What were they thinking?

[CPer'sMom]

A lot of this mess would be resolved if SW would just dump the stupid "cattle call" and assign seats just like the rest of the airlines.

It would (and does) work perfectly fine when people are respectful and follow the *rules*.

One thing I do wish that SW (and ALL airlines) would do is ~
When the gate agents see that someone has too much to 'carry on', they need to make that person gate-check their luggage AND make it perfectly clear to them that because they are checking it at the gate as opposed to the counter where they should have checked it, their luggage may not make this flight ~ It may have to be put onto the next flight out.
Maybe then some of the rude passengers trying to haul ALL their crap onto the plane would realize that Yes, it does hold up the flight when you block the aisle trying to cram it in the overhead (and take up more space than you actually are allowed). Most airlines have become entirely too lax in enforcing the "carry on rules".

 

[NotUrsula]

Generally, it is true that one is not going to be on the plane for days, but depending upon the season, there is sometimes a risk that one might be in the airport for days. When flying with a small child, that has to be taken into account, especially if you have a connection.

While I agree that one should never pack a bag for the overhead that is too heavy to lift (or too stuffed to fit), I *do* advocate that parents make sure that they carry enough child supplies, including food, clothing, diapers, medications, and entertainment, to last 24-36 hours in the event of a delay.
If you are flying alone with an infant on a legacy carrier, by all means, ASK to be allowed to preboard so that you can stay out of other people's way, and secure the child in the seat before attempting to put anything in the overhead.

Just for the record, when we visit our overseas family, it is generally 24-28 straight hours of travel until we clear customs on the other side, and that is without delays factored in. Those trips start with a domestic flight to reach an int'l gateway, so yes, on that flight you can bet I'll be carrying what looks like more stuff than I could possibly need, but I won't be over my limit, and I'll be lifting it all myself.

 

[Minnie]

I totally disagree.

I have flown many many different airlines in different parts of the country and SW as far as behavior of passengers really isn't any different and it has nothing to do with how they board.

Personally I think SW boarding moves better and with less hicups then most airlines. I choose SW when ever I can.

As far as the parent/kid thing with SW. I've flown in and out of MCO many times over the past 4 years and I have never had a flight where the kids and parents aren't able to get a seat together. I'm sure it has happened but doesn't happen very frequently. Also, I have been on other airlines where plane size changed the person had an assigned seat only to fine when they checked in they were now all over the plane....it has always worked out.

Our feelings about issuse are often formed by our individual experiences which is why we disagree on this issue.

I was on a SW flight where my mom, son, and I were all split into different rows and it wasn't because we were late to the gate. We were going on a non-stop flight to MCO where most of the passengers on the plane were staying on. It didn't matter that we were at the gate in plenty of time we were all 3 still split up. My son was only 10 at the time but did very well thankfully (amen for the Nintendos)

A gentleman and child that boarded after us weren't so lucky. It was his child's first flight and they were not able to get seats together and the child was only about 7-8 years old. None of the "lovely" passengers would give up their seats so they could sit together

In this case had seats been assigned like on Airtran this mess would have been avoided.

We've had other "fun time" with SW though I'm sure others have had just as many "fun times" on other airlines.

BTW - I agree this has nothing whatsoever to do with carryons. No matter how the seats are assigned this will be a problem.

 

[nuke]

Our feelings about issuse are often formed by our individual experiences which is why we disagree on this issue.

I was on a SW flight where my mom, son, and I were all split into different rows and it wasn't because we were late to the gate. We were going on a non-stop flight to MCO where most of the passengers on the plane were staying on. It didn't matter that we were at the gate in plenty of time we were all 3 still split up. My son was only 10 at the time but did very well thankfully (amen for the Nintendos)

A gentleman and child that boarded after us weren't so lucky. It was his child's first flight and they were not able to get seats together and the child was only about 7-8 years old. None of the "lovely" passengers would give up their seats so they could sit together

In this case had seats been assigned like on Airtran this mess would have been avoided.

We've had other "fun time" with SW though I'm sure others have had just as many "fun times" on other airlines.

BTW - I agree this has nothing whatsoever to do with carryons. No matter how the seats are assigned this will be a problem.

But being separated can and has happened on many airlines that assign seats. My favorite story is a friend of mine that bought tickets on American about 9 months in advance of her trip. She had assigned seats and everything. She gets to the airport and finds out that they changed the air craft and every single one of their party of 5 was in a different row on the airplane. American did nothing about it even though their youngest was 6 years old. So the 6 year old sits with two strangers and after they get to their destination the kid is super hyper. They can't figure out what is going on until he tells them that the flight was great. "The nice lady gave me 3 cokes"! My friends doesn't let her kids drink soda at all.

 

[zurgswife]

Our feelings about issuse are often formed by our individual experiences which is why we disagree on this issue.

I was on a SW flight where my mom, son, and I were all split into different rows and it wasn't because we were late to the gate. We were going on a non-stop flight to MCO where most of the passengers on the plane were staying on. It didn't matter that we were at the gate in plenty of time we were all 3 still split up. My son was only 10 at the time but did very well thankfully (amen for the Nintendos)

A gentleman and child that boarded after us weren't so lucky. It was his child's first flight and they were not able to get seats together and the child was only about 7-8 years old. None of the "lovely" passengers would give up their seats so they could sit together

In this case had seats been assigned like on Airtran this mess would have been avoided.

We've had other "fun time" with SW though I'm sure others have had just as many "fun times" on other airlines.

BTW - I agree this has nothing whatsoever to do with carryons. No matter how the seats are assigned this will be a problem.

My point was (not clearly I agree) that it does happen but it happens on ALL airlines. It doesn't matter if you have assigned seats on an airline or not they can change equipment and reassign all the seats. To not fly SW just because you want to be guaranteed to sit together is a false sense of security. I have heard more stories here on the DIS of people that are reassigned seats and none are together after booking there flights 9 or 10 months in advance.

 

[Pinnie]

My point was (not clearly I agree) that it does happen but it happens on ALL airlines. It doesn't matter if you have assigned seats on an airline or not they can change equipment and reassign all the seats. To not fly SW just because you want to be guaranteed to sit together is a false sense of security. I have heard more stories here on the DIS of people that are reassigned seats and none are together after booking there flights 9 or 10 months in advance.

AMEN!!!

NWA is notorious in my book for doing that. I was originally on a 737 a few weeks ago and the equipment was changed to a DC 9. Talk about a mess. DH and I were apart, but we ended up both getting to the same place at the same time on the same plane.

This week NWA had a HUGE computer snafu. I am hoping it gets cleaned up before I fly on Saturday to ATL.

pinnie

 

[Lisa_Belle]

A gentleman and child that boarded after us weren't so lucky. It was his child's first flight and they were not able to get seats together and the child was only about 7-8 years old. None of the "lovely" passengers would give up their seats so they could sit together

This is when you give your kids the to be, well, kids. Then the folks sitting next to them are BEGGING you to switch seats.

 

[ducklite]

So wheelchair passengers should be allowed no carryons. Heck, why even allow them on the plane, since they can't do everything by themselves and have the audacity to need help!

No, they can do what my mom does. Pack a small tote bag with her essentials--a clean shirt, comb, deoderant, her camera, medications, a book or magazine for the flight.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

Because I needed it ON THE PLANE for the child!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hmmm...you need a few diapers and some wipes, a change of clothes, a few small toys and a book, your camera, any meds, a clean shirt for yourself, a few bottles or snacks for the child. Sounds like all of that could easily fit into a tote that would go under the seat in front of you...

Anne

 

[Minnie]

My point was (not clearly I agree) that it does happen but it happens on ALL airlines. It doesn't matter if you have assigned seats on an airline or not they can change equipment and reassign all the seats. To not fly SW just because you want to be guaranteed to sit together is a false sense of security. I have heard more stories here on the DIS of people that are reassigned seats and none are together after booking there flights 9 or 10 months in advance.

We've just been extremely luck with Airtran then I guess as seating has never been a problem, while the "cattle call" at SW drives me up a wall.

Saying that now that my DS is older (I'll have a teen ager next month ) it doesn't matter as much so if SW has a great fare we'd give them a try again.

 

[ducklite]

I don't think anyone here said a handicapped person should not be on the plane. They truly are the ones that should be preboarded to make it easy for them to get settled in.

Agreed. But just like airline personell are not required to lift a disabled person from a transfer chair to a plane seat, they are also not required to lift their luggage. The ADA says reasonable accomodation. Reasonable accomodation doesn't mean lifting a 50 pound carryon into an overhead that could have been checked.

Amme

 

[ducklite]

Well, if all my posts would have been read, I clearly stated that I disagree with people bringing on too many items or over-weight items. There is a difference between that and helping someone lift an acceptable bag that they themselves are having difficulty with. That is the issue that I have with the attitude that some have posted here that if you can't handle it then don't bring it on board.

I too often have been the victim having a bag dropped on my head that was too big and or heavy and trying to be shoved in to a compartment. That I have no patience for. I do, however, have compassion and thankfully the ability to help someone carrying an infant or an elderly person who is trying to stowe an acceptable bag. I just don't understand why others don't

Because you do'nt know how heavy the bag is until you go to lift it. Of course if you offer and then find out it's full of rocks, you'll be villafied for backing out of the offer. Look at all the people who talk about loading their carryon with a case of water or twelve pack of Dr. Pepper and granola bars for a family of four for breakfast for a week. If the airlines would put a weight restriction on carryon's then I think more people would be willing to offer assistance. Until taht happens, count me out.

BTW--I can pack for five days in 14.5 pounds including my bag. Not sure WHAT people pack into rollon's to make them weight 42 pounds...

Anne

 

[tjmw2727]

My point was (not clearly I agree) that it does happen but it happens on ALL airlines. It doesn't matter if you have assigned seats on an airline or not they can change equipment and reassign all the seats. To not fly SW just because you want to be guaranteed to sit together is a false sense of security. I have heard more stories here on the DIS of people that are reassigned seats and none are together after booking there flights 9 or 10 months in advance.

Yes - we had this happen with Delta and AA, mostly AA many many times. Which I why I now fly SWA and put the responsibility of sitting with my kids in my hands.

DH and I have family all over the US and are lucky enough to be able to travel and visit them. Due to his work many of the trips we fly separately, me and my two dd's meet him there.

I can't tell you how many times, despite booking well ahead of time the airlines with assigned seats have separated me from my dd's even when they were 1 and 3 yo and designated as so. Most times I was able to call and change my seats but many times I had to beg at the gate. That was the most stressful part of the flight, checking in to see if our seats were still together. (This was mostly before online checking and such).

So for those PP who book legacy airlines to be "assured of sitting with my child" beleive me you are not assured of anything but seats on that flight.

Now that my girls are 11 and 9 it will be ok if we are separated but we still do all we can to get our A boarding pass and get to the gate early. That and the low price non stop flights plus the great attitude of the SWA employees will keep me flying SWA despite the "airline" behavior I have seen.

TJ

 

[Lewisc]

BTW--I can pack for five days in 14.5 pounds including my bag. Not sure WHAT people pack into rollon's to make them weight 42 pounds...

Anne

I have a well made roller (checked size) that weights around 17 pounds empty. My wife sometimes has a heavy bag. Too many books to read, too many extra shoes and too many large containers of health and beauty aids. A couple of bottles of adult beverages also adds weight.

I don't know why the airlines don't weight and measure carry on bags.

 

[ducklite]

I have a well made roller (checked size) that weights around 17 pounds empty. My wife sometimes has a heavy bag. Too many books to read, too many extra shoes and too many large containers of health and beauty aids. A couple of bottles of adult beverages also adds weight.

I don't know why the airlines don't weight and measure carry on bags.

My Tumi roll-on weighs under 3 lbs. and is VERY well made. I don't carry books, I bring along a few magazines and discard them as I finish them. I generally wear shoes on the plane and carry a pair of sandals in the summer, maybe a second pair of loafers or dressier shoes in the winter. All toiletries are in travel size containers. When you travel a lot you quickly learn how to bring things that have multiple uses and pack light.

And the adult beverages almost always get purchased at my destination, it's just not worth hauling them along.

Anne

 

[kaytieeldr]

A gentleman and child that boarded after us weren't so lucky. It was his child's first flight and they were not able to get seats together and the child was only about 7-8 years old. None of the "lovely" passengers would give up their seats so they could sit together

This is when you give your kids the to be, well, kids. Then the folks sitting next to them are BEGGING you to switch seats.

I respectfully disagree. Does anyone REALLY want to give their child the message that it's okay to misbehave to get what you want?

 

[safetymom]

You also don't know the reason why that person didn't want to move.

 

[ducklite]

A gentleman and child that boarded after us weren't so lucky. It was his child's first flight and they were not able to get seats together and the child was only about 7-8 years old. None of the "lovely" passengers would give up their seats so they could sit together

Why should they have to move from their families to accomodate a latecomer? On flights to and from Orlando, 99.9% of the passengers are families with kids. Why does one family staying together become more important than another.

A child old enough to spend the day away from mommy and daddy at school is old enough to sit three rows away on a plane for two hours.

Anne

 

[maxiesmom]

This reminds me of the "why won't you give up your seat on a bus" threads. Maybe when people realize that they need to depend on themselves things will get better. I would never get on a plane expecting someone to help with my luggage. Just like I would never get on a bus expecting someone to give me their seat. I pack what I can handle, plain and simple.

 

[Lewisc]

My point is a lot of passengers only fly a few times a year, if that. Some of those passengers have bags which are heavy even when empty. Older bags, that are well made, tend to be heavy. People who travel a lot spend the extra money for new luggage which is well made and light. I sold some of my older bags in a garage sale. They are now over sized and would probably be overweight no matter how packed.

My description was what sometimes goes in a checked bags. You were wondering why some of them get so heavy. I ask my wife to pack light. She tells me she's allowed two 50 lb bags. She tells me she's doing a good job if she only needs one 45 lb bag. I've learned not to argue with that kind of logic.

My Tumi roll-on weighs under 3 lbs. and is VERY well made. Anne