Swimming against the tide...I would be THRILLED to have assigned seating on Southwest. The lack of same is one reason why--even though I love the casualness of your crew, the sense of humor, the friendliness of the airline--I don't fly SW more often. I truly hate the get-there-two-hours-early-sit-on-the-floor waiting in line; the push to get the "best" seats; the insider tricks one has to know to get the A passes.
I've seen a couple of recommendations in these comments that I would echo. Truly, really, honestly enforce the "under the seat in front of you" rule, and don't let somebody on with more than 2 carryon pieces. Just don't let 'em do that. And board from the back, no exceptions. I fly United on business much of the time, and the seats that are left after all the Premier, PExec, and 1K passengers load are hard to get to and in the back--while the privileged class is still standing in the aisles trying to stuff their 3 pieces of carryon luggage all in the overhead bin.
So...yes to assigned seats, but board from the back and don't let big carryons on or more than 2.
Of course, you could let my boyfriend load your planes; he was a sergeant in the Army and says he could get people on in 2 minutes if he could board 'em like soldiers. I have a hunch that would not go over well with your customers.
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