Originally Posted by
saltydog
Wow, I am surprised by the response. Let me unbaffle you, southwest employee.
First, a lot of the rules are NOT clearly stated. If it was this thread would not have been started.
Second, the rules are inconsistantly followed. Even at the same gate. (If you read my post I stated that 2 SW employees gave me 2 different answers.) I had not flown with the grandkids before and asked a gate agent if they could board with me at A17 and she said YES. Then I stand with the grandkids at A17 and try to board and the other gate agent says stand over there, you need to board at the end of A. Thats why I was embarrased, if the first gate agent expressed the "clearly stated rule", I would have stood at the end of A.
Third, a lot of rules do not follow common sense. The companion pass person should be able to board with you. I would not be upset to be at A20 instead of A16 to let a fellow alist board with their companion or child. Also in my opinion the early bird check in has really caused more issues about saving seats than boarding order. There is no "CLEARLY stated rule" on that. And I have seen families pay for 1 early bird and save seat for the others in B or C. Again common sense would say to regulate this but no, there is no rule.
I have been flying SW regularly since they came to Manchester in 1998. This is not the same Southwest I used to fly. And by your response not the same fun, smiling, enjoy there job make each flight a good experience employees either.
So I welcome the change to Airtran. Thanks for helping my decision.
You're welcome. Just want to be clear - I'm NOT a Southwest employee. So my suggestion that boarding together at your kids' number (as the rules clearly state is WN policy) is appropriate under the circumstances you described, was expressed as a paying passenger. But if you feel that following the WN boarding rules is unfair, I understand and fully support your departure to Airtran.
But I'm still baffled. Seems like you're not happy because the boarding agent followed the rules but apparently the GA would have let it slide had they been working the gate. If you read these postings you'd see how many readers are ASKING for better adherence to the boarding rules. If you're unhappy you didn't get a break from the rules, that I could see. But surprised about it? I'm still baffled.