SW Boarding - Can Adult Boarding 1st save seats in row for kids?

[lpandorf]

We are leaving tomorrow morning on Southwest Just checked in online. I have position B8. I have two children also going who have B24 and B27. They are 10 and 14 so very much old enough to stand in line alone and sit alone, if necessary. We would like to be all together, if possible. If there are three seats together when I get on or even two together, am I allowed to take the three together and hold them for my kids who will be further back in the line?
Thanks!

 

[bumbershoot]

Officially there's no rule.

That means you can tell people you are holding the seats, and the flight attendants won't scold you.

It also means that someone can ignore your wish to hold seats, sit down, and the flight attendants won't scold them.

Doing what you're talking about isn't my personal style. I'd ignore my B8 and go back to B27.5 and board with the family.

 

[LisaS]

Officially Southwest has "no policy" on seat saving. In other words, you can try to save seats but other passengers are welcome to take those seats if they want them. If you are going to attempt this, go to the back of the plane. If you try to save seats up front, I believe you will have a greater chance of another passenger telling you "tough luck" and sitting down in the seats you are trying to save. By going to the back and saving less desirable seats, you will be less likely to have someone plop themselves down in those seats.

Personally I would do what bumbershoot suggests. I would move back in line and all board together at B27.

 

[disney world dreamer]

there should definitely be 3 seats together still available although they may be towards the middle or back of the plane.

yes its perfectly acceptable for you to save the seats.
if someone asks to sit in the same row as you just politely tell them your children are sitting with you and they will completely understand.

nobody wants to sit next to stranger's children if they can avoid it and since you are 3 people flying and there are 3 seats it makes perfect sense for you to sit together.

 

[mb187143]

...if someone asks to sit in the same row as you just politely tell them your children are sitting with you and they will completely understand...

You may like to think so regarding the point above, but not always the case. On my flight on Wednesday night a woman was trying to save two seats for two teenagers traveling with her in row 9 on our flight, and a couple got on who needed to sit near the front to make a tight connection. The woman tried telling them she was saving the seats for her kids (the woman didn't volunteer that they were teenagers, just said "my kids", I noticed their ages when they got on the plane), they didn't care and the flight attendant told the woman that any open seat is open until there's a body in it. One of the teenagers ended up in the middle seat in the row behind her and the other at the back of the plane since they boarded in C group.

I would suggest to the OP either going to the back of the plane to save a row, or boarding with your kids at their spot.

 

[Allison]

yes its perfectly acceptable for you to save the seats.
if someone asks to sit in the same row as you just politely tell them your children are sitting with you and they will completely understand.
.

I really wouldn't speak for other people like that. That may not be the case.

 

[Gracie09]

Personally I would do what bumbershoot suggests. I would move back in line and all board together at B27.

This

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Business travelers are over this. They can and will take your seats.

Flight attendants will not assist.

 

[davedmaine]

there should definitely be 3 seats together still available although they may be towards the middle or back of the plane. yes its perfectly acceptable for you to save the seats. if someone asks to sit in the same row as you just politely tell them your children are sitting with you and they will completely understand. nobody wants to sit next to stranger's children if they can avoid it and since you are 3 people flying and there are 3 seats it makes perfect sense for you to sit together.

No, it's not permissible or acceptable to save seats. You need to purchase early board seating to guarantee seats together

 

[ibob52]

 

[bumbershoot]

No, it's not permissible or acceptable to save seats. You need to purchase early board seating to guarantee seats together

It's permitted to attempt it. It's also permitted to ignore the attempts. They have NO policy. That means they aren't going to get involved.

I personally agree with it being unacceptable, but it IS permissable. To try it at least.

 

[disney world dreamer]

lol are you enjoying the show?
i'm going to refrain from the debate others want to get into with me.

 

[DebbieB]

No, it's not permissible or acceptable to save seats. You need to purchase early board seating to guarantee seats together

Even early bird does not "guarantee" seats together. It just guarantees an earlier boarding position.

If you want to save seats, head to the back.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

The best way to save a seat is to put a Kleenex pack in the seat or a package of cough drops. No one will ask to sit there.

 

[goofy4tink]

Can you? Yes. Should you? Depends. If you, as already suggested, head to the rear of the plane (and I don't mean immediately behind the wing!!), it shouldn't be an issue. There are no rules about saving seats....there should be, but there aren't. But...again, as already mentioned, a flight attendant will not back you up if you are saving seats and someone wants to sit in those seats!!

By heading to the rear of the plane, you are pretty much going to avoid anyone fighting with you about an empty seat.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

The best way to save a seat is to put a Kleenex pack in the seat or a package of cough drops. No one will ask to sit there.

Yes we will. We are also wise to the fake cough.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Yes we will. We are also wise to the fake cough.

I agree - that was a ridiculous suggestion.

Why not avoid all of this seat saving angst and fly an airline with reserved seating?

 

[DebbieB]

I agree - that was a ridiculous suggestion. Why not avoid all of this seat saving angst and fly an airline with reserved seating?

Reserved seating isn't even guaranteed.

Speaking of fake sickness, one time I was on Delta and I was in the window seat and at the last minute a mom with a toddler and lap baby sat next to me, row of 3. She started asking the toddler how she was feeling. I looked around to see if I could find an FA to move, if there were any non middle seats open. Then she said to the toddler what songs are we going to sing. Then I realized she was trying to push me out so that the lap baby could have a seat. That was it, I put my headphones on and closed my eyes.

 

[n2mm]

Wow, you got B spots even after paying for early bird boarding? That is tough. Strange that your boarding numbers are not in sequence. Personally I would just go back and board with the later boarders. I flew out of bwi last month and got A38-39 after buying early birds. I would never not pay for early bird boarding if I was traveling with kids.

 

[Disnydad]

I'm one who has taken a "saved seat" I like an aisle due to IBS and needing to get up for the rest room often and suddenly at times. A elderly woman was saving two seats for her sons but I took the aisle seat anyway. The sons then showed up and they were both in their 40's. They never said a word and took other seats.