If we could get 25% of the passengers to check a bag and just board with a backpack / bag / purse we would all board and deplane so much easier. Would knowing you will be a "High B" because you checked a bag be incentive enough to change your behavior? I'm not suggesting that a bag-checker would jump ahead of existing status holders or folks that pay for upgrades. Just ahead of general steerage folks that carryon.
I love checking a bag w/ SWA and have never once had a problem with a lost /delayed bag (I just jinxed myself). When I fly another airline and do carryon (because I'm a cheapskate) I don't really notice getting on or off airport property significantly faster. Yes, it's easier / faster but it doesn't seem tremendously so. At some inefficient airports (I'm looking at you, DEN) it's almost for sure a wash.
If that shift was to happen, would Southwest regret it due to the demands of having to handle that much more baggage?
I could see flight attendants all excited that we are boarding faster but baggage handlers seething and cranky due to increased workload. Who would win if it was a battle? Flight attendants can be pretty scrappy in a pinch. Don't rule them out.
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