Southwest and boarding w/children

[seashoreCM]

>>> still got great seats (exit row)

Preboarders are not supposed to take exit row seats other than bulkhead seats which families often use. As an A boarding card holder you have the right to pre-empt an exit row seat from a preboarder! And the flight attendants are supposed to help you if you need.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[DebbieB]

With assigned seating, as the plane gets full, you have groups that cannot be assigned seats together because only scattered seats are left. So then they keeping calling to try to get it changed, they try at the counter, they try once they get on the plane, I've seen people go as far as taking someone else's seat if they get on first and then ask the person who is assigned that seat to switch. With open seating, they don't have to deal with that.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

We have a four year old ds. We also have a 7 year old dd and a 6 year old dd. Will I have to preboard with ds while DH waits with the girls. Would I be able to save them seats or will they let a family (immediate) board together?

 

[gw_lit]

What does SW see that the others don't, if anything?

A profit.

 

[gw_lit]

We have a four year old ds. We also have a 7 year old dd and a 6 year old dd. Will I have to preboard with ds while DH waits with the girls. Would I be able to save them seats or will they let a family (immediate) board together?

Honestly... it depends. It really depends on the gate agent. First, I'd ask at the gate how full the flight is. If its not full, then it may not be an issue. If the flight is full and there a lot of preboarders, I wouldn't count on it, but you may be surprised. And if you want a better chance of sitting by each other, have the preboarders head to the back of the plane, most people will try to get seats in the front first.

 

[Suzanne74]

Honestly - I don't care who is allowed to preboard or not whether I am with my 3yr old and preboarding or flying alone or DH and I on a trip together. Like another post said, even if Gran and Gramps have to wait why are they getting angry??? You know their family saved them seats on the plane anyway - so just chill out Gramps!!

On the flip side, why do people grumble about who preboards?? Even if they make the rest of the family wait in line A, B or C - that mom is saving the seats so what good was it that they didn't get on the plane first? I mean don't get me wrong, there is no need for 8 people to preboard for one kid but what is making them wait doing for you?? I have never seen a family split up that wanted to sit together, I did see a few people come on VERY late one time and 2 people offered to move when they with (a baby) couldn't get a seat. That was very nice

I am just so happy to be heading to Orlando, I don't care who goes ahead or behind me. I love no assigned seats on SW and it is by far the easiest way to buy, change, cancel a ticket and also board and get off. They are quick and they make their customers happy. Oh and they are dirt cheap and make a profit - they are doing A LOT of things right!!! I am sure to and from Orlando is the only place preboarding is an issue anyway.

 

[threeboysmom]

I wish Southwest would change their policy and make the preboarders go to the BACK of the plane. I believe this would cut back on the number of people trying to beat the system, and it also makes more sense. It's the preboarders that take up time getting the car seats in and storing all their paraphanelia. If they went to the back, others could board right after them without any hold up. Plus,when you arrive at MCO, now the preboarders in the front of the plane are holding everyone up as they gather up baby, car seat, diaper bags, backpacks, etc. If they were in the back, they'd have plenty of time to get all their stuff gathered, while everyone in front just gets up and goes....

 

[DisneyMomx7]

If I have to preboard with only my 4 year old ds and DH stays with the girls will I have a better chance of saving seats for them if we go to the back. I know my kids will want to sit near each other. I'm thinking I should have stuck with US Air or Air Trans. THis is our first time flying Southwest and I assumed we could all board together.

 

[C.Ann]

Honestly - I don't care who is allowed to preboard or not whether I am with my 3yr old and preboarding or flying alone or DH and I on a trip together. Like another post said, even if Gran and Gramps have to wait why are they getting angry??? You know their family saved them seats on the plane anyway - so just chill out Gramps!!

On the flip side, why do people grumble about who preboards?? Even if they make the rest of the family wait in line A, B or C - that mom is saving the seats so what good was it that they didn't get on the plane first? I mean don't get me wrong, there is no need for 8 people to preboard for one kid but what is making them wait doing for you?? I have never seen a family split up that wanted to sit together, I did see a few people come on VERY late one time and 2 people offered to move when they with (a baby) couldn't get a seat. That was very nice

I am just so happy to be heading to Orlando, I don't care who goes ahead or behind me. I love no assigned seats on SW and it is by far the easiest way to buy, change, cancel a ticket and also board and get off. They are quick and they make their customers happy. Oh and they are dirt cheap and make a profit - they are doing A LOT of things right!!! I am sure to and from Orlando is the only place preboarding is an issue anyway.

--------------

I agree! And as the pilot quipped on my flight in February, "Calm down folks.. Doesn't matter if you're in the front of the plane or the back of the plane, we're all going to reach Orlando at the same time... "

 

[bicker]

I agree! And as the pilot quipped on my flight in February, "Calm down folks.. Doesn't matter if you're in the front of the plane or the back of the plane, we're all going to reach Orlando at the same time... "

I'm not sure that's much consolation to the folks who are rushing to get specific seats. The concern most folks like that have is not so much when they're reach Orlando, but rather when they'll personally reach the jetway after landing. I don't see much of a difference between getting off the aircraft five minutes later or so, but a lot of folks do.

 

[C.Ann]

The concern most folks like that have is not so much when they're reach Orlando, but rather when they'll personally reach the jetway after landing. I don't see much of a difference between getting off the aircraft five minutes later or so, but a lot of folks do.

-----------------

Mmmm..reminds me of those folks you see speeding down the highway at 100 mph.. Does it really make that much of a difference to get off the plane a few minutes before the next guy?

I know from my own personal experiences that whenever I "rush" to do anything, I always end up creating a situation that actually takes up more of my time - not less.. LOL I've made a big effort in recent months to become more of a "laid back" type individual and I have to say, it's great!!!!!

 

[bicker]

I think there are circumstances where there is a significant difference. I'm reminded of a horrible situation here on MA 128 each morning, where a half dozen cars each day zoom at 45 mph on the shoulder, sometimes cutting laterally through two lanes of traffic at the merging ramp from US 3 to get to the ramp's shoulder, to continue their speeding past the thousands of other people who are sitting in traffic that goes, at best 10 mph. When I go to work on Sunday it takes me 8 minutes; when I go to work on Monday it takes me 45 minutes. Even if you factor in some delay for the cutting through lanes of traffic, they still save a half-hour each day, and that really does have value to some folks. (It surely isn't enough, for me, to break the law like that. Thank goodness for news radio!)

So, I think lack of parity is really a big part of the problem with these situations: For some folks, I suppose, it actually is the delay, but for many many more folks, there is a major frustration that stems from being unfairly "pushed to the back of the bus" to facilitate the convenience of others. When the convenience is divvied out fairly, either by charging a premium or by allocating the available convenience by random chance, few people are concerned. By comparison, when things like this reek of unfairness, that's when many people get irritated.

 

[Pinnie]

I wish Southwest would change their policy and make the preboarders go to the BACK of the plane. I believe this would cut back on the number of people trying to beat the system, and it also makes more sense. It's the preboarders that take up time getting the car seats in and storing all their paraphanelia. If they went to the back, others could board right after them without any hold up. Plus,when you arrive at MCO, now the preboarders in the front of the plane are holding everyone up as they gather up baby, car seat, diaper bags, backpacks, etc. If they were in the back, they'd have plenty of time to get all their stuff gathered, while everyone in front just gets up and goes....

I TOTALLY agree!

If preboarders feel they need the "extra time" to preboard, then it stands to reason they will need the "extra time" to disembark. Not EVERYONE on that plane is on vacation. A number of us fly for business and need to make tight connections, esp at MDW, BNA and BWI!

It is NOT just SWA with this problem. I have been on a few other carriers that making a connection is tight enough without someone blocking the aisle trying to get a carseat unhooked.

Please, be couteous to fellow passengers who are NOT flying JUST to Disney!

pinnie

 

[inkkognito]

Five minutes (or more, if you're in the far back) can make a lot of difference for people who haven't checked luggage. When I used to have checked bags, I never cared about sitting in the back (ATA had a rear exit row that I liked a lot). But if you have only carry-on, those extra minutes can make a big difference if you're heading somewhere like a rental car line. My husband and I have literally watched it swell from virtually deserted to a full queue in the space of ten minutes! And if you need to use the restroom and have had a turbulent flight (SW enforces the seatbelt-on sign), those extra few minutes to get to the "facilities" can mean a lot for your comfort. I saw that happen on a recent, very bumpy flight...I was okay, but many of my fellow passengers were ready to burst when we landed.
Barb

 

[DisneyPhD]

SW has found the open seating policy motivates passengers to get to the gate early. This facilitates getting the plane boarded and out of the gate on time. With assigned seats many passengers get to the gate at the last minute delaying the boarding process. You'll see SW passengers lining up before the plane is even at the gate. I guess there is some savings with the reservation system. With other airlines guests who book close to the flight might have trouble getting the better seats. With SW guests who checkin early get the better seats.

SW is one of the few airlines to show a profit. They're doing a number of things right.

I don't think so. At least I refuse to fly with them. We fly Spirit. Always non stop (for us, this depends on the airport.) just as cheap and much better. I don't like SW policies and will never fly them again. Have you ever seen Airline? (on A&E) They over book as a policy and spend most of their time re aranging people. It is a big mess.

I agree that groups with young children shouldn't be able to pre-board. No more then 2 parents should be alowed (with as many kids as they have, as long as they are all minors.) One parent isn't enough, Last time we had strangers helping us carry stuff and juggle kids (Fight attended asked them to!) Last trip we were flying Spirit and a group of 15 people with one baby were pre-boarding. 4 of them were in line in front of us, then the rest just all followed in. (there was 4 of us, DH, myself and 2 kids ages 4 and 9 months.) It was rather rude. I think pre-boarding young kids is good for the rest of the flight, because they don't have to wait for them.

 

[SueM in MN]

I wish Southwest would change their policy and make the preboarders go to the BACK of the plane. I believe this would cut back on the number of people trying to beat the system, and it also makes more sense. It's the preboarders that take up time getting the car seats in and storing all their paraphanelia. If they went to the back, others could board right after them without any hold up. Plus,when you arrive at MCO, now the preboarders in the front of the plane are holding everyone up as they gather up baby, car seat, diaper bags, backpacks, etc. If they were in the back, they'd have plenty of time to get all their stuff gathered, while everyone in front just gets up and goes....

We don't have SW here, so we have never used them.
We need to preboard when we fly. We have DD who uses a wheelchair and can't walk. So, we do need the extra time to get her into the plane, get the wheelchair and all our things stowed. We could not go to the back of the plane because getting her farther than the first few rows is a major hassle.
We don't make anyone wait for us to get off though. We are usually the last (or almost the last) people off the plane.

I can see that some parents who are carrying small kids, car seats and everything that goes along with kids would have a harder time making it all the way to the back of the plane without dropping anything.

 

[bicker]

SW is one of the few airlines to show a profit. They're doing a number of things right.

I don't think so.

Huh?

At least I refuse to fly with them.

Oh! Okay, that makes sense!

I don't like SW policies and will never fly them again. Have you ever seen Airline? (on A&E) They over book as a policy and spend most of their time re aranging people. It is a big mess.

Well, let's keep it real. Every airline overbooks as a matter of policy. Airline passengers who aren't subject to a non-refundable fare tend to be less than reliable about using their tickets when they've indicated they plan to, so airlines overbook by a forcasted amount to make up for that lack of reliability. While I don't like Southwest's policies and will never fly them myself, what I see take place on the television program Airline appears to be more a reflection of the specific passengers highlighted by the program, rather than a reflection of the airline or its staff. The folks at Southwest seem to be incredibly tolerant and helpful -- at least those we get to see on-air. The airline doesn't treat its passengers any differently than they've promised to, so the "mess" is really a matter that some passengers have unreasonable expectations.

 

[atigeg]

This is inkkognito, writing under her husband's ID:

"Airline" is about as realistic as "Survivor." I've flown out of Chicago enough times to see them filming it at Midway. They take a situation, and the cameras and personnel seem to "encourge" a certain type of behavior. I've seen enough filmings, and flown SW enough times, to know that the program has very little reflection on the reality of the way they operate on a day-to-day basis.
Barb

 

[bicker]

Hehe... I suppose the question is: Do they make the airline look better or worse?

 

[Lewisc]

Hehe... I suppose the question is: Do they make the airline look better or worse?

The show makes the passengers look a lot worse. The show makes some of the SW employees look like saints in how they handle some of the difficult passengers. The reality is boring. Average passengers with good employees.

Passengers who fly enough to have elite status with another airline are better off not flying SW.