Originally Posted by
sirdatary
No semantics and not trying to be difficult. The solution you've suggested does not address the concern. You still have to stop and talk with a gate agent or check-in agent if you book ahead. Agents seem to have varying levels of difficulty with the COS situation in my experience regardless of which way I do it... hence my first question.
So, you haven't mentioned whether you are a COS... but if you are, or you travel with one, have you noticed less difficulty with the prebook method? If my initial attempts at this were simply bad luck, I'd be willing to give it another shot. My attempts thusfar have resulted in the same difficulties at the counter (on the agent's part... I usually take the opportunity to respond to email or look at stuff online)... plus it's an additional phone call/outlay by me.
Stopping and talking didn't appear to be your primary concern. You seemed to be more concerned with the way it was handled on board the aircraft.
No I am not a COS however I've read many posts by one of FT's experts, if you will, on being a COS and I never read anything from him about the same problems you are experiencing. And as far as I could tell, he always booked an extra seat in advance.
Originally Posted by
twitch76
I disagree with your reading of the policy. Southwest clearly provides both options, with no requirement that a COS prebook. The language used is "may," not "should" or "must."
When you read the FAQ, it appears that the prebooking option exists so a COS can reserve the seat with less interaction at checkin, but it is clear that both methods are acceptable.
No one said it was a requirement. You missed the point.
For both of you, straight from WN's website (bolding mine):
In turn, this helps to ensure we can accommodate all Customers on the flight/aircraft for which they purchased a ticket and avoid asking Customers to relinquish their seats for an unplanned accommodation
The unplanned accommodation was the bulk of the OP so it would seem WN has a recommendation to help with this exact situation. One can choose to use that recommendation or not. But then don't complain when you don't use it and you have the exact problem it sets out to address.