Southwest Airlines Community

You are right TheMiddleSeat. Depending on the flight, the number of pre boarders and family boarders, and A1-15 boarders, purchasing Early Bird and checking in exactly 24 hours in advance will probably get a good enough position to find three unoccupied and non-saved seats together.   But if if were my kids I wouldn't chance it. ... View more

Better check the rules,   https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/faq   Q: Is there any DOT regulation for kicking people off flights, not related to over-booking? I know some airlines will not allow passengers to board or will remove them from the plane for being smelly (not related to a disability or illness), not dressing properly, etc. A: An airline can refuse to transport a passenger to the extent permitted by the airline’s contract of carriage so long as the refusal is not discriminatory. Airlines typically include language in their contract of carriage listing the various reasons that they may refuse transport or remove an individual from a flight. For example, airlines may refuse to transport an individual who appears to be intoxicated or under the influence of drugs. An airline may also refuse transport passengers for a number of other reasons including refusing to transport an individual who attempts to interfere with the duties of a flight crew member. We note that FAA regulations state that “no person may assault, threaten, intimidate, or interfere with a crewmember in the performance of the crewmember’s duties aboard an aircraft being operated.” ... View more

Your rights to dress like a cook? Yeah, I guess they did. Good for SWA! ... View more

Here are my recommendations, and I'm not a doctor or anything like that, but I do travel a bit.   1. Bring your own food and drinks. But them at the expensive gift shop past security. You don't want to drink water or coffee or tea made on the plane and you don't want to drink from a cup handed to you by a flight attendant holding the brim of the cup who, just before takeoff, has literally ran their hands across the front of all of the overhead bins on the plane.   2. Bring your own hand sanitize. Buy a small travel site bottle and bring it with you in your carry on. Use it before you eat or drink anything while on the plane and after visiting the plane's bathroom.    3. Don't touch anything or put anything in the seat back compartment.    4. Don't use or even touch any airplane blankets or pillows.   I'm not for wiping down the seat and try as I don't fancy rubbing my own hands across these dirty surfaces. I don't use the tray and I wear clothing and a light hoodie so that my own skin doesn't come in contact with the seat.   Any other suggestions? ... View more

"We cancelled our flight today to arrive in San Antonio on March 26th because San Antonio's Mayor declared a public health emergency after a patient was mistakenly released by CDC from quarantine. 21 people are possibly infected. This woman traveled to a hotel near the airport and ate at North Star Mall and browsed stores. The mall is now being closed to be disinfected."   If you are this paranoid then you probably shouldn't fly, or even leave your house too often. Sorry, that's just how I see it. Everyone panicking and giving in the media induced fear is just ridiculous.    Here you go: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-in-us.html   Have Fear!   No, I wouldn't book a trip to China right now, but San Antonio? Yeah, just stay home. ... View more

https://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/baggage/carryon-bags-pol.html   If it's within these measurements then it shouldn't be any problem. ... View more

If it's important that any or all of you sit together, and it would be for me with kids this age, then you should consider booking on an airline that lets you reserve your seats in advance. SWA does not. If you go with SWA then at least purchase the Early Bird for all three tickets. Early Bird won't guarantee you A or B assignments but it might help. ... View more

Has she contacted the police? Why bother with the SWA Leadership team? ... View more

You're right, I read it wrong. Hopefully they won't cancel but good luck OP.  ... View more

<never mind> ... View more

"no one should travel during CoronaVirus Global Outbreak"   How about, "no one who buys into the media hype fear machine should travel ever."   That works better for me.  ... View more

If where you sit on the plane or whom you sit with matters to you then book an airline that allows you to reserve seats (usually at an additional costs).    SWA is all about getting the planes turned around as quickly as possible. They are, for me, usually the lowest cost and the most convenient.    I don't like seeing the ever growing list of pre boarders. I'm sure some really have a disability and need to pre board, but I am equally sure that some are just willing the sell their souls to get on the plane ahead of everyone else.   I don't like that SWA allows seat saving.   But each time I reserve a flight I weigh these dislikes with the low cost and convenience that SWA offers and, most of the time SWA comes out on top. But I usually fly alone. I would never use SWA if I needed to sit next to someone in particular on the flight.  ... View more

The policy is quite clear. Two adults. You will need to find another adult in line to preboard with you and your kiddo. Look for someone traveling with a C boarding pass. They will be happy to join you.   Just kidding of course. Happy and safe travels. ... View more

https://www.southwest.com/html/generated/help/faqs/boarding_the_plane_faq.html  "Do passengers with disabilities get to preboard? Preboarding is available for Customers who have a specific seating need to accommodate their disability and/or need assistance in boarding the aircraft or stowing an assistive device. If a Customer with a disability simply needs a little extra time to board, we will permit the Customer to board before Family Boarding, between the “A” and “B” groups. Those Customers who need extra time to board will receive a new boarding pass with an extra time designation. The designation serves as notification to our Operations (boarding) Agent that the Customer should be permitted to board before Family Boarding. We will allow one travel companion to act as an “attendant” and preboard with a Customer with a disability. In most cases, the Customer requires assistance from only one other person, and any additional family members or friends are asked to board with their assigned group. Customers should request preboarding from our Customer Service Agent at the ticket counter or departure gate. Our Agents are trained to ask fact-finding questions to determine if the Customer meets the qualifications described above. Those Customers who qualify for preboarding will receive a new boarding pass with a preboarding designation. The designation serves as notification to our Operations (Boarding) Agent that the Customer should be permitted to preboard. It's important to keep in mind that Customers who preboard may not occupy an exit seat. Note: Customers who are preboarding because of a need for a specific seat onboard the aircraft should speak with the Operations (Boarding) Agent prior to the start of preboarding to alert the Agent to the seating need."   Is this new? This certainly wasn't how it was done last time I flew SWA (October 2019).   Will this be enforced?   ... View more

Sorry to hear about your broken ornament.   A lesson for everyone. Put carry on fragile items under the seat in front of you. Don't sit in the first row. If your bag of fragile items wont fit under the seat in front of you then you shouldn't be carrying it on in the first place. ... View more

EB does not guarantee you anything other than to check you in automatically 36 hours before your flight. It is only worthwhile if you feel you will be unable to check yourself in the day before.   EB doesn’t guarantee you an A or B boarding number.   EB doesn’t guarantee you a better spot than people checking in 24 hours before without EB. Just ask around next time your in line for a SWA flight and you will see that this is true.   I used to pay for an A1-15 pass at the counter but with SWA allowing anyone to just say the words “pre board” and get on first and save seats, there’s no point to doing this anymore.   SWA is, for me, usually the lowest costs and most convenient choice. But I almost always fly solo and could care less where I sit.   If where you sit or whom you sit with matters to you then you should fly an airline that lets you pick your seat (all at an extra costs of course).   EB worth it? Not if you can check in yourself the day before. ... View more

SWA main concern is getting everyone on board and in a seat as quickly as possible. I actually like this prioirity as I don't like to waste time.   If you really need a particular seat or are traveling with others and really have to sit together then you should choose an airline that let's you reserve seats when you buy your tickets. (For an extra fee of course. But then, you also pay extra for EB on SWA so...)   SWA uses a cattle call approach to bording. It is frustrating to see so many people cheat to get on ahead of others but, as I said, this isn't SWA's concern.   With every flight I book I look closer and closer at taking a different airline to avoid this boarding frustration.  ... View more

There are companies that sell travel insurance for game consoles.    ... View more

If they can't be seen there's no problem. If they can you can be disqualified.   Hopefully SWA will do away with this policy. They are no doubt losing some good people who happen to have visible tattoos.  ... View more

It's a stupid policy. SWA should allow ticketed passengers to take empty seats on a standby basis to the same detsination without any charges. SWA misses the opportunity to sell those empty seats on the next flight out. They are losing money flying planes with empty seats. ... View more

@krafty81 wrote: Previous comment makes no sense. I am a 34 year veteran. I traveled on SW on orders all the time. Check in 24 hours prior, you are set. I did not look for extra favors. If I had to change a flight, SW phone rep always asked if I was military and I got a break. "Verifying" someone as military is meaningless. You board according to your number. I would urge people that think that airlines "owe them" something because they wear a uniform to get over themselves. We serve our country, not the other way around. Owed something? No. Other than respect. And US Companies, and every US Citizen should, in my opinion, do all we can to demonstrate that respect at every opportunity. I never had the honor of service myelf but I wouldn't mind at all seeing all active and retired military and their friends and family traveling with them to board first, no uniforms required. ... View more

@Cable-TV-Guy wrote: SInce I'm an old man who doesn't do Fakebook or Twitter, is the Customer Service phone # the only way to compliment an SW employee? Just being nosy, old man here as well, but what does age have to do with social media?   Oh and great story tpskelleyjr thanks for sharing. ... View more

Another problem that could be avoided altogether by flying an airline that lets you book your seat when you book your ticket. I know most airlines know charge extra for this but at least you know what seat your getting. SWA charges for EB or BS or an upgrade to BS at the gate and you still take your chances. ... View more

That is one, no two, terrible experiences. I hope that you and your family receive a satisfactory compensation from SWA. That said, this is another great example of why, if you have specific seating needs, you shouldn't book a flight on an airline that doesn't allow you to reserve a specific seat. Same thing for families. Is SWA low costs worth the chance that you can't all sit together? SWA is, for me, almost always the least expensive and most convenient choice. But the price of that choice is knowing in advance that I could end up sitting in a middle seat in the last row of the plane between two larger fellow fliers. That's Southwest. ... View more

No. The solution is, if you want to avoid this nonsense, if it bothers you that is, fly an airline that allows you to reserve your seat when you purchase your ticket.   Some airlines, if not all by now, charge for this luxury. SWA instead charges for EB or Business Select and then you still take your chances. ... View more

We need to change the courts in the USA to say that, if you want to sue someone for what amounts to a criminal offense, you need to present a copy of the criminal conviction along with your civil case.   Almost daily I see in the news people suing for things that happened years ago but they never once went to the police.   This needs to stop. ... View more

SWA may not come out and say it but their actions obviously say that you can save as many seats as you want. The FAs will not intervene.    Our choices are to go along with this or fly another airline.    For me, SWA is almost always the lowest cost, most convenient, and most on time choice. But my frustration grows with each flight.    Seeing people in line ahead of me who didn't pay for EB, along with the ever growing line of pre-boarders and seat savers is making me take a hard look at other airlines. ... View more