Southwest Early Bird Checkin

[Terk-1]

I travel alot on Southwest and most times it's solo. I have been fortunate enough to usually be seated next to either other adults or an older child with manners.

When I flew with family last year to California, each nephew had their own backpack with whatever they wanted to take on the plane to keep them occupied. They each had their own Nintendo DS, games, headphones (so as to not disturb other passengers) books & snacks. We also had 2 portable dvd players and the boys each picked out 3 movies that they wanted to see. We were separated at one point, but it was an adult with a child. They were so preoccupied with what they had in their backpacks, that there were no problems with the fact that we were separated (one adult sat with one child as there were not 2 open rows next to each other.

I do not think it is necessary for families to assume that other people will babysit or tolerate their child's rude behavior just because they can't sit together and are taking it out on other passengers.

I work hard for my paycheck, just like everyone else and really take offense to those who say that if I don't move so they can all sit together (mom, dad, children, aunt, uncle, grandparent, etc.) then I'm stuck with their poor manners. Nope. This is why I have sound cancelling headphones, an IPod, a book and a laptop.

My comment to all of those who are complaining about Southwest or offering up threats of others having to deal with your children is this. If you don't like the way Southwest boards their planes or for the fact that they do not have assigned seating, then there are plenty of other airlines you can go to with assigned seats so that you can guarantee you all sit together.

 

[goofy4tink]

Why bother? Because it’s called a conversation, period, the end...



Your post pointed something to me, its not the airlines that bother me but the LACK of choices here in ABQ. SWA is a HUGE player and the bully of the block here, at times it feels like the other airlines here locally, overprice themselfs so we are forced to use SWA. I too enjoy knowing I will be in assigned seat BUT when that occasional time comes when I do have to pay for the 2nd bag, SWA will win everytime.......

Care to elaborate????



True, but when a business charges for a service that was previously PART of the price, then all of a sudden they need to boost up revenue they take it out and try to fool the public that now its going to cost you, rip-off no other way to go around it. Its like McDonalds now charging extra for ice or the bun because they want to boost up their bottom line. Here’s some food for thought why not improve the bottom line by boosting up customer satisfaction, improve services, hummmmmmmmmmm ………………

BTW part of a business is to STAY in business………………….

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.

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!!

And you are perfectly free to do that. 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.

 

[Terk-1]

And you are perfectly free to do that. 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.

Ditto for me too!! Not happening.

 

[Pumbaa_]

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.


And you are perfectly free to do that. 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.

 

[bavaria]

I work hard for my paycheck, just like everyone else

I did ask on the 'other' thread if people think that the rest of us pay for our vacation with chocolate coins, because that argument comes up so often - 'I worked hard to pay for my trip'.

Well, duh, the rest of us are just slackers who pay with magic beans for our holidays!

 

[crashbb]

And you are perfectly free to do that. 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.

The PP is why noise canceling earphones were invented.

 

[keishashadow]

OK, I've been following the conversations on several boards and was happy enough to have EB for 3 of our 4 flights (one has a transfer we may be seperated on). The final flight I was willing to toss into the experimental bin until I came across:



You (and the flyertalk folk) scared me into dishing out another $30 just to be sure I'm with my kids. Even if they are over 10 I don't think they want to be with strangers and likewise I'd much rather be with them.

Final score: SWA 4 -- TB 0 (... or should I make that -120 )

oh no, not my intent to scare you just throwing out a possible scenario.

I admit to selecting our seats on SWA away from children (especially behind us, too many seat kickers).

I don't understand why, since they have a family midboard line, they don't accompany it by a designated family section of the plane...think the last 1/3 or 1/4. Exact section/row could be announced @ the gate depending upon the number of children w/reservations. If the intent is for families to sit together (vs getting a seat near the front of the plane), it shouldn't matter where they are sitting.Moreso, why not board them right after the business/Areward folks & enforce the seating locations (via a FA positioned in the appropriate section 'waving' the family groups down to their seats?

Except airfare continues to go down in price. Year after year it gets cheaper and cheaper to buy an airline ticket, while costs for the airlines go up.

These charges are absolutely neccessary to keep the fares that consumers want as low as possible and continue bringing in revenue.

Don't like the fees? Fly Southwest or fly enough on a legacy carrier to become an elite flyer.

not on the PIT/MCO for direct flights on SWA (or flights to west coast/puerto rico, etc.), they've been consistently higher for the typical dates we book every year; depends on your market/dates/departure times, etc. If your rates have dropped, consider yourself lucky indeed!

while i acknowledge SWA's inherent right to add fees, i don't like the idea of a thinly disguised one and surely, if it's touted as a benefit would like to see a return on my fee...i.e. an A boarding spot. As stated before, why not just up the fee to $25 pp, limit the spots & guarantee an A or B spot?

as for being an elite flyer, many here are not frequent flyers and are just trying to get the best possible deal for their $

 

[safetymom]

Aren't noise canceling earphones wonderful!!! Add to the list of those that would be considered selfish. I also raised my 3 kids, I don't need to raise yours.

 

[bavaria]

I don't understand why, since they have a family midboard line, they don't accompany it by a designated family section of the plane...think the last 1/3 or 1/4. Exact section/row could be announced @ the gate depending upon the number of children w/reservations.

One would this this idea would make sense, but I have seen the responses to this before. It is 'discrimination' to seat families together. 'MY kid' is sooooo much better behaved that the other snowflakes on the DIS. But but but I want to preboard, get the best seat on the plane, AND not to have to pay for it. I deserve it.... Shall I go on?

as for being an elite flyer, many here are not frequent flyers and are just trying to get the best possible deal for their $

But that is part of the problem with many posters - they have no loyalty to anything except for price, yet they expect to be treated the same or better than the company's most loyal customer. That makes no logical sense at all, yet people really seem to think that it should happen.

I rarely fly Delta; why should I expect preferential treatment, early boarding, better seating, fewer fees? I don't but many here certainly do!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Your post pointed something to me, its not the airlines that bother me but the LACK of choices here in ABQ. SWA is a HUGE player and the bully of the block here, at times it feels like the other airlines here locally, overprice themselfs so we are forced to use SWA

True, but when a business charges for a service that was previously PART of the price, then all of a sudden they need to boost up revenue they take it out and try to fool the public that now its going to cost you, rip-off no other way to go around it.

BTW part of a business is to STAY in business………………….

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.

 

[bavaria]

Page 25, logic and sanity return.

 

[Tricia1972]

Isn't it wonderful?

 

[kaytieeldr]

But that is part of the problem with many posters - they have no loyalty to anything except for price, yet they expect to be treated the same or better than the company's most loyal customer. That makes no logical sense at all, yet people really seem to think that it should happen.

Well, I have to admit - except for one Delta flight last year because JetBlue's schedule wouldn't allow me time to join some DISers for tea - I am entirely loyal to the latter. I am happy when I pay less than the typical fare for my exact itinerary, but I have paid more at times and will continue to do so... and I don't even fly enough to benefit from True Blue rewards. At this time, I cannot see me flying anywhere that JetBlue doesn't go.

 

[scard192]

Count me in as a big JetBlue fan. We considered SW and JB for our trip to WDW and chose to pay more to fly JetBlue because my daughter wanted assigned seats for her family (and the free TV). My 3 year old grand daughter has a lovely window seat with her parents in the 2 seats next to her. This grandma is across the aisle!

 

[n2mm]

And you are perfectly free to do that. 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!

 

[twinklebug]

Count me in as a big JetBlue fan. We considered SW and JB for our trip to WDW and chose to pay more to fly JetBlue because my daughter wanted assigned seats for her family (and the free TV). My 3 year old grand daughter has a lovely window seat with her parents in the 2 seats next to her. This grandma is across the aisle!

I've always wanted to try JB, but it's not the price so much as the airport JB uses that keeps me from trying them. Nothing will ruin that "just home from Disney" feel faster than Boston's Logan airport. I prefer TF Green & the only airline that flys direct to MCO from there is, you guessed it, SWA.

 

[tjmw2727]

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!!

Wow - if my dd couldn't sit nicely on an airplane at 8yo without spilling a drink or using the restroom by herself we wouldn't have been flying. I certainly wouldn't be bragging about it.

The fact is that older kids can get seated separately from parents on any airline - not just SWA or Airtran.

IMHO parents should be prepared and have a back pack for each kid with everything they need just in case. I always prepared my kids for the fact that they may have to sit alone, that included expectations on how I expected them to behave. As I said upthread my dd managed just fine when we were scattered in seats on AA. At the age of 6 she was my oldest dd so she sat alone and I sat with my then 4yo.

TJ

 

[ironz]

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!!

But the reality is more likely this: If you are all seated apart, in various middles seats, an 8 year old (assuming she has some bit of entertainment with her) is more likely going to amuse herself. The flight attendant will bring snacks (or mom can be proactive and throw a couple of snacks in DD's backpack with a book or other mind-occupying devices) and drinks. An 8 years isn't all that likely to be spilling things (no more so than any clutzy adult). She probably doesn't need a lot of help going to the bathroom (assuming she manages just fine on her own when she is, say, at school or any other public place). And she may just be seated by someone who makes some conversation with her, talking about Disney, who her favorite characters are, what rides she is looking forward to, etc. And Mom can sit back in her seat and like you said, enjoy a couple of hours of quiet time, that you might not get at home.

I was the LAST person to board a SW flight (due to unforeseen circumstances--I actually had an A2 boarding pass prior to Bus. Select) one time. I ended up in a middle seat next to a 5 year old unaccompanied minor. And she was so well behaved! We talked and visited, she colored on some blank paper for a while. She never spilled anything.

So don't be threatening a scene if it's not going to happen that way. Besides, do you really want to embarrass your kids and set that example for them?

 

[keishashadow]

One would this this idea would make sense, but I have seen the responses to this before. It is 'discrimination' to seat families together. 'MY kid' is sooooo much better behaved that the other snowflakes on the DIS. But but but I want to preboard, get the best seat on the plane, AND not to have to pay for it. I deserve it.... Shall I go on?


But that is part of the problem with many posters - they have no loyalty to anything except for price, yet they expect to be treated the same or better than the company's most loyal customer. That makes no logical sense at all, yet people really seem to think that it should happen.

One person's idea of such discrimination is another's perc.

I wasn't wistfully thinking mandatory enforcement (sticking families in a pen of sorts); just a way for the airlines to offer an accommodation while not inconveniencing the bulk of non-perc customers.

It's evident from reading posts here that many people do expect 'the sky' (not just pointing finger @ family groups, seniors can be very vocal too)

IMO, special accommodations are akin to percs, subject to change at any time. While it never hurts to ask, chutzpah doesn't equal

 

[Lewisc]

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

It just strikes me as strange the extent to which Southwest has gone, adding complexity on top of complexity to their boarding procedure, simply to avoid seat assignments. This aspect has always been our reason for avoiding Southwest, but now it almost seems comical just how far they have to go to deal with the behavioral (or misbehavioral) issues that stem from that one decision of theirs.

I know that there were good reasons for their seating policy to start with, but I have to wonder, now, given all the complexities they've added to it, if that reason is gone, and they're simply sticking with the old policy, content to tack on band-aids and such, just as a matter of pride -- so that they don't have to admit that assigned seating works better.

Just sayin'.