It has been a rough few years.
Many Southwest cabin crews have seemed understandably frustrated and exhausted. I know that it is not my job to make them happy, but I wonder what I can do to at least show appreciation.
I always try to smile, say hello, say "please" and "thank you." I take off my headphones and watch the safety demonstration. I know to say how I would like coffee served. I clean up around myself, cross my seatbelt before I disembark. What else would make me a better passenger for these hardworking but drained crew? I would love to hear from other frequent travellers and staff.
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05-26-2021
12:37 PM
It seems like every day there is another news story about violent passengers, frustrated and fearful flight attendants, calls for more air marshals... I'm scared. There are so many rules, and the consequences are dire. If one sips too long on a drink, uses words to speak to a flight attendant instead of using a finger code... I'm never going to get this straight. And we're told to snitch on our neighbors by reporting "unwanted behavior." Of course this is after we've ensured that our liquids are in a plastic bag, our shoes have been scrutinized, it just seems like a massive world of rules and admonishments, warnings and fines. Are there Southwest flights that are calm? Are there crew who are engaging and friendly, who really want us to fly on their airline? Are there flights in which the passengers aren't knocking teeth out? I have a flight in a couple of weeks (and then another two weeks later). I keep thinking of cancelling because I'm too afraid of a toxic environment. How do others cope with this anxiety? I would ordinarily turnt to a flight attendant for help, but---I admit--I am far too afraid. Since I'm disabled, I'm even more afraid of getting kicked off. I wear a mask with no difficulty, but there have been all of these news reports of children with autism getting kicked off, and the passengers applauding. What if I'm seated, buckled in, wearing a mask, using fingers and not words, but there is some misunderstanding?
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11-06-2020
03:50 AM
I had a mixed response since my original post. On three check-in experiences, the agents did not like the letter. One didn't like it because I kept it in a plastic protective cover. Another felt that my psychiatrist's letterhead "wasn't her definition of letterhead." (It looks just like any other psychiatrists' letterhead. But she thought it should have a logo.) In each case, a supervisor rectified the problem and I was able to fly with my dog. In the third case, the agent was astonishingly out of line. I received a thoughtful response from Southwest, making it clear that the agent was mistaken. Southwest has no rule about logos, typefaces, etc. My psychiatrist thought it was ridiculous and condescending. I have two upcoming trips on Southwest. I have a little folder with the ESAN letter, but I also have a copy of the letter from Southwest's corporate offices stating that the letter meets their requirements.
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01-05-2020
01:20 PM
1 Love
I sent a paper letter to Southwest, and I received a pleasant email this morning. The staff member who replied just pointed to their policies, and she said, "It appears that the documents I have meet [their] requirements." Although it is no dobut still at the ticket counter agent's discretion, this will give me just a bit of backup. Fingers crossed; teh flight is on the 25th.
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12-26-2019
09:27 AM
1 Love
@SWDigits Thanks so much for your suggestion. I just sent Southwest a thoughtful letter (snail mail) today with a c opy of teh ESAN documents. If I hear back, I'll be sure to post something here.
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12-24-2019
12:16 PM
I travel with an ESAN dog. The one time I took him with me on Southwest, the agent was displeased with the letter from my psychiatrist. It was word-for-word from the Southwest web site, up-to-date, and accurate. Is there a way to ask Southwest to verify the letter prior to departure? This would leave the decision about the letter's validity up to a disability desk rather than to an individual agent. American, United, and Delta all store the ESAN information linked to my frequent flyer number. When I fly American, for example, I just let then know that I'm travelling with my dog, and an agent at their disability (SAC desk) puts an SSR in my PNR to say that the paperwork has been reviewed. I still need to have the paperwork ready, but it takes the burden off of the check-in agent. Please le me know if there is some way to do this with Southwest. I'm flying again next month. I know that there is so much abuse related to ESAN regulations. I play exactly by the book, and unquestionably need my dog with me. I just want to ensure a smooth travel experience this time.
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