Southwest Boarding Method

[wee-haggis]

I heard something about a trial that was being conducted on SWA boarding procedures where they not only assigned A.B and C passes but also a number to go with it.
Is this someting that will be adopted across the board?
or is it still being tested.
BTW - We are flying from Buffalo to MCO in December.

 

[momrek06]

I heard something about a trial that was being conducted on SWA boarding procedures where they not only assigned A.B and C passes but also a number to go with it.
Is this someting that will be adopted across the board?
or is it still being tested.
BTW - We are flying from Buffalo to MCO in December.

I heard that as well and just recently my DS and friends flew to Philly (via Southwest)(Aug 3-6) and when they printed off their boarding passes they were numbered BUT Providence nor Philly went by seat number...they are still using the Pre-Board, A, B, C boarding method.

Myself, DH and friends all went to Philly as well (Aug 24-28) Provi-Philly and they still are not boarding by seat.

ETA: SWA had such fabulous airfares recently ($29.00 ow)(from Provi) that we scooped them all up. And I leave again in 24 days for Philly...heck for that price of $29.00 ow, you cannot even drive there for that OR take a train!!!

 

[ntsammy5]

BTW - We are flying from Buffalo to MCO in December.

Me too! Well actaully November 30th but I am coming back in December!

 

[slruud]

Southwest has always numbered their boarding passes, just never used the numbers for anything. I'm not sure how boarding by number will work, i.e. will it take more time waiting/looking for #29 before #30 can board. Southwest's fares are cheap enough, I'd be willing to pay for an A.

 

[PlutoPony]

The trials you're thinking of were happening in San Antonio (don't know about other locations) and they boarded by number within the A group, etc. Think 1-5 in the A group, then 6-10, etc. The objective is to eliminate the need to "camp out" in the A-B-C lines and get to the gate super early to assure your place in the queue. Haven't heard of any imminent change in procedures nationwide, last report was Q1 of next year but that may have changed by now. The SW forums on Flyertalk have many first hand reports on how this has worked.

 

[Jestocost]

The trials you're thinking of were happening in San Antonio (don't know about other locations) and they boarded by number within the A group, etc. Think 1-5 in the A group, then 6-10, etc. The objective is to eliminate the need to "camp out" in the A-B-C lines and get to the gate super early to assure your place in the queue. Haven't heard of any imminent change in procedures nationwide, last report was Q1 of next year but that may have changed by now. The SW forums on Flyertalk have many first hand reports on how this has worked.

Bingo. The passes under the "old" system have numbers; they just don't mean anything above and beyond the A, B or C designation.

 

[a1tinkfans]

Just flew SW and they didn't use the number system, just their normal boarding procedure which is:

wheelchairs first
Then blue sleeve, pre-boards
Then those with small kids
Then a, b, c

With just two wheelchairs loaded, and the pre-boards next (maybe 4 persons), the plane was already full up to 7th row. The wheelchair family members took hats, sweatshirts and other articles of clothing and just threw them on the seats up front for other family members that were in other lines waiting to board.
Not really complaining, just a new way for people to "hold" seats regardless of the boarding procedure. (I think it was a "family gathering as they were all in matching shirts and looked like they were having a ball. LOL)

 

[momrek06]

The trials you're thinking of were happening in San Antonio (don't know about other locations) and they boarded by number within the A group, etc. Think 1-5 in the A group, then 6-10, etc. The objective is to eliminate the need to "camp out" in the A-B-C lines and get to the gate super early to assure your place in the queue. Haven't heard of any imminent change in procedures nationwide, last report was Q1 of next year but that may have changed by now. The SW forums on Flyertalk have many first hand reports on how this has worked.

You know this past May was the first time I ever flew SWA. I needed to buy 5 tickets to Denver, CO and got the most unbelievable fare with SWA = $142.00pp rt from Providence, RI!!!
That was an amazing price. We had a family reunion to attend and I had some
family members who flew other airlines to CO from Boston and paid DOUBLE that for their tickets. I spoke to people in our hotel who flew out from CT and paid over $300.00 for their tickets (as they had Air Force Academy graduation to attend)!! Ok not to digress...

Then in August I went to Philly with friends and paid $29.00 pp ow SWA Provi - Philly and look at my ticker, I am going back with other friends to Philly in 24 days and paid $29.00 pp ow. SWA had specials in May that I just could not resist.

I will CAMP OUT and wait in line (I have managed to get Boarding A everytime) if I can continue to secure such a great airfare.

 

[PlutoPony]

I will CAMP OUT and wait in line (I have managed to get Boarding A everytime) if I can continue to secure such a great airfare.

You may be willing to, but the much valued Business Traveler probably isn't! Add all the angst you hear on the boards about HAVING to sit with their families (whether the kids are 2 or 12) and SW is walking a fine line trying to appeal to their different customer "groups". Cost isn't the only decision variable for all travelers, it just seems like it from the Disboards It will be interesting to what procedures SW eventually adopts.....

 

[Gary M]

You may be willing to, but the much valued Business Traveler probably isn't! Add all the angst you hear on the boards about HAVING to sit with their families (whether the kids are 2 or 12) and SW is walking a fine line trying to appeal to their different customer "groups". Cost isn't the only decision variable for all travelers, it just seems like it from the Disboards It will be interesting to what procedures SW eventually adopts.....

SWA is also losing their cheap fuel advantage(hedges expiring). They will probably be raising their fares and the savings for the passenger will go down when flying SWA. I fly more often than the average person (12-15 times a year), but can't be described as a business traveler. Me and many people I know will not fly SWA because of the cattle call boarding. It's good that we have a choice.