Southwest Airlines Community

Don't wait until you're nauseated, it's too late.      https://www.dramamine.com/blog/5-tips-to-avoid-motion-sickness-your-first-cruise#:~:text=Try%20taking%20Dramamine%C2%AE%20Original,for%20up%20to%2024%20hours.     I never get sick on planes, but I can say it works noticeably well on ships. ... View more

Just spoke to someone who 2 in the household got it.  They wear masks everywhere, even in their own homes amazingly.  They don't travel and only go to the store.  Go figure. ... View more

I still get nervous while flying, even though I've been flying for years and KNOW there's nothing to be nervous about. Sounds like we share a bit of anxiety 🙂   Noise-canceling headphones is what did the trick for me. A lot of my anxiety came from different noises (usually landing gear), so a pair of good headphones and a calming playlist relieved A LOT of my anxiety.   And, hey, you're flying Southwest - make friends with a Flight Attendant! They fly all the time! I've heard a lot of People focus on the FAs when they get nervous because the FAs' calm demeanor helps them realize everything is normal.   It does get easier with time! Several years ago, I almost refused to fly. Now, my wife and I fly regularly and even did a 17-hour non-stop trip to Hong Kong last year.   Like @ffflyer said - snag a window seat and try to enjoy the view. Take pics and let us know how it goes! ... View more

As posted on another thread:   Wearing an N95 mask with a valve doesn't do much to protect those around you, as it permits droplet release, negating the whole point of wearing a mask. I was wondering why it took so long to ban them...   I have to wear N95 masks (I'm immunocompromised).  I simply wear a disposable surgical or cloth mask over it.  Double-masked!  I'm protected and I'm protecting those around me.   No one knows I have the N95 on...they just think I'm overly concerned about contracting COVID.   ... View more

But it also shows that as a 30-year old I can be asystematic or full-blown sick and have no issues at all or recover nicely, yet I've been the six degrees of infection that eventually kills 10 people over 70.  So why not consider that.  ... View more

Just like I think SW needs to be reminded of a not so good experience a passenger has, so should they be acknowledged when they have done something good.  use the avenues provided and thanks for your caring to let SW know.  ... View more

Thanks Blake! ... View more

You can upgrade your ticket to Business Select, assuming those fares are not sold out for your flight. This will get you a A1-15 boarding pass and extra miles for your account.  You may be able to pay at the gate for a better place on line if you don’t upgrade.  But remember, it’s open seating. If your flight is connecting from another city they may already be people on board before you board.  And, all seats arrive at exactly the same time.  ... View more

‘bout time.  Now, let’s see SWA follow through and have anyone who takes their masks off during the flight, other than while eating or drinking for a very short time, met by police on landing and charged with not adhering to the flight crew’s directions.  ... View more

@bec102896 wrote: I agree that the open middle seat is nice sure it may not be the perfect solution because staying 6ft apart on a plane is next to impossible but every little bit of space helps. Glad to hear you enjoyed your trip! If you would like to share your compliment with southwest directly you can do so through one of these methods: Submitting a Customer Service Compliment    -Blake Depending on the quality of mask worn the distance can be cut down to inches - still possible with a direct neighbor, but empty middle should be good shape.    Double-layer cloth or filtered is the way to go if we all want the economy to keep opening.         ... View more

We truly regret if you were left feeling unsettled after traveling with us, @lr101010. All Customers are required to wear a face covering but there are some exemptions to this policy. Additionally, all Employees should be wearing masks properly.   As a peer-to-peer support forum, we are not equipped to assist you here, but we encourage you to Contact Customer Relations so we can follow-up with the Crew internally.    Thank you,   ... View more

@SWFlyer007 wrote: what is a, "media DM?" Reaching out on Twitter or Facebook they have an option for you to send a DM also called private message that way it's not a public message.  ... View more

I would like to see SWA remove passengers that demonstrate racism and ban them from flying.  ... View more

Traveling today. What fun!   Oddly, while Judge Whatever Her Name Is has determined all of Harris County Texas should live in a bubble, indefinitely, and it is a crime with a $1000 fine for a business to allow an employee, or a member of the public at large, to be within the building premises without a mask (exceptions being restaurants), Houston Hobby is only requiring masks during the boarding process.   Thank god for common sense! ... View more

Enforcing the mask policy does create an additional burden on the flight attendants.   The flight crew is there for our safety, aren't they?  Being safe does take extra effort during these times.   My gripe is that they (SW employees) should lead by example.  Moving your mask to cover your nose only when close to another is helping spread the disease, not prevent the spread of it.  Even worse is to wear it with your nose exposed.   I'm seeing about 1/2 of the ground crew and 1/3 of the flight crew do exactly that.   Not good.  Bad. ... View more

@ ffflyer   I could not agree more! I have delayed all absolutely unnecessary travel for now. Not because of any fear, but because of all the inconvenience and BS.   Funny, in the weeks following the whole country shut down, and it wasn't until it started opening back up, I was flying (HOU/DTW, DTW/BOS, & BOS/HOU, numerous segments), and none of us were wearing masks, not the few passengers OR the crew.   All about making the sheep and cattle feel all fuzzy and warm, just like the whole TSA thing! I have issues with wearing a mask but I am tolerating it for the moment, and I have my own personal feelings about the whole Covid 19 BS, but I don't want to get that battle raging here.   Unfortunately, most of my trips to drive would require days v. hours to fly. Shorter ones, around Texas or to New Orleans, I too am driving.   Safe travels, my friend. ... View more

Just look at the idio...er....people and shake your head.  Maybe eventually they'll get a clue.   So far, in my experience, they won't.  At least most of them won't.  They are gleefully oblivious standing 2019-style up against their neighbor.   More reason to grab a window seat.  No butt in your face, ever. ... View more

Reasonable accommodations. If someone has a disability that makes them unable to fly in a safe manner, then, unfortunately, they can't fly.  ... View more

You can bet I will be sure to WAVE 🖐 at you when I fly over you.  But it more than likely will be on my return trip from where I'm coming from as you will still be on the road.   ... View more

What are you talking about?  There is a Pandemic happening and no need to play by whatever rules that you are speaking about.  This was not foreseeable by any of us and I do not plan to travel by plane until there is a vaccine in the future.  Therefore, it would behoove Southwest to have compassion and issue refunds and not vouchers during this crisis.     Everyone always seems to think their situation is special, and that the rules shouldn't apply to them. None of you have a special situation. These times are a special situation, but your situation is not.   Your statement here doesn't make sense.  Unless there is a vaccine we could be in this crisis for a long while.  So, yes this situation is special and we should be given a refund since it is not our fault nor Southwest.  Why should Southwest keep our money if it wasn't our fault either?  Seems to me, this a no brainer.  They are a billion dollar company who will get help from the government and keep our money.     ... View more

@ffflyer wrote: Driving to the airport is literally more dangerous than flying on the plane. Don't get drunk if you're flying with kids, (it's never a good idea to get drunk for or on a flight anyway).  Not drunk! Just one to relax. Anyway I hope you are safe and still able to take your trip.     ... View more

I wish more people had taken the virus this seriously back on March 4. ... View more

@Survivorgal62 wrote: I agree about the nonrefundable WANNA GET AWAY tickets.  I also do not want to use travel funds anytime in the next year due to this virus.  I am in a high risk category because i am over 55 and have underlying health conditions, including a weakened immune system due to breast cancer and lymphnodes removed.  I hope SWA will soon realize our concerns are hopefully issue full refunds.       In my opinion, it's very unlikely that Southwest will offer refunds as a matter of policy, despite the unique circumstances we are now facing. I am hopeful however that Southwest will make accommodations regarding ticket expiration, which would allow customers an extended period in which to use tickets/travel funds.   It is possible to Southwest may make individual exceptions to policy based on extenuating circumstances such as health issues. You would need to reach out to Customer Relations to make such a request, but I strongly advise waiting for now, until the volume of requests subsides. In addition, policy may also change before your travel dates. ... View more

For all of you who are giving the poster a bit of grief about their concern, let me ask you a question.   What monetary difference would it make for Southwest to extend travel funds until this outbreak is over? The answer is "no difference" unless you consider that if they don't they'll keep the poster's money and supply nothing in return. It wouldn't cost Southwest one dime to simply extend the expiration dates. This person is not asking for a refund. If the poster doesn't feel safe putting their family onto a plane at the moment who are any of you to lecture them? I'm a pilot. If any of you were to decide you didn't feel safe flying with me for ANY reason I'd be ok with that because a person's fear whether real or imagined is just as terrifying. I'm also an avid motorcycle racer. I have no fear of being on my bike at 175 mph but I'll bet you would. Each and every one of you probably has a fear of one kind or another that the poster would consider to be irrational. Give the poster a break. Southwest (and every other business) is in the business of making their customers feel good about their experience. The stance that Southwest has taken with this will simply cause lost customers and lost revenue. The reasonable decision would be to just extend the travel funds beyond this (yes media hyped) outbreak. ... View more

A very good suggestion. I wouldn't touch anything in that pouch even before the corona-virus scare.  ... View more

Lol, no one here in the Community has your email address. I appreciate the laugh though.     So, I've offered my advice to your questions about group travel cancelations and unless you have any other questions I guess we're done here. See you around the Community.   --TheMiddleSeat ... View more

So it sounds like you don't REALLY care where you sit, but you care enough to either pay extra?  Or you just want to pay extra not to see them walk on the plane ahead of you?   You seem conflicted.   It's your money.   Just be sure you realize what you're truly paying for.  In my opinion, the mere notion of losing $200 if I can't catch a flight, or decide to fly earlier in the day, is absurd.  If it means watching annoying people board early, or cram oversized bags into the overhead that should have been (free) checked already, I'll accept it.  They'll still be idiots before and after the flight, and I'll still use my free drink coupon to temper my disdain for them.  Fair trade-off.   As a "ffflyer", I'm kinda surprised you're not A-list already. ... View more

@ffflyer wrote:   But if if were my kids I wouldn't chance it. Southwest is great for many travelers but there are some situations where it's not perfect for everyone.  I agree that this is one of those situations that could potentially produce a rare but unhappy outcome. ... View more

If you are checking it make sure you pack it in a box, suitcase, or other sturdy protective case. You can't just check the actual metal detector.   --TheMiddleSeat ... View more