Never again Southwest

[DANAW]

I will never use Southwest again. At 12:01 I went to print our boarding passes on line. I kept getting an error message that due to SW procedures, they were unable to allow us to print the passes. After calling Southwest & speaking to a supervisor, I was told they could not tell me WHY I could not print the passes, just that I have to check in in person. They told me it could be FAA regulations that prevented me from doing it. I guess a family of 4 going to Disney is high risk. That is a dumb reason. Whether or not they all us to print the boarding passes, we all have to go through the same security at the airport.

 

[debster812]

Sorry you feel that way. I would bet that SWA actually had NOTHING to do with you not being able to print out your boarding passes, it probably came from the FAA or TSA. My 7YO was tagged for additional security on both legs of our trip this past February. He's not exactly high risk either, but this is the world we live in today. If it helps to keep us safer, I'm all for it.

 

[DANAW]

I have no problem with extra security. I just don't understand the reason for not printing a boarding pass. If you have one or not, you still undergo security, and they can pluck you out of a crowd for extra screening. I just dont get it. Having a pre printed boarding pass (or assigned a seat as other airlines do) does not get you out of going through extra security.

 

[DMRick]

I couldn't print out my husbands pass one trip. I have no idea why, but all the others did, so it's just one of those things. I guess they wanted him to check into the desk. Must be that powdered tide that we flew with last trip, which I swear is what makes them open the suitcase each trip! What happened when you got there, was he able to sit with you?

 

[minmate]

Sorry you're having such a struggle! I still say, if someone else wants to sit next to or tend to my 4 kids for the 3 hour flight, be my guest! You'll be begging me to switch back and sit next to them in five minutes flat... especially if you get the talkative one!

 

[DANAW]

That was funny. My kids are teenagers, so even I shouldnt want to sit next to them!! We leave this evening, so now we have to get to the airport much earlier than planned. Sorry if I was overdramatic with my title to my thread, but I had set my alarm clock to midnight and when I couldnt print out the pass, I was really mad. You know how stressful the few hours before a trip can be. We had an unexpected, very, very sad funeral and wake to attend the last 2 days,then I was on the phone with Southwest until 12:30. Nothing but stress! The kids are old enough to sit alone, but its not the way I saw us starting our trip. It just got me mad!!

 

[CarolA]

It is the TSA's fault you can't print a boarding pass if you are selected. Call them.

I have pointed out numerous times that this whole getting up at 12:01 am is not very bright. (Have you tired printing this morning?) The one time I couldn't print at 12:01 the system was actually broken. (And I only tried since I was still up, there is no way I am getting up from my sleep to print this!) If you have an evening flight printing when you normally awoke would probably have been fine especially with teens. If I print in the morning for an evening flight I practically never get less then B.

 

[DANAW]

Thanks for the advice CarolA. I tried several times this morning to print them, and nothing. I guess its not a big deal, but I got up at midnight because being spring break, and knowing the flight was totally booked, I figured I should do it early. The first person I spoke with tried several things, and it wouldnt work. Then she told me they only will allow a certain # of boarding passes to print with on line check in and they must have given them all out. Then the supervisor told me he couldnt really give me a reason...I guess I just assumed it would work.

 

[jctwizzer]

After repeated airline checkins delayed because of verification, I found out that my name is on the TSA list of persons to be verified before boarding. Not me, just the name is the problem. When they find out my date of birth, the question is resolved. This has been going on since 9/11 and I expect it will continue despite my appeal to TSA. I've tried adding my middle name to reservations and that has no effect. At this point, I just assume it will be part of my flying routine for the forseeable future.

 

[CarolA]

jctwizzer,
One thing that I have heard work is to sign up for the frequent flyer program. I have no idea if it really helps, but....

 

[antkim]

Just wondering if you can not print the pass or can not check in online? Reason for asking is that you do not even need the printed pass at the airport! I know this for sure....checked my dad in online just last week. He lives no where near me so there was no way to get the pass to him. I called SW and asked if it was needed and they said no. Dad went to the airport and it was not even an issue. So I checked him in on the return as well.

Just an FYI

Kim

 

[meuseman]

DANAW-

CarolA is correct. If you or any member of your party received the random TSA "super-screening" you will not be allowed to print the B-Passes online. And further, the airline cannot tell you that is the reason you cannot print the passes. Is it annoying? Yes. Does it ruin your night? Probably. Should it be a reason to never fly Southwest? IMHO, no, since it could happen on any airline that allows online check-in.

 

[Ted and Holly]

You may not need to copy that you printed at home, but you need a boarding pass to get through security and get on the plane.

Southwest will print copies for you if you check in online and then go to the desk in person. Also, for people without printers, you can now check in online and print your pass at a Rapid Checkin Kiosk.

To the original post, I had this problem once, I could not use the Rapid Checkin Kiosk, and it would not tell me why. I went over, waited in line and when I tried to check in at the desk, I found out that my company never paid for the ticket! Luckiy, I had just picked up my new Corporate AMEX on the way to the airport.

There could be many reasons for this, extra security, payment issues...

I guess you won't know until you get there.

Am I reading this right, you leave today?

Have a good trip! Don't let this ruin it, you will have a blast!

Ted

 

[maminnie]

DANAW:

Did you make any changes to your reservation? Last summer I had to change my reservation as I was taking care of an ill relative. Because I had changed I was tagged for extra/complete security.

I was in a rather slow, long line with my two small children and the security people were apologizing for the wait with the kids. I told them as long as I and my children are safe, it just didn't matter. That's what counts these days.

We fly Southwest often and have always had great experiences.

 

[DANAW]

We did take a person off of our reservation a few weeks ago, so maybe that is why we were "tagged".
And, no, I am not allowed to even check-in on line, so its not actually a "printing" problem....These were all good ideas though.
I know this could happen with other airlines, but because of Southwest not assigning seats, its much more frustrating than if we were tagged for extra security, or whatever. That I wouldnt mind. But, even if we were tagged for security, we should still be allowed to print a boarding pass. We still have to go through security even with the boarding pass. Otherwise, every terrorist would be printing SW boarding passes at home, so that part of it I dont understand. That is what makes me not want to use SW again. Their policy of not assigning seats is frustrating, but I thought checking in on line would solve the problem, but for us, at least, it didnt. At least I dont have very young kids...then I would really be upset! But to others who have SW, be aware this could happen to you. I had never heard of this before, so it was an unpleasant suprise! Thanks for all of the input!

 

[Figment2]

Try getting to the airport early. On two recent trips, I got an A and this past weekend a B boarding pass, just by being there early. I refuse to get up at Midnight just to print a boarding pass.

Cyn

 

[DANAW]

So, Figment, when you say early, how early...is 2 hours plenty? I know the flight is completely booked.
Thanks

 

[inkkognito]

My husband and I are night owls, so printing the passes at midnight is not a big deal for us. Usually we're between 1 and 3, although once we were 7th. I think there are 30 A passes for each flight, but they do hold some to hand out at the airport. On my last flight, I saw people getting As at the airport, but the flight was not full so there were no Cs.

It's definitely the TSA, not SW. We were tagged a few times while flying ATA, too, and could not print out our boarding passes online. It's just one of those things. We were members of the frequent flyers program and never saw anything in common on the flights where we were tagged.

Barb

 

[Ms. Belle]

THe same thing happened to me on a Song flight from MCO to BDL. I could print out my son's boarding pass, but not mine. I had been selected for extra screening. I have flown since and haven't had this problem. But it's not a carrier issue, it's TSA.

 

[DANAW]

So I guess we should all make sure we wear clean underwear for our the extra security it sounds like at least one of us will have to go through??