I would need to pass up otherwise. I'll keep you in my thoughts and send some pixie dust your way.

.

 

[Cookie55]

The incidents shown on "Airline" are selected for entertainment value. They are certainly not typical of what the vast majority of SW guests experience.

Whatever all I know is that I fly all the time and I have never seen anything that approaches some of the antics on that show. I simply can't put my faith in an airline that would allow a show to reflect on them in such a poor light...Besides I have no interest in the "cattle call" regardless...

 

[iluvflorida8]

As a regular viewer of "Airline" I find it hard to understand why anyone would ever fly this airline...too much stress for me...

I would have to disagree with you for the following reasons. I will ONLY fly Southwest.......I have 5 trips in the following 3 months booked on Southwest

1.Non-stop flights from Pittsburgh-MCO
2.Haven't paid more than $85 per person for roundtrip total
3.Can print Boarding passes 24 hrs in advance and get "A" boarding passes
4.Have not had ANY problems with Southwest in last year
5. Can cancel and change flights with NO penalty or fee's

I have flown Continental,US AIR,AirTran,etc and NO one comes close to Southwest's prices...and for exactly the same service.....get you from point A to point B.

 

[iluvflorida8]

Besides I have no interest in the "cattle call" regardless...

If you print your boarding pass 24 hours in advance I guarantee you will get an "A" boarding pass. With that in mind you will be one of th first 40 people on the plane that seats 130+. How is that considered a "cattle call"?

 

[jcemom]

I have flown Continental,US AIR,AirTran,etc and NO one comes close to Southwest's prices...and for exactly the same service.....get you from point A to point B.

I agree! I've been considering marking the day Southwest came to PIT on my calendar and celebrating it as a holiday!

I have found their employees to be some of the friendliest and most helpful I've ever encountered. We always get A boarding passes with little effort. I love Southwest!

 

[Gary M]

If you print your boarding pass 24 hours in advance I guarantee you will get an "A" boarding pass. With that in mind you will be one of th first 40 people on the plane that seats 130+. How is that considered a "cattle call"?

I think this depends on the airport and destination. As I mentioned earlier my couple of experiences from IND to MCO on SWA the pre-boarding line had more than 40 people in it. I didn't mention that the white-haired people also lined-up in pre-boarding. I mean people with golf tans and a bunch of carry-on baggage in tow and then run on the plane to beat the kids. So far we have other non-stop flights with low prices from IND to MCO. I will fly SWA to any other destination other than MCO and then to MCO only as a last resort.

 

[Cookie55]

If you print your boarding pass 24 hours in advance I guarantee you will get an "A" boarding pass. With that in mind you will be one of th first 40 people on the plane that seats 130+. How is that considered a "cattle call"?

I was just using a term that many others use to describe the SWA boarding process...The bottom line is that I prefer to know where I am sitting when I purchase my ticket...I guess you can live on the edge better than I can...more power to you!!