11-29-2007
08:15 PM
5 Loves
I agree with the myriad of people who are steamed by the new seating system. I made Southwest my first choice for any domestic trip because of the democracy of its seating arrangements. Standing in line for ninety minutes at the gate suited me fine, because I knew I could probably snag an exit row seat if I did so.
Originally, I was willing to pay more to fly SWA solely because of the seating. (That's right, SWA, you're no longer the cheapest choice by far on many routes I fly.) Now that you've taken the seating away from me, I don't have much (read: any) incentive to fly your airline. I'm CERTAINLY not going to pay double for the dubious preferred seating when it's not even a business class seat!
I'm so glad I never sent in that application for a SWA credit card. You send me applications nearly once a month, so you must want my business. But I don't want yours. I'm switching to AirTran. Why? Because, for an extra thirty bucks or so, I can reserve my seating! Thirty bucks! (I usually snag exit row seating with AirTran when I do this, and I fly very heavily-trafficked routes.)
Hey, SWA, why don't you take a page from AirTran's book, and charge some nominal fee for preferred seating? I'd pay $15 per leg for preferred seating. I won't pay double. In fact, after I use up a credit with you folks, I'll never fly you again--unless you start using an AirTran-like seating system, or (fat chance, I know) you return to democratic seating.
I'm sorry to say goodbye. But I'm not going to pay higher prices if I'm not getting something worthwhile to me.
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