Southwest Airlines Community

Okay, so I know it probably sounds nuts to some people to be making travel plans, but I plan on booking a flight very soon to fly one-way within the next few weeks. Without revealing anything potentially identifying, I was planning on moving before COVID and now it's been pushed up due to economic issues in the city I'm currently in (my job is not safe and I've been told by multiple superiors that everyone in my department should be prepared for potential layoffs they just don't know yet). I plan on flying to the city I'm moving to with some suitcases of essentials, and everything else I'm not selling or donating I plan on getting later or having shipped later. Anyway, I know that mace/pepper spray and tasers are generally fine per TSA rules in checked baggage as per their website, but I know some airlines might have specific policies. I've traveled on Southwest in the past with these items in checked baggage without any issues, but if the policy has changed I would like to know to avoid any issues. When I researched it, I saw a few post saying they're fine, some saying one is fine but not the other, another saying both aren't allowed. I own pepper spray and a taser and would like to have them in a checked bag if possible because I won't have any firearms with me for a while as I don't plan on buying any anytime soon (I own two completely legally, but don't want to bring them immediately as I have limited space and I don't think it's worth the hassle with TSA or anything like that, and I don't think they're that important right now), and the news this week has me very worried about my safety whether I go to my planned destination, delay the trip, or whatever. But of course if it's absolutely not allowed, I will just buy a replacement or something, but I'm hoping to avoid that if possible. Anyway, if anybody can provide me with a page or anything official from Southwest clarifying this, I'd really appreciate it. If someone else has already asked this recently, I'm so sorry and would appreciate it if you could share that information with me. Thank you so much in advance ... View more

I've flown southwest many times, and I tend to travel southwest first (I only fly another airline if absolutely necessary, like some international destinations). One of the main reasons I choose southwest is the excellent customer service I've received many times. I am someone who has some problems that require me to have specific seating (I have to be in an aisle or window seat especially if I'm alone because I have severe anxiety/claustrophobia; I also need to be closer to a bathroom due to several digestive conditions that can make things unpredictable; I also avoid bulkhead because I've found there is a lot less legroom than regular seats, which can be a problem with me due to severe back spasms/pain). I am younger and to some whom do not know all of this might assume I am healthy but I am not. Just because someone is young or not obviously disabled (ie wheelchair, cane, etc) does not mean they don't have a disability. Anyway, I've never had any trouble getting preboard, because all I've had to do is explain what I need seating-wise and they have put it on my boarding pass without issue. The flight attendants/gate agents I've dealt with have always been very helpful, including the couple of times I have required wheelchair assistance. One time, I broke my foot the day before a flight I was traveling alone on, and I was very scared and embarrassed about the whole situation including going through security with crutches and a wheelchair. But the people on that trip were so kind and understanding and that meant so much, making a difficult, embarrassing experience that much easier. Another time I was flying alone I got a severe bout of motion sickness/nausea which was particularly distressing as this was the first time I'd flown by myself. I was very embarrassed about it, but the flight attendants were understanding and extremely helpful. At least in my experience, the staff at southwest I've dealt with really care about their passengers and making sure they have the best experience possible, even under stressful circumstances like a disability issue. The same has happened when I've traveled with a friend or family member with a disability (some of my family members and a close friend of mine all have various issues such as mobility issues, severe anxiety, etc which make travelling difficult). Every time they've flown with me southwest has also treated them with the utmost respect and care. Having a disability or traveling with someone who has one can be very stressful and having people in your travel experience who care about you and treat you well can make all the difference. ... View more