Southwest!!!

[hsmamato2]

...nothing negative to report... no crazy seat saving,no one trying to board ahead of their pass numbers,everyone quiet and well behaved(even that baby sitting next to me!) You'd think from all these many posts and fears, it would be a complete madhouse! In fact,the long line to check in our luggage on Sunday was the worst thing we encountered. The security lines,no issues, the security stuff,no problems,(though my rolled down socks took a moment to get past) so...to all of you who read these boards,and feel terrified, please be aware that for the most part, air travel is NOT the horrifying experience you might think. Yes, we checked in at 24 hour mark,yes,we purchased ECB for the flight back due to being busy on vacation,yes, we all found seats.

 

[DVC California]

This is a DIScussion forum and you have given us absolutely nothing to gripe about...not even a peanut allergy!

Good Job!

Happy Thanksgiving

 

[DVC-Don]

I fly Southwest several times a year and rarely see anything like what I read about on here. Only once did we get split up and that was out of Las Vegas when we were at the very back of the C group back in 2004. Our kids were 12 & 13 and there were no problems.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I agree. We have flown SWA several times per year since they first came to Philly in 2005. We've always gotten seats together with our 2 kids, whether we buy EBCI or not, without much effort.

Some posters put down SWA and refer to it as cattle calling but I find it a quite civilized line up compared to USAirways process with so many people hovering near the end of the line waiting to pounce (on a reserved seat!) There's so much crowding at the end of the line, it's hard to tell who's just standing around and who is last in line. It's ridiculous.

Give me SWA and their free luggage & change policies any day.

I also love my SWA cc.

 

[pigletto]

We've flown with Southwest many times and never had an issue. I don't doubt that it happens, we've just never experienced anything unpleasant and have zero issues with the boarding procedures.

 

[tigger@play]

Just flew Southwest yesterday - CA to TN. We thought it was going to be crazy given the holiday. Actually quite the opposite! One of the best flight experiences we've had. Boarding was orderly, flight left ahead of schedule (both times) and arrived ahead of schedule.

 

[Groomer Gal]

Super happy to hear all of this!

First SW flight to MCO next week!

Thanks for sharing!

 

[goofy4tink]

Like others, I find the boarding process with SW much less chaotic than other airlines. I hate the huge crowd hovering around the jetway entrance.

 

[CarolMN]

....(snip).....compared to USAirways process with so many people hovering near the end of the line waiting to pounce (on a reserved seat!) .........

It's not the seat they're worried about - it's the overhead space for their overstuffed carry-on!

I agree with you about SWA. Much prefer their process (and free checked bags) to that of the legacy carriers. I've never had a heavy bag dropped on my head when boarding or getting off of a SW flight. Can't say the same for the carriers charge a fee for checked bags!

 

[sam_gordon]

It's not the seat they're worried about - it's the overhead space for their overstuffed carry-on!

I agree with you about SWA. Much prefer their process (and free checked bags) to that of the legacy carriers. I've never had a heavy bag dropped on my head when boarding or getting off of a SW flight. Can't say the same for the carriers charge a fee for checked bags!

I've never had a heavy bag dropped on my head when flying a legacy carrier.

 

[pamjb]

I agree. We have flown SWA several times per year since they first came to Philly in 2005. We've always gotten seats together with our 2 kids, whether we buy EBCI or not, without much effort. Some posters put down SWA and refer to it as cattle calling but I find it a quite civilized line up compared to USAirways process with so many people hovering near the end of the line waiting to pounce (on a reserved seat!) There's so much crowding at the end of the line, it's hard to tell who's just standing around and who is last in line. It's ridiculous. Give me SWA and their free luggage & change policies any day. I also love my SWA cc.

I am totally with you.........

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

It's not the seat they're worried about - it's the overhead space for their overstuffed carry-on!

I agree with you about SWA. Much prefer their process (and free checked bags) to that of the legacy carriers. I've never had a heavy bag dropped on my head when boarding or getting off of a SW flight. Can't say the same for the carriers charge a fee for checked bags!

I gate check my carry ons for free so I don't have to stress over & cram overhead bins.

 

[goofy4tink]

I've never had a heavy bag dropped on my head when flying a legacy carrier.

I've had one bounced off my shoulder! And there was a Jetblue flight where I saw a poor little old lady get a huge carry on bag dropped on her! She was quietly sitting in her aisle seat, not bothering anyone. Then, a woman came along and opened the bin to get her bag..it was huge. She struggled to get it free and then it just fell on that poor old lady's head! Her head was cut....and the thing that surprised me? The FA really didn't seem all that concerned. Now, perhaps something was done for the woman when we landed.
If you have to push and shove in order to get your bag in that bin? It doesn't fit, so gate check it!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I've had one bounced off my shoulder! And there was a Jetblue flight where I saw a poor little old lady get a huge carry on bag dropped on her! She was quietly sitting in her aisle seat, not bothering anyone. Then, a woman came along and opened the bin to get her bag..it was huge. She struggled to get it free and then it just fell on that poor old lady's head! Her head was cut....and the thing that surprised me? The FA really didn't seem all that concerned. Now, perhaps something was done for the woman when we landed.
If you have to push and shove in order to get your bag in that bin? It doesn't fit, so gate check it!

and if someone can't raise it over their head when finished packing it, one shouldn't carry it on.

 

[Skyhawk341]

No problems here, either. Checked in at T-24 without EBCI, and got A48, 49, and 50. No line jumpers, seat savers, or overstuffed overheads. Flight on 11/22 was almost full, except for a couple empty seats. Free checked luggage wasn't lost. Flight back on Thanksgiving Day was just as uneventful; RAC took care of our checked luggage at POR, we got A23, 24, and 25 at T-24 (again without EBCI), the plane was way less than half full, and because it was Thanksgiving, Southwest offered one free adult beverage for those who wanted one. All told, it was a very pleasant, stress-free experience.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

I'm glad I came across this thread. We are considering flying Southwest next year. I have never flown this airline before. What are the major differences? I don't know what "EBCI" is. Do you choose your seat assignment when you buy your ticket on line? Can we sit together? We're a family of three with an eight year old daughter. If you go with the cheapest ticket, is that a good idea? Their prices do seem a lot better but I'm wondering if they are a lot of hidden costs?

 

[DonnaL]

EBCI stands for "Early Bird Check-in" which is essentially paying to allow the airline to check you in at the earliest opportunity for your flight, rather than making sure you are available to do your own check-in at 24 hours before your flight. Southwest does not have assigned seating, just A, B, or C groups which you will be assigned when you check-in or or if purchasing EBCI when SWA does your check-in for you, which in most cases will give you A group seating.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Also, within each boarding group, each BP is assigned a number like A27. The numbers are assigned at check-in, in the same order that people checked in up to 60. So if you wait too long past the 24 hr mark (aka T-24) you will end up the C group.
A1-60
B1-60
C1-completion.
At boarding, passengers line up in numerical order. It's ok to ask people their number to determine if you should be in front of, or behind them.
Paying for Early Bird check in means SW will check you in at T-36 so you're likely to get a better boarding position.

We've had mid-B's once when I totally forgot to check us in at Niagara Falls and still had no trouble whatsoever finding 4 seats together. I find EBCI especially convenient while on a cruise so I don't have to pay high rates for internet at sea.

It all sounds complicated at first but once you do it, it's pretty simple.
There's no catch to their lower prices. Sometimes they are the lowest, sometimes they aren't. They do allow 2 free bags under 50 lbs. per passenger. Also there are no change fees so it's nice if you change your mind 2 months after booking and decide to fly down the night before, just change online to the new flight. Pay extra if it's more, or have a credit if it's less.
Another thing I like about them is that once they publish their schedule, it rarely changes except for weather or mechanical issues. None of this crap you read how your non-stop flight changed and now you have a 2 hr connection.
Their credit card is awesome & their FAs are funny too.

btw, I always buy the cheapest fare. It's non refundable but if you have to cancel you have a year from original purchase date to use the funds and that can easily be done online.

 

[stitchlovestink]

and if someone can't raise it over their head when finished packing it, one shouldn't carry it on.

Well technically, I'm not supposed to lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk. So I shouldn't bring a carryon suitcase on board since I'm not capable of lifting it? Sorry but I need my carry on bag just as much as everyone else.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Well technically, I'm not supposed to lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk. So I shouldn't bring a carryon suitcase on board since I'm not capable of lifting it? Sorry but I need my carry on bag just as much as everyone else.

If you're able to lift it on your own that's fine. Whether you're "supposed" to is between you and your doctor. If you're going to stand there and expect someone else to lift it for you because it's too heavy, you should check the bag. jmho.

And btw, I don't need my carry on at all. I keep a very small bag with meds, valuables/electronics and inflight entertainment that easily fits under the seat in front of me. If I don't want to pay a 2nd bag fee (when flying USAirways), I gate check my wheeled carry on but I'm careful not to pack anything in there that shouldn't be checked.