Southwest adds charge to board sooner

[Hannathy]

WOW people are amazing! So, someone's WISH to sit next to the window or next to the aisle is MORE important than a parent sitting next to a 1 year old?!? And if the parent ISN'T able to sit next to the 1 year old because nobody will move because they are all so much more important, just who is going to be responsible for the 1 year old for the flight?? Why should someone with children pay more? Honestly, the question/issue here is that the airlines found ONE more way to impose an additional fee (optional fee, yes, but this is EXACTLY the kind of problem it causes). I can tell you all that I wouldn't let my EIGHT year old sit by herself on the plane, let alone my 5 year old. For one, it is simply not fair to the child (MY kids would not be comfortable with it, for sure). For two, the children would be subject to sitting next to GOD knows who, yes, freaks and druggies and molesters and such ride airplanes, too. And if you think that something "would never happen" on a plane, just ask all those people who have joined the mile high club on a packed plane.

No, people with families and children should not get more than they deserve. (I don't even understand where this anymosity toward children is coming from, it's utterly ridiculous - people with families are bullying and threatening??????) HOWEVER, parents sitting WITH their children I can hardly call more than they deserve.

Well you better not fly because according to the airlines 5 and up can sit by themselves and do everyday. If the flight is full you will have the choice of sitting in available seats or getting off and waiting for another flight. They will not force someone to move. My children have sat by themselves many, many times, have even flown by themselves without a problem. This is not something new.

 

[crashbb]

I haven't read a single post with any animosity towards children. The only animosity I have seen is towards parents who are stating that they will refuse to pay the fee and expect others to move for them. And parents who feel it is fine to use passive/aggressive tactics and threats to get what they want. Oh and a heck of a lot of animosity from parents who feel that those who will not cater to their wishes are evil ogres.

Let's get rid of the red herring of the one year old sitting alone. Children four and under will still use family boarding and (at least for now) will see no change with the introduction of EB.

 

[maxiesmom]

WOW people are amazing! So, someone's WISH to sit next to the window or next to the aisle is MORE important than a parent sitting next to a 1 year old?!? And if the parent ISN'T able to sit next to the 1 year old because nobody will move because they are all so much more important, just who is going to be responsible for the 1 year old for the flight?? Why should someone with children pay more? Honestly, the question/issue here is that the airlines found ONE more way to impose an additional fee (optional fee, yes, but this is EXACTLY the kind of problem it causes). I can tell you all that I wouldn't let my EIGHT year old sit by herself on the plane, let alone my 5 year old. For one, it is simply not fair to the child (MY kids would not be comfortable with it, for sure). For two, the children would be subject to sitting next to GOD knows who, yes, freaks and druggies and molesters and such ride airplanes, too. And if you think that something "would never happen" on a plane, just ask all those people who have joined the mile high club on a packed plane.

No, people with families and children should not get more than they deserve. (I don't even understand where this anymosity toward children is coming from, it's utterly ridiculous - people with families are bullying and threatening??????) HOWEVER, parents sitting WITH their children I can hardly call more than they deserve.

If a parent doesn't care enough to purchase seats so that their whole family can be together, why does that entitle them to bully other passengers into moving? If it is so important that your family sit together, buy the seats. Don't cheap out and expect others to accomodate you. Make no mistake by not buying your seat assignment you are making the choice to seperate your family. So you should be ready to live with the possible consequences.

 

[PlutoPony]

WOW people are amazing! So, someone's WISH to sit next to the window or next to the aisle is MORE important than a parent sitting next to a 1 year old?!? .

Ahhh - but here's the thing. You don't know if a person seat selection is a WISH or a NEED do you? It isn't just those with children who have seating needs on a plane. If you ask (or expect) someone to move for you, how do you know that their need isn't greater than yours? Just because the need isn't as visible doesn't make it any less legitimate.

 

[caligirl stuck in va]

Ahhh - but here's the thing. You don't know if a person seat selection is a WISH or a NEED do you? It isn't just those with children who have seating needs on a plane. If you ask (or expect) someone to move for you, how do you know that their need isn't greater than yours? Just because the need isn't as visible doesn't make it any less legitimate.

I am so stupid because I think kids should be seated with their parents and not complete strangers.

I am so stupid because I cannot come up with ONE need that requires a passenger to sit next to a window or on the aisle or in seat 14 F or 25 A. What need is this exactly? I am a selfishpersonitis??

I am completely and utterly blown away by the VENOM spewing on this thread. I think it is utterly ridiculous that people would be completely unwilling to let a parent sit with a child. I have moved in the past to allow people to sit together, and not just parents with kids, but couples or even just friends traveling together. Me sitting next to a window is NOT more important than a parent sitting with a child. But that is just me and I am stupid.

 

[crashbb]

I am so stupid because I think kids should be seated with their parents and not complete strangers.

I am so stupid because I cannot come up with ONE need that requires a passenger to sit next to a window or on the aisle or in seat 14 F or 25 A. What need is this exactly? I am a selfishpersonitis??

I am completely and utterly blown away by the VENOM spewing on this thread. I think it is utterly ridiculous that people would be completely unwilling to let a parent sit with a child. I have moved in the past to allow people to sit together, and not just parents with kids, but couples or even just friends traveling together. Me sitting next to a window is NOT more important than a parent sitting with a child. But that is just me and I am stupid.

NO ONE on this thread is preventing you from purchasing EB and sitting beside your child. The only person that could do that is you. So, unless you a consider yourself ridiculous as well as stupid...

 

[PlutoPony]

I am so stupid because I think kids should be seated with their parents and not complete strangers.

I am so stupid because I cannot come up with ONE need that requires a passenger to sit next to a window or on the aisle or in seat 14 F or 25 A. What need is this exactly? I am a selfishpersonitis??

I am completely and utterly blown away by the VENOM spewing on this thread. I think it is utterly ridiculous that people would be completely unwilling to let a parent sit with a child. I have moved in the past to allow people to sit together, and not just parents with kids, but couples or even just friends traveling together. Me sitting next to a window is NOT more important than a parent sitting with a child. But that is just me and I am stupid.

So, in your opinion no one on a plane could possibly have a greater or equal need for a particular seating arrangement than a parent sitting next to their child - is that correct? That seems to be what you've said above.

 

[momx2]

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.

Why are you bragging about your child's misbehavior??? I have 2 children that have been flying since around 2 yrs. old. I have taught them to not kick seats or put their feet on them, not to turn around and stare or talk behind them or talk too loud, use earphones with electronics,etc. If we got separated I am confident they would behave themselves. Why do people want their children to act up???

My DSis has the entitlement attitude. She has a DD. When her DD was 5 we all flew to a family cruise together on SWA. My DSis forgot to get a boarding pass until later and got a late B pass. She, her DH and DD got behind my family and proceeded to board with us. We had early A passes because I always checkin at exactly 24 hrs., if I don't then it's my problem if we are separated. Well, the GA let her on, but the lady behind her was livid, rightfully so and they began arguing loudly, so embarassing.

Then on the way back I paid for printing on the cruise ship so I could check in early and get an A pass. My DSis said she'd just check in at the airport and get someone to move for her. She did both. I was actually hoping no one would. She needs to learn some manners.

 

[angela1044]

I'm hoping someone can help me out on why people need certain seats. I've never heard of this so I'm hoping someone can tell me.

I for one do think it's important for a parent to sit with a child - not just because I'm a parent either. Personally, I wouldn't want the responsibility of the child if something were to happen. If I was traveling without my kids, I would be happy to move even if I paid the extra money.

But let's be honest here, you aren't going to win people over by being mean to each other on here. Obviously there are people who believe one angle and others who believe something else. If you are concerned about not getting a seat together then pay the extra money. If you aren't don't pay the money. It's pretty simple.

BTW - Thank you to the person who posted the information. I will be flying SW in February and this is great info to know. And no, I'm not paying the extra money.

 

[CarolAnnB]

Not to change the subject, but I wonder how we will find out if a lot of people use this new option? I wouldn't want to be the only one on my flight who bought it, when I could have saved myself $40 each way for my family of 4. I always check in at the 24 hour mark and like it that way, always got A. Before that was implemented, my husband always wanted us at the gate 3 hours before the flight to line up. I am glad those days are gone!

 

[CarolAnnB]

I'm hoping someone can help me out on why people need certain seats. I've never heard of this so I'm hoping someone can tell me.

My mother has circulation problems in her leg so needs to stretch her legs out during a flight. This is much easier on the aisle than in the middle or window.

Or maybe I just had surgery and can't navigate over to the window seat. Or maybe I have an overactive bladder or stomach problems and need the aisle for quick access to the bathroom. Maybe I was once traumatized in the middle seat by 2 people with bad breath falling asleep on both my shoulders Who knows? There are a lot of personal, not visibly obvious, reasons why people wouldn't or couldn't move and they don't want to have to announce it to the entire plane. Just as there may be people with a GAC card at WDW and it is not visibly apparent why. You never know someone's situation. I don't think non-movers are specifically trying to screw over families, I think they probably figure someone else will move. Which I think is probably what happens anyway in almost all cases. I don't think anyone here has had the actual experience of someone not moving and ended up being separated from their child, have they? I have tried to keep up with this thread but may have missed that.

 

[sk!mom]

It wasn't southwest, but I just spoke with a reservation rep on Air Tran and she actually did tell me that they would not allow me to be separate from my child. AirTran requires you to pay if you want your seat assignment in advance and our return flight had no seats available next to each other. She repeated in no uncertain terms we would not be required to be separated. Entitlement or not, if they don't want to assign seats they can't require my 2 year old to sit by herself...think about it.

Seriously people, if you MUST have seats together then fly an airline with reserved seating.

Dh and I were on a SW flight last summer - the last two people to board were a mom and a young child- their connection was late- the child was only 2 or 3. Mom asked the flight attendant if she would help with seats together and the flight attendent answered that, "she could not ask anyone to move." I was in the first row and heard the exchange. I would have offered but I was already sitting alone. Eventually, someone offered to move when they realized that they were about to be sitting next to an unattended child.

You can't expect people to move. Most of us would move for a very young child since we wouldn't choose to sit next to them but by 5 or 6 many people wouldn't split up their own party to avoid a child of that age. If you must have seats together then pay for it- don't impose on the kindness of strangers!

 

[Hannathy]

I don't think anyone here has had the actual experience of someone not moving and ended up being separated from their child, have they? I have tried to keep up with this thread but may have missed that.

I have been separated from my kids on several occasions. I never asked anyone to move! My children are capable of sitting on a plane for a few hours by themselves. My DD has flown by herself several times starting in first grade.This has happened on airlines with assigned seats and on Southwest.

 

[lori123]

Just a general airline comment. I don't know if you all have noticed but ticket prices are so low - people often talk here of it being cheaper to fly than drive even. A general study showed that it costs less to fly now than 20+ years ago. Fliers (I know not all) want cheaper fares - well, with that comes baggage fees, no meals, smaller seats and all kinds of other fees to make up for the rock bottom prices. Think of it as ala cart flying - you pay for the services you want - we all have a choice. If you add up the fees and your ticket - most of the time you still got a deal.

I also want to add - my kids (who have been flying several times a year since they were 6mo old) have had to sit by themselves sometimes too. It is wise to prepare your kids for this possibility before going to the airport so it is not a big shock. Another thing - a little honey goes a long way - when my kids were smaller, I would carry starbucks cards to give as a thank you if people switched seats for us.

 

[Ciciwoowoo]

I don't like not knowing where my family will sit ahead of time, therefore, I choose to fly on an airline that assigns seats. Yes, I want us all together. And yes, I am willing to pay for it.

Now if I were to fly Southwest, I would most definetely purchase the boarding upgrade. $10 each doesn't really seem such a bad price to pay for this option.

And no, if we found a seat together, we would not be willing to move just so someone else could sit together.

 

[yitbos96bb]

But I agree - there is no law requiring airlines in America to force passengers to move to seat families together. The best option is to be proactive and pay the seat selection fee, or early boarding fee. If you don't want to do that, assume that there is a risk that you won't have seats together, and prepare a strategy to request assistance from others.

Happy flying!

Actually, there are provisions in most TOS for flights that give the FA the ability to move passengers in certain situations. Further, since 9-11, if you refuse an FAs order, they can boot you from the flight. Its happened several times. Now you may have reason to sue later on, but they can easily make your life miserable in the short term, post 9-11.

 

[yitbos96bb]

I don't like not knowing where my family will sit ahead of time, therefore, I choose to fly on an airline that assigns seats. Yes, I want us all together. And yes, I am willing to pay for it.

Now if I were to fly Southwest, I would most definetely purchase the boarding upgrade. $10 each doesn't really seem such a bad price to pay for this option.

And no, if we found a seat together, we would not be willing to move just so someone else could sit together.

Funny... I fly SWA because of the baggage fees on other airlines. Not having an assigned seat doesn't bother me as much... Of course I was always on 24 hours in advance to get the A group.

 

[yitbos96bb]

In your case, I probably wouldn't pay the fee to be honest. With your daughter you get to board between group A and group B. Given that the EB system doesn't guarantee that you'll board any earlier than this, I'm not sure that the money is worth it.

NOTE - this assumes that either you paid for your child's seat or that lap children qualify for family boarding. And, it assumes that changes are not made such that families board after all EBs.

LOL... I used to have the SWA Companion pass and was a Platinum Marriott holder for a few years until I stopped working a travel intensive job... I'm the guy logging in exactly 24 hours before my flight to get the A pass. The WORST I'd do now is the A and B, but I want as close to the front as possible so I can get off the plane ASAP. Its worth $20 to get a leg up for my flight there... I hate being on the plane and just want to get off.

 

[yitbos96bb]

I called Southwest and they said that for families of kids that do family boarding (4 &Under) its not worth it to buy the $10 EB. The $10 doesn't guarantee you an A, so you could pay that $10 and get a B and have wasted it because if you have a kid under 4 you board between A&B still. The max number of people that would board b4 you would be 60 + disabled/unaccompanied minors. Not enough people that wouldnt guarantee you a window seat for a car seat or at least 2 seats together. That is what they explained to me.

Personally, I disagree with SWAs opinion, but I respect it.. they could easily try to squeeze a lot of money and tell you YES you need it.


Here's the thing...

1) You can buy EB now. I just added it to my flight.

2) They check in EBs 36 hours ahead of time. I assume they assign seating groups based on when you bought EB but the site isn't clear.

3) THe ONLY way you are in B is if 60 plus people did EB. Yes they Can't guarentee, but you have a much better shot this way.

 

[yitbos96bb]

Well for one I bought my non-refundable tickets before they announced this plan. And why should I pay more when I can board between the A and B groups for no extra charge? And make no doubt - we will be sitting together either way.

My opinion on this is that if there is no way you won't be with your child. Even IF Southwest wouldn't move anyone (and I don't think most FAs will try to force a 1 year old apart from his parents... they have ways such as free drinks, etc... I know because they offered me free drinks on a flight to vegas to trade exit row seats so a really tall guy could have the seat that has no seat in front of him), the face a limited number of people would board before you pretty much assures you seats next to each other.

The EB appeals to someone like me who cares WHERE they sit... I want as close to the front as possible when arriving to MCO so I can get on my ME bus ASAP... so I'm willing to pay the $20. Not sure about flight home.