08-20-2023
10:28 PM
1 Love
That's the point ... forcing hard decisions about a business model that doesn't work. Either buckle up, lobby for changes and ensure the wrath of <insert your favorite interest group here> or change the business model. They can't have it both ways and not continue to elicit these concerns.
The abuse is real and undeniable ... equal to people parking in disabled slots with the knowledge that they'll be perpetually ticket-free.
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08-15-2023
08:01 AM
I continually ask SW for their opinion on the regulations and whether they are employing their sea of lobbyists to find a reasonable solution. I get radio silence. They simply take the teflon approach of saying "they are adhering to the regulations".
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08-02-2023
04:33 PM
https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/southwest-flyers-photo-shows-line-passengers-sitting-wheelchairs-claims-pre-boarding-scam
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10-06-2022
10:19 PM
10-06-2022
10:19 PM
I work a lot with lobbyists. They can motivate legislative changes on the one end ... and regulatory ones on the other. It just takes Southwest's clout (and maybe even cooperation with other carriers) to prove the problem and seek some resolution. It's amazing what they'll do when the bottomline is threatened.
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10-06-2022
10:16 PM
10-06-2022
10:16 PM
I've read the frequent complaints about Southwest preboard abuse and have to admit that it frustrates me, as well. It's less of an issue for me when apparently able-bodied passengers pre-board as I think it's important to give them the benefit of the doubt given the number of hidden impairments.
It's the wheelchair boarders who claim a disability while preboarding, then (with great dexterity) retrieve their overhead luggage and make an unassisted beeline for the airport exit (multiple bags in-hand and a cell call underway) that makes me fume. And for all those out there who respond that "life is too short to get uptight about things like this", it's about the way they disrespect those with real disabilities that I'd ask you to consider if you're that altruistic.
Ok, now that the commonplace pre-board frustration is baselined, I recently had an interesting circumstance when I witnessed a family of six preboard (four children and what appeared to be their parents) ... all without apparent impairments. On the chance that someone did have a disability, isn't it still the policy that pre-boarders get one -- and only one -- companion? Interestingly, a red-shirted Southwest employee escorted them to the pre-board area ... and as they departed ... hugged each of them. He then left the gate area ... obviously not a member of the gate staff.
A complaint to Southwest will inevitably result in a canned response from their CRM system about their adherence to regulations and their lack of control of preboard eligibility. My solution is to push Southwest to direct their legislative and regulatory lobbyists -- no question they have them -- to get better rules in place. Just as their well-publicized $2 billion investment in better Wi-Fi, power ports and bigger overhead bins is getting attention, they need to direct their balance sheet to seeking more equitable (and enforceable) pre-board regulations.
Southwest's open boarding policy has it in a real bind when it comes to the diminishing value of A-List Preferred and paid upgrades. No baggage fees, Companion Passes, no change fees, etc. only go so far when viewed against the perks of competitors.
As a long-time A-List Preferred customer, I'm seriously questioning the value given the clear pre-boarding abuse and Southwest's hand wringing.
And as a side note, that flight with the six-member pre-board family -- there were a total of 23 preboarders. The flight was delayed given the lack of available wheelchairs.
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10-06-2022
06:40 PM
10-06-2022
06:40 PM
I've read the frequent complaints about Southwest pre-board abuse and have to admit that it frustrates me, as well. It's less of an issue for me when apparently able-bodied passengers pre-board as I think it's important to give them the benefit of the doubt given the number of hidden impairments.
It's the wheelchair boarders who claim a disability while pre-boarding, then (with great dexterity) retrieve their overhead luggage and make an unassisted beeline for the airport exit (multiple bags in-hand and a cell call underway) that makes me fume. And for all those out there who respond that "life is too short to get uptight about things like this", it's about the way they disrespect those with real disabilities that I'd ask you to consider if you're that altruistic.
Ok, now that the commonplace pre-board frustration is baselined, I recently had an interesting circumstance when I witnessed a family of six pre-board (four children and what appeared to be their parents) ... all without apparent impairments. Isn't it the policy that pre-boarders get one -- and only one -- companion? Interestingly, a red-shirted Southwest employee escorted them to the pre-board area ... and as they departed ... hugged each of them. He then left the gate area ... obviously not a member of the gate staff.
A complaint to Southwest will inevitably result in a canned response from their CRM system about their adherence to regulations and their lack of control. My solution is to push Southwest to direct their legislative and regulatory lobbyists -- no question they have them -- to get better rules in place. Just as their well-publicized $2 billion investment in better Wi-Fi, power ports and bigger overhead bins is getting attention, they need to direct their balance sheet to seeking more equitable (and enforceable) pre-board regulations.
Southwest's open boarding policy has it in a real bind when it comes to the diminishing value of A-List Preferred and paid upgrades. No baggage fees, Companion Passes, no change fees, etc. only go so far when viewed against the perks of competitors.
As a long-time A-List Preferred customer, I'm seriously questioning the value given the clear pre-boarding abuse and Southwest's hand wringing.
And as a side note, that flight with the six-member pre-board family. There were a total of 23 pre-boarders. The flight was delayed given the lack of available wheelchairs.
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I'm A-List Preferred with Companion Pass (had it in 2021 and requalified for 2022).
During my past two trips with my companion/wife (one in late-October, one in late-December), she was auto-assigned the A boarding position right behind me. Never had that happen before.
Does anyone know if this is a new policy (that would be awesome!), or a incentive program that's expired/expiring?
Thanks!
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01-05-2022
04:41 PM
01-05-2022
04:41 PM
As an A-List Preferred customer for the past few years, I completely agree that pre-boarding is out of control and that the market value of Southwest status is rapidly dwindling.
Southwest also makes it hard to argue with their standard “auto-gen” response that they are just following federal regulations.
So here’s a proposed solution. Like all airlines, Southwest has a significant lobbyist presence in DC. Rather than pushing the company in a general way, let’s get them to expand their response to:
a) we agree there is a problem (what SW gate attendant doesn’t hold their breath many times per day as large family groups and the otherwise healthy and spry pre-board) but our hands are currently tied, BUT;
b) we are actively lobbying for changes to federal regulations to better ensure this accommodation is not abused.
I think it’s much more effective for concerned customers to push Southwest to acknowledge the problem and describe how they are lobbying for regulatory change.
As Southwest often monitors these thread, here’s your chance. What say you? Regardless of the regulations, is there a problem or not and what are you willing to do about it with your influence?
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