Southwest boarding advice

[gigi1313]

It isn't like someone would ask a person who is also flying with family to move,

really? My husband, flying with a wife and three kids, has been asked to move (and has complied) more than once... Leaving me to manage three kids on my own (one alone in her row w/strangers).

I go out of my way, interrupt my vacation, even left castaway cay early, to check in on time, so we can be better assured that our family's needs are met... Only to have some last minute Charlie, with her 30 WDW shopping bags and 10yo refuse to sit separately... Yeah, it's hard to be sympathetic!

 

[Princess on the Run]

really? My husband, flying with a wife and three kids, has been asked to move (and has complied) more than once... Leaving me to manage three kids on my own (one alone in her row w/strangers).

I go out of my way, interrupt my vacation, even left castaway cay early, to check in on time, so we can be better assured that our family's needs are met... Only to have some last minute Charlie, with her 30 WDW shopping bags and 10yo refuse to sit separately... Yeah, it's hard to be sympathetic!

I would be irritated with this if I were you (or your DH) too and your DH is a good man to have agreed to do it. Given that he was also with kids, I am surprised he was asked.

I've never asked someone to switch seats but if I were in a position where I absolutely needed to resort to it, I would look for someone who isn't sitting with children (and preferably someone alone) in order to minimize the inconvenience to anyone else.

 

[gigi1313]

He was asked by a flight attendant after they asked every other pax with an empty seat in their row, and a few dozen who didn't. No one was budging, and DH wanted to get the plane off the ground!

 

[sam_gordon]

I would be irritated with this if I were you (or your DH) too and your DH is a good man to have agreed to do it. Given that he was also with kids, I am surprised he was asked.

I've never asked someone to switch seats but if I were in a position where I absolutely needed to resort to it, I would look for someone who isn't sitting with children (and preferably someone alone) in order to minimize the inconvenience to anyone else.

So you would be irritated if someone asked you to move if you were sitting with your family, but if you asked someone to move and they declined, they're "jerks". Here's the key... it doesn't matter WHY someone doesn't want to move. Yes, it's nice if they do move, but if they don't (for whatever reason), they're not jerks. You're (general) not owed a reason.

I think it's being a jerk to EXPECT someone to move because your needs (whatever they might be ) trump theirs (whatever they might be).

 

[Princess on the Run]

So you would be irritated if someone asked you to move if you were sitting with your family, but if you asked someone to move and they declined, they're "jerks". Here's the key... it doesn't matter WHY someone doesn't want to move. Yes, it's nice if they do move, but if they don't (for whatever reason), they're not jerks. You're (general) not owed a reason.

I think it's being a jerk to EXPECT someone to move because your needs (whatever they might be ) trump theirs (whatever they might be).

I would be irritated if I was with my entire family including small children and had to move because no one else would. I think asking someone to leave their small children so someone else can be with theirs is silly when there are plenty of people who are not with small children who should have volunteered. And yes, those solo travelers who didn't move (which forced her DH to move away from his family) are jerks in my books. Her DH did the noble thing but shouldn't have had to because someone else should have done it so that the plane could get going.

I understand you all feel the need to explain why your situation is different and you couldn't possibly move because you simply HAVE to have a certain seat or the entire world will fall apart. I truly don't care. I don't need or want your explanation and have never asked anyone for one. I have never asked someone to move seats for me and hopefully never will. It doesn't change the fact that I will continue to think that people who aren't flexible or reasonable when they can be are jerks. You don't have to agree with me and I don't care if you do. I am sure there are people silently judging me every day as I walk through the world. It is what is it and it really doesn't matter. The reality is that there are enough people who will do the right thing so the system works.

 

[goofy4tink]

I would be irritated if I was with my entire family including small children and had to move because no one else would. I think asking someone to leave their small children so someone else can be with theirs is silly when there are plenty of people who are not with small children who should have volunteered. And yes, those solo travelers who didn't move (which forced her DH to move away from his family) are jerks in my books. Her DH did the noble thing but shouldn't have had to because someone else should have done it so that the plane could get going.

I understand you all feel the need to explain why your situation is different and you couldn't possibly move because you simply HAVE to have a certain seat or the entire world will fall apart. I truly don't care. I don't need or want your explanation and have never asked anyone for one. I have never asked someone to move seats for me and hopefully never will. It doesn't change the fact that I will continue to think that people who aren't flexible or reasonable when they can be are jerks. You don't have to agree with me and I don't care if you do. I am sure there are people silently judging me every day as I walk through the world. It is what is it and it really doesn't matter. The reality is that there are enough people who will do the right thing so the system works.

And again, I will say, although you don't particularly care to hear it, you have absolutely no idea why someone doesn't give up their seat. You can think of them as jerks all you want, but many, many people have reasons (whether you think they are valid or not) for keeping the seat chosen.

I flew many times with my dd when she was younger. I took responsibility for getting seats together. That is my job.....not Jane or John Doe's. Now, when I fly by myself??? I may offer to move if there are empty seats next to me...which will allow 3 in a family to sit together. But, I may not as well. That does not make me a jerk.....even though, in your book, I would be. Personally? I think those that make assumptions about strangers need to step back and rethink things.

 

[lugnut33]

If you are not going to buy early check in and want guaranteed seats together, then you should fly a different airline. Southwest may not be the airline for you. Perhaps a little due diligence up front might be in order to determine your flying needs. Not my problem some flyer wasn't smart enough to figure out how Southwest does their boarding process.

I'm not always a jerk, but when I am it's usually while I'm flying. <leans chair back>

 

[gwynne]

And again, I will say, although you don't particularly care to hear it, you have absolutely no idea why someone doesn't give up their seat. You can think of them as jerks all you want, but many, many people have reasons (whether you think they are valid or not) for keeping the seat chosen.

I flew many times with my dd when she was younger. I took responsibility for getting seats together. That is my job.....not Jane or John Doe's. Now, when I fly by myself??? I may offer to move if there are empty seats next to me...which will allow 3 in a family to sit together. But, I may not as well. That does not make me a jerk.....even though, in your book, I would be. Personally? I think those that make assumptions about strangers need to step back and rethink things.

BBM. Well put. My goodness, it is amazing to me that anyone would use the word "jerk" to describe a fellow passenger that doesn't hop to and do another passenger's bidding.
Choosing to be proactive is quite helpful when traveling. We can't control everything, but by controlling the things we can, it makes a bit difference in our overall travel experience.

 

[sam_gordon]

I would be irritated if I was with my entire family including small children and had to move because no one else would. I think asking someone to leave their small children so someone else can be with theirs is silly when there are plenty of people who are not with small children who should have volunteered. And yes, those solo travelers who didn't move (which forced her DH to move away from his family) are jerks in my books. Her DH did the noble thing but shouldn't have had to because someone else should have done it so that the plane could get going.

I understand you all feel the need to explain why your situation is different and you couldn't possibly move because you simply HAVE to have a certain seat or the entire world will fall apart. I truly don't care. I don't need or want your explanation and have never asked anyone for one. I have never asked someone to move seats for me and hopefully never will. It doesn't change the fact that I will continue to think that people who aren't flexible or reasonable when they can be are jerks. You don't have to agree with me and I don't care if you do. I am sure there are people silently judging me every day as I walk through the world. It is what is it and it really doesn't matter. The reality is that there are enough people who will do the right thing so the system works.

I had to laugh to the bolded. You can easily say "doing the right thing" means being proactive on understanding how to get seats together.

I think you missed my point. You think the needs of someone travelling with small kids trumps the needs of anyone not travelling with small kids. It apparently doesn't matter to you if they're travelling with someone with special needs, need a "front" seat because they have a tight connection, or whatever reason. My point is their reason doesn't matter. You are of course to think of them as "jerks" just as we're free to think of you as a jerk for thinking your needs are more important than others.

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

I will be flying non revs in few months. Do you really think it is ok for young children to sit wherever is available just because they didn't pay for the seat? My 2 year old will not be sitting by himself and I wouldn't let my 6 year old sit alone either. I don't understand how moving to another seat hurts anyone. My husband and I are prepared to have to split up but the kids will be seated next to one of us. It will be their first time flying, it will be for their protection, an the sanity of everyone else around.

You may be in a ton of trouble then. Typically they will NOT let non-revs use family boarding so I do not understand how you will be able to sit together. I suggest you prep the 6 year old.

Flying in season (Feb) around holiday weekends is just crazy as a revenue pax. Would never try and non-rev

 

[kaytieeldr]

I would be irritated if I was with my entire family including small children and had to move because no one else would. I think asking someone to leave their small children so someone else can be with theirs is silly when there are plenty of people who are not with small children who should have volunteered. And yes, those solo travelers who didn't move (which forced her DH to move away from his family) are jerks in my books. Her DH did the noble thing but shouldn't have had to because someone else should have done it so that the plane could get going.

I understand you all feel the need to explain why your situation is different and you couldn't possibly move because you simply HAVE to have a certain seat or the entire world will fall apart. I truly don't care. I don't need or want your explanation and have never asked anyone for one. I have never asked someone to move seats for me and hopefully never will. It doesn't change the fact that I will continue to think that people who aren't flexible or reasonable when they can be are jerks. You don't have to agree with me and I don't care if you do. I am sure there are people silently judging me every day as I walk through the world. It is what is it and it really doesn't matter. The reality is that there are enough people who will do the right thing so the system works.

Interesting.
Not Southwest, but I'm an adult flying solo in a couple of weeks. Knowing my needs as I do, and the airline's conditions as I do, I've paid a $50 premium each way for my specific seat.

Any other passenger's need to be seated with their child/ren or other party members doesn't override my needs and proactivity. After once changing what seemed to be identical seats with another passenger (my D for her C in the same row) so she could sit with her husband and son only to then be kept awake all night by a seatmate exercising and walking around, I will not give up the seat I chose - whether in advance or on boarding. My number one priority is ME. That doesn't make me a jerk. It makes me normal.

 

[dudspizza]

Southwest is WN because when it began there was still a Northwest Airlines with the code NW. With so many airlines, the easy codes like AA for American were gone so the powers that be decided to reverse Northwest's NW for Southwest. Why they couldn't use SW is beyond me--maybe there once was an airline using it? Swiss Airlines is LX not SW by the way.

Did a quick Google search...it appears SW is the code for Air Namibia. Figure that one out..... lol

 

[ZoeBell]

Then I don't think the issue would apply to you or anyone else with a specific reason for picking their seat. The key word IMO is CAN. If a person can move(that excludes those with issues) and just a reg old Joe who happened to pick the seat just because and won't move to let a child(or any issue needing people to sit together) is not nice in my book.

I like the isle seat. Mostly because I don't like to crawl over people to use the bathroom. But I would move (and have) if asked. Just as I would have hoped someone would have moved for me years ago when I needed it.

 

[LilyWDW]

Then I don't think the issue would apply to you or anyone else with a specific reason for picking their seat. The key word IMO is CAN. If a person can move(that excludes those with issues) and just a reg old Joe who happened to pick the seat just because and won't move to let a child(or any issue needing people to sit together) is not nice in my book.

I like the isle seat. Mostly because I don't like to crawl over people to use the bathroom. But I would move (and have) if asked. Just as I would have hoped someone would have moved for me years ago when I needed it.

Okay then... but why should Joe move for someone who hasn't done the leg work that he did? If Joe paid for his seat or paid for ECBI so he could get that seat, why is someone else more "worthy" of that seat then him? THAT is where I have the main issue when it comes to this sort of thing. It is up to the person who needs accommodation (either a window seat, aisle seat, to be seated next to someone specific, etc) to do what is in their power to make sure it happens. It is not Joe's job to do that.

 

[ZoeBell]

Okay then... but why should Joe move for someone who hasn't done the leg work that he did? If Joe paid for his seat or paid for ECBI so he could get that seat, why is someone else more "worthy" of that seat then him? THAT is where I have the main issue when it comes to this sort of thing. It is up to the person who needs accommodation (either a window seat, aisle seat, to be seated next to someone specific, etc) to do what is in their power to make sure it happens. It is not Joe's job to do that.

No it's not Joe's job. Its just a nice courteous thing to do.

Also it not for sure that a person who paid for ECBI is the one giving up the seat. It could just as easily be a C boarder or someone who didn't pay the money. Or the people needing the seats could have been delayed by a connecting flight and they also paid ECBI. The bottom line for me is we don't know the other person's story.

 

[stitchlovestink]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LilyWDW


Okay then... but why should Joe move for someone who hasn't done the leg work that he did? If Joe paid for his seat or paid for ECBI so he could get that seat, why is someone else more "worthy" of that seat then him? THAT is where I have the main issue when it comes to this sort of thing. It is up to the person who needs accommodation (either a window seat, aisle seat, to be seated next to someone specific, etc) to do what is in their power to make sure it happens. It is not Joe's job to do that.

No it's not Joe's job. Its just a nice courteous thing to do.

Also it not for sure that a person who paid for ECBI is the one giving up the seat. It could just as easily be a C boarder or someone who didn't pay the money. Or the people needing the seats could have been delayed by a connecting flight and they also paid ECBI. The bottom line for me is we don't know the other person's story.

EXACTLY!!! That is the point many of us are trying to make to you and a few others (along with one accepting personal responsibility for one's self). So don't Assume someone is a jerk because they choose NOT to give their seat up when 'you' don't know 'their' story!! Hmmm...interesting concept??!!


Posted from Disney Forums Reader for Android

 

[dudspizza]

Not Southwest, but another airline (Northwest back in the day, I think). My dad and I were supposed to be flying LAX-SLC-MSP years ago. When we got to LAX we found that I had been moved to the next flight..... not sure what happened, but we were not even on the same flight! The airline put me on the plane in an aisle seat. It had a little extra leg room, so at least I got that, even though my dad had flown to SLC 2 hours before me and was waiting for me. So, along comes a guy and asks me if I will switch to his seat so he could sit with his friend. I was prepared to be nice when he tells me it is a middle seat in the row right in front of the exit rows, which don't recline. I politely declined to move. So, because I chose not to move, was I a jerk? I don't think so, heck, I wasn't even on the same plane as my dad! I was flying solo, but he had no idea what the airline had already put me through......

 

[dudspizza]

another story.... flying AA home from Albuquerque. I chose my seats 7 months in advance on the 2 seat side of a MD-80. I board with my group to find a dad who preboarded with his little one and he had plopped her down in my seat. He doesn't ask me if I would mind switching, he already had her in my seat with toys out basically forcing me to move. If he would have asked, I would have gladly moved, it was to a aisle seat, so fine...... but he assumed he could just take my seat. I took the aisle seat just fine, but was a bit mad that he just did what he wanted to benefit him, without taking anyone else into account.

 

[maxiesmom]

EXACTLY!!! That is the point many of us are trying to make to you and a few others (along with one accepting personal responsibility for one's self). So don't Assume someone is a jerk because they choose NOT to give their seat up when 'you' don't know 'their' story!! Hmmm...interesting concept??!!


Posted from Disney Forums Reader for Android

Yup. I've flown solo a bit, and I've been asked to change twice. I've refused both times. Once because my 2 hour layover was cut down to 20 minutes because of a flight delay. The trade would have pushed me to the back of the plane, from my up front seat.

The second time because the lady who asked me to switch once again expected me to give up my near the front aisle seat for a back of the plane middle seat. I book aisle because I get clausterphobic and don't want to spend the whole flight obsessing about having to crawl over people if I need to use the restroom. It wouldn't be pretty. I was sitting next to 2 girls, around 10 years in age or so. Their mom ended up in front of us. Her total interaction with them the whole flight was to put her arm up over the top of the seat and drop snacks down into their laps. Didn't turn around or anything. Just reached and dropped. Yeah, she really NEEDED to be close to them. They were pro flyers, btw.

 

[ZoeBell]

EXACTLY!!! That is the point many of us are trying to make to you and a few others (along with one accepting personal responsibility for one's self). So don't Assume someone is a jerk because they choose NOT to give their seat up when 'you' don't know 'their' story!! Hmmm...interesting concept??!!

Posted from Disney Forums Reader for Android

But isn't the opposed true? Don't assume about the "woman with $10 WDW bags" or the family asking to sit together. Don't assume they haven't done the leg work. That assumption is going on all over this thread.