Just spent an interesting week on a business trip and got to witness the confusion in 4 different airports (SEA, PHX, LAX and SLC). You've taken a nice simple system and made it a complicated mess with little signs everywhere and those rotating ABC triangles. So what's actually the A line looks like the C line from a different angle.
At SLC, there were so many signs everywhere I ended up standing in a line for the wrong gate, then when I realized my error and merged into my numerical position (A43) the gate agent reprimanded me for not standing in line earlier. I thought the whole point of this was to reduce standing in line??? Under the old system, I never even bothered standing in line if I had an A pass, I would just sit until the A's started boarding and then tag along at the end.
Also noted with interest the new policy of sandwiching the families with toddlers between the A and the B groups ... very thankful my family of 7 will not have to endure what is sure to be a horrifying Thanksgiving travel week with you guys. Of course I am biased here, but I really think the preboarding of families with toddlers makes sense for two reasons: 1) It is much easier to have parents and kids sitting together; 2) It makes it easier for the A group to avoid sitting next to where the kids are stationed.
Our family normally flies a few trips a year on SWA, although last time we flew Alaskan because it was actually cheaper to go with them despite the fact that my wife could have flown free on my SWA Companion Pass. Your competitive fares have already been slipping; now you can bet on future flights we will give preference to airlines that can ensure we sit together as a family.
Please guys, either go back to the old format or just go with reserved seats. This current situation is a needlessly complex mess.
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