Southwest Airlines Community

I would have to comment that if the individual isn't detailed enough to respond to the basic application questions correctly, how will they handle the details involving jet travel, reservations, gate assignments, etc? ... View more

The Air Carrier Access Act governs preboarding.  It outlines how airlines have to accommodate those who "self identify" with a disability.  There is no roped-off area or shaming that is permitted.   In addition, the airline is prohibited from probing further about their disability.  In fact, an individual can do back-flips and acrobatics all the way to the gate, "self identify" as an individual with a disability, preboard, then at some point, withdraw their claim.  Since the law requires that the individual "self identify" each time they board the plane, the status must disappear at some point anyway.   Get off the backs of those who preboard.  If you want assigned seats, many other airlines offer just that. ... View more

I will agree with your frustration on all points.   With regard to the preboarding, you cannot restrict their seating other than in exit rows.  The preboard is Federal law and the problem comes due to Southwest's open seating policy.  In this policy, the preboard customers get the best choice of seats.     This problem has become such a heated discussion that a song has become popular at certain airports.   In my opinion, Business Select is a complete waste of money. ... View more

Let me try and draw a picture on behalf of the OP.   No one argues that boarding from both doors is faster.  In fact, board from three.  We are all happy with that.   The problem comes when you completely shatter the boarding positions by having people all over the place boarding the plane.  That's the only issue being raised. ... View more

What was your boarding position? ... View more

First, here in Florida there are no boondoggles.  We pay no state tax here (aaaaahhhhhh) since those passing though leave billions of dollars behind to pay for those of us who live here.  Many thanks to all of you who pass through and pay my bills.   Second, Orlando to Miami by car is four hours on smooth roads.  If you look at the flying time, you can already be in Miami with your own vehicle:   45 - minutes drive to the airport 15 - minutes parking/ride to terminal 120 - minutes arrival before flight 45 - minutes flight 30 - minutes landing/terminal to baggage 20 - minutes arranging transportation 45 - minutes from airport to your destination   Total time = 320 minutes or over five hours.  So, in most cases you have vast increase in travel cost for virtually no savings in time whatsoever.   MCO to MIA is a waste of time.  Take your car or the train   Keep Florida tax free for those of us who are blessed to live here. ... View more

Well said!!! ... View more

I like things the way they are.     No more airports to the list, please. ... View more

There was a lively debate recently where Knoxville TN was debated.  Southwest told me that they have no plans to add Knoxville and even though the airport had spent a fortune in upgrades, Southwest was not interested. ... View more

You can preboard on the Southwest jet, but going through TSA you will be exposed to people who will have absolutely no regard for the privacy of your personal belongings.  They will sift through them and do whatever they want.   I would suggest having a letter signed by your doctor which indicates your wishes, giving a copy of that letter to one of those nice TSA agents and hope for the best.  If you are mistreated, file a lawsuit against the individual who mistreated you and also against the TSA director in that region. ... View more

Everyone has the right to their views.  While I do not see the wifi as a big deal, others do.     In the past, if I had problems with the wifi, I was issued a full refund.  Looking at the amount of time that is available on typical flights, the wifi wasn't my top priority so I stopped buying it. ... View more

I think the individual is asking if anyone found out the source of the burning wire smell on a flight from Los Angeles to Seattle.  I'm not sure why this would be the forum to ask, but I guess no one knows.   Myself, I wondered if any of the "heated" debates on this board were the source? ... View more

Yes how true.  Southwest offers a long list of direct destinations but some do require a change of planes.  I am amazed at how polarized people can be when they sit right there and ignore the facts.   I say let 'em go.  Let them fly Frontier or another airline and pay double.  At least they can choose their seat and not be in tears over not sitting beside someone. ... View more

I would recommend calling Southwest directly and ask the question.   ... View more

Well said.  With most flights being inside of two hours, I can do without wifi for that amount of time.  Also, considering that the wifi will be unavailable on the beginning and ending leg of the flight, how much real time to you get?   I've said it before - some people would complain about a sunny day. ... View more

Better check other airline prices before throwing a tantrum.  ... View more

Well that's interesting.  However, I don't see that occurring for people wanting to "sit together".  All of that accommodation will only delay the turnaround time for the plane which is the reason for open seating in the first place.   Sort of like adding sweet icing to a rice cake.  What's the point? ... View more

Sometimes the Southwest system is undergoing maintenance.  Go ahead and clear your cookies and restart your computer to see if that makes a difference. ... View more

You don't go to a restaurant to have your son seated at a table with a group of people, your wife seated on the patio and you seated at the bar. You don't go to a movie and your wife seated in the front, you in the middle and your son in the back.    In those examples that you mentioned, you do get to choose your seat.  Although in the restaurant you have to wait until there is enough seating to accommodate your party, and the larger, the longer the wait.   Southwest is not going to switch to assigned seating despite how horrified, mortified and appalled you might be.  When you bought the tickets you knew that there was no seat assignment and no matter what, there is no way to guarantee that you will sit together.   My suggestion is to choose an airline with assigned seating.  Of course, that's probably double the price of Southwest so you need to make an informed decision. ... View more

In all of the flights I have taken on Southwest, I have NEVER EVER EVER EVER heard of being asked to move for a drink coupon.   Nonetheless, I am quoting the Southwest policy that is posted online which was completely reinforced word for word when I called and asked.   Now, does that mean that a gate agent won't always follow the policy?  Of course.   Keep in mind that those people with higher boarding numbers do not appreciate that everyone has some special way to circumvent the system.       ... View more

Let's try this again.  Here is the roster of people traveling together:   One adult (parent) child aged 6   [QUALIFIES FOR FAMILY BOARDING UNDER THE POLICY] child aged 10 child aged 12   Now that you have an individual who qualifies under the Family Boarding policy, you can attach up to two adults to accompany that child under the age of seven.   Southwest also goes on to say:   If you are traveling with a child age seven to 13 years old: If you need and request assistance, Southwest will endeavor to seat a child next to one accompanying passenger (14 and older) to the maximum extent practicable and at no additional cost. Families can speak to Gate Agents or Flight Attendants to request assistance. So, those that don't qualify for family boarding Southwest will "endeavor" (whatever that means) so seat that individual with an accompanying passenger 14 and older.  Notice that is not part of family boarding at all.   This becomes an endless conversation covering the same topic over and over again.  On Southwest, there is simply NO WAY to assure that people sit together since you have open seating.  Family boarding, children and sitting together are all separate issues.   I would propose to Southwest that the following options be initiated:   Sell all seats based upon boarding position. If someone wants seats together, charge a $400 per seat surcharge and pay $300 of that to the passenger who volunteers to move their seat. Now, you can all sit together and everyone is compensated for their trouble. ... View more

As mentioned, my prior call to Southwest affirmed that an adult is an individual who has reached the age of majority at the location that they are present, not someone who is older than 7, age 14 or older.   No, what I'm saying and I've said for over a year now is that family boarding begins with a child under the age of seven.  Once you identify the, UP TO TWO ADULTS can board with that child.   The system does not work the other way around by identifying adults, then children to go with them.   Anyone between the age of seven and the age of majority is NOT an adult on Southwest.  However, only children under the age of seven invoke the family boarding rule. ... View more

I believe you to be incorrect.  As mentioned, my prior call to Southwest affirmed that an adult is an individual who has reached the age of majority at the location that they are present, not someone who is older than 7, age 14 or older.   This is, once again, everyone wants to sit together like Delta but wants the pricing that goes along with open seating.  Yes, Southwest will attempt to get you to sit together, but that doesn't mean that they will rearrange the seating. ... View more

Notice that 14 and older is designated as an "accompanying passenger", not an adult.   Yeah, they'll do their best to get you to sit together, but that's a pretty hollow statement.  Either there is or isn't a seat together.  No one is going to be moved or asked to move.   ... View more

Up to two adults with a child under the age of seven can board with family boarding.   The other two children are above the age of family boarding, but are NOT adults.  Therefore, one of them does not count as the second adult.   I have called Southwest and asked for clarification of the policy.  Southwest does not consider a child seven or older to be an adult.  They become an adult when the state that they are standing in says that they have reached the age of majority. ... View more

I would be all in favor of you boarding early.  No issues here. ... View more

The problem is going to be where this all ends.   Soon you will have someone approach Southwest and their first name is "**^&$$#@("  They will insist that the system allow their name.  Then what?   Most systems that I have seen omit non-alphabet characters but allow a space bar.  The standard is not likely to be changed anytime soon.   If it does, I want to add emoji and characters to my name. ... View more