I've been a customer of Southwest for years now. The pre-boarding is still out of control. I upgraded my husband's ticket and kept my B boarding. I watched at least 30 people board before the A group, then another 20 with the family boarding and dog companion criteria. I'm almost at an A list status with Southwest this year and my husband and I frequently pay to upgrade our tickets. I understand boarding the disabled first; however, how many family members are allowed to board with the person pre-boarding exactly? Also, when did having a champion dog qualify as a physical disability? After watching all the preboarding and the Business select and A list individuals ( who have earned their boarding status legitimately) I watched another 20 board with family. The numbers equate half the plane. Is there a family boarding limit and/ age group criteria on the children that qualify. It's a reasonable courtesy if the individuals have babies (under two years) with one parent. Other customers in line also thought as I did as we watched and discussed the boarding process. Is there a criterion in referencing the companion animal situation as well? If a family wants to sit together, then they need to upgrade their tickets, like everyone else. It's become free to access to better seats than the individuals who are paying to assess a better seating position. I have three children, and over the last 20 years, we have flown hundreds of times, not only with our three children but other children as well as chaperones. We always made sure that we upgraded or picked a seat so that we could all be together. It sounds great as a perk for the once or twice a year family vacation. However, for your loyal frequent flyers, it’s a complete disaster and money spent unnecessarily if half the plane boards before your upgraded expensive ticket are called for boarding. Is there an endpoint for the southwest on the pre-boarding or will you drive your customers to other airlines were paying for an upgraded seat means you get an upgraded seat?
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