SW boarding group micro rant

[Kazi7]

We fly to MCO frequently on SW and generally everyone lines up in the correct order without any fuss. Last week we had B11 and B12. When we got to the B11-15 bay there were several people there. We said, "We are B11 and 12, should we be in front of you or behind you?" Everyone said their number and we sorted accordingly except a middle-aged couple who said something like "Oh we don't know what our number is" and acted like they were confused. I told them to look at their boarding passes, and the wife reluctantly pulled hers up. She had B22. The husband didn't say his number. I gave them the benefit of the doubt that they were inexperienced, but I "helpfully" said, "You are a couple of bays down". They both kind of shrugged and said "Oh well, it's not a big deal. We're all going to the same place." They didn't move, but at least they let us go before them. SMH

 

[focusondisney]

We fly to MCO frequently on SW and generally everyone lines up in the correct order without any fuss. Last week we had B11 and B12. When we got to the B11-15 bay there were several people there. We said, "We are B11 and 12, should we be in front of you or behind you?" Everyone said their number and we sorted accordingly except a middle-aged couple who said something like "Oh we don't know what our number is" and acted like they were confused. I told them to look at their boarding passes, and the wife reluctantly pulled hers up. She had B22. The husband didn't say his number. I gave them the benefit of the doubt that they were inexperienced, but I "helpfully" said, "You are a couple of bays down". They both kind of shrugged and said "Oh well, it's not a big deal. We're all going to the same place." They didn't move, but at least they let us go before them. SMH

Would have annoyed the heck out of me too.

 

[midwestdee]

I agree, I would rant too. Some people are just jerks. For some situations, you just have to hope Karma kicks in.

 

[FCDub]

A Disney ice queen sings a famous line about what to do here.

 

[Kazi7]

Haha yes. They stayed behind us so it didn’t affect us but still…just annoying.

 

[chicagodisneyguy]

A Disney ice queen sings a famous line about what to do here.

While I agree in theory that two people in front of me doesn't make a difference, I 100% would have called them out and not allowed them in front of us. Honestly, if we thought they were gaming the system....hubby and I would have probably made a mini scene....calling them out and hopefully getting them moved to where their boarding group place was

I'm as liberal as it gets....but in that belief I am a great believer that rules are in place for the greater good and people need to follow them. People that think they are better than the rules in place just makes me mad. How many stories do we see in the news of people getting called out by and airline employee or cast member and then acting like a spoiled 8yr old? Screaming, yelling, or turning to physical violence?

While the OPs account was nothing hugely egregious....they knew what they were doing. They are the same people that then land in Orlando and cut ride lines or lie to get DAS.

While I am then last person who would ever be chosen for morality police duty....I am the first to call someone out if I think they are trying to game the system and screw others over. Honestly, people that are cool doing it....the only way to really stop them from continuing is to embarrass and humiliate them. It's like a morality spray bottle to a dog

 

[FCDub]

While I agree in theory that two people in front of me doesn't make a difference, I 100% would have called them out and not allowed them in front of us. Honestly, if we thought they were gaming the system....hubby and I would have probably made a mini scene....calling them out and hopefully getting them moved to where their boarding group place was

I'm as liberal as it gets....but in that belief I am a great believer that rules are in place for the greater good and people need to follow them. People that think they are better than the rules in place just makes me mad. How many stories do we see in the news of people getting called out by and airline employee or cast member and then acting like a spoiled 8yr old? Screaming, yelling, or turning to physical violence?

While the OPs account was nothing hugely egregious....they knew what they were doing. They are the same people that then land in Orlando and cut ride lines or lie to get DAS.

While I am then last person who would ever be chosen for morality police duty....I am the first to call someone out if I think they are trying to game the system and screw others over. Honestly, people that are cool doing it....the only way to really stop them from continuing is to embarrass and humiliate them. It's like a morality spray bottle to a dog

This is the type of thing you forget about 20 seconds after it happens. Not still dwelling on a week later.

 

[snikki]

We fly to MCO frequently on SW and generally everyone lines up in the correct order without any fuss. Last week we had B11 and B12. When we got to the B11-15 bay there were several people there. We said, "We are B11 and 12, should we be in front of you or behind you?" Everyone said their number and we sorted accordingly except a middle-aged couple who said something like "Oh we don't know what our number is" and acted like they were confused. I told them to look at their boarding passes, and the wife reluctantly pulled hers up. She had B22. The husband didn't say his number. I gave them the benefit of the doubt that they were inexperienced, but I "helpfully" said, "You are a couple of bays down". They both kind of shrugged and said "Oh well, it's not a big deal. We're all going to the same place." They didn't move, but at least they let us go before them. SMH

Anytime I have flown SW we have never sorted according to number. If we were B11-15 we would just go to that bay and stand Never occurred to me to ask and never had anyone ask. That’s a first and we flew them for many years.

 

[DCJ]

Hate the Southwest boarding. 15 flights or so with them, I would say about 25% the is an @$#%$ who trys to pull something. Last year, we had an ugly issue in front of us with someone trying to board ahead of their position. The couple in front of us called them out and the lady got nasty. We backed up the the couple and tried to explain but the lady was clearly aware of how it worked and was playing dumb so we jumped in front of them and told them just follow the procedure.
Southwest makes it so easy to rebook with points, etc, but lately have been spending more flying American to avoid the bs.

And the seat saving crowd....

 

[georgina]

Anytime I have flown SW we have never sorted according to number. If we were B11-15 we would just go to that bay and stand Never occurred to me to ask and never had anyone ask. That’s a first and we flew them for many years.

My experience is the opposite. People almost always ask what number we are and sort in order. I'm often solo but still have been brought up a rule follower!

 

[mrsstats79]

I would have been annoyed to and I know my DH would not have let them in from of him. We follow the rules. He won't even allow me to buy 1 EBCI and safe a seat.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Anytime I have flown SW we have never sorted according to number. If we were B11-15 we would just go to that bay and stand Never occurred to me to ask and never had anyone ask. That’s a first and we flew them for many years.

It's pretty much something that occurs in all the flights I've been on and for my husband. Most people say it in sorta a casual way or they end up looking at the boarding pass (most often on the phone in a discrete way). People ask or ensure they are standing in their correct order to be considerate of others and the process.

 

[Woodview]

Your Seat Number is on your Boarding Card & That is your assigned seat .

If someone is in it ..... Tough Move out Please & go to Your proper seat

 

[FCDub]

Your Seat Number is on your Boarding Card & That is your assigned seat .

If someone is in it ..... Tough Move out Please & go to Your proper seat

There are no assigned seats on Southwest, so no one can be "in" "your assigned seat."

 

[Woodview]

FCDub Please Explain HOW the Poster Had B 11 & B 12

 

[FCDub]

FCDub Please Explain HOW the Poster Had B 11 & B 12

Those are not seat assignments. Those are the order you board the plane, and from there you are free to take any unoccupied seat.

I can see how this can be confusing, as Southwest is the only American airline I know of that doesn't have assigned seats. Much different process than what I assume the UK uses.

 

[focusondisney]

My experience is the opposite. People almost always ask what number we are and sort in order. I'm often solo but still have been brought up a rule follower!

Same for me. And BS that anyone doesn’t know you line up in numeric order. The gate agents even specify it when they explain the boarding process. We just got back last weekend & I remember them specifically saying “in numeric order” at both airports.

 

[snikki]

My experience is the opposite. People almost always ask what number we are and sort in order. I'm often solo but still have been brought up a rule follower!

It’s been a few years since I’ve flown SW. I would have no issues if someone asked me what number I was so we could stand in order in our bay. I just don’t ever remember it happening. Maybe the four people in my area didn’t care? Lol. Idk. And I just assumed they were meant to be in that bay and not trying to skip spots or bays which isn’t cool. We always paid for early bird too so were pretty far up.

 

[mikehn]

Im a SW veteran, but 15, 20, 22, 30 aint no biggie to me if someone slips in front of me. Splitting hairs to me. Things are stressful enough.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

It’s been a few years since I’ve flown SW. I would have no issues if someone asked me what number I was so we could stand in order in our bay. I just don’t ever remember it happening. Maybe the four people in my area didn’t care? Lol. Idk. And I just assumed they were meant to be in that bay and not trying to skip spots or bays which isn’t cool. We always paid for early bird too so were pretty far up.

I always feel like I should ask their number before we step in front of others. It just feels like the right thing to do.