Yeah, I’m sure Southwest has some sort of reason for this. Hopefully it’s not them taking advantage of the fact that military travelers on official orders have no say in what airline they use. Unfortunately I believe that this is the case, like I said SWA is the only airline that places a negative restriction on military travellers. Additionally, my service branch and most others have a policies that do not allow us to travel in uniform, so I honestly believe that the uniformered boarding policy is nothing more than a publicity stunt from SW. Lastly, I flew from Oakland to SD yesterday and had yet another confirmation of how this process is affecting military. I met 4 marines during the boarding process flying on orders, guess where I met them? At the very end of C group. We were the last 5 to board the plane and received the worst seats subsequently. Sad that as they travel to SD for processing before a overseas deployment they are treated this way. I have been encouraging all of my members and fellow service members to submit formal complaints against Southwest because of this policy (which has never been explained to me). Hopefully after years of complaints they will have their contract reviewed or cancelled. Any servicemembers reading this, please submit a complaint via your logistics after every flight on SW.
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05-25-2018
02:33 PM
05-25-2018
02:33 PM
For official travel we are required to use a contracted travel agency that makes contact with the airline and books everything for you using your Government Travel Card. After booking your flight they send an itinerary which has a 6 letter booking locator (which is needed at the check-in kiosk) and a numerical ticket number. When I attempt to check in online, it informs me that military fares must be checked in at the airport. The only reasonable reason I can see them doing this is because they check your military ID. However other airlines I’ve used had no issue with online check-in, and simply had me show my ID while dropping off luggage. Here is is a screenshot regarding this from SWA website: No where does it explain why military fares must check in at the airport, and customer service reps I’ve spoken to at the airport have been unable to provide a reason.
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Hello, active duty military here that travels commercially on a routine basis. I’ve travelled on official orders, and as a civillian on every major US airline, many times. After being stationed in San Diego roughly two years ago I’ve been forced to use the DOD contract carrier here for most of my flights, which happens to be Southwest. My conclusion is that during official travel, SWA is by far the worst airline to fly on. Heres why: SWA does not allow customers who have booked military flights for officially travel to check-in online within 24 hours like every other paying customer. This means that you are not assigned your boarding group until you physically check in at the airport, guranteeing a late C group. Please someone explain how this is fair to not allow an entire group of flyers, let alone military travelers who are likely flying to serve the country in some capacity, are not allowed the same opportunities to check-in early as everyone else. No other airline I’ve flown on has ever treated military so horribly, but unfortunately I’m stuck with SWA when flying on orders to/from certain contract locations. Nearly every military member I’ve discussed this with in San Diego shares the same thoughts as me and shares these feelings. I actively avoid flying Southwest for personal travel and have submitted complaints through the DOD to have their contract reviewed. Hopefully something is done about this. I’m not asking for Southwest to allow active duty preboarding, but simply allow us to check-in like every other customer.
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