Please explain how SWA boarding works

[Gary M]

Last Dec. I went to the front desk at the WL a little after midnight to get the SWA preboarding passes printed, they were printed out quickly and with no hassle. From IND to MCO I have found the non-preboarders to be in the minority. DW and I fly SWA as a last resort to MCO because of the cattle call boarding.

 

[Pinnie]

JoeD, note that the article is a bit outdated.

Here is one that was updated March 8,2005 and it doesn't look like SWA will be changing it's unassigned seating policy anytime soon. I, for one, am very happy about that!

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2005-03-08-swa-ceo_x.htm?POE=TRVISVA

pinnie

 

[Daxx]

Preboarding with children is limited to children under 5.

Well, sometimes it depends on the flight crew and how many people are on the flight. Twice before (the most recent being Oct. '04), we were allowed to preboard even though our DS was over 5 yo. On our Oct. flight, there were prob. a total of 4 families so they allowed all parents w/children to preboard. Now, the flight wasn't crowded, so I'm sure that this had a lot to do w/it. So, regardless of A, B or C line tickets, they pulled the families out of the lines and allowed us to preboard. It was a nice treat and not one person complained. Again ... there weren't a lot of families or passengers.

However ... on the way home, we ended up in the C-line and the crew did not pull any families (other than those w/kids under 5 yo) out. We weren't able to sit w/our child. DW sat behind DS while I sat in the row across from him. We were fortunate b/c a teenage girl moved one seat over so DS could be closer to me! That was very nice of her and although we thanked her profusely then, we still appreciate her kind gesture today! Now, I am not complaining. It was only fair that we waited our turn b/c that is how things work. We weren't asking nor looking for special treatment b/c of the fact that we got it the last time around. We got what we deserved ... and we knew that we might not sit together when we found out we were in the C line. We knew it was through no other fault than our own for not getting to the airport earlier than we did. It was a chance we took and we accepted the consequences. If we had known the WDResort could print boarding passes, we would have been able to sit as a family, I'm sure.

As for people moving to accommodate others ...
Anyway ... the main point is that you never know what SWA will do as far as seating goes! If your flight crowd is light, they might allow all families to preboard. Or, you might get stuck in your line. It's a crap shoot.

 

[disneyldwjr]

Well, sometimes it depends on the flight crew and how many people are on the flight. Twice before (the most recent being Oct. '04), we were allowed to preboard even though our DS was over 5 yo. On our Oct. flight, there were prob. a total of 4 families so they allowed all parents w/children to preboard. Now, the flight wasn't crowded, so I'm sure that this had a lot to do w/it. So, regardless of A, B or C line tickets, they pulled the families out of the lines and allowed us to preboard. It was a nice treat and not one person complained. Again ... there weren't a lot of families or passengers.

However ... on the way home, we ended up in the C-line and the crew did not pull any families (other than those w/kids under 5 yo) out. We weren't able to sit w/our child. DW sat behind DS while I sat in the row across from him. We were fortunate b/c a teenage girl moved one seat over so DS could be closer to me! That was very nice of her and although we thanked her profusely then, we still appreciate her kind gesture today! Now, I am not complaining. It was only fair that we waited our turn b/c that is how things work. We weren't asking nor looking for special treatment b/c of the fact that we got it the last time around. We got what we deserved ... and we knew that we might not sit together when we found out we were in the C line. We knew it was through no other fault than our own for not getting to the airport earlier than we did. It was a chance we took and we accepted the consequences. If we had known the WDResort could print boarding passes, we would have been able to sit as a family, I'm sure.

As for people moving to accommodate others ...
Anyway ... the main point is that you never know what SWA will do as far as seating goes! If your flight crowd is light, they might allow all families to preboard. Or, you might get stuck in your line. It's a crap shoot.

You were indeed lucky. You found a nice gate crew. You know, I have no problem with them pulling families out of line to board, what I have a problem with are those who decide the age limit does not apply to them, obviously, you are not one of them.
Your attitude regarding the return is one I wish more people would adopt, it would make life more pleasant.
I was once in a situation of arriving late to the airport and my travel companion and I were separated during the flight. I certainly did not expect anyone to move to accomodate us because we were "late to the plate". It was nice of that teenage to move. And, I think it wonderful that you took the time to thank her. Many people don't thank anyone for anything anymore.
As to the crap shoot, you are absolutely correct, that is exactly what it is.
And, now that you know that your resort can print out the boarding passes for you, you can probably go to the airport and not worry.

 

[dcandmc]

After reading this thread, it help remind me why I'll never fly SWA. We are 2 adults, so imagine we would probably be the last 2 to board most of the time, especially flights to MCO. I will continue to fly Independence and Ted out of dulles. BWI can keep SWA. (though my daughter, who flys as a single for work, flys SWA regularly.) I flew TED for $97 rt out of Dulles to MCO in December and my flight on FLYI in May is only $116 rt.

You'll be the last two to board most of the time only if you show up last to the airport most of the time. If you get to the airport in a timely manner (or better yet, print out "A" boarding passes early the day of your flight), it's almost a guarantee that you could find decent seats together. Maybe not the best seats every flight, but you have to sacrifice something for the lower fares. Have you ever flown Southwest before, or are you just making assumptions?

If you really need an assigned seat, keep flying Ted and Independence... until they go out of business.

 

[Mandabella]

After reading this thread, it help remind me why I'll never fly SWA. We are 2 adults, so imagine we would probably be the last 2 to board most of the time, especially flights to MCO. I will continue to fly Independence and Ted out of dulles. BWI can keep SWA. (though my daughter, who flys as a single for work, flys SWA regularly.) I flew TED for $97 rt out of Dulles to MCO in December and my flight on FLYI in May is only $116 rt.

Same here. And so far SWA hasn't really beaten any other airfare. Whenever I start looking around for airfare, SWA doesn't really come in that much cheaper than other airlines. Another carrier has beaten their DING fares this week, and we got much better flight times too!

I don't like the idea of having to check-in at 12:01 just to get an A ticket.

 

[Daxx]

my travel companion and I were separated during the flight. I certainly did not expect anyone to move to accomodate us because we were "late to the plate".

Exactly! It's nice when someone sees that you're in need and responds ... but I certainly don't expect it when I travel or at any other time. If people want to give up a seat, then that's fantastic ... if they don't, then that's fine, too. If I'm "late to the plate", I get what I deserve!

 

[mickey4ver]

You'll be the last two to board most of the time only if you show up last to the airport most of the time. If you get to the airport in a timely manner (or better yet, print out "A" boarding passes early the day of your flight), it's almost a guarantee that you could find decent seats together. Maybe not the best seats every flight, but you have to sacrifice something for the lower fares. Have you ever flown Southwest before, or are you just making assumptions?

If you really need an assigned seat, keep flying Ted and Independence... until they go out of business.

I read a lot of n2mm's posts and it appears that this person is a very seasoned traveler, and knows the ins and outs of when and where to be to board a plane. Seems just some observations are being made as to SW's policies regarding seating assignments, no need to be so harsh about differing opinions...and I can answer for me, YES, I've flown SW...and we were in an A boarding group, but the plane we boarded had arrived from elsewhere, those passengers were continuing on to our destination, NOT made to de-board, so there were hardly any seats together for our party....I personally did not care for this, but if others don't mind, that is fine. And what is wrong with using the other airlines, even if they end up going out of business, if they suit my needs right now, and the price is right, why wouldn't I give them a try?

 

[Lewisc]

We'd all prefer it if the flights we chose were around 1/3 empty. Couples would take the aisle and window seat and leave the middle seat empty. Airlines can't make money that way and profitable airlines like SW manage to have the flights pretty full.

As long as so many people travel in even numbers:couples, two couples, families of 4 and the seats are in groups of 3 families will be split. With an airline that reserves seats you'll know right have you make your reservations if that might happen to you. Book very early and your assigned seats will be where you want BUT the legacy airline may cancel your flight and will then assign you new seats.

With SW most pax have the option to get an "A" BP and get reasonable seating. With legacy airlines pax have the option of booking early, getting the seats they want BUT hope that their flight isn't canceled, combined or subject to equipment changes.

Most of us are looking at a flight of 2-3 hours. Really not the end of the world if for whatever reason with whatever airline we chose fly parties get broken up.

I like the fact that SW rarely changes its schedule and that even if I book late, with the most expensive fare, I still have a fair opportunity to get a good seat.

I understand others may like having an assigned seat. I think some of those people don't understand that the same early booking that got them the seats they want increases the chance that they won't wind up on that flight with those seats.

 

[dcandmc]

Seems just some observations are being made as to SW's policies regarding seating assignments, no need to be so harsh about differing opinions... And what is wrong with using the other airlines, even if they end up going out of business, if they suit my needs right now, and the price is right, why wouldn't I give them a try?

1. I agree, observations are being made and opinions are being offered; I don't think the tone of my post was harsh at all, and it certainly wasn't meant to be. n2mm's post said that "I'll never fly SWA." I was curious if this meant that n2mm had never flown SWA as well. Knowing that information helps me decide how informed n2mm's observations and opinions are.

2. I never said that there's anything wrong with using other airlines. To each his own, whatever floats your boat, etc., etc. The subtle point that I was trying to make is that Southwest, for a long time, has been offering low fares and making a profit. I don't think that any other airline can make that claim. Independence Air is in financial trouble. Ted is part of United, which is currently in Chapter 11. It's far from a sure thing that Independence or United/Ted will survive for the long run. Southwest's future is much rosier. They must be doing something right.

 

[n2mm]

I read a lot of n2mm's posts and it appears that this person is a very seasoned traveler, and knows the ins and outs of when and where to be to board a plane. Seems just some observations are being made as to SW's policies regarding seating assignments, no need to be so harsh about differing opinions...and I can answer for me, YES, I've flown SW...and we were in an A boarding group, but the plane we boarded had arrived from elsewhere, those passengers were continuing on to our destination, NOT made to de-board, so there were hardly any seats together for our party....I personally did not care for this, but if others don't mind, that is fine. And what is wrong with using the other airlines, even if they end up going out of business, if they suit my needs right now, and the price is right, why wouldn't I give them a try?

thank you Mickey4ver for backing me. I didn't mean to start a controversy. I was just stating my opinion and preference. I will not fly any airline if I can't pick my seat (the one on the plane) before I get there. I don't want to get up at midnight to print a boarding pass...yuck. I buy my tickets and choose my seats and never lose any sleep over it. We always get to the airport early. Afterall, I get up at 3:30AM every day for work, so flying early never bothers me. And it's funny, after 100 plane rides, I've always managed to sit in the seat I bought, and no oneelse was ever there. (Except when we've been upgraded to better seats!)

A veteran, you could say that. Married to a disney employee (CM) and we fly out of dulles 5 to 6 trips a year. We usually can get pretty good flights out of dulles. Always non-stops. Always fly United/TED, but before that I flew alot of delta/then SONG before their non-stops ended. (Trying Independence in May.) Sometimes the fares out of BWI/SW are cheaper, but I would have to incorperate the time to get to BWI vs Dulles. BWI is 90 minutes where Dulles is 45. If and when SWA ever does do assigned seating, then I would add it to my list of possible flights. No I've never flown them, I just choose to get to the airport and relax until they call my seating area.

I know SWA has a loyal following and I work with alot of SWA fans from the Baltimore area. So I'm off to book my flight on FLYI (Independence) for my July trip. I've been dragging my feet on this for 2 days, but at $136 rt, non-stop, great times, I better just do it--then I'll tell my husband that I added another trip--one he didn't know about it.

OK, so back to the original topic.

 

[disneyldwjr]

I read a lot of n2mm's posts and it appears that this person is a very seasoned traveler, and knows the ins and outs of when and where to be to board a plane. Seems just some observations are being made as to SW's policies regarding seating assignments, no need to be so harsh about differing opinions...and I can answer for me, YES, I've flown SW...and we were in an A boarding group, but the plane we boarded had arrived from elsewhere, those passengers were continuing on to our destination, NOT made to de-board, so there were hardly any seats together for our party....I personally did not care for this, but if others don't mind, that is fine. And what is wrong with using the other airlines, even if they end up going out of business, if they suit my needs right now, and the price is right, why wouldn't I give them a try?

No airline I have ever flown on makes pax on the plane deplane and then reboard during a stop, so I fail to see your point about getting an A pass and not finding seats together and SWA not making the pax on the plane deplaning.

 

[mickey4ver]

What I'm saying is that because all these passengers were still on the plane, even though we were vigilant enough to be in boarding group A, it didn't amount to anything, as we still had trouble finding seating together and were split up.

And, the airline we just came home on 2 weeks ago, was picking up new passengers at our destination, with some from our flight continuing travel, and they were told they must de-plane...and then reboard when boarding was called. So it does happen...whether you have seen this or not, I can't attest to, I'm just sharing my experience, and what I've encountered.

 

[4greatboys]

I know SWA has a loyal following

We fly SWA airline on almost every trip. Mainly because they are direct from houston and many other airlines have layovers but my main loyalty is to my pocketbook, lol. So we will go with whoever gets us there the cheapest and quickest. We can still preboard as we have 2 little ones so we havent really had to fight for seating together yet but I can say Im not really looking forward to that. Im pretty sure if we got great rates and assigned seating we would go for that

 

[atigeg]

We make sure to choose flights that are not continuing on to Orlando from somewhere else in order to eliminate the risk of getting on a plane that's already half full. So far, so good. I am loyal to my pocketbook too, but lately Southwest has had some great deals. We also ended up paying a few $$ more for them on an upcoming flight just because it's easier to go out of Midway than O'Hare for us. But when you look at price, look at the "big picture" rather than just the upfront investment. We fly roundtrip to Orlando at least twice a month, and with my job, my schedule can change at the last minute. SW charges NO change penalty. I hate the no-seat-assignments thing, but being able to change makes up for a lot of that. And even though it's a pain to print our boarding passes at midnight. we used to do the same on ATA in order to get our favorite exit row, so it's not that big of a deal for us. Would I prefer assigned seats? Sure. Do I miss ATA? You bet! But so far SW has been much better than I hoped.
Barb

 

[disneyldwjr]

What I'm saying is that because all these passengers were still on the plane, even though we were vigilant enough to be in boarding group A, it didn't amount to anything, as we still had trouble finding seating together and were split up.

And, the airline we just came home on 2 weeks ago, was picking up new passengers at our destination, with some from our flight continuing travel, and they were told they must de-plane...and then reboard when boarding was called. So it does happen...whether you have seen this or not, I can't attest to, I'm just sharing my experience, and what I've encountered.

I appreciate your sharing your experience. Was the airline you traveled with a few weeks ago SWA? In all honesty, this is the first time I have ever heard of pax having to deplane and reboard. But, then again, I have not seen everything and you learn something new every day.

 

[*Fantasia*]

No more SWA for us... SWA does not have a non-stop flight from DTW to MCO. Not so good when you have young children (they don't like the ups and downs). I do not like the A, B, C boarding. One time we got B passes, well we had to split our seatings. We were near each other but not together. My daughter 6 was not too happy about that nor I was.

We flew SWA twice round trip... BUT NO MORE for us. Either NWA (we have frequent flyer perk) and Spirit works for us. We love the non-stop flight and we love assigned seats.

 

[mickey4ver]

No, it was not SW, but different airlines must handle things different.

 

[disneyldwjr]

No, it was not SW, but different airlines must handle things different.

Yes, yes they do. I have flown many other airlines and have yet to encounter this. Not disputing you, just finding it very odd.
I know you are allowed to deplane after the pax with connections, but, I have never seen it as a requirement.