Southwest Airlines Community

UPDATE 1, 16 Mar 08! "Safety & Boarding System Problems"! Safety Issue with an AD not Performed??? Get real!, this is truely not important (a small one-time expensive issue) in the large sceme of things with flying and SWA, when compared with the problems with the SWA Boarding System! I hope you read on and post some of your experiences with the SWA Boarding System (Not based on so-called Tradition or Nostalgia with the Cattle Call Boarding System!)! Although Important because aircraft safety is involved (one-instance), the real safety issue with SWA is not the one being talked about endlessly! Its the crazy/weird SWA Boarding system that could get you in a fight or ran over by other Passengers trying to be first in line or get in their correct SWA assigned row position! SWA Passengers need to write and lobby SWA Mgt to make some logical changes ( a real break from no reserved seating) to its non-functional Boarding System and its new rule to Board Women, Children, and handicapped Passengers between BC (Business Class) and Row B Passengers! This is a disservice to all Passengers in that such needy Passengers are more inconvienced and B row Passengers have no chance of getting decent seats! Former A row Passengers are now relegated to 2nd Class Passengers and get what seats that may be left after high paying BC Passengers board First (if they are on-time) to get a preferred seat! Just try getting a low A row number now on full flights 24 Hours in advance, when BC can get theirs 36 Hours in advance! This completes the update One! ------------------------------ New Boarding Process-After the Holidays (Title from Archived Blog ending Feb 08) This Blog space is too small (I think) to list all my negative comments about the new boarding system (even much worst then the hated old one), so I plan to follow-up with a formal USPS letter (SWA still does not accept email letters, due to bone-headed tradition and plain poor and slow Customer Service feedback options!!) to the SWAÃ ... View more

UPDATE 1, 16 Mar 08! "Safety & Boarding System Problems"! Safety Issue with an AD not Performed??? Get real!, this is truely not important (a small one-time expensive issue) in the large sceme of things with flying and SWA, when compared with the problems with the SWA Boarding System! I hope you read on and post some of your experiences with the SWA Boarding System (Not based on so-called Tradition or Nostalgia with the Cattle Call Boarding System!)! Although Important because aircraft safety is involved (one-instance), the real safety issue with SWA is not the one being talked about endlessly! Its the crazy/weird SWA Boarding system that could get you in a fight or ran over by other Passengers trying to be first in line or get in their correct SWA assigned row position! SWA Passengers need to write and lobby SWA Mgt to make some logical changes ( a real break from no reserved seating) to its non-functional Boarding System and its new rule to Board Women, Children, and handicapped Passengers between BC (Business Class) and Row B Passengers! This is a disservice to all Passengers in that such needy Passengers are more inconvienced and B row Passengers have no chance of getting decent seats! Former A row Passengers are now relegated to 2nd Class Passengers and get what seats that may be left after high paying BC Passengers board First (if they are on-time) to get a preferred seat! Just try getting a low A row number now on full flights 24 Hours in advance, when BC can get theirs 36 Hours in advance! This completes the update One! ------------------------------ New Boarding Process-After the Holidays (Title from Archived Blog ending Feb 08) This Blog space is too small (I think) to list all my negative comments about the new boarding system (even much worst then the hated old one), so I plan to follow-up with a formal USPS letter (SWA still does not accept email letters, due to bone-headed tradition and plain poor and slow Customer Service feedback options!!) to the SWAÃ ... View more

Just Do it!! Its wanted and will be well received, but only if the connection and use cost is very low (remember the old $4.95 min charge for onboard telephone calls!!!) and considered an amenity like Movies or TV or Coke and peanuts. If SWA makes or considers it a Profit center, then it will go the way of the onboard high-priced phone! The technology is here and will attract more Passengers, if implemented properly! 1) No speakers allowed (headsets only) 2) Suficent bandwidth or speed for internet calls, but probably not movies (unless they can use small bandwidth)! 3) Internet Phone Services or calls allowed, but still no speakers! A time limit or number of calls may be necessary, due to long winded Passengers and the possible disturbances that may occur! 4) Texting Only, if Passengers nearby complain or the Flight is a long one! 5) No Porn or offensive sights allowed (filtered by SWA's Service)! 6) File up/downloading allowed! That should do it! Don't take forever or another Airline will get the Credit and Passengers! ... View more

UPDATE 1, 16 Mar 08! "Safety & Boarding System Problems"! Safety Issue with an AD not Performed??? Get real!, this is truely not important (a small one-time expensive issue) in the large sceme of things with flying and SWA, when compared with the problems with the SWA Boarding System! I hope you read on and post some of your experiences with the SWA Boarding System (Not based on so-called Tradition or Nostalgia with the Cattle Call Boarding System!)! Although Important because aircraft safety is involved (one-instance), the real safety issue with SWA is not the one being talked about endlessly! Its the crazy/weird SWA Boarding system that could get you in a fight or ran over by other Passengers trying to be first in line or get in their correct SWA assigned row position! SWA Passengers need to write and lobby SWA Mgt to make some logical changes ( a real break from no reserved seating) to its non-functional Boarding System and its new rule to Board Women, Children, and handicapped Passengers between BC (Business Class) and Row B Passengers! This is a disservice to all Passengers in that such needy Passengers are more inconvienced and B row Passengers have no chance of getting decent seats! Former A row Passengers are now relegated to 2nd Class Passengers and get what seats that may be left after high paying BC Passengers board First (if they are on-time) to get a preferred seat! Just try getting a low A row number now on full flights 24 Hours in advance, when BC can get theirs 36 Hours in advance! This completes the update One! ------------------------------ New Boarding Process-After the Holidays (Title from Archived Blog ending Feb 08) This Blog space is too small (I think) to list all my negative comments about the new boarding system (even much worst then the hated old one), so I plan to follow-up with a formal USPS letter (SWA still does not accept email letters, due to bone-headed tradition and plain poor and slow Customer Service feedback options!!) to the SWAÃ ... View more

Sounds like Dsinhou is on to something! Seems SWA found a way to substitute its own version of complying with ADs or had some friendly FAA employee approve them, which of course was less expensive (the only priority at SWA now), but not in compliance with FAA's strict requirements! It was a Business decision by SWA to save costs, but maybe not one that really risked lifes? However, if they are proven to have violated the strict rule (which is law to Airlines) , and which may not allow other means of compliance then they will have to pay the fine and Mgt will have to accept responsibility! This is sad, as SWA has had such a good safety and business record in the past, noone thought that they could do anything wrong, including me! People should have known, based on its recent record of screwing up the Boarding system, adding a so-called Business Class, increases in ticket prices and the devaluing/limiting of the RR Program that something is now not right at SWA! I blame the current leadership, that needs to be changed ,as they won't take responsibility or correct the problems they have created! SWA needs help! PS: Don't blame the media, as SWA asked CNN or agreed to the CNN interview!! ... View more

Previous Posting on this Topic: RE: SWA Safety Violations and a Huge Fine by the FAA? Unbelievable!! RE: Just to let you (SWA Mgt) know, I do strongly sympathize with and support SWA on the recent very unwarranted and unbelieveable FAA safety violation charges and large FAA fine, for what purpose I canà ... View more

This Blog space is too small (I think) to list all my negative comments about the new boarding system (even much worst then the hated old one), so I plan to follow-up with a formal USPS letter (SWA still does not accept email letters, unless SWA considers these Blog comments an email letter feedback system, due to bone-headed tradition and plain poor and slow Customer Service feedback options!!) to SWAÃ ... View more

SWA Safety Violations and a Huge Fine by the FAA? Unbelievable!! Just to let you (SWA Mgt) know, I do strongly sympathize with and support SWA on the recent very unwarranted and unbelieveable FAA safety violation charges and large FAA fine, for what purpose I can't understand or believe! Damage control by the FAA? SWA is the proven safest and most accident free airline I have known, yet the FAA finds it necessary to flex its muscles and authority to impose a fine of over $10 million, for something so long ago and insignificant based on what I have read?? Maybe just a very technical fine and charges, I don't think so! This is obviously a very political act that smears and defames SWA before the public and its Passengers, as the FAA is currently being critized by Congress for not being tough enough on airlines for safety and other bad performance! So, the FAA goes after the airline with the deepest pockets and imposes an unfair and unjustified fine, based on mostly nothing, it appears! Perhaps it is the FAA that should be heavily fined or sued for false charges and defamation? SWA may be afraid to do this,in order to try to stay in FAA's good graces as the regulators? SWA should fight this unjustified fine tooth and nail in the Courts and public opinion, if it has the hard and clear facts to refute the charges and fine! The FAA is apparently trying to save face or re-direct blame from itself to an airline or someone else that has deep pockets, and can pay, and that won't be hurt by such a large fine! I support SWA all the way in defending these defaming, ruthless and political business damaging charges and the fine!! However, I don't support your current very weird Boarding System and almost as weird Boarding Pass Row assignment System, with Blog comment details listed below!! Note: I was forced to include these critical and negative Blog comments in this Blog Posting (which is OK and applicable for a Blog comment/reply to the CEO's CNN interview about safety, as the Boarding Pass Blog could be considered a Safety issue also!)! This was necessary, because the Original Blog contents (Titled: New Boarding Process-After the Holidays) was archived under Airports and Flying and the archived Blog will not now accept new postings past those for Feb 08 ??? This Blog should have been continued in order to allow new postings, as its the biggest and most important problem/issue with SWA (outranking even the FAA charges, in my opinion!)!! ---------------------- New Boarding Process-After the Holidays (Title from Archived Blog ending Feb 08) This Blog space is too small (I think) to list all my negative comments about the new boarding system (even much worst then the hated old one), so I plan to follow-up with a formal USPS letter (SWA still does not accept email letters, due to bone-headed tradition and plain poor and slow Customer Service feedback options!!) to the SWA's Leaders (its CEO & President) on this same subject and the recent FAA Safety fine (unless SWA considers this Blog comments an email letter feedback system?)! A short Summary of my negative comments on this topic follow, by number: 1) I've read all previous comments (now archived and not open to new comments) and agree with all the mostly negative ones and some of their suggestions on how to finally fix the goofy SWA Boarding system problems! 2) I've read the few postive comments and don't agree with any of them, as most are laughable as they were posted by SWA employees, are out of touch with reality, don't have a clue, don't fly often on SWA or any of all the other Airlines that have a compatible reserved seat system that all work better!, or who are just kidding themselves or trying to impress SWA into giving them a free ticket! 3) SWA!, get over trying to maintain this so-called SWA tradition of having or being a small time low-volume Airline that does not need to reserve seats, in order to keep original customers happy because they think SWA is so unique to be different! Wakeup, they don't think this anymore, if they ever did (if they do, they haven't experienced the new SWA Boarding system!)! 4) SWA!, break tradition (finally), and adopt the normal and proven reserved seating system used by every other airline in the World except for SWA (for your sake, families with kids, and anyone else who still might want to fly on SWA, not to mention the negitive effects on the bottom line at SWA)! Yes, even other Airlines have changed their reserved seating system to load by Section or Group Number/Letter, in order to speed boarding, improve efficiency, and load the aircraft from rear to front or front to back if they choose! The assignment of which section you are in for other airlines is determined by how soon you get your boarding pass before flight, which is the only thing similiar to what SWA does in its old or new boarding system! However, it is definitely not the same, as passengers on other airlines already have an assigned reserved seat, even if they are the last person to board in any such grouping, and even if they are late boarding! So, it is not at all important for other airline passengers to stand or get in line or fight for a place in the section boarding! However,for SWA Passengers it is now very important to be at the assigned row and place number in one of the overcrowded A,B,C lines, in order to get favorable seats together or window seats or exit seats, etc. (except for Business Class Passengers, who don't know what they are paying so much extra for, as far as Boarding goes??)! They (other airline passengers) have reserved assigned seats and can board at leisure, by section called, or when they want to or last if they choose and still get the seats they want and reserved in advance, all without having to wait in yet another line after the long TSA line! How simple and efficient and fair is this with no enforcement needed, not to mention modern and stress free! Maybe that is why all other airlines use this proven system (does anyone at SWA get it yet, or will they ever get it?)! SWA!, please try to get over your ownership or pride for this system (very inefficient and full of stressed out anxious passengers) or so-called tradition of boarding Passengers like cattle, or queuing them up like unbehaved undisciplined school kids waiting for the lunch bell to ring! Your stubbornness is killing SWA, and any Passenger loyalty left! The System is outdated and frankly you've outgrown it (if you haven't noticed?)!! Your very lame attempt to overhaul the old system with a hybrid system, in order to keep the main and worst part of the old sytem that does not include reserved seats, is not working and is actually a total failure! Admit it, and Get over it sooner, rather than later! The new system is driving more people away (see the Blog posts!), is confusing, still requires you to get in lines and now in your numbered place, has to be enforced by SWA employees to work or there will be fights, and is just plain dumb! I, and I believe most other Passengers after any objective direct observation, would characterize the old and new SWA Boarding Systems as Dumb and Dumber! I am, or was a frequent SWA flyer, or used to be and won't be, if SWA doesn't get its act together and finally go to the proven reserved seating system! Quit patting yourselves on the back (SWA Mgt) for coming up with or adopting a new and more pathetic seating system than the old one, as such self adulation will get SWA nowhere! 5) About the SWA Boarding Pass System (also broken and in need of replacement)! What is wrong with how the Row (A,B,C) and row numbers are assigned to Passenger's Boarding Passes, who are ticketed together or purchased together and then have Boarding passes printed or issued at the same time??? Twice, I have printed advance Boarding Passes online, with two legs of travel for my wife and I on both flights. We both have been assigned different rows (A & B or C) with place numbers, even though I printed the Passes at the same time both times?? There is no way this should be allowed or permitted by your Boarding Pass system, if it has any computer logic at all!! 6) I do have other issues with SWA that were touched on in the Blog comments! I'm disappointed in the cutbacks for baggage allowance, and the continuing and expanding devaluing of RR credits and awards by limiting seats available for RR use and when they can be used!! I don't understand the feable attempt to attract (for more profit I suppose) more Business Travelers (at the expense of your Core Travelers, who mostly enjoy the low priced seats, when they are available which is less and less)! This is a pitiful attempt at revenue growth that in-turn slows the growth of its Core Passenger base and their use of SWA!! I hope you make up your mind on who SWA is going to primarily serve! Finally, the neglect in not fixing the severe problems with Boarding and waiting in yet another new unreserved seating SWA created line(s) system! The other Blog comments show this has been happening to many others, with no explanation given and no fix given by SWA? The comments above say that this happens because one party has more flight credits or has flown more often?? If true, this in no way justifies separating Husband and Wife or Families into separate waiting Rows, and in fact nothing should justify this separation action or process! This needs to be fixed ASAP, as I had to hide my Wife's Boarding Pass with a C row, as my Pass was in the A row! Otherwize, we would have had to fight with the SWA employees who sometimes try to enforce the new numbered lineups (hard as that is to do in the crowded area at the Boarding Gate!)! We did nothing wrong in correcting the weird row and position assignments ourselves, as SWA doesn't even acknowledge this is a problem and has refused to fix it! I don't question assignment of different rows, if Boarding Passes are printed at different times or locations. However, this is not the case with ticket pairs that are purchased at the same time and Boarding Passes printed at the same time! SWA, please fix this problem or at least acknowledge it is a problem or part of the overall problem with your Boarding System (if we Had reserved seats, we would have no problem with being in separate rows)! PS: Other airlines also have this weird Boarding Pass problem, with different boarding sections being printed on the Passes for boarding two people traveling on the same ticket? However, its less of a problem with them, as you have reserved seats and can board separately with no problem! Maybe I want have to write that formal USPS mail letter, as stated at the beginning, after this online blog message is posted, received, or reviewed by SWA Mgt?? Any bets? ... View more