Why I HATE Southwest Airlines...

[Pinnie]

You hit it on the head!

I have a ligitiment problem with people that take others rights, because they choose to be cheap, and then have the nerve to tell everyone that they hate Southwest Airlines, because SWA enforced the policy that the op agreed with at the time of purchase.

Little word of advice "READ THE FINE PRINT

AMEN!!!!!

I could not have said it better!!!

pinnie

 

[kumquat]

What did the OP plan to do if the flight was booked

 

[Ted and Holly]

Wouldn't be nice if SW could post the deminsions of the seat so you could measure your own rear end to see if you can fit.

Most 737's flown by economy carriers have 17" wide seats.

Ted

 

[seashoreCM]

all 3 of us are in middle seats, with each one of us seated next to a deadheading crew member who has the aisle. On one memorable flight home from MCO, there were a total of 26 deadheaders on the plane; the pilot next to me was very surprised that we were all separated, .

You could tell?

Why not ask some of the deadheading crew if they would not mind switching seats.

Even though some of the road warriors on Flyertalk com are offended by bein g asked to switch seats, crew members dhould not be so offended.

If the crew members all refuse, surprise the airline in a casual letter saying it is not doing enough to attract passengers and asking for fifty dollars apiece off your next flights.

 

[NotUrsula]

You could tell?

The uniforms with the wings on them kind of give it away, LOL. If they are actually deadheading (repositioning to somewhere where pilots are needed that day, as opposed to flying free on a vacation, which is usually known as non-rev) then they wear full uniform; you can easily tell who they are.

I have been told (don't know if it's true, but this what they have told me when I've asked) that deadheading pilots must be seated on the aisle for security reasons. (I've also heard that it is guaranteed in their union contract.) In any case, I've never had any luck getting a deadheading pilot to surrender an aisle seat.

 

[momof2cuties]

Wouldn't be nice if SW could post the deminsions of the seat so you could measure your own rear end to see if you can fit.

Actually, that would be great if they did have some sort of guidelines to follow. What I guess I don't understand is, if they don't have assigned seating what good is it to purchase 2 seats? Do you have to put your stuff on the seat next to you and tell everyone looking for a seat that you purchased 2 seats? If you can do that, why can't you just have your small child sit next to you? It just doesn't make sense to me that if you are traveling with your family and you get there early enough to get one of the first seatings, why would they care? If I remember correctly from the OP post, wasn't her child under 5 anyways - which would mean they would be the first to board?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Nope. You just say, "That seat's taken". The Flight Attendants should be aware if a passenger has purchased two seats and be supportive; besides (not to be blunt, but) I'd think raising the armrest and taking up part of the second seat would make it apparent that the seat is taken. OTOH, your idea of placing some item/s on the seat, like a couple of magazines or a jacket, makes a lot of sense.
The OP's child is five so chances are they wouldn't preboard, especially flying to/from Orlando.
As for sharing the seat with ANYONE, Southwest addresses this in their COS FAQ: http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/cos_qa.html
"Why can't a large Customer sit with a family member who doesn't mind being encroached upon or a small child/person who doesn't take a full seat?
Open seating cannot guarantee that two people will be able to sit together. In addition, we must treat the smaller person (despite willingness or personal relationship) as a valued Customer who deserves the use of a full seat. Most importantly, we have to consider the safety aspect of the family member whose movement (especially in the event of an emergency) could be compromised if encroached on by a large seatmate. "

Actually, that page addresses a NUMBER of the issues that have been presented in this thread - all sensibly.

 

[kilee]

I was wondering the same thing about the extra seat. I can see some passengers (especially if you're near the front)- really being belligerant w/ a COS about having the "extra" seat. Still embarassing for the COS.

I am a plus sized women. I can fit in my seat w/ the armrests down and I do not need an extender. However, my MIL is within 10 pounds of me and cannot get the seat belt to come even close. So, standards on weight and such wouldn't work because of how different people are shaped. I do have to say I am always a nervous wreck about this happening w/ SW. Would I buy an extra seat ahead of time-- NO. But I fear that they get a bit ridiculous w/ this policy. As there is truly no standards for the policy and it is inconsistent. It seems as though this area can be too grey. The policy should be firmly set forth then. What exactly would constitute a COS?

 

[Ted and Holly]

I guess you can take out a tape measure, at home, and set it down at 17". Sit on it. If you don't fit, you should consider buying a second ticket.

I know everyone is built differently, but if they are worried about the seat, up to the arm rest, you can easily judge for yourself, and measure if you need to.

Ted

 

[NotUrsula]

What I guess I don't understand is, if they don't have assigned seating what good is it to purchase 2 seats? Do you have to put your stuff on the seat next to you and tell everyone looking for a seat that you purchased 2 seats?

No, you don't. A passenger who has purchased an extra seat under the COS policy (or purchased it for a musical instrument, etc.) is given an official SWA placard to place in the add'l seat. It says "This seat is reserved." The FA's come around and collect them once the flight is in the air.

If you don't have the official placard, the seat is fair game to anyone who wants it, no matter how much junk you pile into it in the hope of discouraging others from sitting there. I've seen FA's remove the "stuff" that people have spread out to save seats for other members of large parties; if no one stops them on the way to the front of the plane, it gets put out on the jetway to be taken to Lost and Found or thrown away.

 

[Gooofy-Blade]

I have been told (don't know if it's true, but this what they have told me when I've asked) that deadheading pilots must be seated on the aisle for security reasons. (I've also heard that it is guaranteed in their union contract.) In any case, I've never had any luck getting a deadheading pilot to surrender an aisle seat.

Yes this is true. They must be seated on the aisle for security reasons as do on-duty federal law enforcement officers(TSA or not) on regular travel. So, they cannot and should not give up their seat.

 

[dirkus]

I'm getting into this late but I read through the whole thread looking for this and didn't see it... I don't know if the FA's and GA's could even do this but is it possible that after the trip down when the OP had to request the two seats together, her return ticket was somehow marked so that on the return trip (regardless of how full it was), the GA was required (or felt more justified) to enforce the policy?

 

[txaggie94gigem]

okay...i will jump in....

are you trying to tell me that if i fly SW and have 2 young children with me, lets say ages 2 and 5 that i have paid tickets for that it will be okay with the Flight attendant and other passengers if i just put them anywhere on the plane if there are not 3 seats together? Yeah, right! give me a break......i promise you a flight attendant would make someone move so i could sit with my kids...they would not want young kids unattended i can promise you that! i fully understand the policy if you are traveling alone and the flight is full, but when you are with family on an empty plane they should not hassle anyone. they should plainly post at the terminal and on their website in bold letters before you can reserve a flight something like this "Please be advised that if you cannot fit completely in one seat with the armrests down you may have to purchase an additional ticket if the plane is full to capacity for your comfort and the comfort of those around you." This way people have been informed and are not put on the spot for addl money for no reason...to pay and then get a refund is a paperwork nightmare...i do not know why they do it....

 

[ducklite]

The FA will move people to put you with the two year old, they are not under any such obligation to do so for the five year old, That's the way it is, get over it. if you do'nt like it, then drive. People think nothing of putting their kids with strangers in day care all day while they are many miles away, yet it's a problem to be three aisles away in a plane? Sheesh!!!

Frankly, I won't give up my aisle seat for a five year old to sit with a parent. Get there early, get up in the middle of the night to print your boarding pass, do everything that I do to make sure I get the seat I want. Take responsibility for yourself and your kids, don't try to inconvience me because YOU neglected to plan ahead.

Anne

 

[Disneyjosh229]

The FA will move people to put you with the two year old, they are not under any such obligation to do so for the five year old, That's the way it is, get over it. if you do'nt like it, then drive. People think nothing of putting their kids with strangers in day care all day while they are many miles away, yet it's a problem to be three aisles away in a plane? Sheesh!!!

Frankly, I won't give up my aisle seat for a five year old to sit with a parent. Get there early, get up in the middle of the night to print your boarding pass, do everything that I do to make sure I get the seat I want. Take responsibility for yourself and your kids, don't try to inconvience me because YOU neglected to plan ahead.

Anne

AMEN!!

This sounds like Im lecturing a group of 8 yr olds, but here it goes anyways...

People need to start taking responsiblity for their actions...Don't blame Southwest (or any company for that matter) because their policies prohibit what you think is right. READ THE CONTRACT, OPEN YOUR EYES !!! The contract of carrage has every little detail in it...I have to agree, whats the big deal about not sitting next to your 5 year old? Its time to teach your kids how to act when their not around mommy and daddy. If you don't like it, drive or fly another airline besides Southwest, and quit complaining about it!

 

[disneyldwjr]

What is also sad that someone had to be bribed with a free drink to let a mother sit with her 5yo. That should be a given. I would not fly without my 5yo sitting right next to me if I needed more room or not.

The FA can do no more than ask/bribe, they cannot make anyone move except to follow rules; IE: kids seated in exit rows. I make my plans early, check in online and manage to get myself to the airport in plenty of time to sit where I want, if you cannot do this, why would I move to accomodate you? Open seating means people select their seats based on where they wish to sit. Why should they move?

 

[ducklite]

The FA can do no more than ask/bribe, they cannot make anyone move except to follow rules; IE: kids seated in exit rows. I make my plans early, check in online and manage to get myself to the airport in plenty of time to sit where I want, if you cannot do this, why would I move to accomodate you? Open seating means people select their seats based on where they wish to sit. Why should they move?

When DH and I flew SW we had "A" boarding passes from staying up late to print them, and got to the airport early (were the 4th and 5th in line. We took an aisle and a middle in the 3rd row. Two little tarty Paris Hilton wanna-be's came down the aisle as "C"'s (must have been into the C's by that point) and got PO'ed because the man in the aisle seat across from me and I wouldn't move so they could sit next to each other. I just rolled my eyes and told them to look for seats together in the back of the plane. The guy across from me said one word. "NO"

Anne

Anne

 

[disneyldwjr]

The thing that would have made sense is to enfoce it EVERY time, then you would not be able to complain either way.... But no one is perfect every time!

ITA, rules/policies are set for a reason. If you follow rules/policies every time, you simply cannot get into trouble. Common sense has NOTHING to do with this. Policies/rules do.
To figure out if you need an extra seat is simple and something you can do at home. If you know the seat is 17" wide, measure your bottom, if it is more than 17" across, buy another seat. Now, that is common sense.
It is not the airlines' job to tell you of the rules, it is YOUR job to read the rules. It is not difficult to read the site and the rules, the fact that some don't is NOT my problem. It becomes my problem WHEN I cannot sit comfortably in my seat.

 

[disneyldwjr]

I admit it is easier for some employees to just parrot the rules rather than use their common sense. After all, they might get in trouble for using their brains, eh?[/QUOTE]

No, they might lose their job for NOTenforcing the rules. Read the rules for COS and tell me where there is ANY wiggle room in the policy. It is, in fact,t he COS NOT using common sense by NOT following the PRINTED RULES that anyone can read.

 

[disneyldwjr]

WOW. i see now why people hate sw!

She said it happened on a legacy carrier, NOT SW.