Southwest adds charge to board sooner

[Laurabearz]

A passenger who pays $140 for a get away fare doesn't get priority over a passenger who pays $120 or even over a passenger who pays $59 for a DING fare. If everyone pays the $10 the fare paid is only a factor for those few passengers who booked a fully refundable fare.

BUT since Ding fares are often closer to travel dates, the other fares have had the opportunity to purchase EB before the DING, therefore having an edge over the Dingers

 

[crashbb]

BUT since Ding fares are often closer to travel dates, the other fares have had the opportunity to purchase EB before the DING, therefore having an edge over the Dingers

If (as the FAQ seem to say) you lose your EB if you change your ticket, it also hurts those hoping to get a DING, since they wouldn't purchase the EB when they first buy their ticket, but hold off until they get the DING or eventually give up on the DING.

 

[BarbWB]

Common courtesy, how about common sense and responsibility on the parents part to do what is needed to ensure that you can sit together. Let's try that instead of expecting the strangers that you don't want your child sitting with to help with your bad planning. One OP got on the plane with her DD5 to find only two seats left. Great planning. I want to sit with my daughter but we'll be the last two people to board because, of course, we're entitled to sit together. Some sap that did all the right things will just have to move. We need a world revolves around symbol to enter here. How about checking in at 24 hours, not hitting the snooze ten more times and arriving at the airport 30 minutes before your flight. Use another airline where you can choose seats. There are many ways that you the parent can assure that you sit with your child. DW and I have traveled extensively with our DD since she was two. We take responsibility to ensure that we sit together. On our next Disney trip our return flight is with Air Tran, we paid the fee to choose seats. Now we'll do the same with SW for our departure due to this change. Wether it be on a plane, a Disney Bus, or line for an attraction, ect, people need to stop expecting others to solve the problems that they themselves create or don't plan for. Responsibility!!

Oh, wow! What about people who get stuck with late connections? You don't know the reasons families board late. We've had high A boarding passes, but our connection was late. Are we then to endure your scorn b/c we didn't plan??? Seriously . . . lighten up on the judgment.

 

[Laurabearz]

If (as the FAQ seem to say) you lose your EB if you change your ticket, it also hurts those hoping to get a DING, since they wouldn't purchase the EB when they first buy their ticket, but hold off until they get the DING or eventually give up on the DING.

I wonder if this will lead to lower DING fares?

 

[bstnsprts]

Oh, wow! What about people who get stuck with late connections? You don't know the reasons families board late. We've had high A boarding passes, but our connection was late. Are we then to endure your scorn b/c we didn't plan??? Seriously . . . lighten up on the judgment.

Point is that it does not matter what the reasons are. Late connection, flat tire, junior had to go potty. It is your problem, or mine if it happened to me. It is not the problem of anyone else sitting on that plane. And yes, there are many who don't plan and then expect to be entitled to the same as those who do.

 

[TCups4Me]

I find it interesting that most posters are assuming that the purchase of Early Check-In will guarantee an A boarding pass and/or that all persons in a party will get to sit together.

SW already has 2 programs in place for travelers to get A passes and now they are adding the Early program for earlier (not necessarily A) boarding positions. The website clearly states that this program does not ensure A (which makes the family boarding issue a non-issue) and that they will NOT limit the number of Early boarding passes given. So depending on how many people end up using this program (time will tell), the Early folks may end up with B passes.

I think that this significantly changes the game for those of us that have flown SW for many years due to their seating procedures. DH and I used to enjoy it because we would board after the families to choose seats FAR away from kids and other undesirable seat-mates. On our several recent flights, we enjoyed it because we could get roughly A20 by checking in at 24 hours and get great seats with our little one. We're booked next month and are irked at the implementation of the program for current bookings but are not concerned because we know we can board between A&B.

We will take this into consideration when booking future airfare.

I recommend reading the fine print of the program before making assumptions of its benefits or lack thereof.

 

[Pumbaa_]

I think it is a great idea. If SWA is losing money, this is a much better option that adding a baggage fee. We are a party of 2 and hubby has flying anxiety (drugs ). This is a small price to pay for him to not worry about not being in a group. i added this to our flights lter this month.

 

[MarkinNM]

Passengers who purchase a business select ticket aren't "eligible" for this program, they already get priority BPs. Unaccompanied minors aren't eligible for this program, they get to pre-board. Virtually every other passenger is eligible. Even passengers who booked a DING fare are eligible.

The difference is SW is marketing itself as a "no fee" airline.

Airlines are unbundling airfare. Passengers need to include the cost of any "extras" they'll need when comparing airfares. Include the cost to check a bag, seat assignment or a SW EB check in if you're going to need those services.

We may be getting to the point where passengers who don't pay extra for assigned seats, or priority boarding, will have to assume they'll wind up in middle seats.

Passengers who chose not to pay extra forfeit the right to be upset if they don't sit next to their spouse or other family members. SW still has family mid-boarding. Famlies with young children will still sit next to their young child without paying extra. Parents with older children, many airlines, may have to pay extra if they want to be assured of sitting next to their child.

I'm not going to move from an aisle seat to a middle seat to accomodate a parent, who didn't want to pay extra, who wants to sit next to 10 year old.

That is a SAD comment and quite selfish if you ask me, do you have children? I have 4 with the youngest @12 now but if I was sitting in a seat and if an airline attendant or a mother asked me to move so a child could sit by their parent I would have no issues in accommodating them as I have MANY times in my past flying. I have had some GREAT conversations with children under 10 in these situations, and LOVE the thanks and smiles I get from them....
Sad, I am sorry you feel this way, I just hope others don’t feel like this, what a nice start to a Disney vacation by saying “NOW, I PAID THE $10, NOW GO AWAY!”……………………….

 

[Hannathy]

That is a SAD comment and quite selfish if you ask me, do you have children? I have 4 with the youngest @12 now but if I was sitting in a seat and if an airline attendant or a mother asked me to move so a child could sit by their parent I would have no issues in accommodating them as I have MANY times in my past flying. I have had some GREAT conversations with children under 10 in these situations, and LOVE the thanks and smiles I get from them....
Sad, I am sorry you feel this way, I just hope others don’t feel like this, what a nice start to a Disney vacation by saying “NOW, I PAID THE $10, NOW GO AWAY!”……………………….

I don't find it selfish in the least bit. I wouldn't move for a 10 year old either! I might move for a 4 yr old but definitely not for a 5 and older and absolutely not for a 10 yr old. I find it selfish for you and others to think that total strangers have to move to accommodate your needs.

And before you say it, yes I do have children and we have flown extensively and yes we have been separated many times.

 

[MarkinNM]

I don't find it selfish in the least bit. I wouldn't move for a 10 year old either! I might move for a 4 yr old but definitely not for a 5 and older and absolutely not for a 10 yr old. I find it selfish for you and others to think that total strangers have to move to accommodate your needs.

And before you say it, yes I do have children and we have flown extensively and yes we have been separated many times.

Sorry I just think its sad..............

BTW, I when I was asked to move, I was accommodating OTHERS needs...................

What ever happened to chivalry, common courtesy…………….


Stop, think......................... WWJD...............

 

[crisi]

Sorry I just think its sad..............

BTW, I when I was asked to move, I was accommodating OTHERS needs...................

What ever happened to chivalry, common courtesy…………….


Stop, think......................... WWJD...............

And I always think its sad.....

Why is someone else being selfish when you don't get your own way?

What happened to the common courtesy of not imposing on others?

 

[DISNEYFOS]

I think we just have to split to two camps...

I think some people just don't feel like its an imposition. Its showing compassion for your fellow man... If an elderly man gets on a bus with no seats..I get up. If a woman with a baby needs a seat, I get up. If I was a single traveler and a family wanted to sit together I would move... And you know what ?? I would feel pretty good about myself for the rest of the day because I helped someone without expecting anything for myself. Try it. Its a nice feeling.

I got on a subway a month or so ago with my two kids going to public gardens in Boston. I got on the subway coming home and there were no seats. I was holding my two year old and holding my 5 year olds hand. I'm not kidding you.. 6 men jumped up and offered their seat. People do care about others.

 

[Nennie]

Sorry I just think its sad..............

BTW, I when I was asked to move, I was accommodating OTHERS needs...................

What ever happened to chivalry, common courtesy…………….


Stop, think......................... WWJD...............

Jesus would have paid the 10 bucks so his family could sit together.

 

[crashbb]

I think we just have to split to two camps...

I think some people just don't feel like its an imposition. Its showing compassion for your fellow man... If an elderly man gets on a bus with no seats..I get up. If a woman with a baby needs a seat, I get up. If I was a single traveler and a family wanted to sit together I would move... And you know what ?? I would feel pretty good about myself for the rest of the day because I helped someone without expecting anything for myself. Try it. Its a nice feeling.

I got on a subway a month or so ago with my two kids going to public gardens in Boston. I got on the subway coming home and there were no seats. I was holding my two year old and holding my 5 year olds hand. I'm not kidding you.. 6 men jumped up and offered their seat. People do care about others.

But, can you not acknowledge that there is a difference between the elderly person on the bus (or a mum with two kids) and the people on this thread who are saying that they are going to willfully chose not to pay the fee but expect those that did pay the fee to move for them? It is the second group of people that is irksome to some of the posters. Frankly, these people show no indication that they care about others.

I am definitely not in the camp (as you would imply) of people who don't care about others and would never offer my seat. I am in the camp that is annoyed by those that have stated that they will not pay the fee and will expect others to move for them.

 

[Laurabearz]

There is also the camp of Not paying the fees and Not asking people to move, just filling in the middle seats, even with children

 

[DISNEYFOS]

Honestly I think its a problem for the airlines. They have created this. There are so many variables as to why someone might not pay the fee.....Saved for years for this 1 trip with their family and can't afford the extra $100, (would I get up for them...Yes!) or reasons why even people that paid the fee don't get to sit with their families (as outlined in this thread). Would you expect them to outline their case for you prior to moving the seat to see if its valid enough?? Airlines shouldn't be putting anyone in this predicament..need to recognize its not trivial to most as to where they sit on the plane and not leave it up to chance or the courtesy of others.

 

[Lewisc]

There is also the camp of Not paying the fees and Not asking people to move, just filling in the middle seats, even with children

My problem is with parents who think they can get a passenger to move by telling them how bad their child is or telling them to take care of their child. I'd rather have a 10 year old child next to me then an almost "customer of size". Chances are a kid is going to be listening to an I-Pod, playing a video game or watching a DVD.

That is a SAD comment and quite selfish if you ask me, do you have children? I have 4 with the youngest @12 now but if I was sitting in a seat and if an airline attendant or a mother asked me to move so a child could sit by their parent I would have no issues in accommodating them as I have MANY times in my past flying. I have had some GREAT conversations with children under 10 in these situations, and LOVE the thanks and smiles I get from them....
Sad, I am sorry you feel this way, I just hope others don’t feel like this, what a nice start to a Disney vacation by saying “NOW, I PAID THE $10, NOW GO AWAY!”……………………….

I'd move so a parent could sit next to a young child, particularly if the issue was a delayed incoming flight. A parent who wants to sit next to a 12 year old child should pay the $10. I'd rather have your 12 year old child next to me then move to a middle seat or sitting next to a passenger who is almost a customer of size. I might have a "great" conversation but more likely the child will be listening to an I-Pod and I'll be listening to music or watching a video.

Honestly I think its a problem for the airlines. They have created this. There are so many variables as to why someone might not pay the fee.....Saved for years for this 1 trip with their family and can't afford the extra $100, (would I get up for them...Yes!) or reasons why even people that paid the fee don't get to sit with their families (as outlined in this thread). Would you expect them to outline their case for you prior to moving the seat to see if its valid enough?? Airlines shouldn't be putting anyone in this predicament..need to recognize its not trivial to most as to where they sit on the plane and not leave it up to chance or the courtesy of others.

It's a shame Southwest wasn't able to wait to implement this plan as of the scheduled extension. Southwest isn't making money. They can't profitably fly passengers for current fares. Passengers booking airfare need to consider the cost of checking luggage, selecting seats or early boarding when booking an airline. The airlines didn't create the problem. We did by refusing to book profitable fares but accepting being "nickle and dimed".

I wouldn't expect a family to outline their case. Passengers will move for a small child. PP has a 12 year old child. I might not move for a 12 year old child. I expect parents to accept the possibility of being separated from older children. It can happen if you hit traffic and get to the gate after boarding as started. Delays result in a tight connection. You're flying with assigned seats. Your flight is cancelled (weather) and you wind up with seats all over the plane.

JMO but a child old enough to sit on a school bus without a parent is old enough to sit in a middle seat a few rows from a parent.

 

[crisi]

I am definitely not in the camp (as you would imply) of people who don't care about others and would never offer my seat. I am in the camp that is annoyed by those that have stated that they will not pay the fee and will expect others to move for them.

That is where I am as well. I HAVE given up my seat. Asked and unasked. I've asked others to give up their seat (because its ok to ask someone when there is a need - and with a young child, asking is perfectly appropriate.)

(And, btw, when we are talking about YOUNG kids, I think its an imposition NOT to ask someone if they wouldn't like to trade seats. I'd rather NOT take care of your three year old and get goldfish crumps and spilled juice all over me. Done with that stage until grandkids. Yeah, I risk trading your three year old for middle seat between a guy who won't shut up and is looking for a hookup on the other end of the flight and a woman wearing too much cheap perfume, but he isn't sticky (usually)) and cheap perfume beats dirty diaper.

But I'm firmly in the camp that says you can't EXPECT someone to give up their seat, and you shouldn't judge them when they don't. Its none of your business if they need the seat more than you do or if they are just being rude.

(And Laurabearz - as a consumer I'm probably in the filling up the middle seats and spreading my kids through the plane, but they are ten and eleven now and vetern air travelers).

 

[bstnsprts]

I got on a subway a month or so ago with my two kids going to public gardens in Boston. I got on the subway coming home and there were no seats. I was holding my two year old and holding my 5 year olds hand. I'm not kidding you.. 6 men jumped up and offered their seat. People do care about others.

You stood on the subway with no sense of entitilement and six people made a very generous offer. Do you think the offer would have been the same if you would have walk on and starting mocking people for not getting up. One of the points alot of people are trying to make here is that nobody should expect or feel entitled to offers like you received on the subway.

 

[frtchr]

Jesus would have paid the 10 bucks so his family could sit together.