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How do I love "A"? Let me count the ways.

jhallen
Adventurer C
Wow. It's like I can hear my college professors as if it were yesterday. The laws of supply and demand. Somewhere, someone is willing to pay for something in short supply. Like our "A" boarding passes. It's the first group to board our flights, and it gets all the glory that goes along with it. "A" means I get that window or aisle seat or even the first row. I can even avoid that dreaded (gasp!) middle seat. So let's take a closer look at this. Now I appreciate the fact that not everyone agrees with our seating policy or may even take issue with our "first-come, first-served" operation, but we offer boarding passes on southwest.com for free. Everyone has the same shot at checking in–24 hours in advance.  (Customers can also use web-enabled mobile devices to check in.) Many of you know there are web sites that promise "A" boarding passes, for a price. Hey, marketing professor, I hear you again. Find a Customer's need, fulfill it and make some cash to boot. Nothing wrong with that. I like money, and I even like the creativity of these folks. Unfortunately, what has been happening is these sites are taking away our ability to provide the coveted "A" inventory. So what? Is it every flight every day? No. However, there have been several sites already and more are popping up daily. And I mean daily. We don't want our Customers to mistake the services as one supported by Southwest and to transact with companies that may not provide the level of Customer Service we hope to provide - thus potentially putting their personal information in the wrong hands. There are security issues as well, such as providing e-mail addresses that can be bought as well as be used for spamming. OK, now I feel a little like my mom and dad when they told me I could only ride my bike up and down my street because the kids around the block may push me down and take it away. A little protective? Maybe. But all we are in the end is a brand. And we've tried to make the Southwest Airlines brand mean something you could trust as someone that would provide great service, so it's important to us to do everything that we can to uphold that promise. You're all #1 in our book, even if we can't give all of you an "A" boarding pass.
75 Comments
Moo_Johnson
Explorer C
Although I can understand that some of you are upset that third party companies are grabbing the A passes quicker, I believe BoardFirst is completely legal in how they operate (unlike many of their competitors). Look's like the legal system agrees as a judge just gave Southwest the smackdown: http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8J9UJN80.htm?sub=apn_tech_down&chan=tc Vent your anger at Southwest for setting up the lame boarding policy rather than smart entrepreneurs. -Moo Johnson
Not applicable
[...] I’ve written here on the Listening Post and here on my personal blog about Southwest’s entry into Web 2.0 with their Nuts about Southwest Blog. They took the initiative on the seating controversy issue by posting to their blog on the topic. [...]
Israel
Explorer C
I was wondering, how much does a "Operation Agent" make? In the Philadelphia International Airport, Considering a career move, any input would be greatly appreciated.Thanks!
BS1
Explorer C
quote: "There are security issues as well, such as providing e-mail addresses that can be bought as well as be used for spamming." The same could be said of any website. Do you have any evidence at all that any of the companies selling boarding passes are affiliated with spammers? I somehow doubt it. I'm more disappointed by the disingenuous excuses that you're using here than I am by the action you're taking. What happend to you, SWA? You used to be cool.
Harry_Henderson
Explorer C
You guys have no life for writing about airplanes. Go play some Guitar Hero or something. Peace. : )
Glen_Howard
Explorer C
If you can't fly to Atlanta, can you fly to Athens or any other city in Georgia?
Harps
Explorer C
All those folk who are all uptight about third-party boarding class assist sites, most of you would probably give them a try if they were free. Chill, relax, ... have a cup of tea, .... 2 sugars, .... relax.
Lee_Adams
Explorer C
Mobile website - I wasn't sure where to go with this but I have Motorola Q device and when I go to the mobile.soutwest.com addr I get the full southwest.com website not the mobile portal. I'm certain I'm putting in the correct URL and I've had other Moto Q users tell me the same thing. Doesn't seem lke the mobile.southwest.com site views Moto Q as a mobile device? Help!
Al_Brown
Explorer C
So, here is my ever-so-timely comment on assigned seating. I don't need an assigned seat. I just want to get on earlier than most people so I can find a place for my bag and get an acceptable seat (aisle not on the bulkhead). Southwest makes me stand in line in one of three lines so I can keep the spot I earned by getting to the airport early. That is a hassle. But you know, I wouldn't care about maintaining my spot in the group B line if there were more groups. When group A has 36 people in it, I care about about being at the front of that line. If it had 16 people, well, it doesn't matter so much. I can sit down and just get in that line when its called. Less standing around. Its a good thing. Get rid of these queues altogether and just have A, B, C, D, E, F and G. 7 is a lucky number and thats all people are hoping for when they board the plane anyway.
Mike_G
Explorer C
I think SW should leave the third party A retrieval sites alone. They are just assisting travelers who may not be able to get online in time themselves. Its called capitalism. The other alternative would be for SW to charge a fee for A passes at the time the ticket is purchased. I would have no problem paying SW $10 each way for an "A Fee".
Krista2
Explorer C
Late to this blog post, but the reason I found it is because I was Googling "how to get an A boarding pass" on Southwest. Yes, I was once again considering purchasing a ticket on your airline...that must be because the last time I flew SWA was over three years ago and the experience has begun to fade from memory. Reading this brought it all back--having to get to the airport 2 and a half hours ahead of time just to get through the security lines was bad enough, but then I was met with another line at the gate that began forming OVER AN HOUR before the plane even arrived. I had a B boarding pass, but could see that wasn't going to help any. The choice was a) stand in another line for over an hour or b) go to Starbucks for a coffee, sit down and enjoy it, and get the last middle seat on the flight next to the lav and the screaming children. The last time I waited in line for a seat like that was for Bowie tickets when I was 16 years old and I'm a little over that whole scene...not to mention the bum rush down the aisle once they finally let the B pass holders board. I will not fly your airline if I have a choice...I would pay double the ticket price just for a seat assignment, but I don't usually have to since the fares are almost always all the same anyway. After almost 40 years in the airline industry and seeing how crass, tacky and "Greyhound" it has become, it's gotten to the point that I'd rather drive or stay home anyway.
Gerri1
Explorer C
Recently on vacation I had no way to access a computer to check in early for our return trip...a very long flight across the country. I was also traveling with my seven year old daughter who is too old for pre-boarding but too young to be split up from Mom or Dad. We ended up in the worst seats possible by the bathroom. I agree with the earlier comments that some people simply can't access the Internet (and my cell phone is pretty basic too). A telephone option for early check in would make it more fair for everyone.
Brian_Smyth
Explorer C
Has anyone been able to use the mobile checkin feature? I have tried mobile.southwest.com on my T-Mobile SDA but it redirects me to another page listing all the great features of mobile.southwest.com.....I've tried "www.mobile.southwest.com", "mobile.southwest.com", "http://mobile.southwest.com". Noe of them work. Regards, Brian
Richard3
Explorer C
I find it unbelievable that the story of the girl who was embarrassed by an employee who felt the need to be clothes police was allowed to get out of control. A simple apology could have saved it from being on all the national TV News Programs. You are a smarter company than that. All the money spent to build a reputation and you allow this stupid thing to happen. Apologize and get on with running an airline or do you plan on instituting a new dress code as part of your long range plan?
Kristen3
Explorer C
You write, " Everyone has the same shot at checking inÃ
J_S_
Explorer C
Those who say everyone has the same shot at checking in 24 hours in advance are incorrect. In addition to anyone traveling on a fare where you need to be age-verified, group travel also issues paper tickets and therefore makes those passengers ineligible to check-in prior to arrival at the airport. So for extended families traveling as a group you may find yourselves in a panic about not being able to sit with your own children even when they are two young to sit alone. This will slow down the whole boarding process while you desperately try to negotiate with other selfish passengers who think only about their coveted A boarding pass and their aisle seat so that your children don't end up sitting alone. Board familes with children of any age first. Go ahead and require them to sit in the back of the plane. Their priority is simply to sit together. Are you actually going to force a terrified and crying child to sit alone just because they have reached the ripe old age of 5? And do you as a passenger actually want to endure sitting next to my crying children for the entire flight?
blusk
Aviator C
J.S. Your info is a bit out of date. Customers traveling on fares requiring age-verification can now checkin online as long as the preverify their age(s). Instructions are at the Travel Center of southwest.com at the bottom of the "Check In and Print Boarding Pass" page. Another goal is to change group tickets into Ticketless, so these passengers can also check in online. Brian
Scott311
Explorer C
I do love SWA, but you are not my #1 choice for flying. Everything about SWA is superior except for seating, and for me its a huge negative. I travel weekly for work. Having to be at my computer exactly 24 hrs in advance of my flight is a real pain. Now we have to compete with 3rd party checkin services. Please do us frequent travelers a favor. Stop trying to tweak the open seating policy. Let me choose an assigned seat at reservation. If you do you'll always be my 1st choice.
Kevin_Saunders
Explorer C
It's easy to get an "A" boarding pass unless Southwest knocks you out of their own system. On a recent trip we had to be reassigned to a new flight because the connecting Southwest flight was 4 hours late due to mechnical problems. We were tired and weary from the first part of our experience and had faith that Southwest would do something to honor the "A" boarding passes we had for the original second leg of our flight. We were wrong. B46 and B47 from uncaring gate agents. The result was separated seats with difficult seat mates for the most miserable 3.5 hour flight. So you can check in and do eveything right, but if they mess up, you'll suffer the consequences.
John_F_
Explorer C
I like th new boarding process except I have encountered a few line jumpers which the Southwest gate agent has not stopped the line jumper from boarding. I think a simply tweak will stop the rebels from bucking the line and the system for all the customers who conform to the rules.
Jeffrey_Kunzler
Explorer C
After travelling with my 2 yr old son last week on your airline and experiencing the worst boarding policy ever. I will NEVER fly Southwest again! I had to carry a larger 15 lb car seat down fifteen aisles because we had to board between the A and B groups. Who came up with such a stupid idea!!!!!
dsmckla
Explorer C
This should go under the category of "CONSUMER RIP-OFFS?" As an American consumer, I thought this story might prove "blogworthy." Has this ever happened to you? Being an avid patron of Southwest Airlines with their on-time records, and their notable "cheap" fares, they have always been my first choice in airline travel—at least up until now. I would like to know how many customers such as myself, have fallen victim to Southwest's "TICKETLESS AWARD PROGRAM?" I was awarded one of these so-called "free round-trip tickets" (anywhere Southwest fly's) in 2005. Unfortunately, I was unable to take the trip that year so I (conveniently for them) opted for the $50 "replacement award." Unfortunately, I was unable to travel the following year as well (2006), so I again opted for the $50 replacement award. Now I am into my "FREE" round-trip ticket for $100. You guessed it, my free ticket expired in March of this year, and once again (due to various reasons) I was unable to take the trip. I began feeling suspicious when the Customer Service Rep offered me yet another "extension" for yet another $50. I politely explained that $150 on a free ticket was border line ludicrous (especially when I could easily purchase my own flight for that price—or less even). I believe this practice is totally and completely unfair. I would love to know how many of us have fallen "victim" to this type of corporate extortion. In this day and age of exorbitant gas prices, and inflated food costs in a receding economy, is it fair that Southwest Airlines can (for all intents and purposes) "steal" money from their loyal customers in this way? Please pass this on as a "consumer warning." DO NOT sign up for Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Program. It may only serve to "cost you" in the end. If I ever do fly SWA in the future, my ticket will automatically cost me an extra $100 bucks, which could easily provide me quite a bit of gas, and a few groceries to boot.
blusk
Aviator C
Anonymous, I am sorry that you are so disappointed in Southwest Airlines. Given the fact that Award Tickets can be given to other folks for travel, it really isn't unreasonable to expect that you could have used it during the past three plus years. As you mention, the Award is good for travel anywhere we serve. With that in mind, the $50 replacement fee allows you to travel completely across the country. Plus the terms of the Awards aren't a secret. Again I am sorry you feel this way.
Anonymous2800
Explorer C
hey guys, What's the southwest airline's planes interior manufacturer ? seats .... Weber or B/E ? ? Hugs, Marco
Ellen_McKay
Explorer C
My son booked us on Southwest next month for our trip to Disney. Frankly, with flying with my 2 grandkids, if I had known before that there was no assigned seating, I would have insisted on another airline. I am already dreading the flight there and back.