AirTran Airways A+ Rewards - Airtran moved to same concourse as WN at TPA

So I flew into Tampa Monday and noticed it was in a different concourse than it used to be. Turns out it was because it had been moved to be next to all the Southwest gates. It makes sense long term for the merge, but for current Airtran passengers who haven't seen much of the "Southwest way" before it is a terrible idea. I hadn't seen the cattle call before but after seeing it there it reinforced my decision to avoid the airline any chance I can once the merger is complete. It looked terrible.

I think your opinion of WN's boarding procedures is more a lack of familiarity and experience with them. It is no longer a "cattle call" and instead boarding positions are assigned based on check-in starting at T-24. I fly several airlines and find Soutwest's boarding procedures to be less chaotic and, more importantly, quicker than most carriers. I would recommend giving them a try to see whether or not it works for you. Check out the Southwest forum for several posts on this topic with more info.

I think your opinion of WN's boarding procedures is more a lack of familiarity and experience with them. It is no longer a "cattle call" and instead boarding positions are assigned based on check-in starting at T-24. I fly several airlines and find Soutwest's boarding procedures to be less chaotic and, more importantly, quicker than most carriers. I would recommend giving them a try to see whether or not it works for you. Check out the Southwest forum for several posts on this topic with more info.


Are these the posts you are referring to?

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/southwest-rapid-rewards/448995-annoying-tricks-avoiding-people-sitting-next-you.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/southwest-rapid-rewards/1200326-seat-saving-brouhaha.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/southwest-rapid-rewards/1201772-seat-saving-cant-believe-list.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/southwest-rapid-rewards/1138852-wn-pax-strange-boarding-seating-habits-beguile-me-sometimes.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/southwest-rapid-rewards/748120-best-ways-keep-middle-seat-open.html

Funny, it seems as though all these posts you mention are of a generally negative perception. Not sure if this was on purpose. There are just as many over there you could point to that have a positive take on the boarding procedures at WN. Likewise, someone could just as easily point out all the "gate lice" posts on the legacy carrier's forums regarding their boarding procedures.

The bottom line is that everyone will have their own experiences and opinion of the various boarding procedures and that's one of the reasons why you have a choice when you fly.

I think your opinion of WN's boarding procedures is more a lack of familiarity and experience with them. It is no longer a "cattle call" and instead boarding positions are assigned based on check-in starting at T-24. I fly several airlines and find Soutwest's boarding procedures to be less chaotic and, more importantly, quicker than most carriers. I would recommend giving them a try to see whether or not it works for you. Check out the Southwest forum for several posts on this topic with more info.

It looked like about 30 people standing at the game for 5-10 minutes before being able to board. So I guess I should have called it an orderly cattle call since no one was fighting for positions in the standing line or anything.

I just don't see any benefits to flying Southwest, especially not for work. For a short personal trip if it was noticeably cheaper I might consider it but that would be it. Being guaranteed exit row seats or an upgrade matters a lot to me since I am 6'3" and the extra leg room makes flying bearable. Even being A-List on Southwest wouldn't guarantee me those things I get on Airtran now or would get on Delta.

FWIW seat pitch on WN is 32", so ever-so-slightly better than the 31" found elsewhere. It is noticeable though, to the point that my 6' (albeit rail-thin) frame doesn't mind a WN seat for a four-plus hour flight, despite the lack of IFE.

I flew out of TPA this morning. Took the A train. Yes, the A train is now mixed in the same barn as the cattle stalls. It is quite depressing, no matter how we may try to see this merge in a positive light...

Ah yes - the sheer beauty and genius of the intricately planned, Southwest boarding that results in a somewhat depraved, pitiful, and bewildered "C" group :( ...who gets to board the plane last. I can't bear to look at their faces - it is just too unsettling :( ... Turn away! Turn away I say! Sniveling kids, babies screaming, people not sitting down, and you guessed it...NO MORE ROOM for the bag! Ha! How is that stall working out for you? :confused: Like the middle seat? Hang your head LOW you disparaging wreck! For thou art "C" group! :eek: "C" group! NO SOUP FOR YOU! :mad:

Air Tran, new name for that old airline that had the crash in swamp down in south Florida...around Miami....

Old news, that was back with the DC-9's in the mid-90's.

Air Tran, new name for that old airline that had the crash in swamp down in south Florida...around Miami....

:rolleyes::rolleyes: You must be joking.

No they changed and so could SW, if it is profitable...

How long do you want to support the Airlines...