Originally Posted by ContinentalFan
I personally believe this suggested change would be a huge error. It would affect the on-time departure for Southwest; force the carrier to pad its schedule, and reduce profitability.
I think the reason that WN passengers board so quickly is because there are no assigned seats. Passengers move briskly to secure a window/aisle, packing carry-on's quickly and efficiently. IHMO, I just don't see if making sense to move to an alternate way of boarding.
I continue to claim that assigned seats would not take much more time. I think there is usually a number of minutes one sits on the plane AFTER all are on board and in seats. I will try to document it on my mileage run this next week. And the rush for an aisle/window? Once you are in line, there is no real rush as one cannot "pass" the people in front of you. I have seen often someone that "stalls" the line with putting bags overhead, getting out stuff from bags, etc. and the whole line waits. The person in front of you will always have their choice before you.
Of course, what does take much more time is the pre-boarding! And, IMHO, WN has more preboarders than the legacies.