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A MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO - OPEN SEASON ON ASSIGNED SEATING

gkelly1
Explorer A

I’m new to this whole blogosphere thing but I have really enjoyed reading all of the comments and am humbled that so many people are as enthusiastic and nuts about Southwest as we are.

I wanted to address some of the recent comments about Southwest’s seating policy. There’s been quite a bit of buzz both in the media and on this blog about our current open seating policy and my recent comments (at Shareholder’s Day on May 17) about our consideration of changing to assigned seating in the future. So, as the saying goes, here’s the scoop “straight from the horse’s mouth.”

At Southwest, quick, efficient operations and our desire to give the Customer what they want have been the keys to our 35 years of success. Everything we do at Southwest takes into account maintaining the delicate balance between operational efficiency and providing the Positively Outrageous Service that our Customers have come to expect from Southwest. One of the most common requests for change from our Customers is to add assigned seating. Obviously, many of our current Customers enjoy the open seating, so it’s not a unanimous request. However, we do listen intently to our Customers and do our best to give them what they want so it only makes sense to extensively research and evaluate this possibility.

Open seating has allowed us to build a highly efficient operation by keeping the time our aircraft are sitting at our gate to a minimum. Aircraft on the ground don’t make money! But it’s no secret that all airlines – even Southwest – are facing extensive cost pressures due to the rising price of fuel and we have to find ways to generate additional revenue.

Our Customer Service technology has evolved to the point that assigning seats may prove to be an efficient way for Southwest to board the aircraft. Our computer reservation system is undergoing an upgrade and, while we are in the “remodeling” effort, we are adding the technical capability to assign seats. This does not mean we will; rather, it means we will be prepared to assign seats, if we so choose.

We are currently conducting extensive research and if our research and testing (which some of you may be involved with) proves that we can bring in more Customers (without alienating our existing Customers) and increase overall Customer satisfaction, but at the same time not increase our boarding times or our costs, then I don’t see a reason not to do it. I haven’t given any time frame – just that it won’t happen next year.

I know that several of you have commented that you don’t want the current seating policy to go away because you see it as a part of what makes Southwest “Southwest,” but I’ll remind you that many people felt the same way when we transitioned from plastic boarding cards to electronic boarding cards. Things change and we can’t ignore that fact. One thing that will never change, however, is our dedication to you – our Customer – and we will always make decisions with your best interests in mind.

So, stay tuned…we promise to keep you informed of this and all of the changes at Southwest. And keep telling us what you want, we LUV hearing from you and we appreciate your business!

656 Comments
Traci_Peel
Explorer C
I have been flying SWA 20 years. My uncle was a SWA pilot for 20 years and recently retired. I remember thinking about some of your strange policies in the beginning, but over time they have proven to work and make you the #1 airline in the business. As one blogger put it, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Please don't misunderstand the public's outcry . . . we can withstand change but this is truly a bad idea. The reason because of everything already written above. I just wanted to let you know that there are more of us out here that agree. Boo Hiss Hiss!!! Just say no to assigned seating. We like the cattlecall. We like the lines. We like choosing to sit by someone we want to sit by. We like moving from a seat when four screaming kids sit across the aisle from you. We like the option of getting an aisle or window seat when you just booked your flight 3 hours ago. We beg of you SWA brass here our voices. And thanks for the opportunity to raise them.
J__Thomasson
Explorer C
Southwest is my airline of preference and I would HATE to see you change from open seating to pre-assigned. I occasionally have to fly other airlines for business to cities where Southwest doesn't fly. I'm amazed at how long it takes to board their planes. I'm a CPA. I understand you don't make money while your planes are on the ground. So please don't try to fix what is not broken. Your airline is one of the few making money right now and I want to see you stay that way so I can continue flying your airline. J. Thomasson
Paul_Gherman
Explorer C
Do not abandon you current practice of no assigned seating. I love change and I consider myself a full time change agent, but change for change sake is just wrong. Every time I am forced to use another airline, and I experience assigned seating, it reconfirms why I fly Southwest. The horror of 30 minutes at the gate as everyone dances up and down to get their seats is terrible. And I rarely get a great seat anyway even when I book well in advance.
Arthur_H_Bayern
Explorer C
As a frequent traveler (and a Rapid Rewards member), I enjoy a lot of what makes SWA unique. However, the cattle call rather than assigned seating has made me seek other airlines quite often. I like the idea of assigned seating very much and would travel SWA much more if it were available. As it is, my next trip is to LA on SWA, then to St. Louis, then Syracuse, and the latter two are on other airlines for just that reason - assigned seating. Just my two cents.
Terry_Lessig
Explorer B
I'm amused when I read comments from people complaining about a two-hour line-up at the gate. These people have never flown with us. Southwest uses their gates more efficiently than that, and if you line up two hours early, you end up in a different city. The current system encourages people to be at their gate early so we can all leave on time. Assigned seating creates a mindset that your seat is guaranteed, so they'll wait for you. I read of fistfights, swearing, and general mayhem, none of which I've ever witnessed in 25 years of boarding. These are the same people who still believe that you're a fledgling, struggling airline. They haven't witnessed your impressive load factor. We are only seeing what people think happens.
Allison
Explorer C
My husband and I have been flying Southwest since the Manchester NH route opened. I cannot believe you would even consider assigned seating. Southwest has always been unique, please keep it that way. People sit or stand inn their A,B or C lines and even converse with each other. We share so much information. You have come so far, please do not regress allison
Steve16
Explorer C
Don't change the open seating policy! While sitting at a Delta gate in Houston recently, I noticed that the gate agent was making his THIRD "Final" boarding call while several passengers wandered the gate and gift shops, knowing they really, really didn't have to get on because, "They had a seat assignment". Keep the turns short and the airplanes in the air!
David15
Explorer C
Gary, thank you for taking time to communicate directly with us. Please, please, please do NOT change your open seating rules. This is one of the very things that makes Southwest special -- we can sit with (or away from) whomever we want. I am a business traveler. I need to work on the plane. Putting me next to a crying baby would be a disaster. I do not care if I sit in 1c, 3e, 19f, or 23b. I just need quiet. I choose to fly SWA because I can choose my neighbor. Please do not take away our freedom to choose. After all, we business travelers cannot have freedom to fly without the freedom to choose where we sit.
Kevin_B
Explorer C
The benefits of assigned seating to most passengers are often minimal at best. Carriers that do pre-assign seats block the "best" seats for their three levels of elite travelers- or charge extra for the priviledge of sitting in one.On the few occasions that I do not fly Southwest, I'm always reminded that some customers are more important than others whenever I see that so many seats are "blocked" for elite status flyers and not just already taken. On Southwest I sometimes pay full fare and sometimes travel on a really great promotional fare, but I'm always made to feel that my business is just as important as that of the person sitting next to me. Assigned seating is a slippery slope of treating some customers better than others. Don't go there.
Robert_Chadwick
Explorer C
Please DO assign seats. These people who are suggesting that you continue being THE ONLY airline that does not assign seats are just plain lazy and/or have no organizational skills. I book my travel well in advance; and honestly, I have been tempted to leave Southwest because I cannot get an assigned seat. People who are prepared and well organized deserve to get the best seats without having to stand in line like cattle for up to two hours before departure. It's ridiculous! I understand that some business passengers may not be able to plan as far in advance as I do. However, it's not possible to please everyone; and it just makes more sense to remove the aggravation and stress from those of us who can plan.
Leonard_Lane
Explorer C
I don't get it. Why do people write that they have to stand in the A line for an hour or more to get their desired seat? Unless you want to be the first passenger to board the aircraft, don't wait in the A line! There are plenty of good seats available in that group, even if you're the last one in the A line. There's no reason to stand in the A line if you don't want to. Frankly, there are plenty of good seats in the B group, too. It's even possible to avoid the middle seats in the C group. Get over it folks!
Greg_Duggan
Explorer C
I very much prefer SWA's open seating policy..That is one of the main reasons that I fly Sw. Please don not change something that works so well.
Dan_R
Explorer C
Glad to hear you are considering assigned seats. I agree with some others that competition for group A is getting ridiculous as is the lineup in your respective group an hour b/f the flight. Most people who post here are obviously Southwest "Lovers" so they want to keep the same 'ol same 'ol. This is not a good representation of how flyers really feel. Most hate the cattle car open seating method.
M_6
Explorer C
My opinion is stay away from assigned seating. If a pax knows what seat they will be occupying, they seem to have a tendency to lag behind and wait until the very end of boarding to get on. As you know with WN, pax are there early to grab the best seats. Having the unassigned system helps to have the pax at the gate ready to go. Also, how many times have you seen a pax come to the gate counter and request seat assingment changes, and many times they picked out the seats themselves on the computer at home. What a waste of time if many are going to switch anyway. Plus, I have been on many a flight where after all pax were onboard, the FA came on the PA and said 'That's all the people, so if you want to change, go ahead'. That defeats the purpose,as well. And finally, there have been many times I have seen duplicate seat assignments, even on a Frontier flight with 22 people! And with Southwest's many multiple segment flights, this would seem to me to be a bigger possible problem.
M_6
Explorer C
Oh, forgot one other item. It seems Southwest is headed in the direction on being 'like every legacy airline', as this would be another step in that direction. And you can see where they are today!
M__Herraghty
Explorer C
I personally prefer the open seating at all times, but most of all when I am travelling with children. Legacy carriers have vacated our seat assignments too many times to count -- equipment changes, schedule changes of less than 5 minutes, the flight being re-numbered -- you name the excuse, I've heard it. They tell me to call every day on the chance that "something might open up", so I waste an enormous amount of time listening to advertisements while on hold, only to get an operator who tells me that no seats are available, and to try again tomorrow. The end result is always separation in scattered middle seats. With open seating, I check in online, get our A's, and step up to the end of the A line knowing that we will be sure to get contiguous seats. The responsibility rests with me, and takes less of my time than all those fruitless phone calls. I can supervise my own child, and make sure that other passengers are not bothered by his presence. I understand the issue of getting late-connecting families seated together, but surely there should be a way to know who those connecting passengers are and how many there are? I would suggest using the reserved cards to hold open a bloc of seats at the rear of the aircraft for expected late-connecting passengers.
Greg11
Explorer C
I always fly Southwest whenever possible, even if it means changing planes or, modifiying my schedule. The number one reason is the open seating. The other airlines' assigned seating system is horrible. No matter how far in advance you book, most of the seats are blocked and your choices are limited. On the few occassions that I have to use another airline, I base my purchase on what seats are left. If Southwest goes to assigned seating, I may pass you by if another airline has a better choice at the same price. I like the fact that all of the families board first. They always sit in the front of the plane, and when I board I can head straight to the back to spend my flight undisturbed by children. I like it that everyone has to get there early, it means they are ready to go. How wonderful that those who like to show up at the last minute are not on my flight, and wasting my time!
Paul_Weatherly
Explorer C
I would pay 25% premium to be able to avoid having to play some demeaning and patronizing game to a) get to the airport 3 hours early to get into a line to be able to get into another line to be able to squeeze past others to run for squatters rights on an aisle seat or b) set an alarm for 24 hours plus fifteen minutes in advance of a departure time to be sure that I was sitting in front of a internet connected computer to be able to check in online so that I could get a decent seat. As things stand now, it is simply not worth it to have to play these games. I used to fly SW but have not in five or more years because i am so turned off by being treated like steers being funneled into a Kansas city stockyard.
Kathleen_N_Seym
Explorer C
I don't mind the first-come-first-serve process, I just don't like sitting on the floor at my gate an hour before takeoff. Couldn't you put the seats in line with the 3 gates? That way we could all sit down and there wouldn't be the big rush to the gates.
Jenny_M
Explorer C
Hi- I fly SWA monthly. In fact, my husband just joined me for a week of business travel with a RR award ticket. We LUV free flights. The "seating problem" isn't ON the plane. It's at the gate. We're based at BWI where SWA has two concourses. Presumably SWA had a lot of input on construction/layout/etc. of this state-of-the-art 2-security extravaganza. Given that, why were the traditional, unhelpful chairs installed facing the ticket counter that no one ever uses? We feel like cattle because there's no way to sit in the order in which we arrived. Why? Please think about benches or other structural changes to the layout that will accommodate people and not force them to sit on air vents, carpeting, their luggage, or a misdirected chair 10 feet away. The boarding flow will improve with calm passengers who can walk right on. And since I'm on my soapbox, it would also help if there was a way to "thin the herd" accompanying a 6 year old that really doesn't need extra time. In two direct flights, we saw more than a dozen families who needed extra time; only 3 of which had infants and their obligatory paraphernalia. Thanks for 24-hour check-in and other improvements. Please don't assign seats on your flights.
Fran2
Explorer C
Whatever changes you make, please keep Southwest the FUN airline! I love the easy-going, positive attitude of the people that work for Southwest. If you need to make assigned seats in order to keep the fares cheap go ahead, however, PLEASE make a designed section for people traveling with children under 5-years-old. That's why I like the open seating -- I can scan the isles and sit far away from the little darlings. Now, what about getting a flight to Key West?
Nate3
Explorer C
I fly Southwest Airlines very regularly between northern California and southern California and have flown ya'll on severl long distance flights as well. I've also flown many of the other major carriers. And in almost every case, open seating works for me--even if I end up in the "C" group because I can't check-in online or have a paper ticket (now, issuing those to your customers with vouchers given out on overold flights is outdated!). Sure, the other airlines often let me assign my seat online, in advance, and I've rarely gotten a bad one at the airport, but why the hassle? Now, the lining up early, especially the "A" group which will uexcept in extremely unusual cases get the seats they want is annoying. And the solution isn't assigned seating! Just board in smaller groups of, say, ten. It really won't really matter whether you're 71 or 79. And if you're 82 or 83 you can just stay comfortably seated in the gate area and just about as likely get the seat and carryon space you want. No one will cut the line to be 84 or 85--and in the rare, stupid cases your customers get a bit competitive, your usually friendly empolyees can remind them that it doesn't really matter. Really, with a tweek, a bit of civility, and a bit of friendly coaxing for any obnoxious customers open seating almost always works fine. It's not worth the hassle to change!
Pankey
Explorer C
The open seating effort has now run its course and its time to change to the assigned seating system due to the fact it is not now quicker to have open seating. I have recently had flights delayed for extended times due to passengers wrestling with luggage in the overheads and then couldn't find their luggage when the flight landed delaying the emptying of the plane. If you are on a connecting flight you need to carry your luggage in order to increase your chances of making the connection. Now the computer check in is an added line to get in. In order to get on the plane early and get a seat near the front so you can avoid the hassles with the overhead you now need to plan 24 hrs in advance with the check in. In summary SWA is getting to be such a pain in the groin that I'll pay more to avoid the hassle.
Dennis_Grandine
Explorer C
I think issuing seating is a very good idea. I have flown Southwest Airlines many times and have witness people will do just about anything to get there place in line. Yes including lie to get there position in the line. I personally witness a lady go back to the countier and tell the lady at the desk that her sister was handicap on medicine just to get in the handicap line to get better seats because she originally had a C line and she wasn't going to wait. After she got a her way she then bragged to others that it was easy to do. This seems unfair to all of us who play by the rules purchase our tickets early in advance and even print out boarding pass in advance. So if you buy tickets early and you have our money early we should be rewarded by line and seating. What's wrong with treating Southwest Rapid Rewards customers with a good seat. Plus I think it will help slow down cheaters. I know it not possible to stop them but maybe at least make them work to cheat. Thanks for listening.
Drew1
Adventurer C
Kathleen N Seymour and Jenny M: Southwest does have the seats arranged to create A, B and C seating areas at some stations. From memory, BWI is unfortunately not one of them. It certainly helps combat the "squatting" behavior that some commenters have mentioned.
IT4LUV
Explorer C
I liked the idea from a previous poster. Make the back third of the plane the "reserved" section so that people who want assigned seating will checkin and "know exactly where they are going to sit." This would be the assigned-seat group who would board after the pre-board group. Then the A-B-C groups would have "open seating". The reserved seaters would be asked to move to their seats at the back of the plane, and then everyone else would board as usual. It might make a nice compromise. What's that you say? You wanted to be assigned to sit at the front of the plane? Sorry, that's reserved for the "A-B-C" boarding group. :) "think outside the box"
Craig_M_Stewart
Explorer C
PLEASE, PLEASE do not do away with the open seating. Opening seating is the best thing since sliced bread.
Rob_Mossack
Explorer C
Hmm, I see a lot of folks saying that they want to choose who they sit next to (or who they avoid) on the flight... but did you ever think that the person you sit next to might not want YOU next to them, for whatever reason.? Where's their choice in this? Do you expect them to get up and take another seat, just because you want the one next to them?
Drew1
Adventurer C
Reenie: Making the rear third of the plane assigned seating is almost taking a page from jetBlue (the rear portion of their planes have more legroom than the front). The disadvantage to this idea is that assigned-seating folks would have first crack at overhead bin space.
Mary12
Explorer C
I don't mind the idea of open seating vs. assigned seating, but think it would be great if the seat could be determined by when you got your boarding pass. In other words, I try always to log on exactly 24 hours before flight time to get that "A" pass. If the seats were assigned in the order they were requested it would be great. Another thing that I think would keep the airlines on time, and reduce problems at boarding, is to eliminate all carry-on luggage except what will fit under the seat in front of you. The issues with folks trying to stuff luggage containing months worth of clothing and gear in the overhead compartment are immense. Just eliminate carry-ons and let the wonderful Southwest baggage handlers take care of it in the most efficient way. I always make sure I get an "A" so I can get on early and not have to deal with those folks stuffing it in, then dragging it out at the destination. Talk about "think different"!
chris_borreca
Explorer C
Gary, Colleen and Herb: In my mind, there is no better airline than SWA. PERIOD! I fly no other. I love your open seat policy. PERIOD. Please do not change it . It works fine. I know you will do the right thing. Thanks
Donna_Clark
Explorer C
No to assigned seating. If people want to fly on airlines with assigned seating let them fly on Delta or American Airlines, after all they do have a choice when they fly. Perhaps that explains why the other airlines are always having financial problems and Southwest does not. Without assigned seating if I am finished with a business meeting early I can jump on an earlier flight with minimal hassle. On airlines with assigned seating it takes an act of Congress to change seats and get on another flight.
James_Lyle
Explorer C
I LUV your seating arrangements the way they are. I Luv choosing my own seat. Stay the way you are.
Hardy_Morris
Explorer C
I'm not a fan of the current system of "A" "B" "C" lines. Call me lazy, but, I dislike having to start standing in line to board 25 or 30 minutes before the flight in order to get a good seat in the respective line. I much prefer the old way where seats were issued in groups such as 1-25, 26-50 etc. That way, you could remain seated until boarding time because you knew your grouping. I see no reason why seats couldn't be issued with a number grouping instead of the current A,B,C system. But, regarding the issue at hand, no assigned seating please.
Phil18
Explorer C
I have been flying SWA for years. I am really tired of having to go to the airport hours in advance and then rushing to line up as soon as someone decides to start the line. Even before the aircraft arrives at the gate to deplane passengers, we are all standing in line so we can be the first ones on. It truely is a cattle call, or in this case one person goes to start the line we all follow like sheep, so maybe it should be called the sheep call. Anyway, I am really tired of it. when I purchase my ticket I want to select my seat. I only fly SWA and UAL, as a premier executive with UAL I choose my seat and sit in economy plus, and I don't have to get to the airport hours early. Too bad if business men have to wait until the last minute to book flights. SWA was not designed with businessmen in mind. It was designed for the leisure traveler. Now I see that the price difference in many markets is not that much between SWA and UAL so unless SWA changes its policy, I am out of here. You sheep or cattle can fight to see who gets on first, not me, no more.
Jim13
Adventurer C
Just FYI, on the USA Today blog, somebody named Chris and somebody named Carl blame SWA for the legacy carrier's problems, and they think that SWA employees earn less than other airlines' employees. http://blogs.usatoday.com/sky/2006/06/its_official_so.html#comment-18938268 I set them straight and Dave backed me up.
Candice
Explorer C
I hate queing for seats and very much wish Southwest would move to assigned seats like the rest of the industry. Airline travel is inconvenient enough these days with all the security checks. The last thing I want to do is get to the gate super early and stand in another line. Even when I have an A pass, I still queue, because other passengers do, there''s always a line even an hour before flight time, and I want to be sure to get an aisle seat. As for those who say take another airline, believe me, I do when there is an alternative. But as I favor non-stop flights, sometimes there is not. And although Southwest assumes that everyone knows about its policy, I did not the first time I flew SW a number of years ago; I ended up with just about the last seat on the plane and no room for my carryon. The least Southwest could do would be to give all passengers the seating policy info when they buy their ticket, so newcomers would know what to expect and could plan accordingly.
Dave_Miller1
Explorer C
I hate open seating so much that if I have a _real_choice (same destination, same number of stopovers, comparable fares) I will _always_ take another airline rather than Southwest. Neither my wife nor I qualify for a wheelchair icon on our license plate, but I have a bad back and foot problems and standing in line for an hour is simply impossible. My wife has two bad knees and clambering into a window or even a middle seat puts her in peril of further injury. When we fly together, we sometimes end up having to sit apart. Please, please, give us assigned seating! Dave (SWA rapid rewards member)
swaeri
Explorer C
OPEN SEATING IS ONE REASON I LUV YA! I prefer open seating. I get aisle seats on 90% of my flights regardless of when I book and I never stand in line until the boarding process has started. I'll admit having heard fellow frequent flyers complain about open seating (cattle cars). I wearily attribute this to an excuse they give their bosses for why they pay more money to fly on non-profit airlines. By the way, these same individuals also use their frequent flyer miles to travel abroad, which is probably the true reason they prefer connections, hub delays, rude flight attendants and $1,000 walk up fares. If you want to expand your customer base start flying to more exotic locations. I for one would like to see BWI flights into the low cost European hubs. Code share with Ryan Air and Easy Jet, you're doing it to Hawaii.
John_Cook
Explorer C
I fly allot for a living and although due to schedules I don't always fly SWA. But i try to as often as possible. I agree with a comment made earlier. I was on a airline that was full but the back sit. I was jammed against the window and for me thats hard because i am a LARGE guy. Yet the back row was empty and i was not allowed to move to the rear because they save those for the flight crew. I thought i paid for the ticket and they where suppose to be working not shooting the bull. If you change then what in it for me as you will be the same as the other. DONT CHANGE
John_Gebhart
Explorer C
We flew Southwest for several years on family visits and vacations, but grew very weary of the hassle for seats and waiting in line, so when another airline began offering more flights to our usual destinations, with assigned seating, we jumped, even with higher fares. During one particular flight change at San Diego, the lines were so terrible and the gates so crowded that we vowed to avoid that location at all costs.
John_Cook
Explorer C
It simple.... Over the next month or 2 when people board hand them a ballot with the question YES or No for assigned seating. If you care about the customer this is a way to let us decide. this way everyone has a say even those business travels who complain about standing in line at SWA but don't complain about standing in line to board on American when they are blocking the way for group 2 to board and they are group 5 so they can put there over loaded carry one roller bag in some where
Jon_Gross
Explorer C
If this is "off topic" my apologies and please move it to the correct area. Found the blog address today and have wanted to share an idea that makes perfect marketing sense to me. I have mentioned this to gate agents and flight crew and all agree that it makes sense - so here- hopefully is my chance for "the big cheese" to hear it. Southwest spends millions promoting "DING", Television adds in all forms have featured "DING" so why when you get on the Jet and they scan your boarding pass does the scanner have a "DONG" sound?? I mean how much could it possible cost to have the sound chip duplicate the "DING" of your advertisements? How much would it be worth to Southwest for everyone, everytime they board to here "DING" and automatically think to themselves "You are Now Free to travel" or to think of one of the current ads? Let's here "DING" as we board the plane and the scanner scans our boarding passes. :-) Feedback would be so appreciated. Jon G -
Jean_Haas
Explorer C
From a retired employee as well as a Rapid Reward member----Please, Please, Please---N O assigned seats! Thank you for allowing our input. Jeanne
Cindy_Jones
Explorer C
Don't listen to any of them!!!! I think it's great that you are going to open seating. I'll bet that many of those opposed to the assigned seating are last minute purchasers and/or late arrivers at the airport. I have always found it unfair that if I either make an early purchase (when tickets open up--which is usually the way our family flies) and/or get an early electronic boarding pass (like #1 through 5), once the day of my flight arrives, I end up having to arrive at the airport 2 hours before my flight to now get in line and wait either sitting on the floor or standing and I still might not get as good a seat as I should have if I was given an assigned seat at my purchase time. Southwest is great and I know you will do what the majority of Southwest customers want. I am pretty confident it will be assigned seating (along with your possible International Flights); however, I will stand by and continue to fly Southwest even if that is not it. Keep up the good work and cheap flights and seriously, seriously consider assigned seating and international flights.
Mayer_Zimmerman1
Explorer C
Keep the cattle call, do NOT assign seats, but do revamp your baording procedures: 1. Families with children only under the age of 4. 2. Disabled people MUST be in wheelchairs and physically disabled in need of assistance.... I came back from FLL last week and there were 12 people in wheelchairs and 5 or 6 families. I had an A boarding pass and was second in line, but about 30 or 40 people got on the plane before me. You must maintain stricter control over early boarding. it is unfair to us "regular" people. Thanks Mayer Zimmerman
greg_smith
Explorer C
Mr. Kelly, say it ain't so!!! ever heard of "if it isn't broke, don't fix it"?? Keep Southwest the unique airlines that it is, successful!! We think think so much of Southwest, out family motto is "if Southwest don't fly there, we don't either". Keep the boarding the same, don't change, it's soooo convenient. I recently flew on US air (not by choice), the boarding took at least twice as long as SWA, it was pathetic. again, don't change the boarding process
Bob9
Explorer C
I've heard SWA is not allowed to refuse disabled preboard to someone not in a wheelchair. I think the customers who get a "C" boarding pass are learning this trick.
blusk
Aviator C
Again, we thank everyone for contributing your heartfelt thoughts on keeping open seating or assigned seating. Gary has read all of your comments, and we are also sharing your comments with all of our Leaders who are involved with this issue. I assure you that everyone's thoughts will be considered, if and when, we make a decision. We think we have the best bunch of participants in the entire blogosphere, and I also invite you to take a look at the other posts on our blog. Brian
Anonymous1361
Explorer C
a ceo HERE... 15 year loyal advocate of southwest. Many hundreds of thousands of dollars spent and many years with the companion pass. I email your tueday deals to over 500 people every week for the last 12 years. I have booked as many as 20 people in a group. If open seating goes I go. That is a promise. I can find the same flights at the same price and go on any old airline, if you just want to be the same for them. The people complaining of the cattle call are the same ones that fall in love with it after a few trips. They all come around. Assinged seating sucks on every airline. THIS IS A HUGE DEAL BREAKER FOR ME. wHAT IS NEXT a REWARDS PROGRAM WHERE YOU HAVE TO FLY 30,000 MILES TO GET A TICKET, NO DRINKING ON VEGAS FLIGHTS, PAINT OVER SHAMOO? REAL AIRLINE FOOD? Here is some research -- don't do it cause it will lose your old loyal advocates, the ones who spend and refer you billions in business. Eric