SWA tips

[FredS]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
Recitation of the website is where you will find the facts.
If you don't like comments that can be construed as OT, then I suggest you read the web pages. In all reality, they are the most accurate place to find information.

Delta does allow seat assignments, but, how often have you read that they have changed equipment and the seats are not together, IMHO, that is a gamble. If you don't want to take the gamble of not being seated together, fly an airline that you think will keep you as you originally reserved. It is really simple.

It really IS simple. Out of probably 50 flights on Delta I have not gotten my seat assignment ONE time. It was a real hassle to have to fight for a seat, and it would take a significant savings to make it worth that trouble.

BTW, as a practical matter, I expect that any airline would have a liability issue with seating a five-year-old at a significant distance from an accompanying adult, despite something one might read on a website. That is why some ask for actual experiences and advice, not the party line from a website which, believe it or not, most are intelligent enough to find without assistance.

 

[CarolA]

Figaro,
I am not sure about American, but I know on Delta you have to ASK for the pre-board. They will give it to you, but no longer call automatically. So be sure you ask just in case. It's no big deal.

As for seat assigments, I find the One out of 50 stat a little amazing. I fly all the time and even on airlines where I have no status my seat is changed maybe once out of 50 times. Just my experience, don't lynch me for pointing it out.

 

[NotUrsula]

Just FYI re: children sitting alone. All US domestic carriers allow children to fly unaccompanied from age 5. This means that as far as the airlines are concerned, once a child is 5 he can sit without a designated adult next to him. If a child is younger than 5, airlines will force a move so that ONE adult can sit adjacent to the child. If two children in a party are under 5, one adult will be expected to handle supervising both of them. (I don't know what the procedure is with 3 or more children under 5 in one party.)
BTW, a corollary rule re: lap-children is that you cannot seat more than one lap-child in a single unbroken row; b/c there is only one extra oxygen mask in each row.

On SWA, unaccompanied children are normally preboarded and placed together somewhere in the first few rows, so that the FA's can easily keep an eye on them. They don't keep adjacent seats open. If you arrive too late to preboard the child, they will board the child last, so there is every possibility that he/she will be sitting next to an adult stranger.

Information I have received from the FAA tells me that there is no regulation that states the age below which a ticketed child must sit next to an accompanying adult, unless the child is using an FAA-approved carseat. If a carseat is being used, it is required that the child sit in the window seat (or center seat of the center section on a widebody) with an accompanying adult in a directly adjacent seat.

Interestingly enough, the UK commercial aviation regulations require that family parties that include minors must be seated together, primarily so that they will not panic and go crazy trying to reach one another in an emergency evacuation. I suggest that if you feel that the US should adopt a similar rule, the best chance of making it happen lies with writing to the members of the House Subcommittee on Aviation, the list of members is here:
http://clerk.house.gov/committee/index.php?subcomcode=HPW05

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by FredS
It really IS simple. Out of probably 50 flights on Delta I have not gotten my seat assignment ONE time. It was a real hassle to have to fight for a seat, and it would take a significant savings to make it worth that trouble.

BTW, as a practical matter, I expect that any airline would have a liability issue with seating a five-year-old at a significant distance from an accompanying adult, despite something one might read on a website. That is why some ask for actual experiences and advice, not the party line from a website which, believe it or not, most are intelligent enough to find without assistance.

I have yet encountered a fight for a seat.

since a 5 year old can fly alone, I doubt there is much liability at issue.
I am really sorry that you find it offensive that I take the time to post links to sites. I am sorry you find it offensive that I take the time to help others.
Frankly, I find your post and it's accusations more than a little offensive. There is an old internet adage, " If you don't like the contents of what you are reading, use your curser and move on".
I would prefer to know the actual facts rather than experiences of others. Some people enforce the rules some others don't. I would prefer to know the rules party line or not.
Most are intelligent enough to find this out for themselves, some don't know it exists and some are just too darn lazy and find it easier to just ask the question. Happily, I think most just don't know of the existance of FAQ's and ways to find information.
If you have an issue with me, fine, I really could give a damn, but, leave it off here and address me personally or give it up.
I have had quite a few PM's today telling me just how much my help, links and all, is appreciated and to ignore your comments.

As to OT comments, I will let someone with "moderator" under their name dictate what is OT or not.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Tigger&Belle
Gail, if I were flying Delta I wouldn't want to preboard. When we've flown as a family (not on southwest) one of us will board with the carseat when our row is called (NOT preboard). Our older kids would either get on then or stay with the other parent. One of us would then walk around with our youngest child so he could get all of his energy out before getting on the plane.

As to "my rules" the last thing I would want you to do is to stand on your hurt knee any more than need be. Maybe I didn't word it exactly right. Sorry. There are some medical problems/reasons that are invisible to others. We could say that anyone with medical problems should use a different airlines, afterall. Just as I would have taken a different airline is SW had of told me that I couldn't preboard. I am only following their rules. I'm not trying to preboard for no reason.

T&B

I suppose WE could say that, but, all airlines preboard folks with special needs.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Bringing this back on to topic, after reading through this thread the tip that some people might figure out is to fly on an airline that assigns seats. lol

In all honesty, I don't know that I would fly Southwest if I had a condition that required extra time to board or discomfort while waiting to board. Also, as a family we've only flown SW once because of the chance that we wouldn't be seated together. That one time we got to the airport very early and sitting togetehr wasn't an issue. Of course maybe not sitting near my children could be considered a positive, depending on the day.

T&B

 

[inkkognito]

Seems to me to be ironic that a person with a supposed "limp" would think he could take an exit row anyway. I thought that you had to be in good health and able to assist in case of an emergency. I would think his supposed injury would prevent him from doing that.
Of course, we were on a flight with a man who complained to the poor flight attendant who was stuck in a jump seat across from him for the whole first part of our flight. He was in an exit row across the aisle from us, and he was complaining that the gate had been changed. According to him, he has severe mobility problems and a terrible, terrible back problem, and he could barely drag himself to the new gate. When I saw him in the waiting area, he looked full mobile to me other than being quite a bit overweight. I had to bite my tongue not to say, "Well, if you're so impaired, I don't think you should be in that exit row because surely your bad back would prevent you from opening the door and then your mobility issues would block the rest of us from getting out."
After the flight attendants gave us their exit row spiel, I joked with my husband about how the door handle worked, and Mr. Poor Health piped up and said, "Don't open the door in flight! You should never open it while the plane is flying." Duh!!!
Once the poor flight attendant was able to leave to begin the beverage service, Mr. Poor Health spent the rest of the flight bragging loudly to the woman next to him all about the multiple homes and businesses he owns, as well as his exploits as a war pilot (must be how he learned not to open the door in flight). With all the flying we do, I don't think it will ever get boring because of the variety of fellow passengers we run into.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Tigger&Belle
Bringing this back on to topic, after reading through this thread the tip that some people might figure out is to fly on an airline that assigns seats. lol

In all honesty, I don't know that I would fly Southwest if I had a condition that required extra time to board or discomfort while waiting to board. Also, as a family we've only flown SW once because of the chance that we wouldn't be seated together. That one time we got to the airport very early and sitting togetehr wasn't an issue. Of course maybe not sitting near my children could be considered a positive, depending on the day.

T&B

SWA is wonderful for people who need extra time to board. The one time I used them it was great and my knee was going to be be unhappy regardless of who I flew.

 

[maps]

the only tidbit i can add to this is with the first swa flight we've taken this november.
we had to make a connecting flight. our plane was delayed so we only had 30 min to make the connection. luckily we have 2 kids under 4 so we were given preboard passes. while i feel badly that others may have gotten there hours before, it wasn't my fault swa delayed us.
also, don't you think it's strange to expect a 5 yo child to sit next to a stranger if their parents are on board? i understand they are allowed to fly alone but usually they have the flight attendants keep an eye on them. of course when my kids get to that age, i may reconsider other airlines with preassigned seating since i would not want to be in the position to have to worry about getting to the aiprort by a certain time. things sometimes happen and i wouldn't want to take that chance.
by the way, large families aren't the only ones we saw taking advantage of the preboarding. one woman in a wheelchair with a cast took on 7 people with her. and the able bodied people in the group had the nerve to sit down in the airport chairs (while the woman in the wheelchair was let on first) until the preboard line started to board then they pushed through the line stating they had a right to board first because they were with someone in a wheelchair!

 

[Lewisc]

Originally posted by maps
don't you think it's strange to expect a 5 yo child to sit next to a stranger if their parents are on board?

No, they expect that parties that want to sit together will get to the airport early enough to get an "A" or "B" boarding pass. As a practical matter people will switch seats so a 5 yo can sit next to at least one parent. People who want to sit together and don't want to get to the airport early should use a different airline.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by maps
the only tidbit i can add to this is with the first swa flight we've taken this november.
we had to make a connecting flight. our plane was delayed so we only had 30 min to make the connection. luckily we have 2 kids under 4 so we were given preboard passes. while i feel badly that others may have gotten there hours before, it wasn't my fault swa delayed us.
also, don't you think it's strange to expect a 5 yo child to sit next to a stranger if their parents are on board? i understand they are allowed to fly alone but usually they have the flight attendants keep an eye on them. of course when my kids get to that age, i may reconsider other airlines with preassigned seating since i would not want to be in the position to have to worry about getting to the aiprort by a certain time. things sometimes happen and i wouldn't want to take that chance.
by the way, large families aren't the only ones we saw taking advantage of the preboarding. one woman in a wheelchair with a cast took on 7 people with her. and the able bodied people in the group had the nerve to sit down in the airport chairs (while the woman in the wheelchair was let on first) until the preboard line started to board then they pushed through the line stating they had a right to board first because they were with someone in a wheelchair!

7 people with a wheelchair bound person, that is NUTS!!! And, their behaviour was rude.
Do I think it strange re: the 5 year old. Yes, I do find it strange, but, what I find more strange is that they A: did not get to the airport early enough to get an A or B pass B: did not use an airline with assigned seats that would assure them seating together and C: That they would expect someone who got there early to change seats for them.
Your thoughts about airlines when you children get older are very valid and shows consideration for all involved. I wish all were like you.

 

[NotUrsula]

Unaccompanied kids have an FA keeping an eye on them, but that FA isn't a dedicated escort; he/she still has to go about his regular duties. During food and beverage service, for instance, they won't be anywhere near the kids. Also, even if a UM is in a front bulkhead seat, the odds are that an adult stranger will usually be sitting next to him on every airline out there.

As we've said, as a practical matter, most airlines will force a move for an under-5 child, but by law they don't have to do that unless the child is in a carseat. Here's a quote from Northwest's website:

Children under the age of 5 are not eligible for unaccompanied minor services and must be accompanied on the same flight and in the same compartment by a passenger at least 18 years of age.

Note that they don't say anything about adjacent seats, just the same compartment. (That's for the rotten parent who uses FF miles to get an upgraded seat for him/her-self in 1st or business class, but leave the kids back in coach where he won't have to deal with them. It happens, believe me, especially on int'l flights.)

For children over 5 but still pretty small, or kids that are obviously afraid of sitting by a stranger, they will usually ask for a volunteer to move, or suggest that the parent ask around, and SWA may even sweeten the deal with drink coupons. However, if no one volunteers quickly, SWA won't delay the takeoff by much; they have a mandate to turn that plane around as quickly as possible. (Which is what makes them profitable; people get seated faster with open seating, meaning the plane spends less time on the ground and more time in the air, where it makes money instead of losing it.)

Oh, and speaking of food & beverage service, as SWA has never offered meals on board, you might want to visit your favorite deli on the way to the airport and pick up a nice package of sandwiches for the flight. Be kind to your fellow passengers, nothing too aromatic, please! I actually recommend bringing Lunchables for kids on flights; DS is normally not allowed to have them, so the novelty makes him very happy.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Lewisc
No, they expect that parties that want to sit together will get to the airport early enough to get an "A" or "B" boarding pass. As a practical matter people will switch seats so a 5 yo can sit next to at least one parent. People who want to sit together and don't want to get to the airport early should use a different airline.

No, Lewis, I will not switch and fly beside some stranger. I will get to the airport early, I will get and A or B boarding pass because I WANT to sit beside Dee, not some parent with their child or another stranger. Now, if I were flying alone, there would be NO problem switching.

 

[Figaro]

As far as I know, the only requirement for someone who is in a wheelchair is that their companion (one person only) is allowed to pre-board with the person in the wheelchair so that they can provide the assistance that the airline employees aren't allowed to provide. For example, the employees are the only ones who are allowed to assist me into and out of the aisle chair. My spouse isn't allowed to help do that because of airline rules, but he is the one who will take apart the pieces of my wheelchair that need to be stored onboard the plane and get all of my medical gear stowed away under the seats. We seldom use the overhead bins because they are usually full with emergency equipment (bulkhead seats) and I prefer to have the medical stuff where I can get at it if I need to(smile). Boarding seven people with one person in a wheelchair is NOT required and I have no idea why that was allowed.

 

[Lewisc]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
No, Lewis, I will not switch and fly beside some stranger. I will get to the airport early, I will get and A or B boarding pass because I WANT to sit beside Dee, not some parent with their child or another stranger. Now, if I were flying alone, there would be NO problem switching.

Not you but someone can be bribed with drink coupons. On second thought supposed you have the window seat, Dee has the aisle seat and the screaming 5 year old is between you? I bet you'll at least give the kid the winter seat.

I think the "problem" exists more on these boards. Families get to the airport early and SW is (overly) generous with pre-boards.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I like the idea that was already mentioned of preboarding within a group. When the A's are boarded only the A preboards could board, etc. That would cut down on people preboarding that have no reason to do so. Or at least they would have to wait until later if they are not in group A, which would take some of the benefit out of it and maybe discourage them.

T&B

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Lewisc
Not you but someone can be bribed with drink coupons. On second thought supposed you have the window seat, Dee has the aisle seat and the screaming 5 year old is between you? I bet you'll at least give the kid the winter seat.

I think the "problem" exists more on these boards. Families get to the airport early and SW is (overly) generous with pre-boards.

Not sure what the winter seat is, but, Dee and I don't do the aisle seat/window seat thing. I take the window, he takes the middle.
And, no, I cannot be bribed with drink coupons either, I buy them on ebay.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Tigger&Belle
I like the idea that was already mentioned of preboarding within a group. When the A's are boarded only the A preboards could board, etc. That would cut down on people preboarding that have no reason to do so. Or at least they would have to wait until later if they are not in group A, which would take some of the benefit out of it and maybe discourage them.

T&B

I LOVE that idea.

 

[melee]

Hi!
My story involves Amtrak, but it may be helpful. I once took the train from Texas to Chicago chaperoning two young nieces (age 6 and 9). We boarded at a "whistle stop" sort of station and there were no seats left anywhere near each other in the train car. Amtrak's personnel basically told me tough luck, find a seat. I asked a few adults that were travelling alone if they would move and got no help. Then I loudly told the conductor that I was uncomfortable being separated from the girls because I had given them both dramamine but it didn't always work. I would hate for them to be sick without a grownup's aid. You wouldn't believe how fast three seats opened up together!! Sometimes you have to be creative. On the other hand, our 12 year old just volunteered to sit alone if needed on our upcoming trip. She was reminiscing about the nice lady she met during our last trip to Orlando when she was nine. She sat next to a retired teacher and they chatted about books and horses for most of the flight. I was one row back and across with our two younger children and my husband was a few rows ahead. She could see Daddy and I could see her and talk to her. It wasn't at all stressful.

Oh, and we weren't separated because we got to the airport late. We were sooooo early that they put us on an earlier flight!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Cute story, LOL.