Southwest Airlines Community

Massive abuse by people gaming the system. These are the parasites of society. ... View more

After 4 flights in 2 days which each had over 25  pre-boarders- I'm over it. And breaking news states that SW has increased the maximum charge for earlybird check-in and upgraded boarding ( up to $149!).  That will surely increase the number of pre-boarders.   Also- SW policy regarding saving of seats ( they don't officially have one)  has also been put out there on social media and now abused. Between the 2 policies- the abuse has gotten out of control.   I used to like no assigned seating  - but now I wish that Southwest had pre-assigned seating.  ... View more

Southwest long ago figured out that open seating is the fastest way to get everyone on a plane. Fastest boarding means quicker plane turns - which allows more flights/gate/day and more flights/plane/day -- which in turns mean more profit and potential for lower fares for everyone. ... View more

We see people gaming most any system put in place. This is just one such example. I have been in line with a veteran of war that could easily legitimately qualify for pre board but he would not have it. He was pretty outraged at the people he saw clearly gaming the policy. This was going on with emotional support dogs as well. To the people that do this, shame on you. ... View more

I am a software consultant with a number of VPNs to different clients.   My own OpenVPN using port 1194 UDP does not work (the main one I need). Forti Client using SSL VPN port 10443 works. Windows VPN using SSTP works. ... View more

I notice SW employees pre boarding often as I fly SW 8 to 10 times a month and very much agree it sends the wrong message to paying customers. When I asked an employee why this is permitted they said it’s “contractual”. I agree that employees need to get on plane like rest of us (only if their job depends on it, not to get home) but not preboarding. If they get a ticket, they are guaranteed a seat and wait in line like rest of us.  Throughout my life my employers have required employees to park furthest from the entrance for a simple reason: customers should be inconvenienced last, not first.  I encourage SW to examine this practice and do what is best for the customer.  ... View more

 Yes, we can all read the policy, but when an agent on the phone tells you that they are going to make an exception and  issue a refund the customer should be able to trust that.  Southwest Vacations is the most dishonest and incompetent company I have ever worked with.   ... View more

Amusing that you believe your comments shilling for SW are "helpful" to anyone other than the airline... ... View more

guess is that if you call southwest and say you would like a refund, they will tell you that there is no policy on seat saving and tell you that you could have sat in that seat.  It's several years after your post and the same seat saving is still being done today.  At this point, I do not think it will ever change.  Southwest got their money and that is where they stopped caring.  ... View more

It's so disappointing. I think my Southwest loyalty has come to an end.  ... View more

I haven't checked luggage in over 25 years. After the second time my luggage did not arrive, once again with very specific clothing required, a suit for an international presentation & a banquet down the first time, that was the very last time I ever checked luggage.   I do love your thinking. It's a great idea if it works for you. However, never have the luxury to sit around and wait for 30 rows of people to deplane.  But if I had the time it sounds very entertaining.  ... View more

Exactly! 1 year Exp date makes no sense ... View more

In response to my DOT complaint, Southwest reached out to me and asked me to file the paperwork AGAIN including the receipts, numbers, dates of flights etc. which I did.   Hope is what keeps us humans going 🙂   ... View more

I sold my Southwest stock at a loss early this year.   Going forward with the planned dividends this month will just provide additional fodder to Congress. ... View more

I am currently enjoying a great life in Florida after making a fortune in the financial side of healthcare and owning a car dealership for 20 years.   Yeah', I'm not the brightest bulb in the box.  I only have two Masters', what can you expect? ... View more

If you try to check in again, what happens? ... View more

Yep same situation happened to my mom however she didn’t find out until boarding they told her your not on this flight and when she got to the gate agent they were able to get her a seat but it was rough    hopefully it works out or even if you get 2 of you on the flight it will be easier to rebook 1 instead of 3  ... View more

It must be nice. My flight was canceled, and I was not rescheduled. It says that I can reschedule online, but I get an error when I try. It says that I need to see a ticket agent. I certainly won't be calling because it is always busy.    My big issue right now, besides getting home, is that I only brought one extra day of prescription meds that I need to, well, live. Not sure what I will be doing come Wednesday night. ... View more

@Anani wrote: Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. We must do everything we can to support them during this difficult time. That's why I'm committed to ensuring they receive the refunds they are owed. New information on this thread going forward: now there is Wanna Get Away Plus fare option, where people traveling for business if they don't end up flying the travel funds can be re-assigned (one time!) to someone else at the company.     ... View more

@bwallet NO, my statement is that 35% are on the WGA..   But that was just an estimate not trying to be exact.   ... View more

@dfwskier wrote: @Rebeccaann91 wrote: How do I get free drinks on a plane?   By making 10 paid flights...When you do that, SW sends you drink coupons which you can use to buy "free" drinks There's lots of ways!   Drink coupons are the easiest, but also be friendly to the FA's, give up your seat if a family boards late, sometimes the FA never comes back to collect coupons, sometimes during a delay in the before times they seemed to forgive the first round not sure if that's unofficial policy now or not, dressing up in Southwest logo clothes can't hurt. Make friends with your seatmates if you see they have a stack of coupons likely more than they could ever use. (I often offer to pick up my seatmates if they show interest in a beverage.) Sit next to but not in his adjacent middle seat of @bec102896 and he'll offer.             ... View more

This isn't trying to be sarcastic, but each window does have a shade that slides up and down.  Just FYI.  If you're thinking that others might want a window open, there are also certain rows that don't have a window at all.  I hope this helps.  ... View more

Not trying to bully anyone, but I wouldn't consider any refund outside of the policy that I've established.  SWA and many other companies worked and tried to do what they could during a crazy time of our lives, but they, or anyone, could guarantee everyone was going to be satisfied.  Not just with airlines, but other issues and services as well I had to bite the bullet and move on.  No, I wasn't happy, but I've not tried to make others feel bad as like with SWA, there were policies in place that I didn't take the time to fully go over and it's my fault.   I hope this is just a minor blip in your life and you can move on and maybe I will see you on a future flight, if not, good, I have an empty middle seat.   ... View more

@KLaMonica wrote:     2. Is there an item TSA may even suspect shouldn't be in your luggage? A 10 oz container of liquid, what LOOKS like a lithium battery/device, et c? This will cause them not only to remove the wrap, but may delay your bag and arrive in destination on a later flight.  Large liquids are allowed in checked bags. Lithium batteries are not.  while Lithium batteries are allowed in carry on bags. Liquids larger than 3.5 ounces per item are not.  ... View more

I gave one out this last weekend too. Fantastic, personable FA, Mark, who was just too good to pass up with at least a hopeful effort that the Kick Tail token in my carry on bag still carried any value. I will likely still send in a message to SWA because he was just that good. It just felt funny handing over a Kick Tail ticket that seemed archaic and maybe not actually valuable.  ... View more

I don't understand their response because they are, at this very moment, offering vacation packages to Jamaica on their site. ... View more