SWA boarding....line up single file or merge?

[denisenh]

SWA is a first come, first serve type seating.
What do you do when you are getting into your A, B or C line?
Do you line up single file or get as close to the front of the line that has formed and merge in?

 

[dcfromva]

single file.

-DC

 

[Pinnie]

Well, it starts out single file...but about 10 days ago when we made a connection in St. Louis, the "B" line went into 2 different directions and they ended up merging.

pin
remember the magic
DVC/BCVs 2002

 

[jamsmom]

I PREFER single line, but then others just kind of all come in at once.

 

[denisenh]

Well, let me tell you what my experience has been.
I have flown SWA many, many times and I am familiar with the boarding procedures. I personally try to get to the airport early enough to get in the first boarding group because I have children who are over 5 years old. It is usually not a huge problem because my DH and I usually travel with the 2 kids and we sit 2 and 2. It is generally easy to get 2 seats together. The lines have always formed single file.
Last week I had our 2 dd's but no DH. I wanted to have 3 seats together so that I wouldn't be separated from my dd's. I got to the airport as soon as I could but I wasn't driving so I got there when I got there, hence we were in the "B line".
I took my daughters to do some gift shopping and when we got to the gate the lines had started to form (early) so we got in, about 12th in line. It was kind of hot and I feel standing in line is the price you pay to board sooner as opposed to sitting and getting in line at the end.
Well, as the time to board approched 2 women came and stood to the right of the "B line" up ahead of where I was. I asked them if they were looking for the "B line" and was trying to direct them (nicely) to the end of the line,which had doubled by then. I thought that they must have been confused. The women in front of me spoke up as well. The 2 women looked at us but ignored us. I didn't say anything again until just prior to boarding. I got their attention and said "Southwest boards and seats on a first come first serve basis. The end of the B Line is back that way." The 2 women informed me that they were going to "merge" in. I told them that that really isn't the way that it is done. Again the lady in front of me spoke up and we both told the 2 women that it really wasn't fair to those that have stood in line and waited. The 2 women told us to "chill out" and then talked to each other and laughed. They ended up getting in ahead of some of those who had been in line a ways back.
On one hand, I had to convince myself that I wasn't the rude one. I felt bad and petty for bringing it up at all. On the other hand, I felt good that I had spoken up, because I usually let people step all over me.
I was just wondering if I had it all wrong about lining up or merging in.
Thanx!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by denisenh
Well, let me tell you what my experience has been.
I have flown SWA many, many times and I am familiar with the boarding procedures. I personally try to get to the airport early enough to get in the first boarding group because I have children who are over 5 years old. It is usually not a huge problem because my DH and I usually travel with the 2 kids and we sit 2 and 2. It is generally easy to get 2 seats together. The lines have always formed single file.
Last week I had our 2 dd's but no DH. I wanted to have 3 seats together so that I wouldn't be separated from my dd's. I got to the airport as soon as I could but I wasn't driving so I got there when I got there, hence we were in the "B line".
I took my daughters to do some gift shopping and when we got to the gate the lines had started to form (early) so we got in, about 12th in line. It was kind of hot and I feel standing in line is the price you pay to board sooner as opposed to sitting and getting in line at the end.
Well, as the time to board approched 2 women came and stood to the right of the "B line" up ahead of where I was. I asked them if they were looking for the "B line" and was trying to direct them (nicely) to the end of the line,which had doubled by then. I thought that they must have been confused. The women in front of me spoke up as well. The 2 women looked at us but ignored us. I didn't say anything again until just prior to boarding. I got their attention and said "Southwest boards and seats on a first come first serve basis. The end of the B Line is back that way." The 2 women informed me that they were going to "merge" in. I told them that that really isn't the way that it is done. Again the lady in front of me spoke up and we both told the 2 women that it really wasn't fair to those that have stood in line and waited. The 2 women told us to "chill out" and then talked to each other and laughed. They ended up getting in ahead of some of those who had been in line a ways back.
On one hand, I had to convince myself that I wasn't the rude one. I felt bad and petty for bringing it up at all. On the other hand, I felt good that I had spoken up, because I usually let people step all over me.
I was just wondering if I had it all wrong about lining up or merging in.
Thanx!

Denise,
What you experienced is more the "exception" than the rule. I would have managed to cut in front of them, but, that is me. That is, of course, after I informed them that the line forms at the end and they were not cutting in front of me.

 

[Erin12303]

We had a woman pretend she was unaware of the fact that a long line had formed and she was attempting to merge (butt in!).
My husband showed her the back of the line.
Then she had the nerve to look at us and say "real classy".
Give me a break.

I am definately anti-merge.
If I get out of bed 3.5 hrs early to get to the airport, I'm not about to let someone in front of me who showed up 15 prior to the flight.

Definately a single file girl here.