I am 57, own a business, have been flying SW since the 1980's, Rapid Rewards member - I always look first to see if SW serves my destination. Having established some credibility, this is my opinion regarding assigned seating: NO, NEVER, NEVEREVER. Don't fool with the business plan that has made SW so successful. Why be no bettter than the others? Open seating allows me to book when I need to, choose the seat I want without all that 'class by money' system on the other airlines. With NW and others charging extra for window/aisle seats you should become the new darling of seating because of your open seating policy. How do you intend to get everyone loaded and meet your stated turn around goals? Have you ever been assigned a seat by a person with small, unhappy children, or a person who should have booked two seats for size comfort? Have you ever needed to jump of the plane to catch a connection and needed to be at the front. Freedom to choose! It goes well with 'Freedom to move around the country'.
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