Mr. Renfro --
Thanks very much for bringing your observations to our attention. The "jetway crowding" you describe can be a concern. We must always keep a path of sufficient width available to accommodate a Safe and orderly evacuation in the event the need arises.
We also must comply with Department of Transportation regulations which do not allow us to wait for all other People to deplane before assisting Customers requiring wheelchair assistance as you suggest is done by other airlines. And, of course, families with small children are often among the most anxious to deplane.
While there are many factors involved, I want to assure you that we're taking your advice to heart and acting upon it. We're going to get together with our Location Management -- not just in Florida destinations, but throughout our System -- to reinforce that wheelchairs and strollers be staged in such a way that they do not encroach upon that clearance or impede the deplaning process.
We sincerely thank you for your interest and suggestion. Ensuring the personal Safety of each Southwest Airlines Customer and Employee is our #1 priority, and we can't have too many "eyes" assisting us in that priority.
Barry Brown
V.P., Safety, Security & Environmental Services
Southwest Airlines Co
barry.brown@wnco.com
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