I forgot one thing. Give families the option to board before A by charging them $25, if they feel they REALLY need to sit together. Otherwise, they should be fine between A and B.
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I applaud this new way of boarding. I'll make a bet that most of the persons complaining have cut in line, abused the family privilege, or simply like to complain.
The last time I flew LUV to Orlando, there was one family with about 12 people who all "had" to sit together. Also, we were in the A group and waited patiently in line. When boarding began, there were 2 people in line up front for this one family - then all of a sudden, up rushed the other 8 members of the clan and cut in front of everyone. iThis, my friends, is why the new process is here. 5% of people cause 95% of the trouble in this world, and boarding an airliner is not different.
As per families, I can see where larger families may have a problem sitting together boarding between A + B, especially on continuation flights, where there are still passengers on board the plane. I kind of agree, that it is not a good idea to split up TRUE families (not the whole clan).
How to define what a family actually is as it pertains to boarding is where the rub lies. To me, that is two parents (or one) and their minor children - not Aunt Ida, Uncle Joe, Granny 1, Granny 2, and all the cousins.
There are 3 seats to a row. If a family needs more than 2 rows (2 adults, 4 children), then maybe they should have another adult along to help out with the kids. So, my definition of a family group would be, at max, 2 adults + 4 children = 2 rows of 3. Not 3 adults and 3 children Or in rare cases, 1+5.
For infirm adults (another dubious claim to preboard), it's the infirm person + one caregiver.
LUV needs to attract more business flyers. By doing so, it keeps fares down for everyone else. In fact, I would gladly pay $20 a flight to buy first dibs at a seat, especially on longer flights. The bottom line is this: Fares will always be low, and demand for seats high. If LUV can make a few more bucks and still keep the seats full, I do not fault them one bit.
As to the complainers who say they will never fly LUV again, that's more hot air than comes out of the jet engine. However, there ARE other airlines. In fact, I flew one recently, and compared my worst LUV experience, it was 20 times worse, and I paid way more for it.
Thanks LUV, for bringing order to the process and putting the cutters in place!
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