I am the mom of a just-turned-2 year old and, since her birth, have flown Southwest about once a month to visit family in Phoenix (most of the time, it's just me and my daughter, without my husband). I was utterly disgusted and angry when a gate agent told me last Sunday (as I checked in for my return flight home after my latest trip to Phoenix) that I could pre-board this time, but that Southwest would no longer be allowing pre-boarding for families after October 1st. What???? You've GOT to be kidding, I thought. I am so disappointed to learn that this is no joke. Clearly, the people who decided on this new policy do not have young children. Flying solo with a small child is probably one of the hardest things I have done as a mother. As hard as it is, I have made the effort to fly regularly with my daughter since her birth, and Southwest has been the link that has allowed my daughter to get to know her grandfather well over the last 2 years, despite the fact that he's over 1,000 miles away. It's the only airline that offers direct service between my city and Phoenix, where my dad lives, so I'm not sure I can say I will never fly the airline again (though I would LOVE to be able to say that). However, I now feel complete disgust about Southwest and am absolutely dreading flying the airline again. And please, Southwest, don't dismiss my feelings as the irrational knee-jerk reaction of someone who "just doesn't understand" how the new system will work. Not only do I feel tremendous ill-will toward the airline for being so blatantly anti-family/anti-kids and for making what is already a daunting and exhausting experience that much more stressful, but I am dreading the reaction I will get from whatever lucky passenger I am forced to choose to sit next to when I finally get to board the plane. Do you know how many times I have had a whole row to myself because no one wants to sit next to a mom and her little one? I don't really blame them - I was the same way before I had kids. To put families in the position of having to pick someone to sit next to just isn't fair to anyone (as some of the other posters have already noted). I am sure I will get plenty of disgusted eye-rolls and sneers when some "A" group passenger who is happily settled in to what they thought was going to be a "choice" seat finds out my daughter and I are going to be sitting next to them. This is only ONE of my many concerns. Also, I will likely no longer be able to chose a seat near the very front or back of the plane, where a flight attendant will be close by if I need some extra water for a bottle, an extra napkin or some snacks. I expect to feel stressed about trying to get myself and my daughter and her stroller, blankie and carry- on settled in while the plane is already half-full. I probably will have a much harder time getting a window seat, which on some flights has been the only thing that has kept my daughter entertained (despite that I come armed with a backpack full of toys each time I fly). I won't even allow myself at this point to consider the possibility of ever flying solo on Southwest with 2 children after my second child is born in January. Please, Southwest, don't patronize me by telling me to "just give it a try." YOU just give flying with a 2 year old a try. Again, I am just totally disgusted, disappointed, and angry, and the good feelings I had about Southwest have been done away with in one fell swoop. Oh, but, I forgot - you don't care about my business or opinions anyway, because I'm not a business traveler. SHAME ON YOU SOUTHWEST!
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