Southwest Airlines Community

I have a mixed story.  Most people are kind. My ESAs are well behaved and sometimes people don't even realize I m carrying them.  Most Southwest staff are kind, although you do get the occasional rolling of the eyes. I have been lucky sitting next to passangers who did not mind my dog.  They did not interact with my dog either, which I appreciated. I applaud Southwest for working with people who need Service animals or ESA's.  Thank you. I only had one problem with a Southwest agent, and I believe she was just uneducated.  She tried to tell me my documentation wasn't sufficient because it was from a therapist (licensed) and not an MD.  But once her supervisor educated her, she was agreeable(although grudgingly)  But again, thank you Southwest for being understanding to peoples needs. ... View more

I travel with my Esa and pay Southwests early bird boarding fee just as anyone else can.  I have never been given any preboarding privalage.  What ever my pass says is when I board.  I do try to board early so as to be able to get a seat where I will be the least offensive to passangers.I want to be invisible.  That being said if someone needs my seat because it may be closer to a bathroom , I would gladly give it up. I would not make a blanket statement saying that some one traveling with an ESA does not need a particular seat, but in my case I don't.  I chose my seat  just to be unobtrusive. I feel a window seat is the best for everyone. Having issues myself, I am willing to do what I can to make others with issues comfortable. I am dreading my upcoming flight, but my father was diagnosed with cancer and he lives on the otherside of the country. Flying is getting to be too stressful.  But I have to make myself go for my father. ... View more

People can be so cruel. I have had both kind and unkind experiences with Southwest employees.  You do get alot of attitude and eye rolling when you travel with an ESA.  Which only feeds the stress and anxiety that is part of my issues. We all have to deal with uncomfortable situations. What about the crying baby or the body order or the napping snoring passanger, or someone wearing perfume when you have allergies.  Life is full of situtions that there is no perfect answer to. I applaude Southwest for doing the best they can to service their customers.  Back in the day, pets flew free, (with size limits) Now people feel since there is a fee ESA is being abused.  And that may well be, but you can't punish the legitimate customers traveling with an ESA or Service animal. It seems to me the people objecting to ESA (on this thread) are selfish and only care about themselves.  They do not care about others. The whine about their issues health or otherwise.  I even read where someone said they should stay home if they require and ESA.  Well maybe they should stay home if they can't deal with accomedating all people. And as they pointed out for others, chose another mode of transportation. I do agree with them on one point, a service dog or ESA should behave properly. I have trouble with people wanting to pet or talk to my ESA. As for the free farr for my ESA.  Yes that is great! I love that! That being said I'd gladly pay the pet fare and give you my cancer.  Seems like a fair trade.  The complainers can have my cancer and I'll pay the pet fare...and then won't we all be happy! In closing I'd like to say sometimes we think the only wounds that are real are the ones you see.  Not true. We should work together to accomadate everyone to the best of our abilities and exclude no one from living their life . ... View more