What were they thinking?

[Lisa_Belle]

That's why for out trip next year SW is not at the top of my list of airlines... it is number 2 after Jet Blue. The same mentality you see on SW I see everyday on the train. It is not everyone by any means but only take those one or two special few that seem to just annoy the piss out of you. Why do I want to deal with that on vacation. I would much prefer assigned seating.

I agree! The reason why we're not flying SW is because I wanted to make sure I got to sit with my 4-year-old. Even though I think she may qualify for pre-boarding, I can only imagine how many people at MCO are there with young kids who would also qualify!

 

[HayGan]

There was a woman probably age 80+ with a rollaboard. She just stood there looking up at the overhead until someone came and helped her. If you can't lift it, you should check it!

OK, as a very frequent flier I mostly agree with you. Too many people try to shove things in an overhead that just don't belong there. However, in this case the lady probably wasn't able to carry a bag (so used a rollerboard instead). The bag likely contained medications (which should never be checked) and possibly other valuables. (The same could be said for the mother in the OP)

Airlines often lose baggage - sometimes for a few hours and sometimes forever. Every traveller should take a carry on bag which contains essential items such as medications as well as a change of clothes in case their luggage is lost.

I see nothing wrong with a person brining a bag on board and asking other passengers for assisstance. (In this case the woman should have asked someone if they could help her.) I can't image not giving someone (especially a mother with a very young child or an elderly person) a helping hand

 

[wendy46001]

A lot of this mess would be resolved if SW would just dump the stupid "cattle call" .

I'll second that

 

[CarolA]

OK, as a very frequent flier I mostly agree with you. Too many people try to shove things in an overhead that just don't belong there. However, in this case the lady probably wasn't able to carry a bag (so used a rollerboard instead). The bag likely contained medications (which should never be checked) and possibly other valuables. (The same could be said for the mother in the OP)

:

Oh I left out the mother also had a diaper bag the size of my LARGE computer case. (It is so large that on DL jets it won't fit under about half the seats LOL!) So if ALL of that was valuables and drugs she needs to get real with what she travels with. (She looked like a pack horse, baby, rollerboard, HUGE diaper bag and purse. She really should have been told SOMETHING was getting checked and the baby wasn't an option!)

My valuables and drugs will fit under the seat. They should NOT be in a bag that won't fit under your seat because if the plane is full (as it was on this day) then they gate check them and then the baggage handlers have them. I have on occassion had to gate check the computer bag. In that case I reach in and remove the computer! They make small roller bags that will fit under seats. I see people using them all the time.

There are two types of gate check. If you are are on a small commuter plane, they will take your larger carry ons at the gate and return them to you when you land. If you are on a jet, in most cases the luggage is then treated as checked baggage and will be returned at the luggage claim area at your final airport.

I do NOT feel sorry for anyone who expects me to lift their luggage into the overhead. I am not willing to risk an injury for them. Some airlines will not even let thier FAs lift the luggage due to the Worker's Comp injury claims. If your valuables weigh that much, may I suggest that you get a safe deposit box for your gold bars.....

 

[MinnieGirl33]

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.

This is the reason we fly Airtran.

ITA!

 

[salmoneous]

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.

Clueless dolts with too-heavy bags and demanding help are the fault of SW's boarding system?? I don't get it.

Having flown SW and other airlines, I'm convinced SW's boarding works significantly better. People waiting in orderly lines, rather than rushing to be first on the plane when their group is called. People taking whatever seat they want, rather than trying to figure out which seat is their, sitting in the wrong seat, trying to get people to trade, etc.

 

[zurgswife]

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.

This is the reason we fly Airtran.

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.

 

[HayGan]

Oh I left out the mother also had a diaper bag the size of my LARGE computer case. (It is so large that on DL jets it won't fit under about half the seats LOL!) So if ALL of that was valuables and drugs she needs to get real with what she travels with. (She looked like a pack horse, baby, rollerboard, HUGE diaper bag and purse. She really should have been told SOMETHING was getting checked and the baby wasn't an option!)

My valuables and drugs will fit under the seat. They should NOT be in a bag that won't fit under your seat because if the plane is full (as it was on this day) then they gate check them and then the baggage handlers have them. I have on occassion had to gate check the computer bag. In that case I reach in and remove the computer! They make small roller bags that will fit under seats. I see people using them all the time.

There are two types of gate check. If you are are on a small commuter plane, they will take your larger carry ons at the gate and return them to you when you land. If you are on a jet, in most cases the luggage is then treated as checked baggage and will be returned at the luggage claim area at your final airport.

I do NOT feel sorry for anyone who expects me to lift their luggage into the overhead. I am not willing to risk an injury for them. Some airlines will not even let thier FAs lift the luggage due to the Worker's Comp injury claims. If your valuables weigh that much, may I suggest that you get a safe deposit box for your gold bars.....

So everything that an infant might need in one day should be able to fit in a small bag to go under a seat On most flights you are permitted to take on 2 carryon bags per passenger. No one should be permitted any more than that! I agree that she should have been asked to consolidate bags or check something if she was over the limit.

Many things are gate checked because too many people insist on bringing oversized items on board instead of checking them! There really is plenty of room for an approved size bag for each passenger in a row if they stuck to the guidelines. It is the "me" attitude that complicates it for so many.

I certainly don't help people shove their oversized bags or bags of gold bars in the overhead compartment but I certainly do help out people who need a little assistance in loading a bag which falls within the guidelines. It saddens me that others don't

 

[jodifla]

So everything that an infant might need in one day should be able to fit in a small bag to go under a seat On most flights you are permitted to take on 2 carryon bags per passenger. No one should be permitted any more than that! I agree that she should have been asked to consolidate bags or check something if she was over the limit.

Many things are gate checked because too many people insist on bringing oversized items on board instead of checking them! There really is plenty of room for an approved size bag for each passenger in a row if they stuck to the guidelines. It is the "me" attitude that complicates it for so many.

I certainly don't help people shove their oversized bags or bags of gold bars in the overhead compartment but I certainly do help out people who need a little assistance in loading a bag which falls within the guidelines. It saddens me that others don't

Oh, yes. Airplane flight brings out a lot of ugliness in people. Like refusing to help people with small children and their luggage. Or old people who, as you say, need to carry a rollaboard but are too frail to lift it. Not sure what part of the Golden Rule that is.....think hateful thoughts about people who don't follow your personal guidelines, I guess.

I've been the mom on the plane as a "pack mule." I was carrying a car seat, a diaper backpack, and a bag of toys and snacks for my son, who just turned 3 and was a bit of a runner at the time. I got some hateful looks from people...but I also got some help from the nice ones.

Now, let's see, needed the car seat...although in retrospect, I would have been better off gate checking it and letting DS just sit in the seat....(although that gets cries of "Don't you care about your precious child?!!") Needed the diaper bag, needed the toy bag, needed the purse (stuck in the toy bag), needed the kid. It was a lot to handle, but since I needed to travel (cause that's the other response you get...."it's all about choices. Don't travel if you can't handle it"...)

Frankly, I think these rants against airline passengers are done by spoiled frequent fliers who can't be bothered with a little humanity.

Edited to add...coats! it was wintertime, so I also had coats!

 

[jodifla]

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.

Yes, we never fly SW as a family. We refuse to be split up from our son, who is only 4. Too many horror stories!

 

[clkelley]

Infrequent flyer here - please don't flame me!

Is "gate check" when the FA takes your carryon bag at the boarding gate or plane entry? I had that happen once. It was a small AA plane, and the FA's took everyone's larger carryons. Personally, I thought it was wonderful. I didn't have to go through baggage claim and I didn't have to deal with storing it overhead or under a seat.

You were probably on a commuter jet, and yes those planes are so small that anything bigger than a small bag won't fit in the overhead or under the seat, so the airlines provide "planeside valet service" for larger carryons where they actually go under the plane, but you don't check them. This is also provided for strollers, wheelchairs, and ECVs on any flight.

What gatechecking refers to is whene there is not room for your carryon on board a regular plane, and they check it for you, then you have to go claim it at the carousel. This happened to me on Soutwest once. My bag was packed correctly to fit under the seat or in the overhead when I packed it, but by the time TSA got through with it, it was too fat, so they gatechecked it. So even though I was using ME, I still had to drop by the carousel and get that one bag.

 

[HayGan]

Oh, yes. Airplane flight brings out a lot of ugliness in people. Like refusing to help people with small children and their luggage. Or old people who, as you say, need to carry a rollaboard but are too frail to lift it. Not sure what part of the Golden Rule that is.....think hateful thoughts about people who don't follow your personal guidelines, I guess.

I've been the mom on the plane as a "pack mule." I was carrying a car seat, a diaper backpack, and a bag of toys and snacks for my son, who just turned 3 and was a bit of a runner at the time. I got some hateful looks from people...but I also got some help from the nice ones.

Now, let's see, needed the car seat...although in retrospect, I would have been better off gate checking it and letting DS just sit in the seat....(although that gets cries of "Don't you care about your precious child?!!") Needed the diaper bag, needed the toy bag, needed the purse (stuck in the toy bag), needed the kid. It was a lot to handle, but since I needed to travel (cause that's the other response you get...."it's all about choices. Don't travel if you can't handle it"...)

Frankly, I think these rants against airline passengers are done by spoiled frequent fliers who can't be bothered with a little humanity.

Edited to add...coats! it was wintertime, so I also had coats!

I'm not sure if this was criticizing me or agreeing with me but anyway...

As a frequent flier and a parent who has travelled with small children, I can understand both sides. When I travel for business or by myself, I usually have a small rollerboard (that gets gate checked on the tarmac on smaller planes/jets) and my computer case (which goes under the seat.) It frustrates me to no end when someone is holding up everyone else to struggle to get their huge bag in or out of a compartment that it shouldn't have been in in the first place. If it falls within the airlines guidelines then no problem but too often it is some monster bag that should have been checked.

On the flip side, when I travel with my kids, DH and I usually each have 2 carryons as well as each of the kids having a backpack. It can be tough. I often assist people with their children or their bags. I always feel bad for the parents who are travelling with small children (especially when they are alone) and trying to get the kids seated, baggage stowed, etc. It can be so stressful for them. I always to try and help when I can (even pinched my fingers in a stroller at O'Hare 2 weeks ago!)

It frustrates me when I see someone struggling with something and no one can seem to help them. Beyond just being the right thing to do, by helping someone load their bags (if they need assistance) speeds up the whole boarding process for everyone. However, there are many, many cases of people who insist on exceeding the amount/size of baggage that is taken as carry-on. These are 2 different issues!

 

[Pinnie]

I'll fly SWA over NWA any time I can. The latest fiasco yesterday was another reason NWA is a joke. I have been delayed by them because of seat changes due to equipment changes. Never had that problem on SWA!

I am stuck flying NWA on Saturday/Sunday and I am already dreading it.......
Flew DTW/BNA/SAT this past weekend on SWA and it was on time, friendly and totally efficient. Plus, when I boarded, I was able to sit around adults and not kickin kidlets.

pinnie

 

[zurgswife]

Yes, we never fly SW as a family. We refuse to be split up from our son, who is only 4. Too many horror stories!

Not sure why you quoted me saying that SW is great. I have never heard very many horror stories about parents and kids spliting up....most of them had to do with airlines other then SW. So, the whole I don't fly SW because I'm afraid of getting split up just doesn't hold water with me....it can happen and does more frequently on other airlines.

 

[jodifla]

I'll fly SWA over NWA any time I can. The latest fiasco yesterday was another reason NWA is a joke. I have been delayed by them because of seat changes due to equipment changes. Never had that problem on SWA!

I am stuck flying NWA on Saturday/Sunday and I am already dreading it.......
Flew DTW/BNA/SAT this past weekend on SWA and it was on time, friendly and totally efficient. Plus, when I boarded, I was able to sit around adults and not kickin kidlets.

pinnie

The problem from Michigan is that SW doesn't fly direct anyplace I want to go. All the fares we've gotten from there have been sky-high, too. We fly Spirit or NW out of DTW.

 

[jodifla]

I'm not sure if this was criticizing me or agreeing with me but anyway...

As a frequent flier and a parent who has travelled with small children, I can understand both sides. When I travel for business or by myself, I usually have a small rollerboard (that gets gate checked on the tarmac on smaller planes/jets) and my computer case (which goes under the seat.) It frustrates me to no end when someone is holding up everyone else to struggle to get their huge bag in or out of a compartment that it shouldn't have been in in the first place. If it falls within the airlines guidelines then no problem but too often it is some monster bag that should have been checked.

On the flip side, when I travel with my kids, DH and I usually each have 2 carryons as well as each of the kids having a backpack. It can be tough. I often assist people with their children or their bags. I always feel bad for the parents who are travelling with small children (especially when they are alone) and trying to get the kids seated, baggage stowed, etc. It can be so stressful for them. I always to try and help when I can (even pinched my fingers in a stroller at O'Hare 2 weeks ago!)

It frustrates me when I see someone struggling with something and no one can seem to help them. Beyond just being the right thing to do, by helping someone load their bags (if they need assistance) speeds up the whole boarding process for everyone. However, there are many, many cases of people who insist on exceeding the amount/size of baggage that is taken as carry-on. These are 2 different issues!

I was agreeing with you, actually. I work to keep within the baggage allowances, too. But when you're traveling with small children by yourself, it's a challenge to carry the allotted amount.

 

[jodifla]

Not sure why you quoted me saying that SW is great. I have never heard very many horror stories about parents and kids spliting up....most of them had to do with airlines other then SW. So, the whole I don't fly SW because I'm afraid of getting split up just doesn't hold water with me....it can happen and does more frequently on other airlines.

You're correct. I should have posted the earlier quote from the person who didn't fly SW.

When I fly other carriers, I have assigned seats. Haven't been bumped yet. SW is too much of a crapshoot for me when traveling with small kids. I'll do it alone or with DH. But out of MI, I don't find any decent rates anyway. Spirit and NWA always beat them.

 

[slruud]

If you have children/child 5 or under, why hassle with carryon luggage. Just check it. Just take what is necessary. It is costing Southwest a medium sized fortune in workmen's comp for all the FA's with back problems from stowing carryon luggage in the overhead bins. IF YOU CAN'T STOW YOUR OWN LUGGAGE, DON'T EXPECT ANYONE ELSE TO...CHECK IT. This is not a question of being courteous or not, but of responsibility and common sense. If I help the little old lady stow her carryon, and throw out my back on the way to WDW, what recouse do I have, other than have a miserable time. Why all of a sudden does everyone feel entitled to carry full sized suitcases as carry on. It's not that much of a wait for luggage.

As far as a child being seated away from the parent, it is probably so rare, that statisically i doubt it would show on the graph. It is amazing to hear DISboard members talk about all the planning, ADR's, every moment of a 10 day vacation orchestrated, and not be able to get to the gate in time to board early enough to sit with their kids. Again common sense.

Southwest seating works, especially if you don't care about sitting in front. We always head back, and usually get the exit rows that have a little more leg room, and if they are not available keep on going back.

I don't think anyone can fly as cheap as SW. I've rebooked our San Antonio trip twice now and saved big bucks. Our next WDW trip is in January, and a Rapid Rewards freebee at that.

Just my $.02.

 

[kstinw19]

There are two types of gate check. If you are are on a small commuter plane, they will take your larger carry ons at the gate and return them to you when you land. If you are on a jet, in most cases the luggage is then treated as checked baggage and will be returned at the luggage claim area at your final airport.

Not necessarily true! My dh, who flies every single week, checked his small suitcase at the gate and it was not at his destination when he arrived. (US Air) When he asked, they told him that they pulled his and 12 other suitcases for weight reasons! He had a dinner meeting that night and had to buy an entire suit, dress shirt, tie and shoes for his dinner that night. And that is kind of difficult to fit under your seat

I NEVER bring a roller onto the plane just because I don't want to deal with getting it up there and down. (SW) But this past weekend I had too much junk and bought a small one in the airport. Since I was already past security, I was going to gate check it. I asked 3x and they wouldn't let me...they just kept saying, "oh, it will fit". Well, I ended up having to take a bunch of stuff out of it to get it to fit and I was getting dirty looks. I was so frustrated

Airlines have their own rules and their own ways, and are just downright confusing, if you ask me

 

[Lisa_Belle]

You were probably on a commuter jet, and yes those planes are so small that anything bigger than a small bag won't fit in the overhead or under the seat, so the airlines provide "planeside valet service" for larger carryons where they actually go under the plane, but you don't check them. This is also provided for strollers, wheelchairs, and ECVs on any flight.

What gatechecking refers to is whene there is not room for your carryon on board a regular plane, and they check it for you, then you have to go claim it at the carousel. This happened to me on Soutwest once. My bag was packed correctly to fit under the seat or in the overhead when I packed it, but by the time TSA got through with it, it was too fat, so they gatechecked it. So even though I was using ME, I still had to drop by the carousel and get that one bag.

Thanks - I was indeed on a commuter jet. I hate it for you that you had to go get your one bag. I've had lost luggage (at MCO as a matter of fact) and baggage claim gives me nightmares.