Southwest boarding RUDE BEHAVIOR

[NotUrsula]

Apparently SWA did once experiment with requiring pre-boarding families to sit behind the wings. They gave it up for lost after 6 months; apparently they moved *to* the back so slowly that they took even more time and caused even more annoyance. I was told that part of it was people arguing about having to go to the back, and part of it was hauling little kids out of seats every few feet ("No, Suzy, come on, we have to go further back. Come on, Suzy, come with Mommy, you can't stay there. No, Suzy, not yet. Get up and come with Mommy....")

 

[pezpam]

You should of picked up your bags and went (gic) around them and plopped your bags in front of them and then gone into an explanation that this [C] line is just like any other line and she should go back to the end of said line.

Or maybe that strategy won't work because they are so used to cutting in line at Disney.

I didn't want to get too wordy for a less-than-spectacular ending, but it did all end ok. It took me a minute to get over cracking up that I had to explain to someone that 'open seating' still entailed getting in line like everyone else. Some folks just feel sooooo entitled that they don't even think about it.

As for your other comment.....

 

[salmoneous]

So, could I check in at home with my computer and just print out my pass when I got there. I never use a printer at home so we don't even have one.

Yes. You log in at home at the 24-hour mark. When you get to the airport, you use the standard kiosks to check you. You will be given the option to reprint your boarding pass. Push the "button" to select that option and you are set.

PS - I love SW FA's. On one flight a FA gets on the intercom to say, "to all you couples sitting in the window and aisle seats of a row hoping nobody takes the middle seat: this is a full flight, somebody is going to take that seat so you might as well scoot over now."

 

[tmt martins]

So, could I check in at home with my computer and just print out my pass when I got there. I never use a printer at home so we don't even have one.

That's a bigo YES if you use the koisk just select REPRINT and if you check your bags at the counter ask the nice person to please reprint.


Sorry Salmoneous Thanks for answering I just saw the question and replyed never got as far as yours

 

[EmmaAndQuinnsMommy]

That's the way to play it!!!

BTW I have lots of SW drink coupons that I never use. does anyone want them? (I will have to go look for them) I thought about selling them on ebay, would it be worth it????

I want a drink coupon!!!! I will be so nervous to fly!!!

 

[cranbiz]

When DW and I fly SW we always take an asle and a window. Now before anyone complains, I prefer the asle and DW prefers the window. If you want or have to sit in the middle between us, That's OK. We understand that this is open seating and since we did not purchase the middle seat, then it's not ours to keep if someone wants / needs to sit there. I won't think less of you if that's where you sit.

I don't try to "save it" with stuff. It's open and available. If you are the friendly type, I'll tell you what I know about FL and Disney and we can have a nice 3 way conversation.

 

[mareed]

Apparently SWA did once experiment with requiring pre-boarding families to sit behind the wings. They gave it up for lost after 6 months; apparently they moved *to* the back so slowly that they took even more time and caused even more annoyance.

Yes, Southwest did do this during a time that we used preboard with our 2 DS's. I believe we were given a special sleeve for our boarding passes and it clearly stated to go past row 11 or something. I never really heard why they quit doing this. It seemed to work OK from what I saw, but obviously SW didn't think so.

 

[Earstou]

I was using my cane a lot last year and was not offered the option to preboard. They also made me stow it away which made the trip to bathroom quite a project.

You have to ask at the counter at the boarding gate to preboard for a disability. I've had different airports handle this in their own way. To show I could preboard, I've been given a blue vinyl sleeve, I've had my ticket written on and I've also had nothing.
Also at some airports the pre-boarding handicapped passengers wait in a different area than the families with children.
After encountering the stowed cane problem, I sit by the window (or a family member does since it's hard for me to move that far in and out) and shove my cane in the space between the seat and the wall. They just don't want it to become a safety hazard and fly around the cabin or trip someone!

 

[snowwite]

You have to ask at the counter at the boarding gate to preboard for a disability. I've had different airports handle this in their own way. To show I could preboard, I've been given a blue vinyl sleeve, I've had my ticket written on and I've also had nothing.
Also at some airports the pre-boarding handicapped passengers wait in a different area than the families with children.
After encountering the stowed cane problem, I sit by the window (or a family member does since it's hard for me to move that far in and out) and shove my cane in the space between the seat and the wall. They just don't want it to become a safety hazard and fly around the cabin or trip someone!

I am too shy to ask if I can preboard,especailly since I can walk.I will see if they will let me stow the cane beside DS.That would help.Thanks for the tips

 

[Lewisc]

Nothing wrong with that if you and DW are going to be spending your flight reading or napping. It's really not fair if you're going to be spending much of the flight talking to your DW over the person in the middle seat.

A nice 3 way conversation is fine, if the person in the middle wants to particpate. A two way conversation over the person in the middle is a little rude.

When DW and I fly SW we always take an asle and a window. Now before anyone complains, I prefer the asle and DW prefers the window. If you want or have to sit in the middle between us, That's OK. We understand that this is open seating and since we did not purchase the middle seat, then it's not ours to keep if someone wants / needs to sit there. I won't think less of you if that's where you sit.

I don't try to "save it" with stuff. It's open and available. If you are the friendly type, I'll tell you what I know about FL and Disney and we can have a nice 3 way conversation.

 

[seashoreCM]

I was using my cane a lot last year and was not offered the option to preboard. They also made me stow it away which made the trip to bathroom quite a project.it.

Everybody: Please, oh please, start a letter writing campaign to Southwest to get them to provide for canes in the cabin. Someone needing a cane and without a cane will be using every seat back along the way for support and that can get annoying to people in those seats.

Nothing wrong with that if you and DW are going to be spending your flight reading or napping. It's really not fair if you're going to be spending much of the flight talking to your DW over the person in the middle seat.

A two way conversation over the person in the middle is a little rude.

Incredibly rude and the person in the middle has the right to interfere, unless you offered him the chance to switch seats (your choice) and he refused.

 

[robinb]

I am too shy to ask if I can preboard,especailly since I can walk.I will see if they will let me stow the cane beside DS.That would help.Thanks for the tips

Diane ... I don't mean to be harsh ... but you need to stick up for yourself! No one else will do it for you.

I am not surprised that you were not offered the option to pre-board. The gate agents at SWA are some of the busiest I have ever seen. Not only do they have to deal with everyday passenger problems, but they also have to herd an entire planeload of people off and onto a plane is the shortest turn-around time in the business. They are amazing but they are not mind readers.

Don't be shy! If you have a need it is up to you to speak up and let your need be known. You need extra time to board and you need to pick a specific seat for your comfort. Hookairs if you can walk? Hookairs what other people in the "C" line think? Most people will realize that when they see you with a cane and those who don't ... Hookairs about them? You will never see those people again .

As for the stowing of the cane ... it is probably unsafe for you to keep your cane. My guess is that it won't fit under the seat and in case of turbulence or emergency it would go flying if it is placed next to your DS. You should be able to buzz a flight attendant and have them bring you your cane when you need it. Let me make this clear: you are not "bothering them" by asking for your cane. The FA are there your safety and the safety of others. Serving Diet Coke is a sideline. You may also have to wait for the other passengers to debark before they bring your cane to you at the end of your flight. No biggie. Sometimes it's nice to relax a bit while everyone else hurries past you. If you're lucky they will be able to stow it in the overheard above you.

Best wishes for a safe and comfortable flight!

 

[tinkwannabe2]

I just wanted to second Robin... the flight attendants are there for everyone's safety first and foremost. They will be happy to safely store your cane and bring it to you when you need it. It's not like you are ringing them to ask for another ice cube!

 

[RickinNYC]

I seem to find those people too!!! I must be the one with the sign on "Walk all over me I won't complain too loudly" You know they would never get away with that in New York!! (no offense, just New Yorkers don't let themselves get used)>

I would have gotten incredibly incredibly loud, if not downright foul with some choice language, to get those two idiots to move. And if that didn't work, I'd happily have picked up their bags and tossed them.

 

[Tigger_Magic]

This thread (and the now canceled TV show "Airline) just confirms why I avoid SW like the plague.

 

[cstraub]

This thread (and the now canceled TV show "Airline) just confirms why I avoid SW like the plague.

For $87 RT non stop I'll take the plague!

 

[BeNJeNWaFFLe]

I would have gotten incredibly incredibly loud, if not downright foul with some choice language, to get those two idiots to move. And if that didn't work, I'd happily have picked up their bags and tossed them.

Now that is a true NYer for you! I would have done the same thing. Most of the time I keep quiet but things like that just really annoy me. It is an attempt at playing dumb and that just doesn't fly with me.

I was in Ft. Lauderdale waiting in the A line with DBF and his family. There was a teenage girl a couple of groups ahead of us. About 3 minutes before boarding started she called over a huge group of friends. I was steaming. Unfortunately the FA's didn't see them. Ugh. Saving seats on the plane is bad enough, saving spots for more than 2 people on the A line is the worst!

Just this Sept I was the first one standing in the A line while DBF was getting some food to snack on because our flight was delayed. Then a garbled announcement came on and I thought it said that the originally delayed flight to Dallas was going to board first so I got off line. I was wrong, our flight was boarding first and the woman who was behind me, now first in line, nicely let me back in my spot. I thanked her profusely since DBF would have been unhappy if he didn't get his emergency exit aisle. So there are some extremely nice people, but then there are those who ruin it all. And why is Airline cancelled? That show was hilarious!

 

[erikthewise]

I think if someone wants to save seats, they should have to save them in the back of the plane, not up front.

If somebody wants to "save seats", they should go to a HS football game or something. It's completely out of place on an airplane. You can't just bring your own adolescent "rules" with you and impose them on others. You need to follow the airline's rules, or get out and walk.

Large parties have been known to survive airline flights without ALL being seated together. Are you all going to hold hands during the flight?

 

[SueM in MN]

Everybody: Please, oh please, start a letter writing campaign to Southwest to get them to provide for canes in the cabin. Someone needing a cane and without a cane will be using every seat back along the way for support and that can get annoying to people in those seats.

No need for a letter writing campaign. ALL airlines have provisions for stowing canes in the cabin and if you need it to get aroung the cabin later, just ask the flight attendant for it. Here's a quote from the Southwest Airlines disability information page:
"assistive devices, such as walkers, canes, crutches, CPAP machines, etc., that can be stowed in compliance with the FAA safety regulations, will be given priority onboard stowage, and will not be counted toward your one carryon plus one personal item limit.

If an assistive device cannot be stored safely in the cabin, we will transport it in the cargo compartment."
If the airplane has a closet, the flight attendants will take the cane after boarding and stow it there (or another member of your party can). Most canes and some walkers will also fit in the overhead bin, where you (or maybe another member of your party) can get it during the flight if needed. Very few assistive devices are too big to fit in the overhead bin.

As for the stowing of the cane ... it is probably unsafe for you to keep your cane. My guess is that it won't fit under the seat and in case of turbulence or emergency it would go flying if it is placed next to your DS. You should be able to buzz a flight attendant and have them bring you your cane when you need it. Let me make this clear: you are not "bothering them" by asking for your cane. The FA are there your safety and the safety of others. Serving Diet Coke is a sideline. You may also have to wait for the other passengers to debark before they bring your cane to you at the end of your flight. No biggie. Sometimes it's nice to relax a bit while everyone else hurries past you. If you're lucky they will be able to stow it in the overheard above you.

agreeing with robinb
If there was turbulance or an accident, a cane just stuck next to someone might become a dangerous flying object.

I am not surprised that you were not offered the option to pre-board. The gate agents at SWA are some of the busiest I have ever seen. Not only do they have to deal with everyday passenger problems, but they also have to herd an entire planeload of people off and onto a plane is the shortest turn-around time in the business. They are amazing but they are not mind readers.

Don't be shy! If you have a need it is up to you to speak up and let your need be known. You need extra time to board and you need to pick a specific seat for your comfort.

I am not surprised that they didn't offer preboarding either. We have not traveled Southwest, but pretty much all airlines have stopped automatically preboarding people with disabilities.
When we first started traveling with DD and her wheelchair more than 15 years ago, having a wheelchair meant we always were preboarded whether we asked to or not. Pretty much anyone that had some type of visible disability was preboarded. Some people needed the extra time, some who didn't need the extra time felt singled out by preboarding. The airlines seemed (at least in our experience with a number of airlines in the last 15 years) to deal with the situation by expecting people to be more assertive and ask for pre-boarding if they needed it.
So, like robin said, "don't be shy."

 

[Earstou]

After encountering the stowed cane problem, I sit by the window (or a family member does since it's hard for me to move that far in and out) and shove my cane in the space between the seat and the wall. They just don't want it to become a safety hazard and fly around the cabin or trip someone!

Read the last line please!!!!!
The first time I did this, I asked the FA if my cane was okay where I had wedged it between the seat and the wall of the cabin. She seemed surprised at first, but after checking it (and seeing it WAS firmly wedged there and not moving) she said it was fine. I've had this okayed by at least two different FAs on different flights!