Southwest Airlines Community

So, to (hopefully) close out this little mystery, there was no one in line between A16-A20 when we boarded. Weird. I didn’t even bother asking around, and still hardly a matter: there were only 75 people on this flight. I’m back to A16 for both legs tomorrow so fingers crossed they will stay that way! ... View more

  @floridaguy wrote: TSA employs the nicest people that I have ever encountered.   Therein lies the the model of all great service! Now now now, don't mislead the youngster.  Of course better that than warning him that he is likely to run in to Frau Bucher. ... View more

@floridaguy wrote: I'm not referring to a message that is answered a week later.  I'm talking about an instant message that gets immediate attention and the central operations calls the gate agent within 30 seconds.     Unfortunately People would abuse that for flight delays or other issues not boarding issues or violations. Kind of like the Lyft safety line to avoid the robot on the app just click call and boom you get a real person and takes them away from true issues.  folks can always request a supervisor at the airport who would be the one to deal with a situation anyway and I think it would be acted on faster than the online reporting system  ... View more

@floridaguy wrote: What if the bird of paradise flies up your nose? 🙄 ... View more

 The SW rule is no more than 3 forms of payment per ticket FOR A SINGLE PASSENGER. I'm not sure what happens when there are 4 passengers on a reservation and each of the 4 have their own travel funds. ... View more

Same here - I just booked my travel now I can't get in. ... View more

If Fido decides to "self identify as a dog with a disability" could Fido preboard?   Would a song be sung? ... View more

Coming back from Jamaica, the only thing that they are really interested to know is whether you spent US dollars there, or not.     Pour another drink... ... View more

@Somdas wrote: This actually happens to me all the time, with my A-list, I pay for my ticket, get companion pass for my wife and we board sequentially, I usually add to same reservation my kids on RR points and they get C every time.  Hopefully this is fixed soon before I stop being able to board with family boarding. If you can buy your kid’s ticket with yours using the same cash or points for both then they will get your sequential Alist position.     ... View more

Most of the time I am sympathetic to people who feel cheated by Southwest.  I've been a promoter of more goodwill given the Holiday DISASTER and basically, cutting people some slack.   However, getting to the ticket counter 35 minutes prior to departure is completely implausible.  Every airline in the country tells you to arrive at the airport two hours before your flight departs.  Yes, sometimes you have an hour or more to spare, but when you cut it closer, you just end up with messed up plans, like yours.   You should have arrived earlier.  If you couldn't then work with Southwest.  Had you cancelled your flight you could have preserved a flight credit.  Instead, it sounds like you went off in a huff and put yourself in financial loss.   Get to the airport on time. ... View more

The next time my companion and I are A and C boarding, I'll save the seat and say "she's in the bathroom." Hopefully it'll work! (My companion never checks in in a timely manner.) ... View more

@bec102896 wrote: @DancingDavidE   You making a trip to AUS 😂  No, it’s the random one that came up searching WN 2345! 😂   But yes, a work possibility in September. ... View more

@floridaguy wrote: The state of recruiting in this country is laughable.  I doubt that the person who said "you got the job" has the sole authority to hire.  My guess is that they blurted that out and then wished they hadn't said that.    Unless you are thoroughly versed in the ins and outs of the SW hiring process, you have no way of knowing that. ... View more

Are you traveling alone? If not, could your companion take your blanket through security? You could go first, leave the area, then in the unlikely event that TSA examines the blanket you won't have to see it happen.  ... View more

Well said!!! ... 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

@debbielikely wrote: Our flight is June 8 (wanna get away fare) and I have tried to add early bird checkin several times and get an error code.  I have tried on the app and on browser.   Would you happen to have a promotional A-list right now? IF you have A-list then you won't be able to add EBCI (nor would you need to do so).     ... View more

@Gatorjohn127 wrote: I intend to bring my electric power wheelchair to the cabin on an upcoming flight. It has one lithium ion 270 watt battery. I understand that the battery must be removed from the wheelchair and brought with me as carry on baggage. My question is can I just put the battery in my backpack or do I need special packaging for the battery before placing in my backpack. Also since I am disabled and cannot bend with the southwest people remove the battery from my wheelchair for me.  Thanks   Hello-    Here is the text from TSA's website which indicates that the battery will need to be removed and placed in a protective pouch. The airline should be alerted so advanced-arrangements can be made for transport of the lithium battery. I would initiate a call with a SW CSA as early as possible to ensure this given your circumstances regarding who is to remove it. They should also be able to assist you on what protective gear you'll need to bring. TSA text as follows:   Battery powered wheel chairs and mobility devices   [omitted spillable battery directives as they are non applicable]   Lithium metal (non-rechargeable lithium) batteries are forbidden with these devices. Lithium ion batteries must be removed from this type of mobility device and battery terminals protected from short circuit. The battery must be protected from damage (e.g. by placing each battery in a protective pouch). The lithium ion batteries must be carried in carry-on baggage only. The passenger must advise the airline of the battery location. The airline must notify the Pilot-in-command of the battery location in the cabin.   For complete passenger instructions contact your airline. Advance arrangements and extra check-in time may be necessary. The airline may need to remove the battery and package it separately if the wheelchair cannot be stowed upright in the cargo compartment. Wheelchairs and other mobility devices are permitted through the checkpoint but not permitted into the cabin of the aircraft.   https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/battery-powered-wheel-chairs-and-mobility-devices ... 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

Thank you, I hope I will get reply from them. ... View more

@rmeyer8784 wrote: I'm a veteran and will be flying with my wife and 2 kids, and wondering if when boarding and the agent invites military members to board between groups A and B, would my family be able to board with me? I checked with the twitter support on your behalf - they don't have anything that says military boarding would be extended to the family.   Best option is probably to refer to the new family boarding guidance that says kids 7 to 14 that you can "ask for help" - my suggestion would be to offer what if they boarded with me at "A61" in military boarding.   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.   Good luck, and thank you for your service!         ... 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

We've discussed preboarding so many times I'm surprised that there isn't a category of its own.   Under Federal law, The Air Carrier Access Act, if you self-identify as a person with a disability you preboard.  That's the law.  In fact, you can do acrobatics all the way to the gate, self-identify as an individual with a disability, preboard, then withdraw your claim.  Since the claim does not renew for each subsequent flight, it must expire somewhere but the law is unclear.   Anyone who challenges your "disability" is leaving themselves open for legal action.  That includes other passengers who harass or otherwise attempt to shame those who self-identify with a disability.   I would be in favor of an ID card or placard similar to parking in handicap zones if the law eventually goes there.  However, that is not likely to happen anytime soon.     This is a unique situation with Southwest.  Other airlines have assigned seating and you can preboard to your assigned seat.  On Southwest, you preboard AND get the best choice of seats.  That's a perfect storm.  However, it is not the fault of those that preboard.     ... View more

I had an agent tell me once which flight I used a voucher on but once that is booked then cancelled they can’t tell much.  ... View more

@Beckynh10 wrote: We are seriously considering changing flight companies because of the options and discounts offered by Frontier. They offer an unlimited flight pass for summer (May-Sept) for $499 they also offer an annual unlimited pass for $999. Kids also fly free with a paying adult. We have a southwest credit card, we fly often because I live in California and my husband in Texas. We have 6 kids. 4 here with me and 2 with him in Texas. And somehow we aren’t even eligible for a companion pass?! We fly all the time but with a  customer service that could care less if we leave to another airline we probably won’t be flying southwest anymore. It’s extremely frustrating and disappointing  Keep an eye out for promotional companion pass offers. This includes the kids, I've had my 7 year old get a promotional offer and take the 4 year old as her companion 😁 unfortunately these were short-term offers but take what you can get.   Obviously from credit card spending you'll have at most one or maybe two of the group of you who can qualify from points in that way. Just make sure to strategize who flies with who the most often. If you are bringing kids back and forth then each adult might be the best companion pass holders, with the kids as the companions respectively. (Can be changed a few times, but have a plan in place.)         ... View more

Thanks for letting me know about the process. ... View more

@floridaguy wrote: Yes, a nice job indeed!   I guess I have to ask, if you are going to be on a flight and don't want to be touched, why are you on the flight?   Perhaps a private flight next time? Or just go on an airline that lets you buy 2 seats    I think on SW only COS can buy 2 seats which is still weird to me because if someone wants to pay why not take the money    to the OP glad the crew was able to help  ... View more

Thanks for the update. ... View more

You can pre-board; however, you must request that prior to boarding. If you forget to request it at baggage drop-off, try asking the desk closest to the gate for assistance.  ... View more