Southwest, I see you are buying up AirTran and coming to Atlanta. Your open seating system is a shameful disgrace. I have not flown Southwest after my first three flights when I was unable to sit with my husband because of your policy in spite of arriving to the airport early. I witnessed parents being told they could not sit with children because "If you want a reserved seat, don't fly Southwest!" (bright smile accompanied this.) Your open seating policy does not streamline boarding. I can not see how it saves money to not allow your supposedly valued customers to choose a seat online. Open seating causes frustration for passengers and results in abuse of your own flight crews, whom you supposedly regard as family. I suggest that if you do not want to pay to have phone assistance for seating you at least offer online seat selection or Kiosk seating. If people are paying more for early online boarding why not offer them a real benefit? Atlanta is a classy town, Southwest. If you want to play with the big boys you need to drop the plan to keep imposing open seating on customers.
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