Southwest Early Bird Checkin

[Henlady]

DH and I have paid for EB for our return trip from MCO to PIT. We will most likely utilize 2 aisle seats across from each other. If you need to sit your child beside me, feel free. I am a mom/grandmother, teach 1st grade CCD classes and I enjoy kids. You will find that kids are more independent than you think and they generally love to talk to "new" people and are usually better behaved around people they don't know. Most youngsters enjoy talking about themselves, their families, etc..... You'd be surprised at what they tell people about those families. I most likely won't be moving from whatever seat I choose, so your little darling is more than welcome to the seat beside me, but, you, the parent, will need to take care of potty breaks, and requests, I'll even alert you of their need. It will make my trip a little more interesting as DH will most likely be watching a movie on the DVD player and won't be talking at all.

Just a suggestion, but if your child does need to sit beside someone else, introduce yourself to that person and then introduce your child, and let your child and the "strangers" know where you'll be sitting. I think it would make for a much more comfortable situation for all concerned.

 

[MarkinNM]

I hear ya...but it's the same thing as the cereal companies raising the price on a box of Cheerios but putting fewer Cheerios in that box. It's just a sad fact of life. But, if airlines try to improve customer satisfaction, it's going to cost the customer in some way. Me? I'm happy if I can get a decent fare. Add in one free checked bag and you have complete customer satisfaction...my needs are simple.

Ok maybe the food analogy was a bad one but you get the jest. I have flown for years with my job and have seen some pretty odd if not outright scary things by airlines and I believe that airlines for years could and some still do care less about customer satisfaction as there really is a limited choice when flying.
I wish all who fly would have that same kind of attitude, as some expect the moon when flying ……

You are entirely missing the point. Airlines are, most of the time, charging less per airfare than it costs them to transport that passenger because most of us refuse to pay fares that would reasonably allow the airlines to survive and profit. And your claim isn't even valid. Southwest is NOT charging for a service that was previously free. They are charging for an option that never they never offered before this week.

Those other airlines aren't overpricing themselves; it's far more likely they're right-pricing themselves while Southwest transports passengers at a loss. But getting angry at Southwest isn't effective - it's smarter to work with the airport officials about getting more airlines into ABQ.

And, to stay in business, a business has to be profitable, i.e. bring in (and ultimately keep) more money than they spend.

I am not saying SWA airlines are now charging for baggage but all the other airlines are now, something that was part of that ticket cost and now they want to boost the bottom line they are finding things to charge for, what’s next a shoe fee, seat cushion maintenance fee, this is a start to what may be a never ending line of fees…..

But...I won't be the person helping your child out. If a parent chooses to not do what is needed to deal with their children, it isn't my responsibility either. Those families that have to sit together need to make a choice...lower fares but the possibility of not being seated together or paying more for a fare but getting assigned seats.
I'm sorry but if I pay extra to get a seat I prefer, I am not moving for someone else...period. Selfish? No. I really resent it when parents come along with that particular argument...'oh, then you can take care of my screaming, miserable child.' I had my children, I dealt with my children..why do I have to now deal with someone else's child?? Not going to happen.

Words right out of my mouth. If I pay the extra, my butt is not going anywhere. If someone wants to sit their 8 yo next to me, go for it. But I won't be taking care of them -- actually most 8 yo can go to the bathroom by themselves -- but that is openning a different can of worms. Of course I would give up my seat to a parent if they want to pay me $20 -- I have to add my own fee on top of the EB fee!

With the advent of this new program and costing people, that argument of giving up seats are gone as the game has now changed, you want to improve your chances of sitting together pay for it, simple, no complaining…………

 

[MarkinNM]

SW might have to increase staffing to handle those seat assignments.

THAT is the reason why SWA does not have seating assignments, as it does indeed cost more. With SWA being a budget airline, they do not want to get into seating assignments as it will force them to charge more...

 

[Brian Noble]

It is odd that not a single one of the other LCCs has ever gone to cattle-call seating.

If it truly cost less, you'd think one of them would have done it.

 

[blissventure]

THAT is the reason why SWA does not have seating assignments, as it does indeed cost more. With SWA being a budget airline, they do not want to get into seating assignments as it will force them to charge more...

I think Southwest is making some strange decisions these days. They need cold hard cash, they also need to make sure they don't actually promise anything concrete for the passenger's additional $10.00 "donation". Southwest's desire to avoid assigning seats is resulting in policies that appear at best oddly convoluted, and at worst, comical. But, that's JMO.

 

[MarkinNM]

It is odd that not a single one of the other LCCs has ever gone to cattle-call seating.

If it truly cost less, you'd think one of them would have done it.

Not really just charge for baggage..................

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Only 4 year olds like to moo...

It is odd that not a single one of the other LCCs has ever gone to cattle-call seating.

If it truly cost less, you'd think one of them would have done it.

 

[CPer'sMom]

Most of the "problems" only exist on internet boards.

SO true!

 

[cherbear]

Anyone used OLCI lately, as opposed to this Early Bird check in stuff? (that's for the birds...)

We fly out Saturday morning out of MSY (New Orleans) at 8:50. Friday I will be at work, ready to pounce at the 24 mark. I'm curious as to how this EB situation will affect me. It's just my husband and I, and we don't really care WHERE we sit, as long as we are together. It's a family vacation (we don't have kids yet so he and I ARE a "family") so we'd like to sit together. It's not a huge deal if we don't, I'm sure we are still going to end up at the same place and it's only an hour and a half flight...but in the past before EB started, we never had a problem getting A or B group, and finding 2 seats together. Any thoughts? I tried unsuccessfully to find a thread with actual boarding information from NON-EB's. I know I only have 2 days til I find out, but I'm so anxious! I'm ready to go NOW!

 

[bavaria]

Read flyertalk.com - there is at least one EB thread with numbers. At least two people had B passes on rather mundane routes.

I still stand behind my assumption that the heavy leisure (and especially family routes) and holiday periods will be when EB results in mid/high B's.

 

[twinklebug]

I tried unsuccessfully to find a thread with actual boarding information from NON-EB's. I know I only have 2 days til I find out, but I'm so anxious! I'm ready to go NOW!

Try this non-A list/non-EB thread over at Flyertalk http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/sout...g-card-non-list-non-earlybird-checkin-40.html (it looks like they're ready to start a new thread, so check the root dir too)

 

[bavaria]

Isn't it wonderful?

So nice to see the Food mods visit us here!

Does that mean that you are talking about this thread behind the scenes?

 

[twinklebug]

I still stand behind my assumption that the heavy leisure (and especially family routes) and holiday periods will be when EB results in mid/high B's.

I'm with you on that. Heading into MCO on weekends and going into holiday weeks (as well as returning)... be prepared to add the EB fee (and do so right away) or look forward to meeting new friends

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

There you go, using logic again. You know no good deed goes unpunished!

I still stand behind my assumption that the heavy leisure (and especially family routes) and holiday periods will be when EB results in mid/high B's.

 

[dburg30]

The new, $10 charge for early boarding, was done for revenue. It doesn't really do anything to improve the boarding process. It does make some sense to offer lower BP numbers to passengers who pay extra rather then to passengers that are willing (and have the time) to check in at T-24.

Correct, it does offer some convienience to those that dont want to mess around with t-24, but it obviously was done to generate $$ without 'changing' their fares etc.

SWs (initial) success was (in part) due to their ability to turn around the planes quicker then other airlines. An airline on the ground doesn't make money. Quick turnaround allowed SW to schedule an additional daily flight per plane. Lack of assigned seats motivates passengers to get to the gate early and to be ready to board early. Passengers with assigned seats are more likely to wait until a few minutes before the flight to board. I'm not sure if the current "fighting" for bin space has changed those assumptions.

Even with 2 free checked bags, you still have problems with over head bin space. And this isnt just to / from MCO. THere are just some folks that have carry ons that are just |--| that much too big to fight 'front to back' Granted, I've seen it close to having to gate check, but they always make room. I agree with the people arriving early for the flight, I dont know of any flight I've done with SWA in the last almost 2 years that we had a straggler come on the plane.

Assigning seats gives the "best seats" to leisure passengers who book low fares months before their trip. Profitable business passengers, who book days before the flight, wind up with "left over" seats. Legacy airlines deal with this by blocking seats in the front of the plane for elite passengers and passengers who pay full fare. This complicates the seat assignment process and would result in SW passengers complaining about being "second class" passengers.

SWs present system allocates the first 15 BPs to passengers who pay extra for business select and the next group of BPs to A-Listers (frequent fliers).

Most of the "problems" only exist on internet boards.
That's a very true statement.
Passengers are willing to switch seats so a young child can sit with at least one parent. This happens when a family is late to the gate and misses family boarding. Traffic. A flight delay which results in a tight connection.

I 100% agree. People that say they wont consider moving to allow a parent / child to sit together probably do exist, but I bet for those that say they wont move, there are others that will gladly move or try to move at least.

I suspect a lot of older kids (7+) don't mind being separated from their parents. They don't (generally) behave the way parents on the internet threaten us. Last time I had a child in the middle seat next to me he spent the entire flight doing homework.

Heck, everyone I know says I'm just a big kid anyway. If we were lucky, they'd have a DS or something that you could multi play a game together lol..

SW now has one GA servicing multiple gates and multiple flights. Airlines that assign seats hold some seats back for gate assignment. SW might have to increase staffing to handle those seat assignments.

I don't really understand many of the posters. AFAIK SW is the only major airline that doesn't offer assigned seats. People should book an airline that meets their needs. Be willing to pay the extra charge for assigned seats.

Again, I agree, I've had NO problems with SW boarding, BUT I'm one that does it exactly at t-24. Worst I've had on my initial flight was A-22 when we had some a listers in front of us (behind the bus select) and the worst I had on the connecting flight was A-32, where others started their flights before I did. IF it appears this is going to put me 'too far down the line' in my opinion, then I may look at another carrier, but I've been perfectly happy up to this point. And if I use the EBCI and dont get a decent BP# or am not happy, again, I can and may look at some other lines.

 

[Lewisc]

Read flyertalk.com - there is at least one EB thread with numbers. At least two people had B passes on rather mundane routes.

I still stand behind my assumption that the heavy leisure (and especially family routes) and holiday periods will be when EB results in mid/high B's.

Probably. What's interesting is how many DIS won't pay for an assigned seat with the airlines who charge but how many SW passengers plan on paying for EB.

Passengers are convinced they won't get the seats they want if they wind up with a B BP with regular OLCI but are convinced they won't have a problem if they don't pay for an assigned seat with a different airline.

 

[madge]

Try this non-A list/non-EB thread over at Flyertalk http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/sout...g-card-non-list-non-earlybird-checkin-40.html (it looks like they're ready to start a new thread, so check the root dir too)

thanks for posting that link!

I'm on the fence about paying for EBCI. I think we're ok on our outbound flight .... from Nashville, in the evening, midweek. It's the return flight out of MCO at the beginning of the Columbus day weekend that I'm concerned about. It's early. Really early. 8am early. It may be worth it, if for no other reason than I can focus on getting out of the room to the MK instead of remembering to check in for the flights

 

[cherbear]

Try this non-A list/non-EB thread over at Flyertalk http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/sout...g-card-non-list-non-earlybird-checkin-40.html (it looks like they're ready to start a new thread, so check the root dir too)

thanks! I wish there were more posters as of the recent EB option (seeing as how the thread's been going on well before EB started)

I will report back here Friday and let everyone know what BP I get with OLCI. Wish me luck!!

 

[pooch]

Here's a scenario I haven't seen addressed yet. We're a family of 4, 2 kids ages 10 and 8, so not eligible for mid-boarding. We decide not to pay for EBCI, so when I do OLCI @ 24 hours we get the dreaded C passes (speaking hypothetically here). The flight is full, so by the time we board there are only scattered middle-seat singles throughout the plane. So guess what? 2 of you who paid for EBCI now get my DD8 sitting next to you! I have absolutely no problem sitting 2 rows back from her. It's only a couple of hours, she'll live without me sitting next to her. Not sure what shape you'll be in when we arrive though. Oh, and to the person next to me in the aisle seat who paid for EBCI, don't mind my getting in and out of my seat 25 times during the flight to deal with DD8's spilled drink, snack requests, helping put her seat belt back on, taking her to the bathroom, etc, etc.

You'll notice that I did not ask someone to give up the seat that they paid extra for. I respect your right to do so. Nor will I be traumatized if I can't sit next to my kids on the plane. In fact, talk about a blessing in disguise!!

because your 8 year old isn't capable of drinking out of a cup, getting a snack out of bag to which she should have access or find the bathroom. My guess is, if she had to, she could manage all of this without you hovering over her. Please don't threaten me with your helicopter (get it - hovering) parenting style. Another example of entitlement mentality. Frankly, I would be embarassed to admit my kids couldn't take care of themselves 10 feet away from me for a couple of hours without me dancing attendance.

 

[bavaria]

Probably. What's interesting is how many DIS won't pay for an assigned seat with the airlines who charge but how many SW passengers plan on paying for EB.

Passengers are convinced they won't get the seats they want if they wind up with a B BP with regular OLCI but are convinced they won't have a problem if they don't pay for an assigned seat with a different airline.

new thread just started...

they will make sure (or at least the computer) will make sure a child is paired off with an adult.This has happened everytime we have flown Airtran and decided not to pay extra to pick the seats.....

Someone is going to be disappointed someday