SWA backing off from cattle call seating?

[sorchamac]

This morning on NPR I heard a short news report that a certain airline (alas, I didn't catch the name but who else could it be but SWA) stated that they are considering dropping their no assigned seating, because technology has improved enough that they feel they can have assigned seating and still be competitive. I can't find any other reference to this online except here

http://yahoo.reuters.com/financeQuo...tfh46863_2004-10-28_21-04-38_n28499180_newsml

which at the very bottom has this paragraph

Southwest executives told reporters the airline may also bid on some of ATA's newer Boeing Co. (BA.N: Quote, Profile, Research) 737s to complement its fleet and is considering backing away from its long-held policy of not assigning seats.

I know this really isn't big news, but how do the SWA veterans feel about this? Would you prefer assigned seating?

Sorcha

 

[safetymom]

They said it wouldn't be for about a year before they try this. Also it is only a test and it may not last long.

 

[Brian Noble]

Cattle call seating prevents me from even considering flying SWA. With spirit also in my market, I don't need to.

 

[Gary M]

It would be great to have assigned seats on SWA. I really dislike the cattle call seating. I fly ATA when possible because of the seat assignments. I just hope ATA stays in business in Indy.

 

[SStJean]

I don't mind cattle call seating. My family of 4 has to split up anyway because the seats are only 3 across. I take one DD and my wife takes the other. We all get there at the same time, so I don't see an issue.

Now with that said, if SWA can do assigned seats and still offer me $49 tickets from PVD to MCO, I'm not going to complain.

Steve

 

[Alison Wonderland]

I have flown Southwest many times and to me, it would be awesome if Southwest assigned seats!

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-bizsouthwest29102904oct29,1,2329589.story

The Orlando Sentinal had a good article on it in the paper today.

Basically, if they can do it, and maintain 20 minute gate times, they will assign seats. If they cannot maintain 20 minute gate times, it will not happen.

I know I'm in the great minority here, but I personally don't mind the unassigned seating. My family has flown Delta, US Air, United, American, Eastern, Pan Am, People's Express... no matter what, somehow or another, we always got separated. But with Southwest, we always sit together.

Unassigned seating also gives me a better chance of not having a stranger sit next to me on a non-full flight.

I'm the type of person that likes to get to the airport 2hrs before my flight, so I always get an A pass, although one time I did get a B pass. Even then I got the seat that I wanted.

*shrug* Whatever happens, I will still continue to fly Southwest as long as they continue the $49 non-stop MCO/MHT route!

 

[MichDISer]

I'm the type of person that likes to get to the airport 2hrs before my flight, so I always get an A pass, although one time I did get a B pass. Even then I got the seat that I wanted.

Chip 'n Dale Express:
I don't know a whole lot about A pass, B pass, etc.....
but my main concern is that my family gets to sit together.
So are you saying that as long as we get to the airport at least 2 hours early, we should be able to sit together? I actually thought that everyone gets to the airport at least 2 hrs early.
Either way, will they at least let one of our kids (teenagers) sit with each of us since they are minors?
What is an "A" pass? What is the advantage?
Thanks so much.

 

[ducklite]

Ther eis no guarantee that your kids will sit with you. When it's little ones, people will move around for you to get each kid with an adult. But your teenagers, unless they ahve special needs, no, they should have no problem flying without you right next to them, and people will be a lot less likely to move around so teens can sit next to their parents.

My teen has hidden disabilities, and he's still fine sitting alone on a two hour flight.

Anne

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by MichDISer
Chip 'n Dale Express:
I don't know a whole lot about A pass, B pass, etc.....
but my main concern is that my family gets to sit together.
So are you saying that as long as we get to the airport at least 2 hours early, we should be able to sit together? I actually thought that everyone gets to the airport at least 2 hrs early.
Either way, will they at least let one of our kids (teenagers) sit with each of us since they are minors?
What is an "A" pass? What is the advantage?
Thanks so much.

Not everyone gets to the airport as early as they should. With assigned seating, a lot of folks cut it close. At least with Southwest, there's motiviation to get you to that airport and to the gate early. But as shown by "Airline" on A&E, many people still arrive to the airport late.

Southwest divides boarding into 4 groups. Pre-boarders, A, B, and C group. When you check in, your boarding pass will include a letter representing what boarding group you are in. Generally, if you get an A boarding pass, you'll be fine. Even with a B pass, Im sure it would be fine.

If you have 4 people, then your group will have to be split up anyways, since the rows are 3 wide on each side.

 

[dreams91]

That is about the only way I would consider flying them again....good move SWA.

 

[Pinnie]

I'd be for this IF and ONLY IF, the turnaround time remains the same. I have flown many other carriers and just recently was delayed in getting away from the gate because the gate agent assigned a seat to a pax that already had a body in it. By the time it was straightened out, our flight ended up behind a bank of DELTA planes and I missed my connection. Had there been "get your rear in a seat" seating, this would never had happened.

pinnie

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by Pinnie
I'd be for this IF and ONLY IF, the turnaround time remains the same. I have flown many other carriers and just recently was delayed in getting away from the gate because the gate agent assigned a seat to a pax that already had a body in it. By the time it was straightened out, our flight ended up behind a bank of DELTA planes and I missed my connection. Had there been "get your rear in a seat" seating, this would never had happened.

pinnie

Southwest will not do the assigned seating UNLESS they can guarantee that it can be done in less than 20 minutes. Thats how they maintain the low fares -- keep the planes in the air, instead of the tarmac.

 

[Pinnie]

Originally posted by Chip 'n Dale Express
Southwest will not do the assigned seating UNLESS they can guarantee that it can be done in less than 20 minutes. Thats how they maintain the low fares -- keep the planes in the air, instead of the tarmac.

I can't see that happening. NWA sure can't do a 20 minute turnaround with assigned seating!

pinnie

 

[Simba's Mom]

I guess I'm in the minority too, but at least, Chip 'n Dale, you're not the only one who doesn't mind SWA's seating. I used to dislike it, until one time, when I was on Delta, they changed aircraft, seat assignments were meaningless, so they told everyone to just get on, take the first seat they could, and let's go! That's when I realized that when I'm going to WDW, I want to get there NOW. I hate it on other airlines when people get on, mingle in the aisles, look for a place to put overhead luggage, etc., the plane seems to take forever to load. Meanwhile, I'm chomping at the bit-let's get to WDW!! At least on SWA, people get on, sit down, and we go-promptly!

 

[shamrock30]

My husband and I flew SWA 5 or 6 times, but started avoiding them because of the seating policy. If they went to assigned seating, we would definitely use them again.

 

[inkkognito]

I would definitely be more likely to use SWA if they assigned seats. That's one of the things I loved about ATA, but of course they're bailing out of Chicago now so I'll have to find a new airline to be loyal two. We are two adults, and sometimes the Orlando pre-board for ATA is literally a quarter of the plane. On Southwest, even if we had A passes, I know our seat choice would be limited. I like know that I have a seat and where that seat will be. If SWA could give that to me (and a direct flight), I'd use them.
Barb

 

[goofyforlife]

If you have are on "ticketless" travel you can check in online after 12:00 am on the morning of your flight. No need to rush two hours ahead of time for an "A" boarding pass.

Of course this works great on the way down, but you need internet access and a printer to print your boarding passes.

 

[DVC-Don]

We don't mind the SW seating policy. If we have A passes (which is most of the time) we don't even get in line till they call for A boarding.

 

[antmaril]

I just wanted to mention that I traveled on SWA from Chicago to Detroit on Thursday. I arrived THREE HOURS prior to the flight time and received a "B" boarding pass. I was very surprised that three hours wasn't early enough to get an "A" boarding pass.