SWA rumor of new Accessibility boarding

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Not everything is physical.
You would not know DS is disabled by looks but once interactions begin you could tell.
Getting through TSA Pre Check is always an issue and when we came back into the country we had an issue as they had decided to close the Global Entry lines.
We buy anytime tickets for our entire group to get the anybird check in but we still take one parent to pre board with DS.
Dealing with Autism is not fun and we need extra time to get DS settled as best we can.

I didn’t say everyone. As a parent to a kid with a developmental disability, I get that not all disabilities are physical. But if you’ve ever flown SW to Vegas, you know the line of SW employees waiting with wheelchairs on the jet bridge for passengers that are long gone.

 

[eticketplease]

I didn’t say everyone. As a parent to a kid with a developmental disability, I get that not all disabilities are physical. But if you’ve ever flown SW to Vegas, you know the line of SW employees waiting with wheelchairs on the jet bridge for passengers that are long gone.

Correct you did not state everyone but the way I interrupted your post was that there were a lot of bad actors out there using wheel chairs to get on the plane but not off.
I agree that there are some that try and work the system I was just pointing out that some people have other disabilities that are not physical but still need the extra time to board and get settled but not to get off do to physical limitations.

We get off the plane with the rest of the passengers but try to quickly locate an isolated area in the terminal to try and calm down and explain now that we are off the plane what are next steps are and the order that we will be doing them. We would be in the camp that is off the plane without requiring special assistance although we truly need it to get on.

We only fly SW to Orlando as they have direct flights from our city which helps us tremendously over a layover in any city.

It always strikes me as funny when I get off the plane and only a fraction of the parties that needed more time and assistance to board are long gone without any assistance once the plane lands. You can usually tell who did it to get seats in the front together with it paying for early bird.

 

[Mle8308]

I was just pointing out that the OP did in fact say that they would go to the back.
And no I don't think they should be in the first 8 rows that's you attempting to put words in my mouth.
Seems you always have something to say when I give an opinion about accessibility and disabilities.

If a disabled person doesn't want to have to go to the back of the plane, they have the option of purchasing early bird check in.

 

[Marrila]

If a disabled person doesn't want to have to go to the back of the plane, they have the option of purchasing early bird check in.

It sounds like they are planning to have premium seating in the first 6-8 rows or so. Then seating for everyone else would be about row 9, disabled or not.
I think the back of the plane stuff is misleading and a nonstarter.

 

[eticketplease]

If a disabled person doesn't want to have to go to the back of the plane, they have the option of purchasing early bird check in.

Will they have a need for early bird after this takes place? My money is on no since they will get the $ up front for picking a seat.

 

[Weedy]

If South West goes to all assigned seats I think it will cut down on the pre boards because there won’t be a better seat advantage in boarding early.
I fly out of MCO often if I fly SW the pre board and wheelchair line is crazy. Flying Delta there are just a few people.
Time will tell how this will go.
Prices use to be a lot less expensive on SW vs Delta but not anymore.

 

[Mle8308]

Will they have a need for early bird after this takes place? My money is on no since they will get the $ up front for picking a seat.

Agree, though who knows exactly when this will all change over to assigned seating.

 

[Starwind]

Yes they announced that. This discussion is based on what will happen after the assigned seating model is implemented to those needing extra time to get settled on the plane based on what a SW FA told the OP.

If they are using an assigned seat model the FA's comment makes no sense in terms of "back of the plane" since ALL seats would be assigned prior to boarding.

 

[eticketplease]

If they are using an assigned seat model the FA's comment makes no sense in terms of "back of the plane" since ALL seats would be assigned prior to boarding.

I agree it doesn’t make sense but that is what they said. Apparently SW FA and Disney Bus Drivers are in the same union.

 

[brentm77]

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[brentm77]

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[eticketplease]

from everything I read and the FA was probably just flat out wrong.

Not completely!! The FA did say the first 8 rows just didn't mention the rest of the rows

 

[Tinkaboo]

Have already booked several flights for 2025…no option for purchasing seats involved, procedure same as always.

 

[Deb1993]

If South West goes to all assigned seats I think it will cut down on the pre boards because there won’t be a better seat advantage in boarding early.
I fly out of MCO often if I fly SW the pre board and wheelchair line is crazy. Flying Delta there are just a few people.
Time will tell how this will go.
Prices use to be a lot less expensive on SW vs Delta but not anymore.

We fly SW for in/out MCO. I have flying anxiety that I take medication for and we purchase A1-15 for all 6 of us because the pre-board situation just seems to make my anxiety worse. I don't know why. I was thinking that without assigned seating I most likely would not be able to fly them again. We've flown FC on Delta and just knowing where my seat will be, etc., seems to lessen my anxiety. Our last flight, even with A1-15, the pre-boards had taken rows 1-9. Anyway, will most likely be flying on another carrier until the seating situation is better on SW. Just my opinion.

 

[SkyGuy]

We fly SW for in/out MCO. I have flying anxiety that I take medication for and we purchase A1-15 for all 6 of us because the pre-board situation just seems to make my anxiety worse. I don't know why. I was thinking that without assigned seating I most likely would not be able to fly them again. We've flown FC on Delta and just knowing where my seat will be, etc., seems to lessen my anxiety. Our last flight, even with A1-15, the pre-boards had taken rows 1-9. Anyway, will most likely be flying on another carrier until the seating situation is better on SW. Just my opinion.

Yikes, row 9?! I fly to MCO about once a month - DH has work there so I tag along, and we’ve always been Business Select. Even with preboarders to and from MCO, I’ve never been farther back than row three or four. Nine sounds crazy to me (and I wouldn’t be very happy that I’d paid extra for the A1-A-15)!

 

[Woth2982]

Dealing with Autism is not fun and we need extra time to get DS settled as best we can

This is for us too. My DD is terrified of getting ON the plane itself, and it is very loud so she freaks out. We do the pre-boarding but try and get the last row or two, this way we can also be close to the bathroom for her. I also wait until basically everyone is OFF the plane before we deplane for the very same reason we pre-board. The fewer meltdowns she has the better things are for everyone around us. Thus far people have been incredibly kind to us when dealing with her.

 

[keishashadow]

Thus far people have been incredibly kind to us when dealing with her.

As they should! Don't worry, whatever the final changes; SWA won't let you in the lurch.

I have two flights tomorrow, maybe some new rumors will be tossed about.

That's all this is, until something is released in writing. Even then, if it turns out to be untenable for most, SWA likely would modify it until they do get it right

 

[eticketplease]

This is for us too. My DD is terrified of getting ON the plane itself, and it is very loud so she freaks out. We do the pre-boarding but try and get the last row or two, this way we can also be close to the bathroom for her. I also wait until basically everyone is OFF the plane before we deplane for the very same reason we pre-board. The fewer meltdowns she has the better things are for everyone around us. Thus far people have been incredibly kind to us when dealing with her.

Being close to the bathroom is key. FA wouldn't let DS go to the bathroom while we people were still boarding on our way to Disneyland and had an accident. Could not get clothes changed for another 45 minutes until the seatbelt sign finally came on.

This was on American though not SW.

 

[Woth2982]

Being close to the bathroom is key. FA wouldn't let DS go to the bathroom while we people were still boarding on our way to Disneyland and had an accident. Could not get clothes changed for another 45 minutes until the seatbelt sign finally came on.

Oh the poor kid. DD just turned 4 so I still put an overnight pull up on her when flying just in case. She does not like being wet though.

 

[Woth2982]

As they should! Don't worry, whatever the final changes; SWA won't let you in the lurch.

I have two flights tomorrow, maybe some new rumors will be tossed about.

Thank you for the encouragement. The airport/getting on the plane is always my biggest anxiety. We love SW, so I am really hoping when they go to assigned seating, we can still select the last few rows. We are flying with my dad (who had a stroke and is very unstable) and DD in 3 weeks, so this should be super fun

Keep us posted on any new rumors! Good luck with your flights!