Southwest Airlines Community

My laptop (HP) will charge through a USB port.  If you plug in a backup battery, it will see the power and feed its own battery.   Each laptop is designed differently. ... View more

I would separate your concerns in paragraphs and make it easier to read.  I understand your core concern but one single run-on collection of words won't be read by the average person.   I have a zero tolerance for unprofessional behavior.  My suggestion is to write a well-detailed letter, spacing for paragraphs, and direct it to the CEO of Southwest.  I would also ask for some level of compensation via LUV voucher.   Until Southwest has to start paying customers for this behavior, it will not change.    MCO is a hotbed of bad behavior from gate agents and I LIVE IN THE MCO REGION so I would know.    Shame on Southwest for putting up with this kind of behavior.  ... View more

First, thank you for your service.  We wouldn't enjoy the benefits of living in the USA without your service.   Second, some need to mind their own business around here.  Frankly, if you buy Business Select only to get on board first, you are wasting your money.  However, do as you see best. ... View more

This appears to be a common theme on this board.  If the HR group cannot manage the applicants, reach out to the CEO and advise of your situation. ... View more

I do not see how you can claim that you are the first on the plane if you are A1.  You are behind 20 other people who preboard on many of the flights that I am on.   In a couple of years, they will start assigning boarding positions on preboard passengers due to the number, and the other six people who are NOT preboarding will come on as they please.   All of this is jeopardizing the open seating policy.  I have suggested to Southwest that they price the ticket based upon boarding position only.  The highest ticket price is A1 and the lowest ticket price is C60.  Pick your position and pay accordingly.  However, the data shows how many preboards are on each flight, on average, so that can also be conveyed to anyone purchasing a ticket.  You could be alerted that if you buy A1, statistically 22 people board ahead of you as preboards.   There ya go Southwest, get 'er done. ... View more

I think with the number of complaints, this will probably go away altogether. ... View more

There are threads like this in the discussion forum that go back to 2014.     The law requires Southwest to allow those with a disability to preboard.  The law also goes on to say that if you "self declare" as a person with a disability, that's all you have to do.  Yes, there are people who fudge this every time, but there is no medical diagnosis required, either.  So, if you tell yourself that you have anxiety about seating position, overhead bin space, waiting, etc. then in your mind you can "self declare" and away you go.   However, the main ingredient in this soup is OPEN SEATING.  Without open seating, very few would have any incentive to fudge the system. ... View more

I have seen gate agents place bags against the standard and request that they check the bag.   Since both of your bags are technically over sized, I would check them and not have the hassle at the gate. ... View more

This has been covered many times before.  Southwest cannot make disabled persons purchase upgraded boarding positions. ... View more

Why in the world would Southwest lobby to have some type of reversal or upset of the current law?  Can you imagine the backlash from the legal community if Southwest pushed back on providing accommodations for persons with disabilities?   This issue is not preboarding.  The issue is OPEN SEATING which makes preboarding a bonus by giving the passenger the best choice of seats.     If you fly other airlines, while preboarding does occur due to the law, there is not an incentive to misuse the system since your seat is already assigned.     Your focus is misdirected.  Southwest has the answer but changing to assigned seating is going to slow down the boarding process and translates into fewer revenues.     ... View more

No they cannot be connected.  One reason is that the boarding position has already been sequentially established.  They are not going to rearrange the boarding positions just so that your ticket can be connected. ... View more

From the Southwest website:   Each checked bag can weigh 50 pounds or less and be 62 inches in size (length + width + height).   If I add up the dimensions that you gave, both are in excess of 62 inches.  One by .5 inches, the other by 3.5 inches. ... View more

Southwest did nothing wrong.  They offered to change the flight and the current rate applies.  It is as simple as that.     ... View more

I would say yes. ... View more

Until the law changes, nothing can be done.  In the near future, those that preboard will be assigned boarding positions due to the number of preboards.   Then, the remaining six passengers can board the plane after all preboards are on the plane.   The issue becomes open seating.  With open seating, preboards get the best choice of seats, thus, the number of preboards.     What gets me is the number of people who are using wheelchairs.  I see them running around the terminal getting snacks and then right before boarding, they drop back into their wheelchair.  Due to the number of preboards, people have now figured out that using the wheelchair gets you the front of the line for preboards. ... View more

I believe that you will get a refund due to the standard procedure.  However, you can always book another flight with the refund, cancel it, then retain the flight credit if you choose a lesser accommodation. ... View more

Yes, or you can check both at the gate.  Your choice.   Also, since it appears that the children are eligible for family boarding, you can also board between A and B groups, if you don't have A boarding.   ... View more

I have concerns that a "mortgage broker" is supposed to be a professional, yet comes here and asks advice to the community at large because his client is in a pickle?   This really isn't the place for such questions since it is not relevant to Southwest Careers, it is relevant to obtaining a mortgage.     ... View more

You can always contact law enforcement and file a claim with your homeowners' insurance if you have a loss.  See if they will cover the loss. ... View more

The claim process outlined is the way to go.  Given the four hour window, you may want to go to the CONTACT US section and advise them of what happened.   Personally, I've never had a piece of luggage damaged by Southwest.  However, sometimes people other than Southwest employees will handle baggage and even the airport machinery can damage articles. ... View more

Oh yes, the FAA is full of critical thinking people.  They may wish to re-evaluate their earlier rulings. ... View more

As a former "senior air crew member" you should already know the answer.   We often have to protect people from themselves. ... View more

I've suggested that Southwest change the name of the policy from "Family Boarding" to "Child Assist".     The current "Family Boarding" policy is to become active only when you have a CHILD UNDER THE AGE OF SEVEN, and then, only two adults can accompany the child during boarding between A and B groups.  So, no child under seven, no "Family Boarding".  Period.   Also, there is no way to assure that they all "sit together" since Southwest has open seating.  If that is a critical decision for you, fly another airline.   I would suggest using the CONTACT US link at the bottom of the page and report this nonsense to Southwest and demand compensation.  They will trace this issue back to the gate agent and advise them to follow the policy.   Being a family traveling is irrelevant in the policy.  What is relevant is when you have a child under the age of seven, the process begins.  However, no child under seven, no "Family Boarding".     I would insist on a complete refund.  Let the gate agent explain that to their boss. ... View more

Generally, everyone gets off the plane in about 15 minutes.  I don't see the need for a new process here.   ... View more

With regard to medical privacy, that is not what is going on with the preboarding policy.   Preboarding is covered under the Air Carrier Access Act.  The government allowed passengers to "self declare" their disability and qualify for preboarding.  I believe that it is because without some sort of "self declare", you would be leaving the decision to the gate agent and there would be lawsuits galore.   Under the law, you must "self declare" each time you begin a flight experience.  Theoretically, you could do back flips and aerobics all the way to the gate, then "self declare" your disability, then preboard.  You could also complete a 10K race and drop in a wheelchair afterwards, wearing your runner's shorts and shirt, also "self declare" and you qualify.   Since you must "self declare" your disability for each flight, theoretically the declaration also expires somewhere along the way, yet the law is silent here.  So, you can "self declare" your disability, walk on the plane and then withdraw your claim or have it expire.     I see the day coming within the next five years where to preboard you must have a medical certification, just like handicap parking.   ... View more

Pre...board.....pre....board.....over the ocean blue......   You paid for business select and I got to board ahead of you...... ... View more

I have not heard, despite asking, that Knoxville TN is one of the locations being added.  ... View more

Saving seats is not permitted.  If the seat is open, you can sit in it.  If the person next to you complains, call for a flight attendant and take a nap. ... View more

I wouldn't bother paying a dime for EBCI.  It has been debated dozens of times on this board and it is of questionable value, especially if you are expecting an earlier boarding position.   "Family Boarding" as it is called should be changed to "Child Assist" since you have to have a child under the age of seven for the policy to even ignite.  Here is another sore subject where families believe that traveling together means that they board together and sit together.  If you are NOT under the age of seven, you will not use "Family Boarding" unless you are at MCO where gate agents allow anything. ... View more

Use the "contact us" link at the bottom and report your issue to Southwest directly.   ... View more