Preboarding Scammers

[ukchris2002]

Just boarded a flight with 24 preboarders, about 10 of whom were just tag-along family.  What a fiasco.

[jamespatton22]

I have flown Southwestern Airlines faithfully now for years and have decided enough is enough. I am A-list plus with companion status and travel with a large suitcase and tools for weeks. Now some of the airports I go to no longer have an counter for Business Select or A-List and when I wait in the regular full service line I get told by the counter agents to “use the self check in stand” and not wait in line for a counter person. Even after I try to explain I have to pay for my overweight bags before checking them in and I am A-list flying on a business select ticket they do not seem to care and only want to take the already tagged bags from customers that have already have boarding passes. I have already started flying United and Delta. I can get where I am going for the same ticket price and available flights. If my loyalty means nothing then why be loyal. My wife is not traveling as much now so the companion status isn’t as important and watching the people abuse the pre-boarding policy is annoying. When I fly United and Delta they assign everyone a seat number and it’s amazing how there are only 1 or 2 preboard people compared to the countless ones on SWA. I have done a lot of research on this claim that some preboarders have to sit next to window or they get sick. Only thing I can find is people that are nauseous may need to open a window to avoid getting sick. If having to see where you are going to avoid getting sick is a real thing then please tell me what this illness is called because my doctor couldn’t.

[chgoflyer]

Sounds like you'll be happier on another carrier. Good luck.

[jamespatton22]

I agree I will probably be happier on another carrier. Just boarded my last SWA flight to KC again with another very young couple with no impairments bee-board while almost skipping down the aisle. They didn’t sit next to an open window in row 2 so their is no “medical condition requiring they sit by a window” someone suggested earlier. Just not people abusing the system. Already booked my flight back on United and will no longer fly SWA after 5 years of A-plus level and companion status. Hate starting over building status with a new airline but I fly 3 or more times a week so shouldn’t take too long. 

[Tesajay]

Just watched about 40, yes, 40, "pre-boarders" only TWO in a wheelchair.

RIDICULOUS

[Gbonne]

SWA should go to assigned seats for preboarders only.  These seats can be in the back of the aircraft near the restroom. 

the only exceptions would be those with a medical card and a need for the bulkhead. 

also, preboarders should be required to BE THE LAST OFF THE PLANE.  

It's amazing how quickly they heal upon landing.  

most have zero integrity and the only thing that ails them is their c boarding group 

[puckstopper55]

problem solved. If you preboard, you will be the last ones off the plane! Great solution!!!

[ffflyer]

No. The solution is, if you want to avoid this nonsense, if it bothers you that is, fly an airline that allows you to reserve your seat when you purchase your ticket.

Some airlines, if not all by now, charge for this luxury. SWA instead charges for EB or Business Select and then you still take your chances.

[elijahbrantley]

Any seat assignments on SW = longer to turn the plane around.  Frankly, unless those assigned seats = revenue enough to make up for the time delay in getting the plane turned around, I don't see a change coming anytime soon.  But that is just my opinion.

I have learned that my stress during boarding depends directly on whether or not I try to pass judgement and get bend out of shape about pre-boarders.  As I have said before here, I have multiple friends and family members with invisible needs; therefore, I just assume positive intent in folks, I board in my spot, and I enjoy my flight.  

I generally don't like the out bit about "all the seats are going to the same place" since I like to sit in the exit row, but honestly, it is true.  And pre-boards can't sit in the exit row anyway; in my experience, this is always strictly enforced.

[Gstevenson]

Good for you. But playing by the rules is important and a sense of fairness is what makes society work. If you choose to condone people abusing a system, then that is your choice. I recently had my own pre-board experience having been injured and legitimately received pre-board status for about 10 weeks (6 flights). I personally have witnessed pre-boarders skipping down the jet way to the plane to board. I'm a list preferred, with companion pass.  I won't even attempt to advise Southwest how to fix this problem...reading many of the replies here, it's apparent that Southwest doesn't view this abuse as a problem......just know, I, like other disgruntled, yet marginalized fliers, may only be a small percentage of your flying passengers, but we do spend a lot of our company's money flying on Southwest. I am fortunate to be in the DFW area and have airline choices. Choices I will exercise if some measure of control isn't addressed to this issue.