Southwest Airlines Community

@xxmelissaruiz, I am not sure if there is an official rule but I would expect the flight attendants to pick everything up.  Landings can be bumpy and if my neighbor has hot coffee, I don’t want it to end up all over me.  Even when people board and carry on liquids, they typically have a lid on it.  I would suggest that you bring an empty water bottle with you and add your on board drink to that bottle if you wanted to carry it off.   Now that I am thinking about it, there probably is an official rule.  Take offs and landings can have more turbulence and the FAA does not want things flying around inside the plane.  That is the reason laptops  and bags have to be securely stowed under the seat in front of you and not blocking the area around the feet. ... View more

@stanman505, It takes about two weeks for the car rental points to post from the return date (at least that is the pattern for Hertz and Avis).  So if the rental occured within the last few weeks, you may have to just wait longer.  There are lots of variables (was your Rapid Rewards number in there?  Did you tell the rental car system to apply miles? etc), that I cannot say what happened if it has been longer than two weeks since you turned in the car.  I did not see an answer right away so you may want to call Rapid Rewards or check the Frequently Asked Questions.  https://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/faqs.html?topic=rapid_rewards ... View more

@DancingDavidE, I have been overwhelmed by the stinky foods of others at times, so not everyone has received that message.   @TheMiddleSeat, 3.3 ounces of clam chowder (to get through TSA) will not be very satisfying.  Though you will be glad to know that I have stopped getting coffee on the early flights (in an attempt to recapture some sleep).  I never realized it bothered anyone, so thanks for the headds up. ... View more

@chgoflyer, I am not familiar with the acronym for IROPS.  International reservations?  ... View more

I would create an email account for him with your info and list it on his RR application.  So it is you4 email that will be shown as his within the SWA system.  You will be checking the email until he gets old enough to use it or change it. ... View more

@kchilcott, I also like the employee empowerment within Southwest.  I am sorry you missed the level.  Could have been the employee or the day or something unrelated to their work.  Or they may have had to close the door on that rule because of too many passengers making the request.  I once took a short Christmas eve hop to make the Companion Pass criteria.  Not my preferred way to spend Christmas eve, but I wanted to make the CP criteria, so I took a flight (and a good book).  Reading the stories in the SW magazine and here on the Stories board makes me think that, thankfully, they still allow a good bit of flexibility (unless it jeopardizes safety, of course).  I hope you hit the 25 flights this year. ... View more

I will have to bring my tape measure on my next flight because like @DancingDavidE, I believe that the window seat has more under seat storage space than the aisle, and I am thinking floor width on which a bag can be stowed, because the aisle spaces have the outer bar limiting useable space.  At least 1", maybe 1.5".  (It keeps a safer passageway.)  Useable underseat space for the aisle and the window just can't be equal.   I will report back on the validity of my claim (if I ever remember to pack a tape measure, that is). ... View more

@gretch0628, I also hope that all is well with your father.  What a bad day to have a flying snafu.  They can happen with weather, mechanical issues with planes, software systems and human error - which lists them from the least controllable to the most controllable.  Unfortunately, humans will make occasional mistakes no matter how many systems are in place.  When plans get interrupted for any of these delays, it can be upsetting, but especially when it relates to family emergencies.    Hopefully you will give Southwest another try, especially if multiple trips are required.  It might have been a similar or different problem for another airline on another day.  I would be shocked if calling customer service or even better, writing them a letter laying out all the facts, did not garner a response from them with some decent options.  Headquarters has more ability to respond than a gate agent or a supervisor at the airport.       ... View more

@bec102896has some good suggestions.  Are you asking because Phoenix has a program?  If yes, I cannot vouch for effectiveness, but I noted that they have some kits for sale that might be a help.  http://www.fearlessflight.com/about/  (They are not cheap though, and because video tapes cannot provide a training simulator, you may not want to invest.)   Best of luck with the travels. ... View more

@SarahGrant84, I suggest checking out the FAQs for service animals here: https://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/unique-travel-needs/customers-with-disabilities-pol.html   The FAQs suggest that you provide them with disability information online or you can probably call customer service at 1-800-IFLYSWA.  To encourage smooth passage, I would suggest dealing with this before arriving at the airport.     So thanks for posting and safe flying. ... View more

The challenge in dealing with "scams" is that the change in policies also make it tougher for people that need the services.  Southwest may not have to deal with issues on emotional support animals (ESAs) because an advocacy group for the airlines may take up the issue. The airlines recognize the increase but wholesale unilateral changes may draw unwanted media attention.  No good suggestions from me on ESAs except that I try to be patient and remember that I do not know that person's situation and even though I have allergies, I can reach for my medicine or change seats with free-range seating. https://www.marketplace.org/2018/04/03/business/airline-companies-tighten-leash-animals-aboard-flights ... View more

After considering your proposal for such an announcement, it seems like fodder for more fighting.  I agree that center people should get the arm rests; however, making that announcement would likely just lead to resentment if people have in their earbuds and do not hear it or if two aggressive people land next to each other and both want the armrest.   When the attendant makes an announcement about using ear buds, I find myself getting more aggravated about the person who is using their iPad without them. I am more likely to dismiss their noise making than if the announcement was never made.    I do not find center sitters to be more passive - a great many are just late to check in (inexperienced) or the late boarders.  I get the center seat when I go standby, and yes, I dutifully cross my arms and close my eyes but that is because I am claustrophobic and prefer not to touch anybody.   I like that you are thinking about what could make travels easier.  I am unfortunately not sure if an announcement would solve the issue or make it unexpectedly worse. ... View more

@Lrg55, getting stranded for maintenance is frustrating, but SWA's on time record is not so different from everyone else's.  The trade off of getting a 1-4% improvement is not worth incurring all those change fees.   On time performance records per Forbes   My personal favorite delay was on another airline where we were delayed because a new flight attendant accidentally deployed the landing slide when she was opening the door, so they could not leave for hours until it was replaced.  They had to fly in the slide and the mechanic to install it.  As we say in the South, bless her heart.  The airline said "Sure, if you want to move to another flight, pay the price differential and fork over $200 change fee because your flight will be leaving eventually."    No, I like the freedom to change without penalty, but I recognize that it is not the airline for everyone.  I guess that is why there is so much discussion on these boards about free-range seating. ... View more

@FlyoverNurse, Welcome!  Most folks that pay for Clear are very frequent travelers, so the C boarding passes were likely a last minute purchases/changes. I don't go to or through Las Vegas very often, but I do travel a lot, and a bad weather event will drive me to change my plans so I can make it to my destination to prevent me from hanging out in the airport for hours or being stranded overnight.   I am also not a Clear(ed) person because they are not in half the airports to which I travel, but if they were, I might buy it.   Happy traveling! ... View more

If you arrive at 4AM for a 545AM flight, you will have plenty of time at Hobby.  I would probably arrive later, but I am TSA-Pre and very experienced.  Gates 49-51 and Gates 4-5 are the farthest to walk to, but unless you have any challenges with mobility, you should be there with 15 min of exiting security.  Safe and fun travels to you. ... View more

@jwelch,  SPF for the IT?  Are you suggesting that the Southwest IT Department needs sun protection formula?  They do have flight privileges and might head south, I guess?   i am hoping a little humor will demonstrate that the people on this forum, including the moderator, may not have the Technology skills that you have gained due to your career.     Anyone with suggestions on how to resolve a general problem can send an email through the contact us link on the southwest.com home page, and they will route it to the proper party.  However, I thought the customer service phone line would be a better option due to the potential iterations of user experience, phone brands, email services, etc.  Resolution may taken a full understanding of the potential factors.   The normal wait time has bumped up recently but part of that is four northeasters in three weeks.  Bad weather tends to clog up the phone lines.   as for getting on their planes, I have not experienced any problems other than normal air travel problems twice a week for several years, so I am still there.  Yeah, sometimes the WiFi is out, but I think it was Louie CK that talked about how people’s expectations have dramatically increased after sitting on a plane next to someone who was complains about no WiFi, and Louie CK thought (paraphrased) “dude, you really sitting in a chair on a device that is 25,000 feet above the ground going 350 miles per hour and you are complaining about the WiFi service?”  I try to remember that comment before starting to whine.   if you have really never tried flying southwest, send me a personal message.  I can vouch for them to help you evaluate whether it might be a time to give them a chance. ... View more

Laissez les bon temps voler! ... View more

Sorry for delay in reply as I have had other time demands.  My main suggestions are to think consolidation and flexibility.  Instead of two small bags, consolidate into one bag with a wide opening so you can dig things out.  Once I became a mother, the diaper bag became the purse so I did not have two things.  The diaper bag can also double as the boppy pillow since its function is to position and elevate.  Just put all the soft stuff on the outside with hard stuff on in the inside.     Happy travels! ... View more

@DancingDavidE, I agree and if I want to run a marathon OR get the best seat, I have to train.  It took a heck of a lot of early mornings to get my A List Preferred, and after flying twice a week for three years, I still  sometimes have a standard nightmare of missing flights (and missed one just recently).  Early Bird is a nice alternative that SWA offers for a fairly reasonable price, and I usually buy it when purchasing for others. ... View more

@chgoflyer, Increasing snack offerings would be nice but tough on the flight attendants.  I wonder if that could be considered just for flights over 2 to 2.5 hours.    Though I am always going to have a water (with lid) and a snack that I bring myself.  I have been on many bumpy flights and diverted flights, so it's my "insurance." ... View more

@kailwhales, fly a lot on SWA to get Alist Preferred or buy early bird.  Sometimes that won’t get you even to the A group but on Southwest, the traditional seat assignments are not used.  I set my alarm for the 24 hour mark, figuring I can check in and go back to whatever I was doing.   ... View more

Ok, now I see your issue.  It is similar to my gamble of buying my tickets far in advance, ending up with changes and losing travel funds because I could not figure out a way to use the funds within a year.  It doesn't happen often but it happens occasionally.    You could try drafting a nice request to customer service.  I did that once when I purchased better seats on a European flight/airline for $100 each as part of an overall itinerary for 6 of us. The U.S. airline moved the flight time by a few minutes and changed the flight number.  While boarding in Europe, I realized we had back row seats on the biggest aircraft in the world.  I wrote the European airline, and asked nicely why we did not get the purchased seat upgrades.  They said the U.S. change had kicked us out of their system.  They apologized and refunded the money.  I was surprised because I thought the U.S. change wasn't really their fault, but I did accept the check. ... View more

Hi @ecanem, and welcome to the discussion boards.  People buy early bird for different reasons, and depending upon the route and the day, B6 to B9 can be very good boarding passes.  If you were thinking that early bird status would get 4 seats in the first few rows (which is where first class would be on another airline), then no, the $15 per ticket won't buy that for a passenger.  (After all, first class costs thousands on other airlines.) The Southwest website says "While EarlyBird Check-In doesn't guarantee an A boarding position, it improves your seat selection options to help you get your favorite seat." Southwest never guarantees a specific seat, but they don't overbook, so that means you will always have a seat (except maybe in the few instances where they have to swap an aircraft).   I believe that the boarding process assignments go in this order - Business Select (highest price, fully refundable) A List & A List Preferred (fly more than 25 times per year) Early Birds (who paid the extra $15) Companions (guests of the A listers)   If there are many "through" passengers, seats might already be taken by people on a previous leg of the flight or if there are many pre-boards with disabilities, one may receive an A boarding pass, but they might not be among the first 60 people on board.   I often buy early bird for my college age traveling child, so she doesn't have to remember checking in at 24 hours.  That give here at least 44 chances at a window.  (She flew today and I did not buy it, so her seating position was C7.  Oops on my part.)   With no change fees and two free checked bags, I would not expect the airline to change its policy on early bird.  Some people find the boarding process so stressful, they prefer other carriers or to buy the Business Select tickets.  I admit that until I earned A-List, I did not realize how much I liked to get a window seat.  Now that I fly all the time, the airplane is my long cylindrical nap mat with the wall acting as my pillow (jostle me please if I am snoring). ... View more

@Erinmps, Franktravel is correct.  Southwest does not overbook flights - see FAQs here. They have open seating (pick any seat available), so get your boarding pass right at the 24 hour check in (set your calendar/alarm), especially if overhead bin space is critical.   If you like the price, you'll love the peanuts.  Safe travels. ... View more

@Rhyliepulsipher, I am sorry that you did not get assistance.  Traveling with baby twins is certainly a challenge.  I generally think, "don't carry-on if you can't put it up in the overhead" when I see people struggling, but I also know that traveling with any baby is a challenge.    Perhaps that flight attendant was having a bad day (or won't last because a SWA flight attendant job is not everyone's gig).  I am glad the second leg went better.    Don't give up on the airline because of one experience.  I fly a lot, and I find Southwest people and policies are friendlier than any other airline.  I actually find that paying more often brings less service.   Safe travels to you and yours! ... View more

HI @Ft12, Southwest has open seating so the number on your boarding pass is your position in line to board, not your seat number.  Once aboard, choose any available seat you like.  Southwest is unique about this open style boarding. ... View more

I have not experienced this issue.  I am receiving emails from them in Outlook. Good luck - I hope you get it figured out soon.  Have you called Customer Service yet?  (Though those folks deal with flight issues more than IT issues.) ... View more

@conniegodinez, even worse, if you use travel funds that expire on day 1 to buy a ticket on day 360, but you pay extra (above the amount of travel funds), and then you cancel the new ticket, I am fairly sure you get the old expiration on the entire new ticket.   So I try not to use travel funds on a trip that I might have to cancel.  I buy rickets very far in advance, so I always end up with a lot of travel funds from re-booking cheaper tickets, then I use the funds for last minute changes.   ... View more