Southwest Airlines Community

My post to try to compile boarding suggestions was marked as spam and removed... ... View more

FYI that my post about trying to come up with constructive solutions to the boarding discussion was marked as spam and removed... ... View more

Partial answer here: https://www.southwestaircommunity.com/t5/General-Travel-Policies/December-2019-Flight-Schedules/m-p/87708#M6745 ... View more

I added this to the list of potential solutions for boarding heartache: https://www.southwestaircommunity.com/t5/Boarding/Military-Boarding-Policy/m-p/87856#M2666 ... View more

@dfwskier wrote: Due to it's boarding prcess, Southwest cannot assign seats to family members. So if you are A-List, and the rest of your family is not and the best they can do is Answer: save seats.   What are thoughts about having a save seat section? Meaning if you want to save seats then don't do it in the front or emergency exit rows? ... View more

You're not alone, as @dfwskier noted the topic gets a ton of discussion. It's something I personally think Southwest should address. I tried to capture this and other boarding issues, I would love to hear any suggestions you may have: https://www.southwestaircommunity.com/t5/Boarding/Military-Boarding-Policy/m-p/87856#M2666 ... View more

I've started an attempt on 3/11/2019 to put together a list of suggestions to address boarding as it seems to be the most common complaint I see on this site: https://www.southwestaircommunity.com/t5/Boarding/Military-Boarding-Policy/m-p/87856#M2666 I'll add this thread as the source for a suggestion to prohibit seat saving. ... View more

I think these articles provide good context: An MCAS primer: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2019/03/11/boeing-737-max-safety-system-differs/3129480002/ This article discusses pilot experience and training though for me the nugget of information is the reference to the procedure pilots should use for any pitch-trim issue: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeremybogaisky/2019/03/11/the-boeing-737-max-crashes-is-there-a-problem-with-the-plane-or-the-pilots/amp/ This article provides context about decisions being made to fly vs ground: https://www-m.cnn.com/2019/03/11/africa/max-8-operations-roundup-intl/index.html Hope this helps. ... View more

This is a note for anyone looking for an easy way to earn points to "reset" the clock. My personal opinion is that the easiest and least expensive option is to make a purchase through the online shopping portal. In my experience the points post within a week: https://rapidrewardsshopping.southwest.com ... View more

This article references comments from Southwest: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/southwest-says-it-remains-confident-in-its-fleet-of-boeing-planes-after-ethiopia-crash-2019-03-11 ... View more

Thanks for mentioning the app, I've never heard of it. I just read through the FAQ for the app and it looks like you still need to carry your passport, the app is just a replacement for the paper customs form. From your experience is that the only benefit of the app? The support page is here: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/mobile-passport-control ... View more

Also note that "customers traveling with children will be allowed to check one stroller and one Child Restraint System (CRS) or car seat per child without charge. This is in addition to the regular free baggage allowance." More detail: https://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/baggage/carryon-bags-pol.html?CLK=SITESEARCH ... View more

^^^ I agree with both of the above strategies ^^^ ... View more

You should call to see if a child fare makes sense: As per Southwest "Accompanied children ages two through 11 may purchase the applicable Child Fare for the flight (does not apply to unaccompanied children ages five through 11). Please contact us via phone at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792) to confirm if a child fare is available for a specific flight." (https://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/family/children-pol.html) Also note the requirements to verify the child's age. You'll be able to board between the A and B groups (https://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/airport-experience/index-pol.html) I'd bring the booster seat if it's certified for use on aircraft. When our kids were little we always let them pick out a few small treats and toys from the store then let them pack them in their carry on backpack. Throughout the course of the flight they'd get to pick out additional items from their bag. It usually worked like a champ! ... View more

News of a second MAX 8 crash is terrible. One note though about the MAX counts in the Southwest fleet. From page 29 of the 2018 Southwest Fourth Quarter - 10K (http://investors.southwest.com/~/media/Files/S/Southwest-IR/2018%2010-K%20Final%20795.pdf) as of December 31, 2018 Southwest operated 750 aircraft, with 31 of the 750 that are the MAX 8 variant. The same page also has a table that indicates the potential for an additional 44 MAX aircraft to join the fleet during 2019. ... View more

Unfortunately, no, look in the middle of the linked page to find this wording: "The following will not count toward qualification for A-List status: Rapid Rewards reward flights..." https://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/faqs.html?topic=rapid_rewards_program_terms_and_conditions ... View more

You may also want to send Southwest a note with your request: https://www.southwest.com/contact-us/contact-us.html?clk=GFOOTER-CUSTOMER-CONTACT-US. You may see a few other Albany customers chime in here but you won't always see a response from a Southwest employee. My home airport is DCA and I love watching planes landing on runway 19 turn to line up on final approach 🙂 ... View more

This is slightly off topic from the original poster's question but it is amazing to me that the Southwest team is at the point where casual travelers are worried about the impact of operations/labor agreement/maintenance (you pick what to call it depending on what you think is the root cause). I don't work for Southwest or any other airline, I'm just fascinated by the Southwest story & and business model. In my personal opinion I think they are causing avoidable brand damage. ... View more

Take a listen using this NPR link, Captain Shults is amazing. ... View more

Okay, I default back to the recommendation to give Southwest a call. Are you able to circle back to share what you learn? Thanks! ... View more

Once you are in the seat it is yours, nobody is going to take it when you get up to stretch. ... View more

I would call and speak to a customer service representative on the phone. If there is a hold time then the system will prompt to call you back, but it will still probably get you to resolution faster than the messaging.   I wonder if the price for any of the other legs on the multi-leg trip increased. If I read your message correctly then the tickets were purchased together and have one PNR rather than an multiple one-way trips with multiple PNRs. Good luck! ... View more

I don't know if your family includes young children, but if so then the following also applies:   An adult traveling with a child six years old or younger may board during Family Boarding, which occurs after the “A” group has boarded and before the “B” group begins boarding. If the child and the adult are both holding an “A” boarding pass, they should board in their assigned boarding position.   Source: https://www.southwest.com/html/generated/help/faqs/boarding_the_plane_faq.html ... View more