SW boarding position - panicking!

[Bernie23]

It actually does make sense. Fine, forget the three year old and insert anxious seven year old. Whatever.

The fact is that if EVERYONE buys EBCI, EBCI becomes worthless. Also, "buy your tickets super early" is also kind of crazy because life doesn't work that way. And, of course, my favourite argument...."use an airline that guarantees your seats". Okay, sounds good. Except, if EVERYONE with kids stops flying SW, SW goes out of business.

So, you know, we need to all get out of the me first mindset and do what's right. If you would be honestly fine with a seven year old crying because they can't sit with their parents, I guess there is nothing else to say. Best of luck on your future endeavors.

Also, no one answered. Many people said they paid for EBCI and therefore wouldn't move. Okay then, would you move for someone who also bought EBCI? If it's "not fair"?

 

[Bernie23]

If you look at my post that you quoted, you will see that I stated I pay for EBCI so that I can have the seat that I NEED. And I have no intention of discussing my needs any more than to say I have a medical condition.
The fact that EBCI does not guarantee a seat is why I seldom fly SW. I usually fly Jet Blue.
But no, I am not giving up the seat I need for a mother and her 3 year old.

And if EBCI doesn't get you the seat you NEED? Wouldn't it be nice if someone were to move for you? Imagine. What a world.

 

[Hopefully]

And if EBCI doesn't get you the seat you NEED? Wouldn't it be nice if someone were to move for you? Imagine. What a world.

As I stated, I take care of my own NEEDs by seldom booking SW.
I don't believe I am entitled to expect anyone to move for me.
What a thought!!

 

[Bernie23]

As I stated, I take care of my own NEEDs by seldom booking SW.
I don't believe I am entitled to expect anyone to move for me.
What a thought!!

Lol. It's not entitlement. I don't expect anyone to move for me, but I would move for others. I don't think my $15 early check in entitles me to not care about my fellow citizens. Like I said, YMMV

 

[nkereina]

It actually does make sense. Fine, forget the three year old and insert anxious seven year old. Whatever.

The fact is that if EVERYONE buys EBCI, EBCI becomes worthless. Also, "buy your tickets super early" is also kind of crazy because life doesn't work that way. And, of course, my favourite argument...."use an airline that guarantees your seats". Okay, sounds good. Except, if EVERYONE with kids stops flying SW, SW goes out of business.

So, you know, we need to all get out of the me first mindset and do what's right. If you would be honestly fine with a seven year old crying because they can't sit with their parents, I guess there is nothing else to say. Best of luck on your future endeavors.

Also, no one answered. Many people said they paid for EBCI and therefore wouldn't move. Okay then, would you move for someone who also bought EBCI? If it's "not fair"?

It's a moot point because I would imagine it's extremely rare, if ever, that every single person on the plane has purchased EBCI. I understand that life happens and you can't always book early, so in that case, another airline may be your best bet IF you truly can't be separate from whomever you're traveling with the duration of the flight. Most people could handle being separated, but many just don't want to. And that's fine, but just don't ask me to move my seat.

Your hypotheticals can't be likened to real-life scenarios because people with kids will always fly Southwest. But they know before booking their flight that there is a possibility they may not be able to sit with their child or traveling companion. If they choose to run the risk and book it anyway, I don't see how that's anyone else's problem. Someone who this is a real problem for has several other options, as discussed.

Lastly, I can't picture a scenario where I would be asked to move for someone else who has paid for EBCI. Most people who book EBCI will have their choice of seat, and even those in the latter half of the EBCI group should still be able to find seats adjacent or across the aisle - something that's acceptable.

 

[erc]

Wow. I will go sit on the on-board toilet if it means a mother and her child can sit together. When I fly alone I am almost always the first to volunteer to help a family sit together, because I am hoping that some of that will come back to me when my whole family is flying together.

 

[nkereina]

Wow. I will go sit on the on-board toilet if it means a mother and her child can sit together. When I fly alone I am almost always the first to volunteer to help a family sit together, because I am hoping that some of that will come back to me when my whole family is flying together.

That is your personal decision, which is fine. It does not mean those of us who won't move are wrong. We all have different needs and thoughts on it. Moving or not moving is not a SW rule, so everything on this topic is just opinion. No right or wrong.

 

[LilyWDW]

I'm another that won't move if I am asked to do so if I have a seat that works best for me. This is due to medical reasons. Why should I have to explain that to someone? Why isn't "Sorry, no can do." good enough?

And just because you will move doesn't mean you are "better" then someone who will not.

How about we just stop judging those who don't give up their seats?

 

[erc]

There are 3 pages of posts on this thread. Don't assume that my comments are directed at you personally, or that they communicate anything more than my personal feelings about airplane seating situations. I have and always will give up my seat on a plane, a bus, a subway to those who could be convenienced by my action. I am thankful to be fit and healthy enough to do that. Someday I may not be, and hope to encounter someone like myself who will return the favor.

 

[KrazeeK120]

It actually does make sense. Fine, forget the three year old and insert anxious seven year old. Whatever.

The fact is that if EVERYONE buys EBCI, EBCI becomes worthless. Also, "buy your tickets super early" is also kind of crazy because life doesn't work that way. And, of course, my favourite argument...."use an airline that guarantees your seats". Okay, sounds good. Except, if EVERYONE with kids stops flying SW, SW goes out of business.

So, you know, we need to all get out of the me first mindset and do what's right. If you would be honestly fine with a seven year old crying because they can't sit with their parents, I guess there is nothing else to say. Best of luck on your future endeavors.

Also, no one answered. Many people said they paid for EBCI and therefore wouldn't move. Okay then, would you move for someone who also bought EBCI? If it's "not fair"?

Well, a 3 year old and a 7 year old are different. One qualifies for family boarding (which is as close as you can get to guaranteed seats together without a A boarding position) while the other does not.

Have you ever heard of someone who purchased EBCI not getting at least 2 seats together (outside of the instance of a late connecting flight)? From everything I've seen on the subject, there are enough people willing to take the gamble and not purchase it that those who do end up together (or at least find 2 seats together). If you know otherwise, please share.

The thing is, I'm going to take care of my and my family's needs, and THEN I will help other people. I mentioned upthread, but I get anxious when I feel trapped on an airplane. I am most comfortable in an aisle seat. I'm not going to move to a middle seat and be uncomfortable throughout the flight, even if it's for a 7 year old. There would be no reason for me to purchase EBCI if I would truly be satisfied with any seat on the plane. If there is an aisle seat further back and someone wanted my seat, yes I would switch.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Talk me down! I checked in to the minute at the 24 hour mark for a Wednesday morning flight out of Portland Oregon. There are only two of us flying and we are B-29 and B-33. I'm feeling completely panicked that I won't be able to sit with DS. I've never flown Southwest before and am hoping that I am wrong. Are people pretty friendly and accommodating to allow people traveling together to sit together?

You will likely be fine. Most others have suggested opting to head towards the back and I would suggest that as well.

As far as friendly and accommodating to allow people traveling together to sit together using the words "friendly" and "accommodating" is probably not the best. The reason is with a poilcy where there is open seating "friendly" and "accommodating" do not really belong. It isn't (Edited to remove word that didn't make sense)wrong for a person to pick a seat wherever they pick it so it doesn't make the person not friendly and not accommodating should they choose not to move seats around. I really don't think though you were looking for debates on that aspect when you posted but I'm just providing my perspective.

FWIW I almost exclusively fly SWA and I actually prefer the open seating (that's just me though). I've found that with other airlines assigned seating comes with it's own anxiety..mostly because of boarding processes, concerns with the type of plane getting changed which then can change where I selected my seats, and overhead bin space (which to be fair is a concern on many airlines).

 

[tjmw2727]

These threads come up every so often and it makes me more watchful when I travel which unfortunately is at least once a month. When I am traveling alone I tend to people watch.

So when I post on the boards it is to let folks know my experience and how best to take care of themselves and their family - how to be proactive. That would include knowing what you bought -ie - how much seat assignments cost or what EBCI is, how much that costs and what you need/want for your family. Now that many airlines are "unbundling" you do have to pay for what you want/need, this includes checked bags, carryon bags, seating and meals. So call me a doomsayer but I do advise knowing what you bought and paying for what you think is important.

In the OP's situation she has had success when booking a fare on SWA and checking in at T24 so I felt that she was aware about her choices and don't blame her for not purchasing EBCI. I would imagine now that her son is above 6 and not eligible for family boarding she may make a different selection next time (or for her return flight).

TBH - there have been flights when I have moved to help accommodate someone and flights when I have not - I won't go into detail as the circumstances were different in all cases.

When I watch a family roaming around the gate area, coming and going and despite having children who are obviously young enough to board with family boarding choose to board last instead I probably won't move. As our moderator has stated in prior posts- they had that privilege and decided not to board.

So when I post advice it will always be to take care of your needs/wants as best you can yourself, do your research to see if you can meet your needs in advance and not hope for the kindness of strangers. In addition if there is someone who is hesitant to move for you be mindful that hey may have good reason for not doing so. Two Way Street

OP - I hope you had a safe flight and are having a fabulous time on your trip.

 

[Cloudy]

You ll likely b just fine OP!
For future, do the auto ck in and take the worry away!
Safe travels n enjoy!!

Is auto check in still available? It looks like they were all shut down to me.

 

[FCDub]

Is auto check in still available? It looks like they were all shut down to me.

This poster is likely referring to Early Bird Check In.

 

[erc]

In the OP's situation she has had success when booking a fare on SWA and checking in at T24 so I felt that she was aware about her choices and don't blame her for not purchasing EBCI. I would imagine now that her son is above 6 and not eligible for family boarding she may make a different selection next time (or for her return flight).

So from reading this thread and posts like this I thought I would look into EBCI, and mentioned it to a relative who told me she stopped purchasing it because she would always board and find that one person from a group of travelers would pay for EBCI and then throw their belongings in every seat they wanted to save for the rest of their party who was boarding later and did not purchase EBCI. That would be pretty annoying if someone goes to the expense of purchasing it for their entire party and the advantage is nullified by the cheaters. Does this happen often?

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

So from reading this thread and posts like this I thought I would look into EBCI, and mentioned it to a relative who told me she stopped purchasing it because she would always board and find that one person from a group of travelers would pay for EBCI and then throw their belongings in every seat they wanted to save for the rest of their party who was boarding later and did not purchase EBCI. That would be pretty annoying if someone goes to the expense of purchasing it for their entire party and the advantage is nullified by the cheaters. Does this happen often?

Technically SWA does not have a policy regarding seat saving so it wouldn't be cheating perse.

As far as your relative it's interesting that they stopped purchasing it because of other people for the reason they gave.

I can see a person being upset to find seats saved but this is just my opinion which obviously may not match others but I can't see using my choice of not purchasing EBCI because of other people saving seats:

1) That may or may not happen on every flight

2) Most I usually see is 1-2 seats saved..that's just my experience. SWA is a 3X3 seating configuration.

3) Without EBCI you will be put behind in boarding positions from others which could potentially limit the available seats on the plane once you actually board. I get the logic of not wanting to pay $30 RT for it but without it you're further back in the line so then not purchasing EBCI because you fear people will save seats..it doesn't quite make as much sense in my mind.

 

[tjmw2727]

So from reading this thread and posts like this I thought I would look into EBCI, and mentioned it to a relative who told me she stopped purchasing it because she would always board and find that one person from a group of travelers would pay for EBCI and then throw their belongings in every seat they wanted to save for the rest of their party who was boarding later and did not purchase EBCI. That would be pretty annoying if someone goes to the expense of purchasing it for their entire party and the advantage is nullified by the cheaters. Does this happen often?

I have seen it a few times but usually just a seat here and there and always beside the person saving it. Technically you could hand the belongings back to the owner and sit in any seat you want that doesn't already have a person in it and the FA won't intervene either way.

I don't like seat saving and won't do it but I don't think it completely nullifies the value of EBCI. You are still boarding in the first 60 slots and the aircraft has 134 +/- seats so the chances of finding desirable seats are still much greater than someone in B or C group who boards after 90 or more passengers.

 

[FCDub]

I have seen it a few times but usually just a seat here and there and always beside the person saving it. Technically you could hand the belongings back to the owner and sit in any seat you want that doesn't already have a person in it and the FA won't intervene either way.

I don't like seat saving and won't do it but I don't think it completely nullifies the value of EBCI. You are still boarding in the first 60 slots and the aircraft has 134 +/- seats so the chances of finding desirable seats are still much greater than someone in B or C group who boards after 90 or more passengers.

EBCI doesn't guarantee you an A boarding pass, so unfortunately even with EBCI you might end up boarding in B, after family boarding too!

 

[adisneyaunt]

OP. If u are no longer able to get the Early Board add on, it's likely closed out. They only issue a certain number of them.
( in the future or ur return, just add it and ease ur mind)

Honestly tho, try not to stress it now.. as there's no way to change ..what is, is.
I strongly believe you will be just fine!

Have a Great flight and a Magical time at Disney.
Pixie Dust ur way

By the way..I've been on 2 flights where the SW staff has asked people to remove their bags/backpacks from chairs and announce there is no saving of seats.
I guess it's hit/miss. personally think it is rude but I understand.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

By the way..I've been on 2 flights where the SW staff has asked people to remove their bags/backpacks from chairs and announce there is no saving of seats.
I guess it's hit/miss. personally think it is rude but I understand.

It isn't in their policy so if you encounter it (meaning FAs say no saving seats) it's an individual flight or flight attendant issue rather than a company-wide policy.

Just about every flight I've been on there have been seats saved (sometimes just one or two people doing the saving of the seats in the entire flight of people) but it's rare that it's more than one or two seats for a given person doing the saving.