Southwest Airlines Community

@LindseyD , talk is cheap. If SWA truly is "humbly and deeply grateful," to military members, then they would stop using the military as advertising fodder. Since almost no military flies in uniform anymore, just stop advertising pre-boarding for military. Just stop. You don't owe it to us. But we don't like being taken advantage of. ... View more

Southwest's "Military Boarding" policy is a slap in the face to military. They should just delete it and not say anything about military boarding.   Very rarely will you see a military member flying in uniform, except maybe from boot camp or to first assignment. Yet the official military boarding policy is that military IN UNIFORM can board between A and B. And the policy is couched in jingoism: "Patriotism runs deep at Southwest." Really? To make your case, you are going to exploit America's good will toward service members? ... View more

Please just stop mentioning military at all, since your official policy is for uniformed only. That policy is so offensive.   Southwest, you don't HAVE to have a policy allowing military members to board early (uniformed or otherwise). But since you INSIST ON PRETENDING that you do, by announcing early boarding for military in uniform, we will keep pointing out the hypocrisy of your position. We are not fodder for your public relations smoke and mirror, and we don't appreciate being used to make it seem like you are friendly to the military when in fact you are just the opposite.   @NicoleAshley is the latest SWA bot to send this email: "We are saddened to hear that you feel this way."  What a non-responsive, insult-to-injury thing to say, @NicoleAshley . She further suggests reaching out, "via official channels," with a link provided. Good luck with that one. Here is the response (from a "no-reply" address):     Here is the response I received on 7 SEP 2017, when I did attempt to use the "official channel" email: "We allow active, uniformed military personnel to board after the "A" boarding group..."  The long email was full of self-serving platitudes, but it also included this: "Please know that our overall objective is to advertise our product in the marketplace."   That's fine, really. Advertise. Just don't use us to make it seem like you are so benevolent toward the military. By requiring military personnel to suit up, you are actually hurting the military. Just don't say anything about the military and be consistent.   ... View more

Lindsey,   Thank you for confirming that Southwest does NOT, in fact, give a rip about military service, when it comes to boarding. Which is fine, really. Just come out and say it: "If you are in the military, you can wait in line just like everybody else." At least that "policy" would be consistent.   Why foster all of this angst against yourself, Southwest? Why require service members to be IN UNIFORM in order to board early enough to get out of the middle? This sinple distinction demonstrates that your policy is purely for show. Unadulterated, blatant, in-your-face pageantry, created to make Southwest appear to be friendly to the members of the military.   On those rare occasions  when I have no choice but to fly Southwest, perhaps I should put on my Class B uniform, so you (Southwest Airlines) can appear to be kindhearted and magnanimous toward the military. But then, I would have to charge you for the advertising. And I wouldn't be allowed to do that in uniform. What a conundrum you have created.   So, Lindsey (if that is your name), I take umbrage at your suggestion that, "we have an enormous amount of respect and appreciation for all members of the armed forces as well as their families." Really? Talk is cheap, and those words are about as cheap as you can get.   Why not just come out and say it. Get in line like everybody else, Soldier. To be perfectly honest, we (military) don't have to have all these perks, like discounts and early boarding. You  (taxpayers) thank us twice a month, and that should be all we need from you. But then, I'm guessing I don't speak for all of my brothers and sisters in (and out of) uniform. ... View more

I applaud Southwest for making even a few seats available at a reduced rate for military. If they are flying on orders, the government pays the ticket. I am active duty military and we can't be drawn into an entitled mentality. No one is required to give us money other than Uncle Sam. ... View more

Why no response from Southwest on this question?   [insert sound of crickets] ... View more

Thank you for the helpful info. I was concerned about getting a seat early enough. I will be flying on orders, but reticent to fly in uniform. DoD policy discourages travel in uniform, although it is allowed. ... View more