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Gadling: Southwest Airlines offers early boarding for $10

lreynolds
Frequent Flyer A

Nobody likes being the last person to board an airplane. In addition to zero overhead bin space that's left over, it's inevitable that the only seat left on the aircraft is in the back next to the lav between two enormous, smelly, sleeping wrestlers.

Traditional airlines get around this by assigning seats at ticketing (and often separating select seats out for elites,) but Southwest Airlines has always had an "open seat" policy. That is, you board roughly in zones and pick whichever seat you want when you get onto the plane. Kind of like a bus. Depending on when you check in and a few other factors, you're allowed to stand in a certain part of the line.

to read more, visit: http://www.gadling.com/2009/09/02/southwest-airlines-offers-early-boarding-for-10/

57 Comments
Frank
Explorer C
Long time SW flier and I have my first flight coming up where the early bird program is in place. I swear if I check in 24hrs early and get a C group pass, that will be my last flight on SW. I will cut up my SW cards and hand them to the gate agents. Airtran flies everywhere I need to go, and I would rather pay a bit extra and KNOW I am getting a good seat, than pay $10 and play boarding pass roulette.
Leigh3
Explorer C
I paid the $20 for my son and myself, more than 36 hours in advance, and we got the end of the B boarding group. I used to do better without the fee! Once again we're probably going to be hunting for overhead space and/or, heaven forbid, two seats together. Not happy paying this fee for such a low position.
Sam9
Explorer C
Recently at Midway, I saw TSA "Randomly" pull passengers out of line for a gate search. Wouldn't it be great to pay full fare + $20 (Business Select) or $10 for a better boarding position and have TSA pull you out to search you so that you board last. Southwest please .. the ABC system worked when it was free. Now that you insist on charging people, PLEASE just assign seats so that folks know what they are buying. Spending $10 to get a B boarding pass or worse just creates an angry customer - something which until recently I thought you took great pains not to do.
Anonymous4211
Explorer C
Southwest has become the K Mart of airlines.
Tim13
Explorer C
I was caught off guard by the new "early bird" boarding pass program and found myself in searching for bin space and a center seat after a long travel day. The old (no fee) 24 hour program worked well for me, and as I read the comments it seems to have worked for most folks. If the $10.00 fee is going to make or break the airline, just raise the ticket price rather than engaging in this silly program. Now, it seems Southwest is moving to become like the other airlines when it comes tack-on fees. With repect to seating, it is now has regressed to the "worst." Southwest is no longer my first choice.
Anonymous1463
Explorer C
I am not a fan of flying and i need to take medication to stay relaxed.I would prefer my husband sitting next to me when i get a panic feeling.Southwest has always made flying a good experience.But being seperated from my husband would be uncomfortable for me so this will be my last trip with southwest unless you go back to the old boarding ways.
cwphoto
Explorer C
My wife and I use to be loyal SW customers. Not any more. In a month's time, we have moved from boarding at an A21 to an A52 to now an B7 level because we refuse to pay the new "tacky $10 / per person / each way" fee that allow any customer to board early. Six free flights this year due to our travel schedule and we're now relegated to a B7 boarding. Please don't believe the "Loyal customers will still get on first" mantra. Hey SW marketing people. Your airline, like any arline, is only a 67% happy people flying airline. The last 33% who have to sit separated from their companion in a middle seat with no luggage space are not having fun. They're enduring. Have you bothered with this thought? What happens if everyone payed for early boarding? The ABC system worked great when it was free. It would be better to charge extra money and assign seats so people know what they're receiving. Hey, I've got other ideas for Kevin Krone and the "geniuses" at SW Marketing. Charge $20 and allow people to jump in front of those charged $10. Do I hear $30? Better yet, let the SW stewards keep allowing people to "save" seats for their entire group. Southwest has stated, quite clearly, with the new $10 charge; it's only about money. For the first time in a long time, we'll be looking at other airlines.