Hello:
I would really appreciate the change to assigned seating. This is mainly due to one thing and, if that could be eliminated then the open seating thing that you now use would be more agreeable.
What I am referring to is that you get the feeling of being in a cattle call hearded through the loading chute in a rail yard. If there was some way to eliminate the mentality that if you aren't at the gate an hour in advance and standing in line 45min. prior to the plane's arrival it would be great as is. Unfortunately there is, in my opinion no way to count on otherwise mature and responsible adults, not 'competing' for the head of the line.
I was departing Denver recently and the folks there were trying to 'self-police' the line up because in that particular location, the seating area was conducive to orderly boarding without having to stand in line. Unfortunately as I stated above, not all of the 'adults' thought that that was such a neat idea and the orderliness soon degenerated into crude but effective instant line forming.
I thought one time that some sort of 'take a number' system might work but again, who is going to enforce the proper, timely and fair sequencing of passengers?
I actually don't see why assigned seating can't work so lone as there is consistent and disiplined boarding using easily understood rules. Such as, you don't line up and board when pre-boarding is announced, you get to board last. I don't know, I am certain that are numerous boarding systems in use in the industry. If none of them can assure SWA meeting it's on-time goals then the current system will just have to stay. I still do not like it but as you know, a thicker wallet does account for something, eh? ;-)
Gordon
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