Southwest Grouping

[LilyWDW]

What irritates me is when Dh and I are sitting in the 4th row towards the front of the plane seated in window and aisle with a middle seat open between us and C boarding is almost finished boarding and there is still half the plane empty towards the middle and back and someone who doesn't pay to get better seats wiggles in between Dh and I instead of going on back and getting a different seat where they aren't sandwiched in between strangers.

WHy shouldn't they take that seat? Were you and your DH hoping to have the row to yourself? Sorry, that just doesn't happen anymore with flights being full more often then not. I don't get why it made you so upset.

 

[jlm196]

There is a way to prevent the "stress of flying with a lap child" buy a seat for them. Besides first the pp said it had nothing to do with the lap child she wanted to sit with her husband. Now it has every thing to do with having a lap child. Just because you have a child you are not entitled to have people move around so your experience is better. And this idea that people are mean or rude because they don't is ludicrous. You are responsible for you, and your family, not strangers on a plane. You're right. I have never flown with a lap child. Every member of my family has always had their own seat when they flew. I choose to spend money to make sure my family flew as safe and comfortably as possible.

Wow! This thinking is what is wrong with the world today. You are probably one of those people who doesn't give your seat to the elderly either. Why not make someone's day a little easier what difference does it make to you to give up your seat. this is just simple common courtesy.

 

[maxiesmom]

Wow! This thinking is what is wrong with the world today. You are probably one of those people who doesn't give your seat to the elderly either. Why not make someone's day a little easier what difference does it make to you to give up your seat. this is just simple common courtesy.

Because you wouldn't have a clue why the person you are asking to move wants the seat they are in. Maybe that person is sitting next to a family member with a severe fear of flying Or maybe that person is clausterphobic and paid to pick that seat to help settle their nerves. Thinking that having a child trumps anything else is pretty selfish.

Sorry, but it is not "common courtesy" to walk up to a stranger and ask them to move for you. So it shouldn't be demanded in return. That is what is wrong with the world today, people don't show courtesy but demand it of others.

 

[mom to minnie&mickey]

We only ever fly SW because they have a non-stop from here to Orlando. Sometimes it is 5 of us and we sit 3 and 2 directly across from each other. Or if it is just DH and I we sit window and aisle.

I would not fly SW without paying for EBCI because I like to sit as close to the front of the plane as possible so I can get off quickly. The thought of being way back in the plane and not being able to get out in a hurry if need be makes me sick to think about it.

I would not move nor would I have my DH or one of my kids move so that some other ppl can sit together and break our family up.

If you have young kids you can board between the A and B boarding group (usually) so you will have good seats.

However EBCI numbers are assigned by how soon you buy the EBCI. If I buy my ticket for 5 months from now and I buy EBCI I will get a better boarding number than someone who buys it 2 months away from departure. Since you do not have to check in for yourself at the 24 hour mark and they automatically check you in, your EBCI number is not associated with WHEN you check in like for ppl who don't buy EBCI.

That is why even if my flight cost drops a little bit I do not try to get the difference from SW because they rebook you and reassign you EBCI on the rebook and your number won't be as good as it was when you first booked.

Now if our flights dropped $50 each or more I might rebook but otherwise I book, buy EBCI and don't make any changes.

What irritates me is when Dh and I are sitting in the 4th row towards the front of the plane seated in window and aisle with a middle seat open between us and C boarding is almost finished boarding and there is still half the plane empty towards the middle and back and someone who doesn't pay to get better seats wiggles in between Dh and I instead of going on back and getting a different seat where they aren't sandwiched in between strangers.

If I paid extra to get a seat of my choosing you bet I would not move for someone entitled enough to ask me to. However, if you and your dh want to have a whole row to yourselves then buy the extra seat, don't sit strategically hoping nobody takes the middle seat and then be angry because someone "called your bluff" Good for them, they probably did it on purpose to teach you a lesson. What makes you any less selfish or entitled than the person asking others to move to accommodate their family? Sometimes people just amaze me, and NOT in a good way!

 

[Gracie09]

Because you wouldn't have a clue why the person you are asking to move wants the seat they are in. Maybe that person is sitting next to a family member with a severe fear of flying Or maybe that person is clausterphobic and paid to pick that seat to help settle their nerves. Thinking that having a child trumps anything else is pretty selfish. Sorry, but it is not "common courtesy" to walk up to a stranger and ask them to move for you. So it shouldn't be demanded in return. That is what is wrong with the world today, people don't show courtesy but demand it of others.

Exactly. What's wrong with expecting people to take care of their family when possible. I usually travel with two small children and a husband who is 6'7". So comfortable seating for us, especially on southwest, is few and far between. So when we fly sw, we pay for early boarding to help dh find a seat he fits in and me to find seats close to him for the three of us to sit. On very rare occasions we have had gate agents give dh a blue sleeve so he can go early to find something. Buts it's not something we ask for. When we have been given it, it's because they call him over and offer it. So because someone chooses not to take precautions or remain willfully ignorant of how sw operates I am rude? Don't think so. Sorry an adult can't sit with another adult but I too question why they couldn't find two seat together. Unless they were among the last to board you can usually find two seats toward the back. Unless they just didn't want the seats in the back. Like I said if having a lap child is so stressful, there are ways around it. They just cost money.

 

[Imhere]

Just flew Southwest a few weeks ago. We purchased the EBCI and when we boarded we sat next to each other in the aisle and middle seats in the front row. Across the aisle from us were a couple who decided to split up and take the aisle & window seats leaving a seat open between them. I even heard a hushed conversation between them about how nobody would sit there.

A few minutes later a very large gentleman stopped at their row and excused himself to the guy on the aisle to take the middle seat. Shortly after sitting down the dude on the aisle asked him if he would like to trade places. He said "No, I like this seat just fine" I must say he had a very satisfied look on his face, the guy on the aisle, not so much.

I laughed out loud, really.

 

[motherof2boys]

Didn't read all the posts so maybe I missed something. Are you looking for 3 seats together (1 row) or more? My other question is have you ever flown SW before? We always fly Jet Blue but last trip (Christmas) we flew SW for the first time. DH, DS13, & DS10 were in the very last row. I was in the window seat in the row in front of them. I was shocked at how squished I was! A large older woman was in the aisle & a teenager was next to me. Thank goodness it was a short flight b/c this girl was practically on top of me. She had no space so she was literately leaning on the shoulder the whole flight. She kept apologizing but there was no place for her to go. I'd be a bit concerned how comfortable you'll be with a lap child in such a small space.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I don't really get the SW hate. We love it. We've flown almost exclusively on SW for many years, and only once was our family of 4 separated, and that was in 2004 during Hurricane Frances when we were late getting to the gate and the plane was fully loaded already. Even then, I was across the aisle from DD and DH was a few rows back next to DS. We flew recently and made it home in two hours from Orlando on a brand new jet.

 

[mom to minnie&mickey]

Just flew Southwest a few weeks ago. We purchased the EBCI and when we boarded we sat next to each other in the aisle and middle seats in the front row. Across the aisle from us were a couple who decided to split up and take the aisle & window seats leaving a seat open between them. I even heard a hushed conversation between them about how nobody would sit there.

A few minutes later a very large gentleman stopped at their row and excused himself to the guy on the aisle to take the middle seat. Shortly after sitting down the dude on the aisle asked him if he would like to trade places. He said "No, I like this seat just fine" I must say he had a very satisfied look on his face, the guy on the aisle, not so much.

I laughed out loud, really.

Oh you made me laugh out loud as well! Karma, don't you just love it when it jumps up and bites a deserving someone on their .....well you know that thing sitting on their strategically chosen airplane seat!

 

[nighttowll]

I personally like South West. I feel my chances of getting the seat I want are much better than with other airlines. I guess if I always knew I was flying 6 months in advance it might be different, but I always have a hard time finding a decent seat on the other airlines. It always seems that by the time I go to book my flight all the good seats are gone and middle back of plane is all that's left. At least with South West, I know that if I check in 24hrs in advance I have a chance. Also, with planes not all being the same size or layout, I like to see the actual seats, not just guess if one is over the engine or not from a diagram.

Personally, I'd move for someone else if I could, but I'm just one of those self punishing peace-corps people. I've always felt that my responsibility is to others not to myself, and if I can help someone, than its my responsibility to help them. So many people have helped me over the years, whether I deserved it or not, that it is just my way of paying all that help forward. I just personally feel that I'd rather help someone who doesn't need or deserve it, than not help someone who does because I'm worried about being taken advantage of. I feel God knows their hearts, and if they are in the wrong, he knows it, but if they aren't and I don't help, then I am. But having said that, I get that there are many other people out there who feel differently, and I can respect that. Also, as many have stated some have good reasons for not moving, so we shouldn't assume, just because they refuse to move, that they are a jerk.

 

[Mkrop]

Wow! This thinking is what is wrong with the world today. You are probably one of those people who doesn't give your seat to the elderly either. Why not make someone's day a little easier what difference does it make to you to give up your seat. this is just simple common courtesy.

Common courtesy goes in both directions, do what you need to do to assure your family sits together, than if something does come up that is a legitimate reason than most people would move, but if they cant that is ok too.

I think we read on here and hear in real life about people not wanting to pay the fee and they just think that no one will want to sit next to their 4 year old. Dont assume that, do what you(general) need to do as a parent and dont whine about the cost. Kids cost money, plain and simple

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Common courtesy goes in both directions, do what you need to do to assure your family sits together, than if something does come up that is a legitimate reason than most people would move, but if they cant that is ok too. I think we read on here and hear in real life about people not wanting to pay the fee and they just think that no one will want to sit next to their 4 year old. Dont assume that, do what you(general) need to do as a parent and dont whine about the cost. Kids cost money, plain and simple

Totally agree. Lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine. That said, you can often times tell if there is a situation that was out of the parents' control. If a family comes on board last, out of breath or frazzled, and I didn't see them at the gate before, then I would figure they had a short connection and I would move. I would move if there was a young kid who had a last minute potty emergency. Stuff happens and I am sympathetic to that.

However if all signs point to you being a cheap-@$$, expecting people to move to accommodate you and your kid(s) rather than buy EBCI, I am not moving.

 

[LilyWDW]

And again, don't assume that someone not moving means they are a jerk. There could be a very good reason they are not offering their seat. You just do not know what is going on with any person on that plane. Judging them only looks bad on you.

 

[Dallas_Lady]

The moral of the story is, if you want to guarantee that you won't be separated from your family, then drive.

 

[mousehunter3]

We just flew SW home from our trip (our flight down was on Airtran, where we had assigned seats- they were grouped in the same area- not next to each other which was fine). I didn't know that with SW, I had to check in 24 hours ahead so we checked in at the airport 3 hours ahead. We were almost the last people on the plane. The 5 of us were spread out from front to back, BUT a man moved (after the flight attendant said we would not take off until my little guy and I were seated together) so my youngest could sit next to me. The flight attendant berated me about how I didn't check in 24 hours ahead of time. I honestly had no idea I needed to do that- we've only flown twice in the past 10 years and I had a million details to get in place for our trip. Now I know for future reference. On a positive note, my son left his DS on the plane and they found it. We received it in the mail yesterday. They are now off my naughty list.

I think you have a good chance of being seated together since you are in the B category, but it could be toward the back of the plane.

 

[TwinkleKS]

Let's see ... when we fly SW with all of the kids we pay the extra$ for preferred boarding or whatever it is they call it. We still get two free bags each, so figure its part of the deal to pay for a greater chance of sitting together. Plus, with SW there is a chance we can fit in two rows. We have three kids, 4,4, and 2 the last time we flew and fly out of small airports that often have commuter jets with 1 seat 2 seat aisles or 2 seat 2 seat aisles. DH and DS 2 sat in a row up towards the front. DDs, both 4 sat in front of me, I was right behind them.

 

[Gracie09]

We just flew SW home from our trip (our flight down was on Airtran, where we had assigned seats- they were grouped in the same area- not next to each other which was fine). I didn't know that with SW, I had to check in 24 hours ahead so we checked in at the airport 3 hours ahead. We were almost the last people on the plane. The 5 of us were spread out from front to back, BUT a man moved (after the flight attendant said we would not take off until my little guy and I were seated together) so my youngest could sit next to me. The flight attendant berated me about how I didn't check in 24 hours ahead of time. I honestly had no idea I needed to do that- we've only flown twice in the past 10 years and I had a million details to get in place for our trip. Now I know for future reference. On a positive note, my son left his DS on the plane and they found it. We received it in the mail yesterday. They are now off my naughty list. I think you have a good chance of being seated together since you are in the B category, but it could be toward the back of the plane.

I guess I don't understand how if you didn't get a seat assignment it didn't make you pause and think to look on the sw website or call and find out information about boarding. If I was expecting A to happen and it didn't I would spend a couple minutes to find out why. I'm sure you had adrs planned, park days planned, fp + planned if you stayed on site but I don't understand, and never will, this idea that it's not worth ten minutes of a persons time to look at the airline's website and determine something basic like boarding.

 

[Mayhem1976]

I guess I don't understand how if you didn't get a seat assignment it didn't make you pause and think to look on the sw website or call and find out information about boarding. If I was expecting A to happen and it didn't I would spend a couple minutes to find out why. I'm sure you had adrs planned, park days planned, fp + planned if you stayed on site but I don't understand, and never will, this idea that it's not worth ten minutes of a persons time to look at the airline's website and determine something basic like boarding.

But, they said they have only flown twice in ten years. They may have just thought they would get a boarding pass with seat number at the airport when they check in.

Sometimes you don't question things when you don't realize there is a question.

 

[mousehunter3]

But, they said they have only flown twice in ten years. They may have just thought they would get a boarding pass with seat number at the airport when they check in.

Sometimes you don't question things when you don't realize there is a question.

Thank you. That's exactly it. The email I received just said seats were not assigned for Southwest, so I figured everyone just showed up and cooperatively figured out seats as they boarded. I didn't realize there was A, B, and C boarding until boarding actually started. And I actually had no idea until I read this thread that people paid extra on top of their airfare (which for a family of 5 is already outrageous) to get a specific seat.

It worked out fine for us. We aren't very particular about seating. I didn't care where we sat as long as my little guy could sit next to me.

 

[Couchy]

I love the Southwest system. I get EBCI and get to sit close to the front in an aisle seat just as I prefer.

The FA can't do much about it when the seat belt sign is on and neither could the mom. I hope you never need help or a break or whatever you would call it and run into someone such as yourself that doesn't care about anyone but themselves. Not changing seats to help someone else out is just silly.

I have many unseen reasons for needing my seat where it is. To the common eye I look like your average adult with no complications. Don't judge me because I won't give up my seat that I paid extra for. Even if I did not pay extra I have chosen the seat I am in for a reason.