Will SW become a 'Participating' ME airline?

[Corinne]

Just wondering if this is possibly in the works? I read somewhere it was.

 

[tmt martins]

Yes but the problem right now is SWA lets you check in 24 hrs in advance. Once you do that they won't let you check-in again until at the airport.

Me only lets you check-in 12 hrs in advance so you may do so but may end up with B or C boarding passes .

Thats what I think they are working on .

Now the test in Cali could do away with that problem because they are testing the feasability of seat assignment and speed of that process.

 

[Lewisc]

It was posted that SW will be added later this year. SW let's us reprint our BP. We don't know how that will work with DME but the fact that guests might not be able to get an A BP isn't a reason not to include SW.

SW has already said the earliest they would go to assigned seats is sometime in 2008.

Yes but the problem right now is SWA lets you check in 24 hrs in advance. Once you do that they won't let you check-in again until at the airport.

Me only lets you check-in 12 hrs in advance so you may do so but may end up with B or C boarding passes .

Thats what I think they are working on .

Now the test in Cali could do away with that problem because they are testing the feasability of seat assignment and speed of that process.

 

[Corinne]

Well, Southwest NEEDS to end that nonsense anyway! LOL! I hope their "trial" of assigned seatings goes well--how could it not? It is the norm afterall. I love the convenience of ME, and giving up those bags on both legs of the trip is nice.

 

[Lewisc]

Well, Southwest NEEDS to end that nonsense anyway! LOL! I hope their "trial" of assigned seatings goes well--how could it not? It is the norm afterall. I love the convenience of ME, and giving up those bags on both legs of the trip is nice.

SW is the only major carrier to be profitable. They have fast turnaround. They attribute the lack of assigned seats to passengers getting to the gate early which allows for fast turnaround. The fast turnaround allows many of their planes to fly an extra route. Planes make money when they're flying not when they're on the ground. The trial might go well or they might find it takes longer to turnaround planes.

I don't think this has anything to do with DME. It's possible that guests may have to forgo getting an A BP if they want to check their luggage at the resort but that's speculation.

http://www.blogsouthwest.com/2006/06/21/a-message-from-our-ceo-open-season-on-assigned-seating/

A lot of customers like the present system.

 

[disneyfreak71]

So if we fly Southwest, it does not participate in DME??? Please xplain bc the lady I just talked at Disney did not say a word to me.

We want that A boarding pass!

 

[Lewisc]

So if we fly Southwest, it does not participate in DME??? Please xplain bc the lady I just talked at Disney did not say a word to me.

We want that A boarding pass!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=944813

will answer your question.

 

[Corinne]

[QUOTE A lot of customers like the present system.[/QUOTE]

Really? That surprises me! I think if given a choice most customers would prefer an assigned seat. We have flown with them several times, but on our last trip (on both legs of the trip) we found the employees were not enforcing the pre-boarders line too well. Many people were clearly abusing the system~one family with a child (and it was questionable if he was under the age of five) all got in the pre-board line. I am telling you it was QUITE an extended family, IMO, there was no need for them to all be there.

We had "A" passes, were second in line after a couple that were in their early 60's (who were also annoyed but the blatant abuse of the system)! Now, even though we were "first" to board after the pre-boarders, once seated, we were in the middle of the aircraft!

I understand the concept of the pre-boarding, the elderly, people with disabilites, people with young children, children flying alone, etc. have every right to pre-board. I just feel the SW employees need to be more cognizant of people abusing the system.

Anyway, we are only flying them again because the fare was much less than any other carrier leaving from our area. I hope SW's test does fare well, because I think there are other reasons they are a profitable airline, not just the whole non-assigned seating.

 

[simzac]

Our family is one of the many who like SW just the way it is. Going to assigned seats will be a bad move in my opinion. I do think they will eventually come online for DME.

 

[Lewisc]

I agree the whole pre-boarding situation tends to get out of hand.

Right now the "best seats" goes to passengers who take the time to get an A BP and get to the gate early.

With assigned seats the "best seats" goes to passengers who book early. Business passengers, and others, who book at the last minute won't do well with assigned seats.

You're flying SW because the fares are good. Many people think the open seating policy contributes to low fares. What happens when more than half the plane is booked and passengers can't get seats together? Will the try another airline? Under the present system they will make their reservation and they have the same opportunity as any other passenger to get the seat of their choice.

Really? That surprises me! I think if given a choice most customers would prefer an assigned seat. We have flown with them several times, but on our last trip (on both legs of the trip) we found the employees were not enforcing the pre-boarders line too well. Many people were clearly abusing the system~one family with a child (and it was questionable if he was under the age of five) all got in the pre-board line. I am telling you it was QUITE an extended family, IMO, there was no need for them to all be there.
.

 

[english rose 47]

I don't understand If I call to get a BP 24hours in advance I can't get to use ME either way or one way Please explain all this. I flew SW years ago and don't remember how we were assigned seats.DGS will be 5 does that qualify for preboarding he's big but he will be just 5.

 

[disneyldwjr]

I don't understand If I call to get a BP 24hours in advance I can't get to use ME either way or one way Please explain all this. I flew SW years ago and don't remember how we were assigned seats.DGS will be 5 does that qualify for preboarding he's big but he will be just 5.

You can use ME both ways. Right now, since SWA is not a participating airline, you will have to bring your bags from your room to the loading area for your return home.
No, he cannot preboard it is for those UNDER 5.

 

[DizGeek]

We used ME last year and flew SW....whats everyone talking about?

 

[salmoneous]

If anyone is unsure what "participating airline" means, there's a sticky thread up at the top that'll help you out.