I'm not in favor of change in the ability of families with young children to pre-board, but I'm confused about some of the comments. We've been flying with our 2 1/2 year old on SW since she was just 7 months old. We've always bought her a seat and until recently carried a car seat on with us. We've never had to prove her age because we use full fare internet prices for her seats. They are always cheeper than the infant fare. Therefore she can be checked in online 24 hours in advance. I am concerned that the new procedure may have her in a different group from my husband and I but I find it hard to believe that the gate agents would enforce that and separate her from us. I also find it hard to believe that we wouldn't be able to find seats together at the end of the A group.
My concern is for the families with car seats. Airline seats and car seats are different. It's incredibly difficult to secure a car seat in an airline seat. That's going to delay the people behind the family installing a car seat. Also, if the family is traveling with an infant who should sit rear facing, the seat in front of the child won't be able to recline. WIth the new boarding system there's a good chance someone will select a seat planning to recline and relax on their flight only to have someone board AFTER them and ruin that. Car seats also must be, by airline regulations, installed in the window seat. Depending on the number of families traveling with car seats it could be difficult to get a window seat at the end of the A group and a previously boarded passenger will have to move. Again, this will delaying boarding.
I am, however, in complete support of the new groups within the A, B, C. I hated sitting on the floor in the queue and look forward to being part of the group.
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