southwest --children don't go first
Jan 15th, 2008, 07:06 AM
#21
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Southwest wants more business travelers buying expensive fares and fewer families with kids paying peanuts. They need to make more money. Simple as that.
Almost every other airline in the US have seat assignments. Like others said, if sitting together is important, fly a different airline. There are plenty of choices.
Almost every other airline in the US have seat assignments. Like others said, if sitting together is important, fly a different airline. There are plenty of choices.
Jan 15th, 2008, 07:53 AM
#22
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Southwest discovered a number of things while they were doing research on their new boarding process. They discovered that MOST families did not care where they sat, as long as they could sit together.
They then determined if they could get the A group seated, the remaining groups of free rows, would most likely be in the back of the plane, where families would go to, thereby leaving the front of the plane,clear and free for the other paswsengers (families often take longer getting their belongingsd into the overhead) this sped up the process and generally allowed families to sit together.
All of the flights I have been on since the new procedure have definitely boarded faster (although there is more confusion in the boarding areas regarding numbers)
I do see where this might be a problem if you are getting on a plane, say to Orlando, that originated somewhere else, but for the most part, families, and B's for that matter, usually have their pick of empty rows.
As people have pointed out though, printing boarding passes on line 24 hours ahead should solve any problem.
They then determined if they could get the A group seated, the remaining groups of free rows, would most likely be in the back of the plane, where families would go to, thereby leaving the front of the plane,clear and free for the other paswsengers (families often take longer getting their belongingsd into the overhead) this sped up the process and generally allowed families to sit together.
All of the flights I have been on since the new procedure have definitely boarded faster (although there is more confusion in the boarding areas regarding numbers)
I do see where this might be a problem if you are getting on a plane, say to Orlando, that originated somewhere else, but for the most part, families, and B's for that matter, usually have their pick of empty rows.
As people have pointed out though, printing boarding passes on line 24 hours ahead should solve any problem.
Jan 15th, 2008, 07:57 AM
#23
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Some of you all seem to have a really rude tone. Maybe you are the childless group. Thank you to the other to point out things. Yes, I bet you are right, SW wants more business people/money. I have chosen to fly SW in the past because it has many nonstops from where I live that other airlines don't. (I like nonstop with a toddler. Too many other airlines don't make connections on time.) Also, we did check in ahead of time. We were unable to do this exactly 24 hrs. ahead of time, but even with checking in 20 hrs. ahead, we were still in group B. And yes, the plane was coming from another city and many people did stay on the plane, so that could have been a cause for only middle seats left open. Next time I have a flight problem though, I'll keep it to myself since it seems like most people will just say "pick a different airline."
Jan 15th, 2008, 08:14 AM
#24
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"Next time I have a flight problem though, I'll keep it to myself since it seems like most people will just say "pick a different airline.""
You call people rude, then play martyr/victim. Interesting.
The point people were making is that Southwest has made a business decision. I've stood in that A line with other business travelers and heard the griping when 20 people get to go on first with their kids and babyseats and more than one piece of carry-on luggage.
The grumbling is: "Why do I bother trying to get in the A line when families are getting all the seats." Southwest is not a business-traveler friendly airline--except for the price and the cancellation policy--and therefore they are trying to improve their rep.
They are also instituting the approach used by European carriers which allows you to pay more to be first on the plane. That's a fee business travelers will pay, but it requires not allowing families to jump the line.
If you all need to sit together and that is an important requirement for your flight, then you shouldn't fly on Southwest. Every other traveler has to factor that into their choice, and families shouldn't be any different.
You call people rude, then play martyr/victim. Interesting.
The point people were making is that Southwest has made a business decision. I've stood in that A line with other business travelers and heard the griping when 20 people get to go on first with their kids and babyseats and more than one piece of carry-on luggage.
The grumbling is: "Why do I bother trying to get in the A line when families are getting all the seats." Southwest is not a business-traveler friendly airline--except for the price and the cancellation policy--and therefore they are trying to improve their rep.
They are also instituting the approach used by European carriers which allows you to pay more to be first on the plane. That's a fee business travelers will pay, but it requires not allowing families to jump the line.
If you all need to sit together and that is an important requirement for your flight, then you shouldn't fly on Southwest. Every other traveler has to factor that into their choice, and families shouldn't be any different.
Jan 15th, 2008, 08:19 AM
#25
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We flew alot when our kids were little - I always like a guaranteed seat for the opposite reason - I liked to board at the LAST possible moment. One of us would board as soon as our group was called with all our "gear". The other stayed with the kids and boarded when they were about to close the doors - the less time the kids had to sit on the plane the better.
Jan 15th, 2008, 08:56 AM
#29
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"Some of you all seem to have a really rude tone. Maybe you are the childless group." And that remark was what? Not rude?
If you don't like Southwest's policy, then you can try to get them to change it or take your business to another airline.
BTW, many flights out of Orlando, where I live do not allow children to board first. As a gate agent once announced, "It's Orlando - almost everybody is boarding with kids."
If you don't like Southwest's policy, then you can try to get them to change it or take your business to another airline.
BTW, many flights out of Orlando, where I live do not allow children to board first. As a gate agent once announced, "It's Orlando - almost everybody is boarding with kids."
Jan 15th, 2008, 09:02 AM
#30
"Checking in 20 hours ahead of time will always get you a "B"..."
Not always - it entirely depends on the route and flight. I've sometimes checked in as few as 8 or 10 hours ahead and got the A group. But yes, for many of the most popular destinations, 22-24 hours ahead is necessary.
cm: as I understand you - childless people are rude and families automatically deserve special treatment. Uh - I don't think so . . . . . .
Not always - it entirely depends on the route and flight. I've sometimes checked in as few as 8 or 10 hours ahead and got the A group. But yes, for many of the most popular destinations, 22-24 hours ahead is necessary.
cm: as I understand you - childless people are rude and families automatically deserve special treatment. Uh - I don't think so . . . . . .
Jan 15th, 2008, 09:04 AM
#31
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cm - you never did say if you had 2 tickets/seats or 3.
When you come to a public forum such as this, you have to be able to read the replies without getting insulted. You came here seeking sympathy and is seems like you were not able to get it. You roll the dice and take you chances.
For what its worth - I have 2 children with whom I flew extensively when they were little - very little. And for the majority of the time, I did it alone as a single mom. It wasn't easy, there were delays and other issues that really tried everyone's patience.
We flew People's Express to FL to visit my parents and I believe it was open seating. So, been there done that, as they say.
Entitlement doesn't come easy and many feel they have it for many reasons that others just agree exist.
Again, people weren't being rude - they were replying to your post.
Deb
When you come to a public forum such as this, you have to be able to read the replies without getting insulted. You came here seeking sympathy and is seems like you were not able to get it. You roll the dice and take you chances.
For what its worth - I have 2 children with whom I flew extensively when they were little - very little. And for the majority of the time, I did it alone as a single mom. It wasn't easy, there were delays and other issues that really tried everyone's patience.
We flew People's Express to FL to visit my parents and I believe it was open seating. So, been there done that, as they say.
Entitlement doesn't come easy and many feel they have it for many reasons that others just agree exist.
Again, people weren't being rude - they were replying to your post.
Deb
Jan 15th, 2008, 09:28 AM
#32
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I've also noticed that they are holding back the top # of A's since their new policy went into effect.
Somewhere around 15 - 20 of the A's are being reserved for the business traveler or the frequent flyer who is getting guarnteed A's.
Most of the flights I have been are are empty up until about space A-20 or so...giving more of the B's and even some C's alot of choices on open rows.
Somewhere around 15 - 20 of the A's are being reserved for the business traveler or the frequent flyer who is getting guarnteed A's.
Most of the flights I have been are are empty up until about space A-20 or so...giving more of the B's and even some C's alot of choices on open rows.
Jan 15th, 2008, 09:29 AM
#33
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Take Jet Blue - built-in babysitters with their televisions right in front of the kids' faces. Just plant them in their seats, buckle them up, stick their headsets on, snacks in their laps and they're happy as clams.
Jan 15th, 2008, 09:33 AM
#34
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The one time my husband and I flew SW we booked two tickets (but he was booked as 65+). Only I was able to check-in ahead of time (and get in the A group). He was forced to wait until we arrived at the airport and prove that he was 65 or older before we could check-in, which of course put him in the last group. I don’t know if this is only necessary the first time one travels with SW or each time. But thought I’d pass that along so others wouldn’t be surprised by this.
Jan 15th, 2008, 10:19 AM
#35
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"I've also noticed that they are holding back the top # of A's since their new policy went into effect.
Somewhere around 15 - 20 of the A's are being reserved for the business traveler or the frequent flyer who is getting guarnteed A's."
Thank you for that info, milemarker0--I wondered how it is possible, when I check in on-line that first possible minute, to receive a 20-something, 30-something, 40-something number. It all makes sense now.
Somewhere around 15 - 20 of the A's are being reserved for the business traveler or the frequent flyer who is getting guarnteed A's."
Thank you for that info, milemarker0--I wondered how it is possible, when I check in on-line that first possible minute, to receive a 20-something, 30-something, 40-something number. It all makes sense now.
Jan 15th, 2008, 11:02 AM
#36
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Liz
Now that your husband has verified he is 65 he will be able to check in on-line. The first time is the only time you have to show your ID to prove age. And this is because 65 and over get a discounted fare.
Now that your husband has verified he is 65 he will be able to check in on-line. The first time is the only time you have to show your ID to prove age. And this is because 65 and over get a discounted fare.
Jan 15th, 2008, 11:02 AM
#37
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"Checking in 20 hours ahead of time will always get you a "B"..." - not always, once I didn't check in from the hotel, and was able to get an A at the airport! The flight was 2/3 full.
Of course I can't remember which airport it was
Of course I can't remember which airport it was
Jan 15th, 2008, 11:13 AM
#39
<Some of you all seem to have a really rude tone. Maybe you are the childless group>
cm~ I'm sorry you don't like the replies you've received, so now you're going to throw out some insults of your own?
Also sorry you don't like the idea to fly an airline with assigned seating, but it IS the obvious solution.
cm~ I'm sorry you don't like the replies you've received, so now you're going to throw out some insults of your own?
Also sorry you don't like the idea to fly an airline with assigned seating, but it IS the obvious solution.
