Southwest- I don't get it!

[The Warden]

We were on a trip to DC this summer and could not print our boarding passes on the way back. We left EXTRA early to get to the airport early but ran into some major accidents. Arrived just in time for the flight and got "C" boarding passes. We were just about the last people in line and still got the last three seats together in the back of the plane. If you print off your passes at home you do not have to worry and by getting to the airport early you are guaranteed to sit together! We also had one flight where a family with 2 young children, probably 5 & 8 who boarded at the last minute. They asked for volunteers and said we weren't going anywhere until the kids had a place to sit with their mother.

 

[owtrbnks]

Of course the following is JMHO:
OMG! You guys are worrying too much![/B]
1. The plane holds 137 not 134 as prevously posted. Even if the flight is completely sold out:
2. If you board last with the A group there are still 90 seats left. With 45 groups of 3 seats and 1 group of 2 seats it is easy to see that you will all sit together.
3. If you board last with the B group there are still 45 empty seats. Although you may not get 2 consecutive rows with 3 empty seats, it will be easy to find 2 or 3 seats next to each other throughout the aircraft.
(For example: Mom and 2 kiddies may sit next to each other in row 17 and Dad and 1 kiddie may have to sit next to each other in row 21.)
4. If you board in the C group - there will be many single (READ: MIDDLE) seats and a few aisles and windows. Just ask a single traveler if they'd mind moving so you and your kiddie can sit together! If you're too scared to ask someone the flight attendant will do it if you ask them nicely.
5. For the price - I ALWAYS FLY SWA!!!
6. The front desk at WDW resorts will print your boarding passes 24 or less hours before your flight home - Just ask nicely!
7. Many times the flight is not sold out so you are worring for nothing. I've flown SWA many times when the plane was half full. Most people could have their own row!
8. Finally - Worst case - you actually have to sit (like stated above 3 in one row and 2 in another row) you're still one the same plane and will get there at the same time with more money to give the Mouse!
SWA is #1

 

[DonnaL]

We have flown SWA several times since they arrived at PHL in 5/03. We drive 2 hours to get there, even though we have a local airport less than 2 miles away from our home. We do this for several reasons, direct flights, low cost flights, and terrific service. Our local airport is serviced by Delta and USAir to MCO, but, no direct flights and it takes about 7 hours to get there with transfers and the cost is about triple or more than the prices I've gotten from SWA. The number in our party varies from two people (DH and I) to six of us... DH, 2 DS"S (both adults), 1 DD (also adult) and DGS (age 4) and myself. We have never had a problem getting seats together. Granted DGS is only 4 and my daughter has preboarded with him, but, the rest of us have not been able to preboard and still got seats with them (no she didn't save them). So, at least in my personal experience, I feel way too much emphasis is placed on the boarding process of SWA. The service we have received from SWA has far exceeded the service we have received in the past from other airlines. I have yet to encounter a nasty gate agent as I have on many other occasions with other airlines!! Another feature about SWA is the fact they will give you credit for a future flight if the price of your fare goes down AFTER your initial purchase date. For this reason, I purchase the lowest fare possible AS SOON AS our dates are released and then keep checking on a daily basis for any sale fares released. There are four of us flying round trip from PHL to MCO 12/10 thru 12/17 for a total of $467.60. When I initially purchased those tickets the price was $707.60. So, we now have a credit with SW for $240.00 for our next trip Try to get THAT from another airline. Also, if you need to change your flights for any reason there is no charge for that, unless of course the new flight doesn't have any seats for same fare. Again, try to get that from any other airline. So, my family and I will continue to fly SWA even with their "cattle call" boarding because to me the pros far outweigh the cons.

 

[Pinnie]

Of course the following is JMHO:
OMG! You guys are worrying too much![/B]
1. The plane holds 137 not 134 as prevously posted. Even if the flight is completely sold out:
2. If you board last with the A group there are still 90 seats left. With 45 groups of 3 seats and 1 group of 2 seats it is easy to see that you will all sit together.
3. If you board last with the B group there are still 45 empty seats. Although you may not get 2 consecutive rows with 3 empty seats, it will be easy to find 2 or 3 seats next to each other throughout the aircraft.
(For example: Mom and 2 kiddies may sit next to each other in row 17 and Dad and 1 kiddie may have to sit next to each other in row 21.)
4. If you board in the C group - there will be many single (READ: MIDDLE) seats and a few aisles and windows. Just ask a single traveler if they'd mind moving so you and your kiddie can sit together! If you're too scared to ask someone the flight attendant will do it if you ask them nicely.
5. For the price - I ALWAYS FLY SWA!!!
6. The front desk at WDW resorts will print your boarding passes 24 or less hours before your flight home - Just ask nicely!
7. Many times the flight is not sold out so you are worring for nothing. I've flown SWA many times when the plane was half full. Most people could have their own row!
8. Finally - Worst case - you actually have to sit (like stated above 3 in one row and 2 in another row) you're still one the same plane and will get there at the same time with more money to give the Mouse!
SWA is #1

Only flaw with #2 and #3 is that if you are boarding a plane that originated at another airport. For instance, my DTW to MCO flight originates in Detroit, we stop over at MDW, pax from DTW stay on and pax from MDW get on. We procede to BNA. Pax continuing from DTW and MDW stay on. The plane could be half full when you get on at BNA with continuing passengers to MCO.

pinnie

 

[DrTomorrow]

Pinnie is correct - we have the same issue flying home to PHX from MCO. Our flight originates in (I think) Ft Lauderdale and most of the passengers are continuing on to PHX. We were once about 15 people back from the head of the 'A' line and we got one of the last 'two together' seats. Now I'm camped in line regardless of A B or C.

 

[DonnaL]

I try to get a heads up on the flights we're taking before I book.....for instance I know some flights through PHL originate through Providence, RI and also some flights from PHL stop at Raleigh/Durham, NC on the way to MCO and I think some on return. So I go on the website before I book to see if I can determine which of the daily flights have originated elsewhere. Sometimes it's easy to do.....others a little more difficult, especially if SWA is in the process of adding/reducing flights or picking up another airport. I try if I can to avoid those flights just because they tend to be 100 % or more booked.

 

[SAWYERMAW1]

I love flying SWA. We've never had any trouble sitting together and we usually travel with at least 6.