Originally Posted by
zookie
I totally get it -- with those survey numbers and the general opposition to open seating, I see why Southwest is eliminating it. But it still doesn't stop me from being disappointed... with A-List status, Southwest fliers have the most frictionless process of all airlines. I purchase my ticket, and I never think about it again. No checking seatmaps when I purchase my ticket, no checking again when I check-in (have I been upgraded? is the middle seat next to me empty?), no jockeying at the gate to jump in line & avoid gate lice when my boarding group is called. I buy my ticket, show up to the airport, get into my *assigned* place in line, and grab a seat. Bonus when they gave people on the same record locator the same spot in line. It was glorious. Guess I'll enjoy the last few months before it becomes the same drudgery as all the other airlines. Farewell!
Bingo! As an A List Preferred, I I really like being able to "select" who I sit next to. When alone I would sometimes prefer to board after "A" group.... to find a nice thin couple to sit next to.... grabbing either the aisle or window as I please at the moment of boarding. But mostly, I score the exit row without a seat in front when I do board among the first. When I travel with my spouse, who has legitimate mobility issues and travels with her own scooter, I do say that Southwest has taken excellent care of us on every flight. When there was slight damage to our scooter on one flight, Southwest went up and beyond with follow up and care to make sure our scooter was repaired at no expense to us. I was very impressed.