I'd like to add for the tall people, maybe they could get a "unit pass" to preboard as well at this concourse service desk. Just have the passenger line up with their back to a measuring height (6'2"??) and if taller, they get the pass to preboard. Pretty simple. Actually it would be easier if they could get a permanent pass, but if you begin to make it too easy, then what about wide people, or ones that are faking an injury, etc, etc.
Just so tall guy doesn't drag everyone else with him, it's one adult per pass, and kids can't sit in exit rows.
As you can see, my comments are predicated on setting up a service desk, however ofter the LUV person at the gate desk is not doing much of anything other than to take care of issues.
It just kills me to see all these negative comments. I just wonder how often these families and tall people - especially those who travel on short notice - get their "ideal" seat on other airlines who have reserved seating??? I bet NEVER. So as much as they are threatening to leave, I say they will be right back on the Peanut Plane.
I'm certainly not a LUV apologist, they've let me down every once in a while, but I certainly am smart enough to know that they don't make any process decisions without excessive amounts of process design. If there are any doubters, look at the bottom line.
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Right on, Lori! I think LUV is smart enough to know that complainers are loud but few - especially on this forum. Not to say they don't have a right to speak up, but I'm thinking at least some have been riding the early boarding gravy train with low fares and now that ride is over.
However, some people who disagree with the new family boarding process do make some good points, especially as it pertains to car seats. I think it's a no brainer that if you paid to put a baby in a car seat, then I think it may be a good idea to let them board first - in the back of the plane. This allows them take all the time they need to set everything up, and when the plane lands, to undo everything. How many families would qualify for that anyway? I don't think that would impact much of anything.
I'm a business traveler AND a family man. I've traveled with my babies (now a little older), and can attest that it is difficult. However, sometimes you have work a little harder on your own, or give something up, rather than expecting everyone else do that extra work. If you can board first, then you should expect to have to sit in the back.
For families with older - but still young (like me)- children, under the new plan, you should still be able to get your seats together. If not, have a plan for yourself, like getting your boarding documents, checking in online, and if all else fails, decide early on the 2+3 split or other scenario. It may be your 13 year old has to sit by himself one row ahead of you. It doesn't always work the way you want it.
You can always ask your neighbors once they are settled in if they would move. 90% on LUV that is the case. I think many of these "family posters", travel with a chip on their shoulder, and the tone of their posts seem to bear it out. Honey attracts the bees.
One thing about LUV is that over the many, many years, they made way more good decisions than bad. I think everyone needs to give this a chance. I think the big picture boarding process is here to stay, there's still room to tweak everything, like board car seat families first.
This month, I will be traveling on business, and will certainly appreciate being able to grab a bite to eat and showing up at my appropriate time, rather than camping out in order to avoid the mid row seat.
I just hope that LUV has trained the FA's to expect those chip-on shoulder disgruntled 11 member "families" who now have to board after A, that now they will be trying to rearrange the A's when they board. They tried to take advantage of the system before, and I don't expect them to stop. That could be the real holdup in this new system.
In the end, I think this will be a problem, and LUV will have to deal with it. I think eventually, LUV will have to let the families and invalids before first again - IN THE BACK. I'm not against that - but make them PROVE they are a family and have to sit together. Assign each a "unit pass" that they would use to board.together. If they don't have a unit pass, they don't board. Most true families or persons accompanying an invalid would have absolutely no problem getting one. You just have to write the rules strict, and have all the grief occur at a service desk in the concourse rather than on the plane.
Like Lori said, it's the people who want to take advantage of the system that are the issue, not true families or accompanying adults. If the family posters on here have an issue, take it up with the cheaters who are trying to get on with you, not LUV!
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