This is a bad idea. It may go ok for now, but that is because people are not aware of the program yet. Once people see that you will have to do this to get a seat, there will be a backlash from this program. Over the past week Ive had several people come to visit my family and they always fly southwest. In our conversations, they were all against this new policy. All stated if they have to pay more, they would rather pay for their bags or just pay more for a seat. In discussing this new policy and talking about it, there will be a time where you pay the extra money, but still can get a c boarding pass. So you are basically paying for nothing. My family is in the process of planning 2 trips towards the end of the year. We have flown southwest for many years and for the first time in awhile are actually going to look at other airlines. It is important to us to sit together and have our choice of seats when we fly. We just ask that Southwest read all of the comments about this program and change their minds about this.
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This is just a bad business decision by the airline. To try to say use our airline because we don't charge for bags, but then add a fee for early boarding is crazy. I feel if the airline wants to make more money, just charge a little more for the seats. But this just hurts the average person who travels. It makes it so you will have to do this just so you might get in the a group. I prefer the system you have now at which you can board 24 hours before. There is nothing wrong with this. But when you travel with family, friends, or a large group, you prefer to sit together. I think this needs to be looked at and changed. There are other ways which are fair. This is going to cause many people to be uncomfortable on their flight. I know this was a business decision, but it seems that it will not work. In reading all of the blogs, it seems an overwhelming majority of the people are against this policy. As I said, im ok with paying a little more for the ticket if it would keep the same process of boarding. It just doesnt' make sense to pay for something in advance when you can't really tell what you are going to get.
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