Southwest Airlines Community

I believe that you can check this at the gate.  However, measure the dimensions of the stroller to be sure that it is not classified as "oversized" when folded.  That way, you can not worry about it. ... View more

Asking for a doctor's note is a violation of the law.  That also leaves Southwest wide open for legal issues since the law requires that the individual "self declare".     Like I have said before, a person can do back-flips and acrobatics all the way to the gate, then "self declare" with a disability, then preboard.  That's the law.   No one should ever challenge you and if they do, take action.  You have rights under Federal law. ... View more

I am sure that the individual had reason that three years went by.   The suggestion was that use use the LUV voucher before it expired to turn it into a flight credit which does not expire. ... View more

I have never lost out on a LUV voucher.  The voucher does expire after a year, but if you write a well-written letter to Southwest at their corporate office, detailing the circumstances of the original voucher, you are likely to get a new one.   Another thing that you can do is book a flight, use the LUV voucher, then cancel and it all comes back as a travel credit which does not expire. ... View more

I preboard regularly.  I know the Air Carrier Access Act inside and out.  I have also been asked excessive questions before and that violates not only my privacy rights, but the law itself.     My suggestion is to do what the law says.  Present yourself and "self-identify" as someone as a disability and go ahead and ask to preboard in accordance with your rights under the Air Carrier Access Act.     If other passengers question you, tell them to leave you alone.  If they won't contact airport security and be done with it.   This all comes together as a perfect storm on Southwest since they don't have assigned seats and, yes, the preboard people do get first choice of seats.  That's the law.     ... View more

The terms and conditions of boarding a plane with Southwest apply to everyone.  Of course, everyone wants Southwest pricing but want Delta policies.     If the seat is open and I want the seat, I sit in the seat.  That's my right.   If the person wants assigned seating, there are many other airlines who offer same. ... View more

The response to the issue is to sit in any open seat.  Southwest does not have a policy on saving seats, but that doesn't mean that they support doing so.   I'd venture to say that Southwest doesn't have a policy on lots of things, doesn't mean you can do it.   Sit in any open seat.   I once told a person, "That's a great subject for a book, but on Southwest it isn't going to work."  Yup, I sat there and enjoyed the flight.   You have control of the situation.  If the person argues with you, call the flight attendant.  If they stop you and otherwise block your path, have law enforcement come on the plane and file charges. ... View more

This really isn't about the preboard group, it is a perfect storm that occurs on Southwest.   By Federal law, those who self-declare with a disability have the right to preboard.  Because of Southwest's open seating policy, those who preboard also get the best selection of seats.  That's just the way the cookie crumbles.   There are dozens of threads about this and until the Federal law changes, this is the way it is.  Some have suggested that you must have a pass (similar to handicap parking) to preboard and I am totally on board with that.  Keep in mind that a doctor will sign off on this without too much debate if asked, so there you go.   Here in Florida people violate the speed limit on the turnpike too, however, life goes on.   I support the ability to preboard. ... View more

What is the carryon policy at Southwest? TSA regulations limit carryons to one bag and one small, personal item. If you're traveling with a pet, carriers are counted as either your personal item or carryon.   What carryon or personal items are not counted against the TSA limit? A child restraint system. Assistive/mobility devices for individuals with a disability. There is no limit to the number of assistive/mobility devices you can bring onboard. Outer garments or other wearable articles of clothing. Food in disposable packaging. Walking canes or umbrellas.     https://www.southwest.com/help/baggage/carryon-baggage ... View more

You should file a lost item claim with Southwest     Then you would have to involve law enforcement but I can see them questioning the jurisdiction as to where the alleged crime occurred versus where the item is now.     Best of luck. ... View more

You are correct that up to two adults may board with a child under seven.  You start by identifying a child under seven, then identify the adults.   Whether the bag that you carry on has diapers, newspapers, clothes or air, it counts as a carry on.   ... View more

I just don't see Provo UT as a Southwest airport.  With a population of 115k in the city, that's likely not enough to justify the investment.   You could call Southwest and the Provo UT airport to see if either knows about a Southwest appearance in the foreseeable future. ... View more

I've worked with software engineers for 30+ years.  One thing that you have to keep in mind with web-based systems is that while you continue to get the spinning circle, it doesn't mean that the job didn't finish - it means that it hasn't returned you to next screen in sequence. ... View more

If you use an Apple device - virtually no issues.   If you use a non-Apple device - virtually nothing but problems. ... View more

I agree with you.  What has become known as The Holiday DISASTER continues to be a point of contention on this board.  Many of the same stories.   Southwest knows about each passenger impacted.  This could have been handled long ago and I'm venturing to guess that the cost has become close to $1 Billion, against the original estimate of $850 MM.  Basically, an entire year's earnings out the window.   I believe in accountability, both at a personal as well as corporate level.  The delays are unacceptable. ... View more

Next we will read where Motor Trend magazine retroactively nominates the AMC Hornet as Car of The Year. ... View more

Not necessarily.  Despite your own costs, there is market competition.  You might have to keep a price at a certain price point to maintain your presence.  In the long run, it won't work but a business does not come and go based upon daily costs.   If watch the Southwest pricing model, I can typically recover 1/3 of the cost of the initial ticket by checking the pricing model as the time to the flight gets nearer.  I use those credits on future flights so that is a smart Southwest strategy as well.   I was surprised on my last flight from MCO to PIT where I flew round-trip for $265.  More than half of the original fare got recovered as the prices dropped. ... View more

Okay - I misunderstood.   From what you are saying the agent handled it wrong.  The rest of my post tells you the rest of the story, unfortunately.   This should involve a LUV Voucher to you as well. ... View more

I am an advocate of filing a dispute, in writing, with your credit card carrier.  You can also concurrently work with Southwest on the issue.  You have the right to file your dispute under Federal laws.     To suggest that a LUV voucher would be a constellation for not exercising your dispute rights is invalid.  If anything, going to the trouble to file a dispute would likely invoke the reaction to smooth it over with an angry customer.   The EBCI has been debated at length on this board.  I would not recommend using it, either.     ... View more

In my actual experience, once a bag is checked it is almost never possible to alter that destination.  The reasons are simple - imagine the back and forth once a bag is checked to pull that bag and reprocess the destination.   While it is tempting to grab an earlier flight, do so when you first arrive at the airport so that your bag is initially checked for the earlier flight.     Once you check a bag, that bag's destination is almost always cemented in its original flight. ... View more

If you use an Apple device - virtually no issues.   If you use a non-Apple device - virtually nothing but problems. ... View more

A lot of this is like following the speed limit.  On Florida's Turnpike, the speed limit is 70.  Will you get stopped for going 72?  Probably not.   75?  Probably not.   78?  Probably.   80?  Very likely.   90?  Certainly.   The same goes for oversized luggage.  You have to balance what is likely against the inconvenience.  To suggest that no one is going to check is taking a chance, just like speeding on the Florida Turnpike. ... View more

I always weigh my bag before going to the airport.  I've become pretty good at guessing the weight.     It is no fun to deal with those issues at the airport.  Use luggage that is within the size limits and also the weight limit.  Life is easier that way. ... View more

If they go "by the book" it will be oversize.  I would call Southwest and ask and get an answer that you can quote.   I have seen bags weigh in at 51 lbs and the person was asked to either lighten the bag or pay the overage fee.  I'd imagine the same could be true for oversize as it is for overweight. ... View more

Houston does have a separate area to re-check bags.  I flew through Houston on my way to and back from Los Cobos Mexico. ... View more

I'm hearing that little song again.... ... View more

The law is clear.     Seat Assignment Criteria Under the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), airlines are required to provide certain seating accommodations to passengers with disabilities who self-identify as needing to sit in a certain seat. If you are a passenger with one of the disability-related needs listed below and self-identify as such to the airline, you may qualify for one of the following types of seating accommodations: Movable Aisle Armrest: If you use an aisle chair to access the aircraft, and cannot transfer readily over a fixed aisle armrest. Bulkhead Seat or Other Seat: If you are traveling with a service animal, that is best accommodated at a particular seat. Greater Leg Room: If you have a fused or immobilized leg and need a seat that better accommodates your disability, including an aisle seat or a bulkhead seat. An Adjoining Seat: If you are traveling with a person who is assisting you during the flight such as: A personal care attendant who performs a function that is not required to be performed by airline personnel, for example assisting you with eating; A reader if you are blind or visually impaired; An interpreter if you are deaf or hard of hearing; or A safety assistant, for example if you cannot assist with your own evacuation. Note: If the conditions above do not apply to your situation, the airline is still required to provide you with a seat assignment that best accommodates your disability. This may include one of the seating accommodations listed under “Seat Assignment Criteria” above. However, if you do not meet the airline’s seating assignment criteria (ex. you did not check-in on time), the airline must only provide the seating accommodation to the extent practicable.   More specifically:   Do all airlines provide advance seat assignments? No. Some airlines do not provide advance seat assignments.  If your airline does not provide an advance seat assignment, you can request to board the aircraft before other passengers if you need additional time or assistance to board, stow accessibility equipment, or select a seat that best meets your needs.   This subject has been discussed at length.  As long as the Federal Law is in place and Southwest has open seating, you will continue to have the "perfect storm" of those with a self-declared disability will be first to board the plane.   Other airlines do the same thing, but they pre-board to their assigned seat rather than any open seat. ... View more