Originally Posted by
seat38a
Couple observations that United should copy.
1. Families board AFTER group A has boarded but before group B.
2. Medical pre boarding requires getting a pre board pass from the counter NOT just randomly joining the disabled pre boarding group.
3. Boarding group A 1-15 is reserved for WN's version of "Business Class" Business Select fare payers. All other elites via A List level get assigned AFTER the paid Business Select boards.
4. Maybe implement some sort of line numbering system to prevent gate lice and ENFORCE IT.
There are tradeoffs. I'd like to see UA adopt the first two, with families boarding after Group 2. They already have #4, although it's different than WN.
The "cattle call" on WN is when you actually board the plane and people after group A are scrambling for seats and begging each other to let trade seats to let their family sit together.
The other tradeoffs for WN include no assigned seats, typically higher fares (and sometimes to secondary airports), no real international routes.
I think for a business traveler who flies 100% domestic, isn't price sensitive, and whose home airport is well-served by WN, it's a great airline. Otherwise it's an airline tailored for infrequent fliers who are willing to give up certain things to save a few dollars. You CAN find good fares on WN if you're flexible.
Note, my experience on fares is based on Chicago, where WN rules MDW, so it may not be the case for other markets.