The SW gate agent proudly announced that...

[NotUrsula]

I've noticed that the GA's will sometimes approach extremely tall passengers and ask them if they wish to preboard for the exit row; I think they have discretion to offer this to the very tall. IME, it only happens to people who are at least about 6'4". However, they are always first asked if there are children travelling with them, and if there are, the offer won't be forthcoming.

I don't begrudge a really tall person a seat in the exit row; it's not like they asked to grow over the top of the bell curve.

 

[maiyasgram]

We have been flying SW for several years and although DH is 6'5" he has never been allowed preboarding because of his height. There was a segment on the show Airline that dealt with preboarding a man because of his height. The next time we flew I inquired if we too could board but the GA said they had stopped this practice. We contine to do what we have always done. Get to the gate early and stand in line, hoping to get the coveted exit row seating.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I've always felt that anyone who pre-boards because of a physical condition or accompanying children should also be required to wait until everyone else is off the plane before getting off. If you need more time getting on, it only makes sense that you also need more time getting off.

One of my biggest pet peeves is parents of kids who preboard and then hold up the 20 rows behind them gathering all thier stuff and the kids while they block the aisle while getting off. WHen DS was younger we waited until everyone was off to be courteous, because we knew it would take a few extra seconds. Multiply that few extra seconds times 40 kids and you've got a few extra minutes people are holding up everyone else.

Anne

Which is why it seems TO ME that preboarders with small children should sit at the BACK of the plane.

 

[ducklite]

Which is why it seems TO ME that preboarders with small children should sit at the BACK of the plane.

No arguements from me on that one. It also puts them closer to the lavs.

Anne

 

[kaytieeldr]

Ooh, I've got it! Allow full parties to preboard; before they board, Gate Agent does a count. Flight Attendants then 'rope off' all rows from the front of the plane to whichever row-and-beyond will accommodate preboarding families. Once they're all settled in the back third/half/75% of the plane, the remaining passengers board, sit near/at the front of the plane, and debark while mom is still unbuckling little Jimmie's car seat...

 

[disneyldwjr]

That's probably true, but, I also witnessed a guy in PHL trying to get in the preboard line. The gate agent asked him if he had a medical condition or a small child with him that would allow him preboarding status. The guy replied "No, I'm just too tall to sit in anything other than an exit row so I need to preboard". The gate agent then replied "Well, sir, according to policy you can preboard due to a medical condition or a small child, but, if you do you can't sit in the exit row, because then your condition would preclude you from helping others in the event it became necessary." So, sometimes it works....sometimes it doesn't.......

They just showed something exactly like that on Airline. The guy was REALLY tall and they did allow him to preboard and sit in the exit row. They can and do bend their policies now and then.

 

[NotUrsula]

BTW, the "preboarders to the back of the plane" plan was tried a few years back. SWA ditched it because it didn't work -- boarding got slower. Apparently there were two consistant issues with it: 1) people argued with the FA's that they *needed* to sit in front, thereby holding up the line, and 2) kids kept darting into rows as they came to them, and had to be coaxed/dragged out by their overloaded parents, again holding up the line.

I do agree that parties with lots of kids (and especially with carseats) should be directed by the FA's to stay seated until the aisle clears, unless they have a tight connection to make.

 

[jgmklmhem]

The reason they do not have "zones (as mentioned above)" on SW flights is because the studies have shown if you are using the whole plane for the seating that things go much quicker. If people are spread throughout the plane getting seated, putting things in the overhead bins, car seat installation etc boarding goes quicker. In overall practice it might not be that way if Joe in the front won't get out of the aisle to let people get to the back, but in general it has been shown that using the whole plane works best.

 

[BillSears]

For what it's worth. I'm always the first on the plane and the last off of it. Often I'm still on the plane when the flight attendents leave and the new crew boards. I need to wait for my wheelchair to be brought up from the cargo hold before I can get out of my seat.

So not everyone is abusing the pre-board rules.

 

[DonnaL]

Anne......we also waited until practically everyone else had deplaned when our kids were small.......and we continue to do so when our grandson is travelling with us these days. That said, however, I really like the SW "cattlecall" boarding so to speak for the very same reasons.....I can sit where I choose to sit and if I choose to not sit near a family with small children (on a trip when we don't have our grandson with us) I can do so. Nothing against small children .....I raised three, but, these days I do appreciate the fact that I have the choice.....with assigned seating that choice is not possible without the intervention of the FA. So, hopefully, SW will continue their method of boarding or a similiar variation. Based on some of your previous posts I think you have very similiar views.

 

[WillCAD]

For what it's worth. I'm always the first on the plane and the last off of it. Often I'm still on the plane when the flight attendents leave and the new crew boards. I need to wait for my wheelchair to be brought up from the cargo hold before I can get out of my seat.

So not everyone is abusing the pre-board rules.

Of course not Bill. Those who abuse any system are usually a tiny minority; that minority just tends to get those of us sho don't abuse the system really steamed. I'm sure you've seen a few people abusing some law or rule over the years and had a similar reaction of outrage.

I don't fly much, so I haven't seen too many abuses of the pre-board system, but I do see it at BWI sometimes as families with one small child try to pre-board 2 or 3 adults and 2 or 3 teens.

 

[KristinU]

I've always felt that anyone who pre-boards because of a physical condition or accompanying children should also be required to wait until everyone else is off the plane before getting off. If you need more time getting on, it only makes sense that you also need more time getting off.

One of my biggest pet peeves is parents of kids who preboard and then hold up the 20 rows behind them gathering all thier stuff and the kids while they block the aisle while getting off. WHen DS was younger we waited until everyone was off to be courteous, because we knew it would take a few extra seconds. Multiply that few extra seconds times 40 kids and you've got a few extra minutes people are holding up everyone else.

I totally agree and do this as a practice - we bre-board with DS's carseat and wait until most are off to de-plane (of course if there is a huge hole because someone is wrestling with an overhead bin 10 seats back when we're ready, we'll take it). Besides, if people are traveling with kids they've probably gate checked a stroller and they have to wait for it at the end of the jet way anyway (further clogging up traffic). Oh, and there's no crime in splitting up with all of this. If DS is antsy one of us goes with him while the other stays back to gather the carseat and stroller (if we're traveling all together).

 

[Luv'sTink]

Send all the small children to the back, segregation?

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

If you go with your C B A plan, what about those of us who try to get A tickets for other reasons than being in the front. I could care less about being in the front -- If I checked luggage or have a connecting flight getting off the plane won't get me where I'm going any faster anyway. I do care about sitting with DS7 (I know he'd be fine if we weren't together, but I enjoy spending the time with him!), I like to have an aisle seat, and I like having my overhead luggage kind of close. If I got an A pass under your system I wouldn't have a good chance of getting any of those things.

One thing I like about SW's system is that you're pretty much guaranteed to sit with you young or disabled child if you follow the "rules". I have an online friend who flew to Orlando with 5 year old triplets and a teenager. One of the triplets had profound disabilities, couldn't see, talk, sit up or eat. The airline put them in 5 different rows, and refused to move her. She had to beg passengers to move to let her teenager sit next to her son and to get her a seat where she could at least keep an eye on her other two (not the same row, but at least the same section).

With SW that would never have happened.

 

[ducklite]

Send all the small children to the back, segregation?

No, common sense. They take longer to get situated, so if they all go to the back the parents can be standing, blocking the aisles dealing with little Mary and Bobby Joe while the forward sections of the cabin continue to fill with other passengers.

Anne

 

[castleri]

If you go with your C B A plan, what about those of us who try to get A tickets for other reasons than being in the front. I could care less about being in the front -- If I checked luggage or have a connecting flight getting off the plane won't get me where I'm going any faster anyway. I do care about sitting with DS7 (I know he'd be fine if we weren't together, but I enjoy spending the time with him!), I like to have an aisle seat, and I like having my overhead luggage kind of close. If I got an A pass under your system I wouldn't have a good chance of getting any of those things.

One thing I like about SW's system is that you're pretty much guaranteed to sit with you young or disabled child if you follow the "rules". I have an online friend who flew to Orlando with 5 year old triplets and a teenager. One of the triplets had profound disabilities, couldn't see, talk, sit up or eat. The airline put them in 5 different rows, and refused to move her. She had to beg passengers to move to let her teenager sit next to her son and to get her a seat where she could at least keep an eye on her other two (not the same row, but at least the same section).

With SW that would never have happened.

ITA
We had this happen also when traveling with 2 4yo's. While not disabled - the idea of having a 4 yo separated from the adults they are traveling with is ridiculous. Fortunately a couple of passengers voluntered to trade with us so we ended up with one adult with each child. Just because an airline has assigned seats does not mean they will be together.
Quote:
Originally Posted by BillSears
For what it's worth. I'm always the first on the plane and the last off of it. Often I'm still on the plane when the flight attendents leave and the new crew boards. I need to wait for my wheelchair to be brought up from the cargo hold before I can get out of my seat.

So not everyone is abusing the pre-board rules.


You are right but there are the ones who have a cane and really don't need to preboard- especially when you watch them move around the airport etc. Then there was the family who all preboarded with the man in the wheelchair who were waiting for their luggage at the other end - no wheelchair in sight and the gentleman impatiently stating they should hurry up with the luggage as he stomped around the bag claim area waiting for the carousel to start up, then grabbing the bags with no obvious difficulty when they did show up.

Those are the ones who make others angry.

All in all unless you are trying to make a connection why are a few more minutes on the plane such a big deal? The bigger deal is being able to amke certain small children are not sitting with complete strangers - Unless you only have a carryon you have to wait for luggage or at the very least get to ground transportation anyway.

Hopefully will be in that A line 10 days from today. If not at least I'll be on that plane.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone

 

[ducklite]

All in all unless you are trying to make a connection why are a few more minutes on the plane such a big deal? The bigger deal is being able to amke certain small children are not sitting with complete strangers - Unless you only have a carryon you have to wait for luggage or at the very least get to ground transportation anyway.

I travel back and forth between FL and PHL/EWR on a regular basis, usually for trips that range from 24-48 hours. I don't check a bag and have someone waiting outside to pick me up, and when you've got a lot to do and only a very short time to do it in, those few minutes do matter.

I always check-in as soon as the 24 hour window opens, and get to the airport early enough to be one of the first in the "A" line. If I"ve taken the time out of my life to get the seat I want (first row or two, aisle seat) I'm not giving it up because some parents didn't have the common sense to check in early--or have someone do it for them.

Anne

 

[Lewisc]

because some parents didn't have the common sense to check in early--or have someone do it for them.

Anne

Some airports SW's legal connection time is under an hour. A delayed flight and parents will be boarding at the end. An A BP and even qualifying for pre-boarding means nothing if all the other passengers board the plane before the family is able to get to the gate.

No reason to give up your seat, another passenger will be kind enough to switch seats.

 

[makinorlando]

I've always felt that anyone who pre-boards because of a physical condition or accompanying children should also be required to wait until everyone else is off the plane before getting off. If you need more time getting on, it only makes sense that you also need more time getting off.

One of my biggest pet peeves is parents of kids who preboard and then hold up the 20 rows behind them gathering all thier stuff and the kids while they block the aisle while getting off. WHen DS was younger we waited until everyone was off to be courteous, because we knew it would take a few extra seconds. Multiply that few extra seconds times 40 kids and you've got a few extra minutes people are holding up everyone else.

Anne

That's what my 82 year old mother does. She waits until the majority of the people are off the plane. She does not want to get knocked over by the people who are in a hurry!

I am "anxious" as she is flying SWA from PHL alone on Christmas Eve, and she broke her leg last month. I have called the airline and they have noted her reservation that she needs assistance. I'm hoping the gate agents will let my nephew accompany her to the gate and that she will be able to get a seat that will accomodate her and her leg for the flight!

 

[ducklite]

That's what my 82 year old mother does. She waits until the majority of the people are off the plane. She does not want to get knocked over by the people who are in a hurry!

I am "anxious" as she is flying SWA from PHL alone on Christmas Eve, and she broke her leg last month. I have called the airline and they have noted her reservation that she needs assistance. I'm hoping the gate agents will let my nephew accompany her to the gate and that she will be able to get a seat that will accomodate her and her leg for the flight!

When they get to the airport, they need to go to SW's counter to request a pass for your nephew to accompany her to the gate. It should be allowed, but you can't count on it--if for some reason the security threat is elevated for expmaple. But if they won't give him the pass, they will get someone to push her in a wheelchair. Make sure her carryon is small enough to be carried on her lap--and stowed under teh seat in front of her as airline personell are not required to stow overheads for passengers, even disabled ones. She'll want to tip the "pusher" a few dollars, so be sure she realizes that as well.

She'll be preboarded. She can't sit in any seat in an exit row, and will likely be required to be in a window seat if she can't get up and down to allow other passengers in her row access to their seats.

Anne