Are you people serious? Do you really think that the Southwest cattle call procedure is faster than assigned seating? Unless you are in the front of the A group you end up waiting in the jetway since the first group that enters jams the aisle getting a forward seat.
The main reason to fly Southwest is if the price is right , you are flying alone and the sechedule works If I fly alone i'm fine with the stupidity of the cattle call, but if I'm with family I want to know I can travel next to my wife and/or children. How many times have you seen families come on board in the C group and only to be scattered about the plane? If alone I try to get up my seat if it helps them set together. That family may have made a reservation well in advance but if they don't beat the new on-line check in lottery they're out of luck.
I personally will pay an additional $50/$100 per seat on a different airline to be able to set with my family.
This new procedure may eliminate the early line up, but those travelling with a group you still won't have a clue if you can set with your loved ones until 24 hours before departure.
I still don't like Southwest's procedures for boarding.
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