Southwest adds charge to board sooner

[bavaria]

I suspect that pretty much every person posting here 'saves very hard'. But there are times when one has to make a decision (or it is made for them) Again, I have chosen to deplane many times when my needs were not met. I refuse to impose myself on another passenger, and would rather pay more out of my pocket (which I can ill afford) rather than place myself in such a situation.

I have also chosen to deplane when I suspected that I might place other passengers in a situation where a diversion or delay may be required, again at my own cost.

And do note that GAs and FAs can and do deny boarding if they suspect that someone is not fit to fly.

You did accuse some of us of quite bit in your post and made assumptions about us- that we wouldn't help others, that we wouldn't help children, that we complain about children, etc. Again, you cannot demand respect from others if you are unwilling to offer it yourself.

If you are a single person on a flight and there is an emergency are you gonna rush to put your oxygen mask on then hurry to help my child or should I forgo my oxygen and run up a “few rows” to put on my childs mask.

All of the people on here doing the most complaining are also the ones who will complain about a child crying or making noise on a plane but they would never move so the mom could sit with and comfort their child.

I can tell you for sure that if the oxygen masks fell no stranger would rush to take care of my child.

 

[Tinkermom76]

I'm sorry but it's true and a lot (most)of adults will panic in an emergency situation and MY child or anone elses child will not be the first thing on their mind. And I am not being accusatory.. I include myself in that as well it's just human nature and some people are different but most are that way. I am saying that I want to sit with my kids for their and my comfort and security and I wouldnt want anyone else to have to deal with or help my kids. Maybe I could have worded it a lot better but this was becoming a heated thread and I was typing as I was reading.

I think SW is making a huge error and when I call them on monday I will be telling them that and reminding them about the safety comfort and security issue. It may not do anything but if it stays this way I will have to use another airline next time (as I can't afford to change for this trip) and I definately can't walk of the plane because that would destroy the kids and this is all for them.

Oh and I do agree that acting like that for someone not giving up the seat is wrong especially in front of the children, but trust me coming from a mom it's more for the kids then for us cause I really do wish I could go to WDW without them (just once, maybe someday) and I would love to know what it's like to ride on a plane and not cater to kids (especially puking ones )

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Here's the irony...

There are no chatboards full of 8 and 10 year olds arguing about not being able to sit with their parents for 2-3 hours on an airplane....



Something to think about... and, for the record, I don't know a single adult who wouldn't assist a child in the next seat during an emergency.

 

[Lewisc]

SW offers a fare class called business select. Those passengers get the first 15 A BPs automatically. People who need an (almost) guarantee are free to purchase those tickets. The issue is none of us want to pay for the service we demand. Many adults are nervous fliers. We've seen some recent threads on the transportation board. Couples have just as much right to sit together as a parent with a 12 year old child.

Posters are grasping at straws. A stranger will assist your child with an oxygen mask, even if your child was as badly behaved as posters threaten.

I think JetBlue is probably a better option for many people. Directv. One free checked bag. Assigned seats.

 

[Topper]

I don't fly SW, but if I did and I paid my $10 for EBCI and I received the coveted A boarding pass, and then boarded and chose my preferred aisle seat, if someone "asked" that I move to accommodate them, I would inform them that they need to reimburse my $10 EBCI fee, plus an additional $20 for the inconvenience. Please make sure you bring enough cash, as I do not accept checks or credit cards. Thank you.

Those that demand I move, would be reimbursing me my full flight costs in order for me to move.

 

[JUJU814]

I don't fly SW, but if I did and I paid my $10 for EBCI and I received the coveted A boarding pass, and then boarded and chose my preferred aisle seat, if someone "asked" that I move to accommodate them, I would inform them that they need to reimburse my $10 EBCI fee, plus an additional $20 for the inconvenience. Please make sure you bring enough cash, as I do not accept checks or credit cards. Thank you.

Those that demand I move, would be reimbursing me my full flight costs in order for me to move.

If someone "asked" you if you would mind moving, hopefully as a kind and courteous human being who did not wish to move, you would simply say "no, I'm sorry but I would prefer to stay put" What you wrote that you would say, I'm sorry, but would sound rather obnoxious. A simple "I'm sorry, but no" would suffice. Sometimes I wonder if the things people post on a public message board would be said face to face.

No one's going to demand anyone moves. Never seen that happen yet.

I think this thread has gone a little over the top.

As a mom, I'm going to do whatever I need to do to ensure I am sitting with my kids on a flight..and that means paying the stupid $10 fee if I choose to fly Southwest again, or checking in 24 hours in advance etc.

Last Sunday we flew Southwest home from Disney and due to being distraught over a family emergency at home, I *totally* forgot to check in on Saturday until midnight, by then we were at the end of B group. I was really worried about getting seats together and wound up getting a blue disability boarding sleeve for my son (which I have never done, but he is eligible and I needed to be sure he wasn't sitting alone) Dozens of dirty looks and one obnoxious father causing a scene because my boy "with nothing wrong with him" (his words) got to board first" later..and I pretty much decided I don't think we'll fly southwest again. I HAVE to be sure and guaranteed we sit together..so I'll fly another airline with assigned seats. I don't agree with this new move Southwest has made, but there's nothing I can do about it, right?

That all being said, if I were flying solo on southwest, and a family came on board and clearly couldn't find a seat, or if someone asked me if I would mind switching with them so their family could sit together..I would do it in a skinny minute..absolutely..and I think there are many kind, empathetic and compassionate people still left in this world who would do the same. I can hear it now "why should I have to move when I paid extra" blah blah..it's not about that. It's about kindness. I try, whenever I am able, if I somehow can help someone in the smallest way, I will. If I cannot (not will not, but CAN not), I need to realize it and let it be. Others have extended that to me and it's the least I can do to pass it on. I choose to believe there are still many many people in this world who would also do the same.

 

[BBG-BLT]

Wow - we were flying US air once and our tickets got messed up and we weren't sitting together (the twins were around 20 months old). No one would give up their seats and we were like sweet someone to watch our kids and we get a quiet flight to Fl.

Needless to say people moved.

Now we have 4 kids... still not worried. Something tells me people will move and make me sit next to my own kids.

 

[Topper]

If someone "asked" you if you would mind moving, hopefully as a kind and courteous human being who did not wish to move, you would simply say "no, I'm sorry but I would prefer to stay put"

But i would be willing to move. For a price. Why should I have to lose the benefit of what I paid the $10 for? And if I move from an aisle seat, to (most likely) a middle seat, why shouldn't I be compensated for the inconvenience? If it is that important for someone to have my seat, I am willing to give it to them. For a price.

If the person doesn't like my price, they are free to keep moving through the aircraft asking others. Easy peasy.

 

[Hannathy]

But i would be willing to move. For a price. Why should I have to lose the benefit of what I paid the $10 for? And if I move from an aisle seat, to (most likely) a middle seat, why shouldn't I be compensated for the inconvenience? If it is that important for someone to have my seat, I am willing to give it to them. For a price.

If the person doesn't like my price, they are free to keep moving through the aircraft asking others. Easy peasy.[/QUOTE

I agree. If you paid the $10 for your seat and you are giving it up for a seat you could have got without paying $10 then yes you should get your money back.

To me it is like I go to dinner and pay for choc. cake, you at the same restaurant looks at the menu and say the cake is too expensive I'm not ordering and paying for it so you don't BUT when my cake that I paid for and thought to order gets there, you go oh that looks good give it to me for free, I don't care that you paid & I didn't I want it and I want you to pay for it.

 

[DCbride]

Just found this thread this morning and read every post. I am so angry with SW for not notifying us of this. We are RR members, how flown over 10 flights this year- they have our email.

I can see this as a nightmare, especially on flights to MCO. How can a TA ask someone to move to accomodate a family when the person might have paid the $10 so they could select their seat first? The TA and the family would not know that and why should the person sitting have to defend their position? DD2 will need one a window seat. Why should a person who paid $10 have to move just because she has to be placed next to a window? I just do not think that is fair. (I know the likelyhood that all window seats will be gone before the mid A-B seating of families but just throwing it out there).

On our last flight we were mid-plane with DD on my lap. I felt really ill and left for the lav. I ended up passing out in the front of the plane. Two people in the most precious seats- bulkhead- gave up both of their seats so DH could be in the front while TA was attending to me and then for both of us to continue the flight in bulkhead so TA could moniter me. I was surprised and thankful.

There are lots of kind and considerate people flying, I just think that it should be up to the person to decide whether they would like to offer their seat- not to feel guilty or be bullied by another passenger into giving up a seat.

 

[tjmw2727]

I just want to point out to some of you who think your "entitled" to sit with your school age kids that no arline guarantees this. Including carriers that assign seats and even those who charge to preassign seats. You are only purchasing travel from point a to point b.

I have been separated from my preschool and school age kids quite a few times on legacy carriers with assigned seats. Its a problem and dosen't always get sorted out. I have NEVER been separated from my kids on SWA - now that they are old enough to sit alone if necessary I am still deciding on the EBCI.

We have choices now with SWA. If its important to sit where we want or with whome we want we can, pay business select, pay for ECBI, check in at 24 hours and xx fingers or choose another carrier. (Even with another carrier if schedules change your seats can change).

I do agree that the change should have become effective for new purchases - perhaps with the next release.

TJ

 

[scootch]

I am not worried about this. On Southwest you pick your own seats. If someone sees that you have children with you, they will offer you the seat if the happen to notice that you do not have a space where you can sit together. If no one offers, look around for a spot that would fit your family and explain that you need to sit with your children. Someone will give you their spot to accommodate you. The flight attendants also will help you find a spot where you can sit together. Don't worry. Also, you can check in online up to 24 hrs before the flight. Check in right at that mark, and you will be closer to the beginning of the boarding list.

Unfortunately there are some people who won't change for nothing. This happened on airtran... somehow my kids ended up in rown 18 B and C and I ended up in 13 A. The person in 18 A would NOT move to my 13A for anything. So we ended up in the only row left with three, the last row of the plane with no window, very crowded and I about died! So unfortunately southwest will get my $30... ugghh...

 

[crashbb]

Unfortunately there are some people who won't change for nothing. This happened on airtran... somehow my kids ended up in rown 18 B and C and I ended up in 13 A. The person in 18 A would NOT move to my 13A for anything. So we ended up in the only row left with three, the last row of the plane with no window, very crowded and I about died! So unfortunately southwest will get my $30... ugghh...

I wonder if they were superstitious. I switched seats with a lady a few weeks ago - she was in row 13 and was terrified of flying sitting in that row. I was in 14 and flying by myself (and not superstitious), so it was no big deal to switch with her.

 

[BfloChick]

Thanks for posting about the new policy.

Ah, I can see the look on the face of the poor person who might be stuck sitting next to my five- or two-year old! I will wave and give the thumbs up sign as I finally get to relax and read the newspaper on a flight for the first time in six years. Middle seat, middle schmeat.

 

[bavaria]

.

No one's going to demand anyone moves. Never seen that happen yet.

Really? how often to you fly, especially as a solo traveller? Did you read my personal experiences in this thread? Have you read the parents in this thread who said that they won't pay a fee but will demand that they sit with their children? Go read flyertalk.com and read the experiences there - they are similar to mine, except that the posters there are a lot more blunt and forthright with the entitlement crowd.

I have been pushed, shoved,had parents told their children to kick me during the flight repeatedly, threatened, screamed at, called all sorts of names, and more.

And as I pointed out, at least one of those pleasant mothers was a member of this website.
It happens a lot more than you might think. For whatever reason there are a lot of people on this website and in real life in American airports who think that they should get everything, yet are unwilling to pay for it.

United offers a lot of services for a price - economy plus seating, premier lines and boarding are just two examples. But many people balk at paying $59 for a flight and refuse to pay those types of fees, yet they think that they can expect and demand them.

Don't believe me? I just got off a flight and am sitting in an airport. During boarding there were at least a dozen passengers physically blocking the elite and first class passengers from boarding, insisting that they had some sort of right to be first on board after the wheelchair boards. The GA asked them repeatedly to step aside. I shouldn't have to have my access physically blocked week after week by parents or other people who think that they have priority over a hundred other people.

 

[Hannathy]

Thanks for posting about the new policy.

Ah, I can see the look on the face of the poor person who might be stuck sitting next to my five- or two-year old! I will wave and give the thumbs up sign as I finally get to relax and read the newspaper on a flight for the first time in six years. Middle seat, middle schmeat.

See it is the entitlement mentality and threats like this post that have so many fliers angry.

To counter your threat don't underestimate the frequent flier's ability to put in their ear plugs and go to sleep and sleep thru anything on a flight including your threat and child! so when the seat mate also smiles and gives you the thumbs up as they close their eyes, enjoy your newspaper.

one example my DH was able to sleep thru half the plane throwing up due to turbulence including the other guys he was flying with who were freq. fliers and actually ask after they got off why they were acting shaky and other people seemed upset and he had a good nap! LOL so a talking 5 yr old would be nothing.

 

[bavaria]

I HAVE sat next to 5 year olds, flying alone or seperated from their parents. Once it was a 5 year old UM. She read her book and slept.

I did the same.

On that flight I should really have deplaned as I was not fit to fly, but I was physically barely able to manage myself and there is no way I would have taken on the responsibility of looking after that child.

Fortunately she had been raised by parents who were able to put her on a 6 hour flight alone and have her manage it so well. Children are a lot more resilient than some parents may think. Not every child may be ready to fly cross country alone at age 5, but you may be surprised by who you encounter in the skies. Generally, the children are far better behaved and less stressed than the parents on my flights.

 

[kpgriswold]

That is what they make ear plugs for! Seriously if I was sitting next to a 6 year old that kept talking I would nicely ask them to be quiet and then I would just go to sleep and ignore them. Or read my book and ignore them, it isn't that hard to do.

And if I paid for the privilege of picking my seat there is no way I'm moving. It is up to YOU to do what you have to do to sit where you feel you need to not mine and not the airlines.

I do hope you never have the misfortune of being seated next to my hyperactive 7 year old. He would be all over his seat AND yours, and talking to me in whatever row I was in even if he had to yell the length of the plane to do so. Good luck with ignoring HIM!

I would likely pay the extra fee to guarentee that my youngest kids and I sit together. However, those of you being snotty about not accomodating parents with kids need to realize that YOU might wind up sitting next to one of those unsupervised kids. Juice spills, potty accidents, air sickness, loud DS games and lots of restlessness. Stick your principals of "not moving because you paid", and let me know how that works out for you.

 

[bavaria]

Those of you who are behaving as if you are morally superior to others because you have children - again, I ask - if someone asked you to move away from your children, would you?

What makes you any better than someone who cannot move for a valid reason, be it age, physical condition, fear, or any other reason?

It is easy to sit there and point fingers and call names but you aren't very courteous either if you won't acknowledge that many people do have reasons why they find themselves unable to switch seats with someone else.

 

[kpgriswold]

Those of you who are behaving as if you are morally superior to others because you have children - again, I ask - if someone asked you to move away from your children, would you?

What makes you any better than someone who cannot move for a valid reason, be it age, physical condition, fear, or any other reason?

It is easy to sit there and point fingers and call names but you aren't very courteous either if you won't acknowledge that many people do have reasons why they find themselves unable to switch seats with someone else.

It has nothing to do with moral superiority, and everything to do with helping those who need help.

I have four kids. I would GLADLY move my 13 or 15 year-olds to sit alone if it meant letting a parent and a little one sit together. Or an older or handicapped person with a caretaker. Or a newlywed couple. Whatever. The way we fly, we usually put the two youngest ones -- 7 and 3 with a parent, and the other 3 family members sit where they can.

So, yes, I would move, and have done so many times. I also hope that when I need help, there will be someone kind to return the favor. How is this so awful?