Really Don't Understand Southwest

[Ofinn]

Regarding the bolded... there is too many variables to factor in to determine a "rule" for checkin/boarding that will apply to even the majority of travellers, much less all of them.

1) How busy is the flight (originating airport, destination, day, time, and month all factor in to this)?
2)Is it a new flight, or a continuation?

Because you boarded at the last minute and found seats together doesn't mean that will happen on your next flight. Just like if someone says they got B1 & B2 boarding passes and couldn't find seats together isn't the "rule" either.

These are all great reasons not to fly Southwest.

 

[sam_gordon]

These are all great reasons not to fly Southwest.

I have the best reason... the closest SW gets to my home is 2 hours. It's not worth the drive.

While I agree the seating arrangement is a factor in my decision on who to fly, it's by no means the only, nor the top.

1) Price
2) Flight times (arrival/departure times)
3) Baggage fees
4) Seating arrangements
5) Layover

These are the things, and pretty much in order, of what factors into my decision to pick an airline. I'll pay a little more to get better flight times for example.

 

[Keels]

I have the best reason... the closest SW gets to my home is 2 hours. It's not worth the drive.

While I agree the seating arrangement is a factor in my decision on who to fly, it's by no means the only, nor the top.

1) Price
2) Flight times (arrival/departure times)
3) Baggage fees
4) Seating arrangements
5) Layover

These are the things, and pretty much in order, of what factors into my decision to pick an airline. I'll pay a little more to get better flight times for example.

This x100. I fly out of the DFW Metroplex, so I can't really get a true non-stop flight on SW unless I'm going VERY regionally. No thanks.

Also, I'm going to spend enough time on the plane as it is - I don't want to sit on the plane for 30 minutes-plus while people board just so I can have an aisle seat next or a seat with my husband. I like the mindset of having my assigned seat that I have chosen. Plus, I usually carry-on a rollerboard with me and prefer to gate check, so I like to board the plane last so I don't have to fight for overhead space.

The seating cattle call is just one reason I refuse to fly SW unless I have no other option. Plus, I've found that passengers on SW are ruder to the flight crew than on normal flights - which is really unfortunate since the Red Belly flight crews are always the most delightful.

As for the "no one wants to sit next to my unattended kid LOL" - I'm not moving my seat because you failed to plan accordingly. However, my seat can be bought for (minimum, depending on flight time) two cocktails.

 

[jewood1234]

If you're in the metroplex have you tried Spirit Airlines yet?

We've flown with the family to many different places (not WDW yet!) and done it for the cheap.

Only caution is to check bags and pay for it in advance!

 

[Mousemom234]

We've pretty much given up on SW. They always used to be our first choice, but between the 'family boarding', the EBCI and it's abuse by the seat savers it's become a crapshoot if DH and I can even sit together anymore.
The last time we flew SW, we ended up in the C boarding, even with the midnight online check in. Not that it made much difference -- the seat savers were out in full force, and had luggage and bodies staked out all over the front 2/3 of the plane. We took 2 seats in the third to last row, and watched the seat-swapping follies go on for almost another 20 minutes

DH is close to 'a person of size' as determined by SW, so if we can sit together, nobody has to notice he might overflow a bit. Which is another reason not to fly SW for us. We've never even been given a second look on other airlines.

We have a choice of airports, in 2 different states. The travel time differs by maybe 15 minutes, and the airport shuttle charges the same to both from our house.
SW is a little closer, the parking is a lot cheaper (if we drive ourselves), and offers several non-stops to Orlando, but we have to vacation during school breaks, which changes the whole equation. We're planning a trip end of April, and almost all of the low-cost return flights are already sold out on SW. But for under $30 RT more than SWs lowest fare, we can get pre-selected seats, 1st bag free, and wider seats with a different airline.

 

[DebbieB]

We've pretty much given up on SW. They always used to be our first choice, but between the 'family boarding', the EBCI and it's abuse by the seat savers it's become a crapshoot if DH and I can even sit together anymore.
The last time we flew SW, we ended up in the C boarding, even with the midnight online check in. Not that it made much difference -- the seat savers were out in full force, and had luggage and bodies staked out all over the front 2/3 of the plane. We took 2 seats in the third to last row, and watched the seat-swapping follies go on for almost another 20 minutes

DH is close to 'a person of size' as determined by SW, so if we can sit together, nobody has to notice he might overflow a bit. Which is another reason not to fly SW for us. We've never even been given a second look on other airlines.

We have a choice of airports, in 2 different states. The travel time differs by maybe 15 minutes, and the airport shuttle charges the same to both from our house.
SW is a little closer, the parking is a lot cheaper (if we drive ourselves), and offers several non-stops to Orlando, but we have to vacation during school breaks, which changes the whole equation. We're planning a trip end of April, and almost all of the low-cost return flights are already sold out on SW. But for under $30 RT more than SWs lowest fare, we can get pre-selected seats, 1st bag free, and wider seats with a different airline.

It's 24 hours before, not midnight. If your flight is at 8:00am, you can check-in at 8:00am the day before. If you waited until midnight, that's why you got C.

I flew SW last month to Orlando, I think I had B6 on the way down and B29 on the way back with 24 hour online check-in. Both times I got window seats about in the middle of the plane. I was by myself but was first in my row both times, so I would have been OK with 1 or 2 others. On the way down, the flight was full and ended up with someone in the middle seat last minute. On the way home, the back 1/3 of the plane was empty, I had a row to myself.

 

[Keels]

If you're in the metroplex have you tried Spirit Airlines yet?

We've flown with the family to many different places (not WDW yet!) and done it for the cheap.

Only caution is to check bags and pay for it in advance!

We haven't flown Spirit yet (we both pretty much fly AA exclusively for work, so we tend to default to them anyway because of status perks, etc.), but it's good to hear positive reviews of them! The times just have never really worked for us of yet. But I do like that they go out of DFW and not Love Field.

Love Field is another strike against SW for us - it's more of a drive than DFW.

 

[Mousemom234]

It's 24 hours before, not midnight. If your flight is at 8:00am, you can check-in at 8:00am the day before. If you waited until midnight, that's why you got C.

The last time we flew SW it WAS a midnight:01 check-in; they started the 24 hours ahead a year or so later

On the way home, the back 1/3 of the plane was empty, I had a row to myself.

I wish ! We were never on a SW flight that was less than totally full.

I'd be willing to fly SW again - they were always the funnest, and we had good flights. But, since our jobs have changed, and we have to 'run with the herd' (as DH says), SW is no longer our best choice, 90% of the time.

 

[pbarager]

We flew to Orlando from Detroit and back last week on full flights. Used early bird check in and both times we were in rows 4 and 5. EBCI is really worth the money especially when traveling wit kids.

 

[DebbieB]

The last time we flew SW it WAS a midnight:01 check-in; they started the 24 hours ahead a year or so later

I wish ! We were never on a SW flight that was less than totally full.

I'd be willing to fly SW again - they were always the funnest, and we had good flights. But, since our jobs have changed, and we have to 'run with the herd' (as DH says), SW is no longer our best choice, 90% of the time.

That must have been awhile ago, I've been flying SW since around 2006 or 2007 and don't ever recall a midnight check-in.

With the letter and number system, it's much better, no need to get there early and camp out.

 

[bumbershoot]

That must have been awhile ago, I've been flying SW since around 2006 or 2007 and don't ever recall a midnight check-in.

With the letter and number system, it's much better, no need to get there early and camp out.

I've been flying SW since before 2000 and don't recall a midnight checkin. The PP mentions C which means a more recent checkin experience though. I think there was a miscommunication somewhere that caused the midnight checkin.

 

[Granny square]

I've been flying SW since before 2000 and don't recall a midnight checkin. The PP mentions C which means a more recent checkin experience though. I think there was a miscommunication somewhere that caused the midnight checkin.

Google it. Midnight check in the day of flight. :/ sucked.

 

[DVC-Don]

I've been flying SW since before 2000 and don't recall a midnight checkin. The PP mentions C which means a more recent checkin experience though. I think there was a miscommunication somewhere that caused the midnight checkin.

Yeah, I recall it. I had to go the front desk at a couple of Disney resorts to check in at midnight. I was glad when it changed to 24 hours.

 

[davedmaine]

We fly all the time on SW with our 2 young boys and it has never been a problem. We always manage to sit together. I never buy Early Bird Check In because hey, I'm cheap like that. And half the time when we are returning home I forgot to check in at the 24 hour mark because I'm busy relaxing and vacationing. Last time we came home from Orlando on a full flight, didn't even check in until we got to the airport, got to the plane when it was already boarding, and still didn't have a problem. After all, no stranger wants to sit next to someone else's child and have to take care of them, lol. It works out fine.

I'd give up my seat to you, but only for $12.50, which you should have paid in the first place

 

[anonymousegirl]

The last time we flew SW it WAS a midnight:01 check-in; they started the 24 hours ahead a year or so later

I wish ! We were never on a SW flight that was less than totally full.

I'd be willing to fly SW again - they were always the funnest, and we had good flights. But, since our jobs have changed, and we have to 'run with the herd' (as DH says), SW is no longer our best choice, 90% of the time.

I just flew home from Houston on Saturday. Flight from HOU to LAX was completely full (175 passengers). The connecting flight (same airplane) have a total of 50 people on it. I had an entire extra row to myself.