Add my name to the list of people who like the "open seating" system the way that it is. The main reason that I request Southwest for all of my business travel, even when other airlines are available, is (1) the ability to sit far away from crying children, and (2) the fact that Southwest is the only carrier that virtually always runs on time. And, when I have children of my own, I will feel much better if I am able to pre-board with them toward the front, so that other travelers can sit away from them if they wish. If Southwest were to go entirely to assigned seating, I would lose my incentive to use Southwest. I would, however, be open to a hybrid system, where the people who make up the usual pre-board class, including those with young children, can request seats toward the front of the plane and other can request seats far away from that section.
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