I have been looking for a way to comment on the issue of assigned seating ever since I heard about it. This has been a topic of discussion in the lines waiting to board. I have yet to hear anyone supportive of assigned seating. I try to fly in the 'non-busy' times and so can't relate to the business travellers, but I can provide the following observations:
1 - Families with small children utilize the preboarding line, and manage to sit together. Additionally, while in the preboarding line they meet other families, and many sit with each other.
2 - Single travellers, especially female, meet other people in the waiting line, and they end up sitting together, having someone to talk to during the flight.
3 - I have been able to learn much about where I'm going while talking to others in the waiting lines, as well as providing information to others about Rhode Island.
4 - I don't see many late arrivals rushing to get on the plane at the last minute.
I am extremely supportive of keeping the open seating, and sincerely hope that SWA doesn't make the mistake of changing a unique policy that appears to work very well.
I noticed that Southwest is one of the few airlines that consistently shows a profit. I realize that much of that is due to sound leadership. However, it is also due to policies put in place that many travellers are in favor of.
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