Southwest Airlines Community

You're not reading the post by "buzzchris" correctly.  The two gate agents in the conversation are not questioning the "medical issues" but questioning why so many people need to be with the preboarder. The agents are also questioning why a passenger is not boarding by their group number. According to my friends in the airline industry, the gate agents certainly have that "right" to question such abuses. My neighbor was a gate agent at a SW gate and he frequently questioned those passengers that abused the system. He held his stance too. If you are going to reply to a post, then read it correctly.  ... View more

I agree with the posting by Spacecoastbill:  On my flight a couple of days ago, a tall passenger was about to sit in an open emerg row seat (I was close behind him). The passenger sitting there said the two seats were saved. The other side emerg seats were already taken.  Long story short, the FA DID intervene and told the sitting passenger that it IS OPEN seating and that he couldn't stop this other passenger from sitting there.  Of course, the sitting passenger got loud and complained. In no uncertain terms, the FA (who I knew and has the demeanor of a Marine Corp Drill Instructor) warned the passenger he could be kicked off the aircraft for noncompliance (following the verbal directives of the FA).    He, too, got up and moved, grumbling.       Myself, if I don't get the emerg row, I got to the back of the aircraft and get an isle seat.  Then, for my entertainment,  I watch as some passengers try to put oversized luggage in the overheads,..and watch the FAs roll their eyes.  ... View more

"Occupied seats but they haven't boarded yet?".  Open Seating: Definition?   Seriously, this needs clarification?      As another person posted , and as two SW Captains that I know very well,   just told me a few minutes ago, "open seating" means 'nobody is sitting there at that moment. If the seat doesn't have a human being in it, it is open. Period.`'   Of course, it is the FAs that have to do with dense remarks like the one you gave, not the Captains.  However, like others, I have no issue with saving a seat for a family member or two. Just don't do it the emergency row section where there is more leg room. Those purchasing Business Select should have that benefit.   ... View more

Oh yes, a "hot" topic. I agree with a posting stating the pre-boarding policy is "liberal"  but  not with legitimate disabled passengers. I agree that it is "liberal" in the sense that SW allows multiple passengers to escort the wheelchair passenger down the ramp. I just came from three flights in the last few days. On each boarding, I questioned why it took four to five passengers to escort "grandma" down the ramp.  A family member of mine is a SW Captain and a neighbor is a senior SW Captain.  I am told SW allows it to avoid verbal confrontation, to avoid delays in arguing with the gate attendant (They're not paid enough to argue).  Avoiding delays is critical to ensure on time departures.      And don't get me started on Saving Seats. SW doesn't enforce their policy of open seating. Again, due to avoiding confrontations and delaying departure.  ... View more