Southwest Airlines Community

Sounds similar to my granddaughter’s experience. My daughter just flew Southwest from VA with her 6 month old boy and thankfully he didn’t have to wear a mask. My granddaughter who is now three. (The original story) flew with me on American, non stop and she did much better at this age.  Two is just too young to reason and obey. The trip on SW was not good this time either. Not because of masks but with a long delay on the tarmac, they didn’t want to allow her to stand and stretch with the seatbelt sign on. Hot and sweaty with no air and a baby strapped in a front carrier. I miss the days when SW had fun and lively personnel that treated us as valuable customers instead of people to keep in line. But I guess they get their share of verbal abuse too.  Then upon reaching her final destination they had sent the strollers to baggage instead of having them at the gate. At first they thought they had lost hers… very tough to try to manage a baby and all the carryons. She’s no longer a fan of SW. I fly shorter trips with them and they have been great. But I am flying to Hawaii tomorrow… we’ll see 😉 ... View more

Sorry, it was in the body of the information.  https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/146/2/e2020004879 ... View more

Texbaby, My goodness. How many children have you raised?  She just turned two!!! Please go find another place for your soapbox. You are not helping anyone with a sincere request for advice. Hopefully people who have a need for someone’s help finds a more compassionate person than you to go to.  ... View more

jksobonya, that’s exactly my age consideration. 👍🏻 ... View more

Texbabygirl. So sorry to hear your child or was it a grandchild, got addicted to heroin. How sad. No wonder you are so critical of parenting issues. Perhaps I will encourage our daughter to be more lenient so as not to cause such a sense of guilt over her just-turned-two year old toddler not understanding the need to wear a mask when the rules changed a week or two before travel.  Thank you so much for sharing your concerns and your heart.  ... View more

Passenger 1c Thank you so much for your kind support.  ... View more

As my greatest “fan” pointed out, I copied and pasted information in response to her opinion so as to share reputable opinion. It appears I may have inadvertently infringed on copyright laws so I have deleted the parts and here is the link.    https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/146/2/e2020004879   ... View more

I understand your concern as a cancer survivor. We are senior citizens and my daughter, the one traveling has immune deficiency as well. However, if you look at the statistics than you will find that young children have a very small percentage of contracting covid and being in a car seat on the plane limits droplets falling on anyone but their parents. Plus, not everyone can afford a private jet. Perhaps you can?  ... View more

Well, they made their first flight and all three of them felt traumatized... They had a layover without getting off the plane, and had the bulkhead.  But she cried on and off and had a full on screaming period where her daddy just held her and her arms to keep the mask on... My daughter was close to tears and doesn't want to ever fly again while masks are mandatory...  I'm sure the customers were not happy either.  However, they do need to return home, and driving across the US is not an option.  I wish the airlines would reconsider the age of mandatory masks to an age where a child can understand and comply vs being frightened to death.  Mom and dad are trying everything to get her to feel comfortable with it.  All the advice out there doesn't work.  This was a necessary trip. ... View more

I hope you are right Passenger 1c!   ... View more

Thanks, yes. I have made and bought and sent several. Wish they’d choose a little older for this requirement. A little young to be able to explain why she has to.  ... View more

I would do both going on and off but would like to use only the shield during flight as it’s easier to breath. The problem is my granddaughter doesn’t want anything to do with it. I have made matching ones for her dolls and for mommy and daddy. They may have to postpone their trip.  ... View more

We are trying that as well. Bought some expensive child shields with cute themes that go all the way from ear to ear. I had read that they allow people who need to read lips use these for travel , but someone else has said they don’t. She even picked the ones she wanted. Have only tried one evening so far. Will try again. But sounds like they won’t accept that either.  ... View more

I am hoping they start accepting the face shields soon. Our doctor said they are finding that shields are equally as protective as fabric. I personally have a shield that attaches to a baseball cap or visor which then gives me fuller protection from droplets from above. I hadn’t heard they wouldn’t accept shields or bandannas.  ... View more

I know this, my question includes the fact that luggage would have been on the plane and they’d be denied.  ... View more

Dfwskier, they bought a ticket and she is 98 percentile in size, so she looks older.  Will be two years and three weeks old. ... View more