Southwest Airlines Community

Posted on Reddit as well, much kinder responses here, but in the end, you really need to look in the mirror to find the party who created the "problem" (Hint it was not SWA.) ... View more

@commishg wrote: It is laughable to say an acceptable solution is to transfer points to another Rapid Rewards member when that so-called solution (transfer) costs one cent per point.  That means a 25,000 point transfer would cost $250.  Southwest currently says 25,000 points have a value of $300 (83 points per dollar).  This means that if you transfer 25,000 points to someone else, it will cost you $250 to give them $300.  That's not what I call LUV from an airline that is struggling to survive a recent self inflicted nuclear disaster.  Of course the solution does not involve transferring points.   The person with the points can simply buy the ticket for the other person - thus retaining full value of the points. ... View more

The truth is though that this was NOT weather related. People are posting weather reports from all over the United States. I was sitting at my gate, staring at my empty plane in Tampa and my gate agent who was booking my replacement flight for the next morning (which was cancelled before we  even left the airport) told us, "there is no crew, no pilot to fly it." The same thing was happening in Orlando, where they were busing in passengers from and Sarasota. I was talking to my family in Phoenix, who were flying into Florida on American, no weather issues or ATC issues, their flight to Miami was fine. So was my husbands family from San Diego and San Francisco to Salt Lace City and to Atlanta, on Delta. Why are all these other airlines and flights able to fly, but not SWA? Air traffic controllers are part of the FAA, so why are only SWA flights being cancelled?  Why am I staying in a hotel with half a dozen other passengers that received hotel and food vouchers and ticket refunds, yet I am stuck paying for my hotel room, new tickets on a different airline and meals, just because I spoke to an uniformed agent?  What gives? Where is the SWA heart now, when your customer base needs it most?? ... View more

@Sms531 I'm so sorry for the WiFi issues! You can Contact Customer Relations to request a refund.   ... View more

Also, just as quick to the  Summit County ski areas via Colordo 24 to Colorado 9 as from Denver - much quicker than via I- 70 on high traffic days.   I did it many times when Western Pacific flew out of the Springs.   The drive back to the Springs at night can be a bit disconcerting when there are literally hundreds of eyes watching you as you drive thru Wilkerson Pass. (deer, elk?). ... View more

@ ffflyer   I could not agree more! I have delayed all absolutely unnecessary travel for now. Not because of any fear, but because of all the inconvenience and BS.   Funny, in the weeks following the whole country shut down, and it wasn't until it started opening back up, I was flying (HOU/DTW, DTW/BOS, & BOS/HOU, numerous segments), and none of us were wearing masks, not the few passengers OR the crew.   All about making the sheep and cattle feel all fuzzy and warm, just like the whole TSA thing! I have issues with wearing a mask but I am tolerating it for the moment, and I have my own personal feelings about the whole Covid 19 BS, but I don't want to get that battle raging here.   Unfortunately, most of my trips to drive would require days v. hours to fly. Shorter ones, around Texas or to New Orleans, I too am driving.   Safe travels, my friend. ... View more

👍 ... View more

Good to hear!   --TheMiddleSeat ... View more

@cstactnt wrote: I have been denied using my business select coupon on my last three business select flights.  Twice because they say they don't have enought time as it is a short flight.  Then if so, figure out another way to use the coupon. Then one time due to some "turbulent weather a turbulance to ATChead" that never ever even came close to turbulent weather.  I think all this is about corporate looking for ways to not only give out free cocktails, but to not even serve free drinks, etc.  This is getting a bit annoying to say the least. Sorry to hear that you are annoyed, but the reality is that pilots report turbu;ent conditions to ATC, which in turn relays the reports to other pilots flying the same routes. Those pilots then heed the warnings, an have the flight attendents sit.. Better that than flight attendents hitting their bloody heads on the ceiling panels. ... View more

All very good points and your generosity is incredible. Also remember that if you purchase a flight with points for someone else and they cancel the reservation, points are returned to your account. You can also get points refunded to your account if the price of a flight drops after the reservation is originally made. If you transferred points they would be refunded to the person who received the transfer.   Southwest does occasionally offer programs where you can can donate your RR points to a specific charity through Southwest, I've seen it happen after hurricanes and such, but what you're doing allows you to pick the charity and help specific causes.   --TheMiddleSeat ... View more

@jenniferg70 I replied to your question in your other post at https://www.southwestaircommunity.com/t5/General-Travel-Policies/Flight-funds/m-p/92376/highlight/true#M7803   --TheMiddleSeat ... View more

We're sincerely sorry for letting you down with the changes to our flight schedule. Since we don’t have an unlimited number of aircraft and Employees, we have to make the most out of what we have and create a flight schedule that maximizes our resources, ensures cost savings (and low fares), and offers the best overall product to our Customers. I know that an explanation does not solve the problem of getting you from point A to point B, and I’m truly sorry to know that we might lose your patronage for even one trip as a result of our schedule changes.  My hope is that, when we service a route that fits your travel needs, you’ll continue to choose Southwest as your patronage means the world to us. ... View more

@DancingDavidE wrote: @chgoflyer wrote: Actually, from a recent discussion on FlyerTalk, it appears that Southwest now automatically checks in Business Select passengers. The order of assigned positions remains a mystery, but BS passengers no longer need to check themselves in right at t minus 24 in order to receive the best position. Darn it, the community just convinced me it was the other way!    I don't have much perspective, when I have bought BS before it is usually last minute, so if order of purchase is a factor I would tend to be last. I also had thought it was auto-check-in (when it may not have been) so both variables tending to make me later in the BS group so I can't do any A/B testing from my own experience.     😉   For what it's worth, Southwest hasn't officially announced any change, so it's possible this is just some kind of glitch or other temporary side effect that may go away at some point. (To me, however, it always seemed odd that BS passengers weren't checked in automatically.)     ... View more

The math is certainly in your favor.  Assume you are on a 143 passenger 737-700.  On an originating flight (one that was empty when boarding started), there are  24 rows with  two window and two aisle seats (except the exit row with two seats has a hybrid window seat).  Although many flights have pre-boarders that take a few seats before general boarding begins, there will still be a significant number empties in the 96 seats located on the window or aisle.  Since most people traveling alone do not voluntarily choose a middle seat (the front row bulk- head middle seat being an occassional exception), one can consider that middle seats are generally available until the last 48 people on a completely full flight board  the aircraft (theoretically), so if you find an aisle or window then you will likely find a center seat next to that aisle or window seat, allowing a couple to sit together.   The person with the B-1 boarding pass will likely have to board after a few (maybe a dozen or so) A-List, A-List Preferred, and families with small children, (and sometimes military personnel) which means that that person will be boarding in the 70th to 80th position, so mathmatically there should be 16 to 26 windows and aisle seats available, even if no one chose a middle seat up to that point.  So it stands to math that the B-16 boarding pass should be able to find a window or an ailse seat.   There are some exceptions to this math approach.  That math does not work as well for a connecting flight, because it is difficult to know how many window and aisle seats are being occupied by through passengers.  Also, in the morning and afternoon/early evening a lot of A-List passengers that travel frequently may be in the queue headed home from business, and that too will mess with the math.  Of course if you are flying on a 737-800 yopur probabilities are greatly improved because that equipment seats 176 passengers.  As they say,  "Do the math!"   Good luck and happy travels.   Traveler Tip:  It is often a good idea to ask the Gate Attendant or one of the counter attendants how many are scheduled to be on your flight.  At least it allows you to know what to expect. ... View more

One thing that I have found good to do is to check in on line or by phone close to 24 hours before departure.  It  is not necessary to print the boarding pass, but it gives the traveler a chance to check on the status and let's the airline know you are still good to go.     Traveler Tip: When you do not have Early Boarding it is especially important to check in by phone or on line as soon as the 24 hour period begins so that your boarding pass is issued at the lowest number possible.  You do not have to print it when you check-in but it puts you in the queue. ... View more

@Jwalsh3rd wrote: ...I asked why we had boarded precisely at 5:30 AM, given that the plane only had fifty passengers and the process would only take ten minutes at most.  The Gate Agent explained (very nicely) that because the flight was a connecting flight at the next stop that the plane was loaded to follow policy and ensure the connection was timely.  I think this is a very good policy and now that I know that, I will give up five minutes of sleep to ensure I board in my designated place. My wife and I had an experience at LAS one time where we got to the gate and were surprised at 30 minutes til that the prior flight was just wrapping up boarding. Asking the gate agent -- it was our flight!!!   Whoops - due to weather and other factors they had decided to load early and we were the last to board at T-30 and push off. We didn't sit together, A-list numbers were long-gone by the time we boarded as well as family boarding.      ... View more

@Jwalsh3rd wrote: This old travel;er is grateful to hear this story.  I have used Twitter, but Live Chat is a great idea.  Used it on a lot of websites, but what a great tool when all else seems to be failing me.  This is a super valuable new piece of knowledge for me!  Thanks for both of the replies that brought this up. When you use Live Chat you also automatically provide the support team with your information, when you use twitter you'll have to send your confirmation number or other identyfing information via direct message, so Live Chat is definitely preferred by cutting out that step of identyfing you when you connect.   It also cuts out the opporutnity to accidentally send your confirmation number as a tweet instead of a direct message.     ... View more

My thought is that there may not be a better place to celebrate Cinco de Mayo for the weekend than San Antonio.  The Riverwalk in Spring is always a great time, but on this holiday it is incredible.   Visit the Pearl up river, or Fiesta Texas or the Alamo.  It promises to be a fantastic weekend! ... View more

Starting tomorrow EarthX begins at State Fair Park in Dallas.  Admission to the weekend event is free.  This is an opportunity to discuss, share and learn about the efforts of many to consider the environment, especially in relation to good personal and business practices.  Thank you SWA for recognizing the environment's relationship to good business. ... View more

@DancingDavidE wrote: Can you try Twitter or even better Live Chat from the App if you are a rapid reward member? +1 for Live Chat within the app, I posted wait times for recent my experience here. ... View more

That is a great idea for plane changes, as long as the 1st flight is on time or the connection is a longer one.  It would be disappointing if I barely connected and the early boarding opportunity was lost due to scheduling.  May be worth a look though! ... View more

Hey,   I have already stated in my first post that i really love SWA! I just did not like the open seating system and posted my viewpoint to learn about what others feel about it! That's all! Its just an opinion!   Thanks. ... View more

@Carissah wrote: Hi. In June we are traveling to FLL to board our cruise ship. This will be our first time traveling with our 18 month old. She will not have her own seat. My questions are: 1. When do I notify the airline I will have a lap child? We have done it the same day when arriving at the airport, but feel free to call anytime that is convenient prior to the flight and make a note. You'd still have to verify age at the ticket counter, then they will print a pass for the child.   If you are rapid reward members and have the "live chat" option available in the app you could do it that way as well.   Calling is quite easy if you can arrange for an off-time to make the call. Then it will all be set so you can use curbside check-in more easily.   @Carissah wrote: Hi. In June we are traveling to FLL to board our cruise ship. This will be our first time traveling with our 18 month old. She will not have her own seat. My questions are:   2. Can I use her passport instead of bringing her birth certificate?   Pretty sure, yes. It only says birth certificate in the link that was posted but I think that's due to the assumption that very few will have passports at that age (we did, but we also carried around a laminated copy of the birth certificate too).   @Carissah wrote: Hi. In June we are traveling to FLL to board our cruise ship. This will be our first time traveling with our 18 month old. She will not have her own seat. My questions are:   3. Any other tips or things to know  about traveling with an 18 month old? Our youngest was 5 on his first flight so things were different at that age. Thanks for any help in advance. You are probably aware of family boarding, if not that would be good to discuss here or see other threads on the topic.    I like curbside check-in at MDW to get rid of the car seat and pack-and-play if we're taking them. We purchased several of the Southwest "blue bags" to protect from scuff marks - these are currently $17. You can buy your own bags of course too.   Gate checking the stroller if you bring it through the airport - get to the gate a little early to get your tag so that you are ready when family boarding is announced. If you have a blue bag, put the tag on the blue bag and not on the stroller. Then you'll carry the item down the jetbridge and leave it near the aircraft door where the ramp agent will grab it and stow it underneath. You'll pick it back up in this same position - don't rush to get off the airplane as the items sometimes take a little time to make it back upstairs to the jetbridge.   Ask the FA when you board if the changing table is in the front or back of the airplane in case that affects your seating choice. If you feel a dirty one coming on, they'll have you take a garbage bag into the lavatory to wrap the package so as to avoid a stinky garbage bin.   Nursing or feeding on ascent and descent help the baby equalize their ears...don't let the baby fill up while you are on the ground.   When the FA comes through the cabin prior to take-off, they will be counting all of the passengers. If you have temporarily set the baby on the middle seat they may count them - let the FA know the baby is a lap child.    Let us know any other concerns that you have! There are several experienced family travelers active on the board.         ... View more

@Jwalsh3rd wrote: Problem on 4/13 not 4/11 Seems fine to me. ... View more