Just venting - SWA - Seat Savers

[keishashadow]

If I were in charge I'd make saving seats on SWA a felony punishable by life in prison with no chance for parole.

Thankfully for my family the seat savers we saw didn't affect us but it's still irks me because people like myself and many others do everything we have to so we are in one of those early boarding groups. Then, only to get on the plane and find one person holding a cluster of seats for people who weren't diligent enough to check themselves in earlier.

when SWA came into my market years ago we were shocked as to the condoned practice of seat saving. Not uncommon to see the elderly pre-boards planted at the aisle seat with arm across to block entry.

Just take the seats...

Happens all the time. Then you can watch the whiners run to the FA and act like the world is coming to an end. And watch the FA just say "sorry" LOL!

It's some of the best entertainment in the sky.

my experience is exact opposite. the FA's shoo those down the aisle who question why they can't take a 'saved' seat that is invariably in the front of the plane.

If seat savers would just move to the back half of the plane, there would be way less upset from the other passengers - and the saved seats would be a LOT easier to defend!

yes, in theory a good plan, but often it's the pre-boards holding down the fort who likely do have mobility/stamina issues.

If you want to ensure you sit together, or your kids sit together, purchase EBCI for all members of your party. seat saving is not allowed.

the reason it was implied that the OP was a jerk was because she delighted in the "uncomfortableness" of the person who simply took a seat he paid for.

Most people on a plane encourage their children (and these children were old enough to know better) to "keep it down", and keep getting out of your seat to a minimum.

I'm willing to bet OP would have normally done so, but since she was ticked off at the poor guy, chose to "let the kids go.. see what happens.. smirk smirk.."

i'd think twice about letting a kid run amok on a plane as some sort of misguided revenge, too many stories of people getting booted.

 

[Lewisc]

People who take some medications require more frequent trips to the bathroom. Some people have medical conditions which require more frequent trips to the bathroom. Being nervous about flying could even result in more frequent bathroom breaks. People who expect to require somewhat frequent bathroom breaks should attempt to secure an aisle seat.

I don't agree with the posters who count the number of bathroom trips, and then decide how many are too many.

I hope the "terrorist kids" were using headphones.

 

[JanaDee]

When flying we all need to be considerate? Allowing a mom and her two kids sit together would have been considerate.....
In my world you are a jerk if you could care less about splitting children up so you can prove a point and since it happened in my world I called him a jerk and that observation stands. Had you seen his face heard his tone you probably would have said the same. The man was annoyed because I threw the monkey wrench at him by trading places with my kid. Also zero complaints were made and as I've stated earlier the flight attendants even complimented them on their behavior.

If you wanted to ensure you were all seated together, you could have bought EBCI or boarded at the same time as your DH and other child.

He sat in an available seat and did nothing wrong.

 

[lexysdad04]

Yeah I had a guy do that to me because my family was spilt I had one child with me in one group and my husband had the other one in another. The jerk insisted on not letting me save the seat for my 7 year old claiming snooze you loose. I said no problem you can sit with an 11 year old and 7 year old by yourself because I got one video player and they want to sit together! I sat one row behind and laughed as my children annoyed the crap out of him by laughing at their movies. When he tried to switch seats with those around us who saw his actions they were like snooze you loose! THAT was the best entertainment I have ever seen for a 5 hour flight to California! Be careful who you choose to make a point to because this momma doesn't mind subjecting you to my little terrors if you want a seat that bad!

Lmao hey I agree with this poster the way I see it is she tried to kindly warn the guy that her kids would be seating their the guy didn't care and sat anyway (he had every right sit down as it's first come first sit) she warned him

It's funny cause everyone on these boards act as if they have always followed the rules to a dot yet when I go to disney I can't even count the number of times that I see lines savers or the old today you will be 2yrs old instead of 3 so that we save on your ticket

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[lexysdad04]

I actually had a real JERK in my eyes try to take my seat
So I'm flying home from SEA to LAX and we make a stop in SAC so after the last passengers that are to get off get of and the FA does her count we then are allowed to move seats so I did we'll while we are waiting for the rest of the passengers to board I got up to use the restroom the kind lady next to me says she will watch my seat (save it YES save it OMG) keep in mind my personal things are already under the seat inform of me. So when I come back this guy is in my window seat. I kindly let him know I was their and his response was "sorry no seat saving allowed"
We'll that didn't sit we'll with me so in my softest voice I informed him that I was on my way home with no appoints to get too and could sure use a free flight credit now he can do the right and go to back since by now the flight was full or we can make a scene and since my stuff is already their ill end up wining or we both get thrown off the flight. We'll he got up REAL quick and got him self a center seat all the way at the back.

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[LisaS]

If you wanted to ensure you were all seated together, you could have bought EBCI or boarded at the same time as your DH and other child.

I agree! This is what DH and I do. He is an A-list+ member so he usually gets A16 or A17. I purchase EBCI and lately have been getting high As (last flight to MCO I got A60). He is not going to play the seat saving game so he just gets in line with me. We always find perfectly acceptable seats together and it eliminates any stress or drama with other passengers from trying to save a seat.

 

[gwynne]

I agree! This is what DH and I do. He is an A-list+ member so he usually gets A16 or A17. I purchase EBCI and lately have been getting high As (last flight to MCO I got A60). He is not going to play the seat saving game so he just gets in line with me. We always find perfectly acceptable seats together and it eliminates any stress or drama with other passengers from trying to save a seat.

We do the exact same thing. We both get EBCI. If our numbers are separated, we board together at the highest number. It's simple and polite.

 

[DVCismyhappyplace]

We do the exact same thing. We both get EBCI. If our numbers are separated, we board together at the highest number. It's simple and polite.

+1

 

[anonymousegirl]

I haven't had a run in with seat savers, but what chaps my behind is the people with the larger carry-ons that put their case in the overhead bin SIDEWAYS because it is too large to fit in the correct lengthwise manner. Then we get delayed as people had to eventually and reluctantly have to gate-check their correct size or smaller bags.

On my SW flight yesterday I saw 6 bags like this in the first 21 rows. I would pay some good money to have an FA yank those bags and have those gate checked. It seems like the gate agents don't bother to check size in their little metal sizer box anymore.

 

[smidgy]

I haven't had a run in with seat savers, but what chaps my behind is the people with the larger carry-ons that put their case in the overhead bin SIDEWAYS because it is too large to fit in the correct lengthwise manner. Then we get delayed as people had to eventually and reluctantly have to gate-check their correct size or smaller bags.

On my SW flight yesterday I saw 6 bags like this in the first 21 rows. I would pay some good money to have an FA yank those bags and have those gate checked. It seems like the gate agents don't bother to check size in their little metal sizer box anymore.

this. and the people who put not only their carry on, but also their jacket or coat in the upper bin.. and sometimes they throw their "boarding bag" up there as well.

if there is room after everyone has boarded, only then can you add your coat, etc.

 

[lexysdad04]

this. and the people who put not only their carry on, but also their jacket or coat in the upper bin.. and sometimes they throw their "boarding bag" up there as well. if there is room after everyone has boarded, only then can you add your coat, etc.

Don't really understand how some one putting their coat in the upper bin on top of their bag is an issue, now if it's next to their bag we'll then it's still really not an issue cause it's a very simple solution just put your bag in and if their coat gets smashed we'll too bad it should be on top of their bag.

Now regarding their boarding bag, I completely agree with you that belongs under the seat in front if them

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[smidgy]

because, on a full flight, there is usually only enough room for everyone to have one carry on. if everyone also puts in a coat (esp a winter coat, if you are leaving , say , chicago in dec. and arriving in Orlando)there will be no room for the carry ons for those boarding later. and they will have to check them.

to me, it's simple courtesy.

 

[jayhawk74]

but what chaps my behind is the people with the larger carry-ons that put their case in the overhead bin SIDEWAYS because it is too large to fit in the correct lengthwise manner.
On my SW flight yesterday I saw 6 bags like this in the first 21 rows. I would pay some good money to have an FA yank those bags and have those gate checked. It seems like the gate agents don't bother to check size in their little metal sizer box anymore.

On the Classics (the -300s & -500s), as well as about the 1st 6 rows of the -700s, suitcases will ONLY fit in the overhead bins sideways NOT lengthwise. I've seen on the -700s and -800s where the F/As will reposition the bags from sideways to lengthwise in order to accommodate more bags. However on the Classics that is impossible.

 

[BJC15]

We do the exact same thing. We both get EBCI. If our numbers are separated, we board together at the highest number. It's simple and polite.

It really is this simple, if you are worried about seperation have everyone in your group enter with the highest number boarding pass, with or without using EBCI.

 

[keishashadow]

this. and the people who put not only their carry on, but also their jacket or coat in the upper bin.. and sometimes they throw their "boarding bag" up there as well.

if there is room after everyone has boarded, only then can you add your coat, etc.

/\ like

AT boards in zones. Incomprehensible that you can pay extra for seat selection (not to be confused with business class) but have those sitting in the rear of the plane stuff the front of the overheads full.

It holds up disembarkation when those in the front have to trek back thru the standing throng to gather their carry-ons (or even worse the baggage pass over people's heads). I've yet to see anybody allowing the offenders seating in the back push their way off the plane before the normal disembark order no matter how much they whine. If they have a tight connection, etc., they should address it with the gate personnel before they board and request assistance.

 

[scard192]

SW policy of doing nothing about seat savers is why I don't fly them anymore. They charge for EBCI and yet allow people to save seats. If they are going to charge for EBCI then in my opinion they need to put an end to seat saving. Passengers shouldn't have to deal with seat savers,SW should be. I have no problem paving for EBCI for every member of my party but would have a problem with seats being saved for others who chose not to pay that fee.

Luckily Jet Blue flies out of 2 (now 3) airports in my area and they are my carrier of choice and we all pick our seats and sit together.

 

[Skywise]

Flying on an airline with assigned seats isn't a guarantee of dodging seat saving either -

I was on a flight (Delta or US Airways) with an assigned aisle seat, get to the plane and the entire row is filled and the woman in my seat says "Hi, I'm with my parents, could you take my seat in the back of the plane?"

Fortunately it was a window seat which I actually preferred. But if it had been a center seat it would not have been a pretty scene...

 

[scard192]

Flying on an airline with assigned seats isn't a guarantee of dodging seat saving either -

I was on a flight (Delta or US Airways) with an assigned aisle seat, get to the plane and the entire row is filled and the woman in my seat says "Hi, I'm with my parents, could you take my seat in the back of the plane?"

Fortunately it was a window seat which I actually preferred. But if it had been a center seat it would not have been a pretty scene...

I would hope that if someone has a boarding pass in hand with a seat number on it the FA would do something about the seat savers.

 

[curemyreed]

You folks are making me nervous!!!

DH is A-List Preferred, so he is automatically assigned one of the first A numbers for boarding. I bought EBCI, but obviously will not be in that earliest group of A-List boarders. We tried to just buy DH EBCI so we could get on together, but SWA's computer system would not let him...I guess so A-List customers don't inadvertently pay for a free benefit. Anyway, we like to seat near the back and won't have any carry-on luggage for the overhead bin, so hopefully no one hates on my DH for saving me a spot next to him.

 

[LisaS]

You folks are making me nervous!!!

DH is A-List Preferred, so he is automatically assigned one of the first A numbers for boarding. I bought EBCI, but obviously will not be in that earliest group of A-List boarders. We tried to just buy DH EBCI so we could get on together, but SWA's computer system would not let him...I guess so A-List customers don't inadvertently pay for a free benefit. Anyway, we like to seat near the back and won't have any carry-on luggage for the overhead bin, so hopefully no one hates on my DH for saving me a spot next to him.

My DH is A-List preferred also. A-Listers do not have to pay for EBCI, they get assigned a boarding position automatically, before they start assigning boarding positions to those who bought EBCI. Your DH will have a low A number and you will most likely get a high A or maybe a low B. He can just get in line with you and the two of you will have no problem finding seats together. It will be much easier because you can board together and he won't have to keep explaining to people boarding ahead of you that he is trying to save a seat.

ETA: Just because your DH has A16 doesn't mean he has to board at that position. If you get A35, he can just get in line with you and board at that time. It's OK to board later than your assigned position but not the other way around.