Our 1st SW flight & I have only one complaint

[Lewisc]

Gail--SW has gotten permission to use a Y shaped jetway so they can load the plane from the front and back using a standard airport gate. Not sure when and which airport will be first. They think they think they can save almost 10 minutes.

Don't forget the airlines allow unticketed lap children to use unoccupied seats. If a SW flight isn't sold out they really have to let those people pre-board so they can get seats together.

 

[Lewisc]

duplicate post, please delete

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by MOMTOMOOTOO
There were 2 adults and 3 children. According to the mother they all did not have a ticket. I don't know why she would lie. If it were me I certainly wouldn't.

I most certainly believe your story. I do believe SWA let it slide.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by onecoolmama
They should load the plane from back to front..it makes sense. That way, people that take a while ( me for example that has to set up two car seats and get two children ages 2 and 1) to get settled and not bother or hold up the line. If we can all make disney change their policies about dinning reservations and such..maybe we can get southwest to change the way they board!

Hey, I hear that, but, open seating means just that, but, it is nice to know that there is a considerate person out there. Thanks!!!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Lewisc
Gail--SW has gotten permission to use a Y shaped jetway so they can load the plane from the front and back using a standard airport gate. Not sure when and which airport will be first. They think they think they can save almost 10 minutes.

Don't forget the airlines allow unticketed lap children to use unoccupied seats. If a SW flight isn't sold out they really have to let those people pre-board so they can get seats together.

Thanks Lewis, and I do think that will certainly speed things up.
Yes, I know that non sold out flights will allow the seats to be taken by non paying pax, but, they should board last, just in case there are standbys willing to pay.

Another thing that would be nice is if people with strollers were asked to wait until the pax deplane. That way someone's big butt does not hog the entire exit ramp.

 

[lawgs]

That way someone's big butt does not hog the entire exit ramp

why not just say .....hog the entire exit ramp......what does a big butt have to do with it...???

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

because most of what I have seen have been big. But, if it makes you feel better, hogging the entire ramp to get Jr. into the stroller is obnoxious and the little ones hanging around watching this procedure need to move when asked nicely.

and, no matter how tiny you may be, when bent over in people's way, it just looks big.

 

[lawgs]

gail...was just wondering ...since i remember seeing a post "saying" something about you that you did not like ( which was deleted by a moderator )

**But, if it makes you feel better**

would have no bearing on me....since we try to be patience and courteous when deplaning

but , did not think of you as someone who would "stereotype" other people. since you are always trying to be so helpful on these boards

 

[NotUrsula]

Obviously, a lot of people failed the "stroller gate-check" etiquette course.

If you gate-check your stroller, DON'T OPEN IT UNTIL YOU GET OUT OF THE JETWAY! Pick it up, go to the top of the ramp, through the door, and then stand to the side in an unoccupied part of the gate area to open up the stroller and get the child or children into it.

Gail, you will be happy to know that when travelling with our little one, we always hang back and allow almost all of the other passengers to de-plane before we even stand up. I have my stroller cover rigged so that the rear wheels stick out of it, so I just grab it and pull it up the ramp.

BTW, on boarding through both doors. I've done this in the UK on British Midland; it works really well. They also sometimes do the cool trick of loading and unloading simultaneously; they use the jetway on the rear door for those disembarking, and put the boarding passengers on a stair to the front door. As the stair is slower, it's almost always clear by the time the majority of people get to the top and begin to walk in.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by NotUrsula
Obviously, a lot of people failed the "stroller gate-check" etiquette course.

If you gate-check your stroller, DON'T OPEN IT UNTIL YOU GET OUT OF THE JETWAY! Pick it up, go to the top of the ramp, through the door, and then stand to the side in an unoccupied part of the gate area to open up the stroller and get the child or children into it.

Gail, you will be happy to know that when travelling with our little one, we always hang back and allow almost all of the other passengers to de-plane before we even stand up. I have my stroller cover rigged so that the rear wheels stick out of it, so I just grab it and pull it up the ramp.

BTW, on boarding through both doors. I've done this in the UK on British Midland; it works really well. They also sometimes do the cool trick of loading and unloading simultaneously; they use the jetway on the rear door for those disembarking, and put the boarding passengers on a stair to the front door. As the stair is slower, it's almost always clear by the time the majority of people get to the top and begin to walk in.

I appreciate your courtesy, thank you. Heck, I don't care if parents with the little folk leave the plane before me, I just don't need another roadblock.

 

[inkkognito]

This thread highlights one of the reasons that I prefer ATA over Southwest. I would even pay a little more to fly ATA due to the pre-assigned seats, although so far they have beat Southwest every time I've checked. With as much as hubby and I fly to Orlando, and all the pre-boards, I doubt we'd ever get to sit together.
Last time we were in Orlando, ATA announced a pre-board for people traveling with kids but did not specify an age. I think that everyone with a kid 12 or under (and in one case 15) took advantage of it, and the gate agent didn't say a word. If it had been Southwest, hubby and I would have been goodness knows where. At least we know we had assigned seats waiting for us.
Personally, I liked the way ATA boarded us once at Midway. It was on a mongo 43-row 757-300. First they called rows 21 and higher, and then the rest of the plane. What a cattle call! But actually it went more smoothly than some of the conventional boardings I've experienced.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[shamrock30]

With as much as hubby and I fly to Orlando, and all the pre-boards, I doubt we'd ever get to sit together.

This is a huge pet peeve of mine. Of course I don't have a problem with anyone who NEEDS to preboard. However, many people abuse the system and SWA doesn't do anything to stop them.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by lawgs
gail...was just wondering ...since i remember seeing a post "saying" something about you that you did not like ( which was deleted by a moderator )

**But, if it makes you feel better**

would have no bearing on me....since we try to be patience and courteous when deplaning

but , did not think of you as someone who would "stereotype" other people. since you are always trying to be so helpful on these boards

The "but if it makes you feel better" was to lessen the impact of my words. I most certainly was not trying to stereotype anyone.
Bottoms when bent over all look large to me. I am not sure what post you are referring to re: me and something I did not like, but I bet it was not about my big bottom.

I never worry about you being curteous, I doubt it would be in your nature to be anything else.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by inkkognito
This thread highlights one of the reasons that I prefer ATA over Southwest. I would even pay a little more to fly ATA due to the pre-assigned seats, although so far they have beat Southwest every time I've checked. With as much as hubby and I fly to Orlando, and all the pre-boards, I doubt we'd ever get to sit together.
Last time we were in Orlando, ATA announced a pre-board for people traveling with kids but did not specify an age. I think that everyone with a kid 12 or under (and in one case 15) took advantage of it, and the gate agent didn't say a word. If it had been Southwest, hubby and I would have been goodness knows where. At least we know we had assigned seats waiting for us.
Personally, I liked the way ATA boarded us once at Midway. It was on a mongo 43-row 757-300. First they called rows 21 and higher, and then the rest of the plane. What a cattle call! But actually it went more smoothly than some of the conventional boardings I've experienced.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

Happy to report SWA only preboards folks with kids 4 and under.

The only time S/O and I have not sat together was because we were late checking in. Our fault. Assigned seating has it's merits, but around here, I will take my chances for the low airfare.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by shamrock30

With as much as hubby and I fly to Orlando, and all the pre-boards, I doubt we'd ever get to sit together.

This is a huge pet peeve of mine. Of course I don't have a problem with anyone who NEEDS to preboard. However, many people abuse the system and SWA doesn't do anything to stop them.

Ah, yes they do. They do make announcements frequently and I have personally seen them stop people with small kids and their 86 relatives from all boarding together. It is parents, sibs and small kids, not parents, kids, sibs, aunts, uncles, grandparents and your new friends you met today.

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by Lewisc
Don't forget the airlines allow unticketed lap children to use unoccupied seats. If a SW flight isn't sold out they really have to let those people pre-board so they can get seats together.

I disagree. Being allowed to use an unoccupied seat is one thing, but getting an extra priveledge on top of it is another. IMHO they should allow people who have paid for tickets for the ENTIRE party with youg kids to preboard. After that then everyone else goes on in the carriers normal boarding proceedure.

If the parents of unticketed kids can find seats for the kids, fine, but it's not a guarantee, even if there are empty seats on the plane to get two together. It's that way on every carrier. If you are flying other carriers with a lap baby, they will not rearrange other travelers to free up a seat for you for your child. That's the chance you take when not purchasing a seat for your kid.

Anne

 

[punkin]

but they will "block" the seat next to you so that it gets sold last. That way, unless the plane is close to full you get two seats next to each other.

 

[cali2gagirl]

Guess I 'kinda' see your point...BUT....if it wasn't your seat they took...I'm not sure the issue. ..Or...if you wanted that particular one for a reason, ask for it.
I've traveled a couple times when my girls were infants, and I didn't pay for them a seat. I held them on my laps until the plane took off, then if the seat by me was available...I'd be ECSTATIC, and set her down! I know some people do like to do the carseat thing in the plane...which is fine. I personally (call me pessimistic) think that if the plane is going down...a car seat won't help - If it got turbulent, I'd hold her...but never had that an issue...
If I had the money...I probably would have bought them their own ticket..but generally, my flights were to visit family in Ca, and I couldnt' afford an extra 400 bucks or so for someone who I'd have to hold half the time anyways
Thanks for hearing my 2cents

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by punkin
but they will "block" the seat next to you so that it gets sold last. That way, unless the plane is close to full you get two seats next to each other.

Not all carriers are doing this these days, it's not cost effective, and that's the bottom line as carriers struggle to stay in business.

Anne

 

[Lewisc]

Originally posted by ducklite
I disagree. Being allowed to use an unoccupied seat is one thing, but getting an extra priveledge on top of it is another. IMHO they should allow people who have paid for tickets for the ENTIRE party with youg kids to preboard. After that then everyone else goes on in the carriers normal boarding proceedure.

If the parents of unticketed kids can find seats for the kids, fine, but it's not a guarantee, even if there are empty seats on the plane to get two together. It's that way on every carrier. If you are flying other carriers with a lap baby, they will not rearrange other travelers to free up a seat for you for your child. That's the chance you take when not purchasing a seat for your kid.

Anne

If the airlines have assigned seats they'll give one parent the aisle and the other the window seat. I'm pretty sure the middle seat won't get assigned unless the plane is filled. Someone else posted that the seat is actually blocked.

SW isn't giving an extra consideration, people with young children are allowed to pre-board. Another poster suggested a policy change. I don't really want to sit next to someone elses infant. I don't care if they are in a car seat or in a parents lap.

Personally I think the airlines should require all passengers buy seats and infants use car seats but I don't make the rules.