Over the years Southwest Airlines has developed a great reputation for efficiency in moving folks around the country.
I believe one of the best features has been the open seating. Certainly there have been times when I have been among the last few people to board and have mumbled under my breath about "assigned seating", but even at those times I know that in reality the open seating system works very well. One of the best parts about it is that it is non-discriminating. It doesn't matter whether you are the CEO or the labor hand, you get to sit where your airport arrival (or online boarding pass retrieval) permits. Speaking of online boarding pass retrieval, I might just mention that most of the recent grumbling I have heard in the "cattle lines" has come from people that arrived at the airport very early but still didn't beat the online retrievers to the "A" passes. There might be something to consider in that process. Perhaps making 20 or so spots available for the folks who get to the airport early might alleviate that sort of grumbling.
Anyway, I appreciate the service provided by your airline and its great employees. My vote is to keep the open seating policy.
Regards to all,
David Cerchie
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