Seat saving brouhaha
Apr 21, 2011, 12:55 pm
#61
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Home
Posts: 1,910
I dont think people should save the first couple of rows or exit row.
I personally dont care to sit in the 'front' of the plane and usually sit behind exit row.
I save seats for my family (or they just board with me). I havent had some try to 'force' themselves into the saved seats yet. And if they did, I would deny them.
I personally dont care to sit in the 'front' of the plane and usually sit behind exit row.
I save seats for my family (or they just board with me). I havent had some try to 'force' themselves into the saved seats yet. And if they did, I would deny them.
Apr 21, 2011, 1:08 pm
#62
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Green Valley, AZ
Posts: 136
The kicker to this is that we had been delayed in MDW for 8 hrs. because of "Air Traffic Control Hold" whatever that is, and weather. I was really fed up with her, but that can be another complete post regarding arrival times in EWR.
Apr 21, 2011, 2:13 pm
#63
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,098
I dont think people should save the first couple of rows or exit row.
I personally dont care to sit in the 'front' of the plane and usually sit behind exit row.
I save seats for my family (or they just board with me). I havent had some try to 'force' themselves into the saved seats yet. And if they did, I would deny them.
I personally dont care to sit in the 'front' of the plane and usually sit behind exit row.
I save seats for my family (or they just board with me). I havent had some try to 'force' themselves into the saved seats yet. And if they did, I would deny them.
Apr 21, 2011, 7:05 pm
#64
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Programs: Delta DM & MM, Hilton DM, Marriott gold, Hyatt Globalist, Alaska 75K, Wyndham Diamond,
Posts: 15,399
I dont think people should save the first couple of rows or exit row.
I personally dont care to sit in the 'front' of the plane and usually sit behind exit row.
I save seats for my family (or they just board with me). I havent had some try to 'force' themselves into the saved seats yet. And if they did, I would deny them.
I personally dont care to sit in the 'front' of the plane and usually sit behind exit row.
I save seats for my family (or they just board with me). I havent had some try to 'force' themselves into the saved seats yet. And if they did, I would deny them.
If an aisle seat is available and someone tells me it is saved, unless there is an aisle seat only a couple rows back, I am going to take it. That's the purpose of OPEN seating.
Apr 22, 2011, 6:51 am
#65
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Chicagoland, IL, USA
Programs: WN CP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,192
What's the over/under on when WN will finally realize that "no policy" on this issue actually IS a policy, and one that's hacking off a lot of customers?
Last edited by toomanybooks; Apr 22, 2011 at 2:33 pm
Apr 22, 2011, 12:22 pm
#66
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,098
Once they have a differential revenue profile for some customers, they cannot devalue that by turning a blind eye to seat saving.
Apr 22, 2011, 12:44 pm
#67
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Long Beach, CA
Programs: AA PLTPRO, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,559
Seriously, this is Southwest. It's not a 15-hour flight across the Pacific to Sydney. Unless it's a small child or someone who requires assistance, is your life really going to end if you don't sit together for a couple of hours?
Why is there such hysteria with the seat-saving? If it's that important, spring for early check-in or fly an airline that has reserved seats (although that has been fraught with issues when assignments aren't available together).
I guess it's lost on me since I mostly travel alone but even when I have traveled with friends, partners/SO's it's just not a big deal.
To use profanity when you can't save a seat for your wife? Unbelievable...
Why is there such hysteria with the seat-saving? If it's that important, spring for early check-in or fly an airline that has reserved seats (although that has been fraught with issues when assignments aren't available together).
I guess it's lost on me since I mostly travel alone but even when I have traveled with friends, partners/SO's it's just not a big deal.
To use profanity when you can't save a seat for your wife? Unbelievable...
Apr 22, 2011, 12:49 pm
#68
Join Date: May 2006
Location: TUS/PDX
Programs: WN CP/A-List, AS MVPG75K
Posts: 5,798
Great username btw.
Apr 26, 2011, 9:07 am
#69
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: AS MVPG 75K, HH Diamond
Posts: 144
Recently boarded the plane for a three hour flight that the gate attendant stated would be totally full. So, first available row with two seats together was the first row. Except that the man in the aisle seat had placed various random personal items across both seats. While my daughter fit our carryon bag in the overhead bin, I attempted to sit in one of the two seats. The man grumbled loudly, but moved items off one seat only, stating that "my wife is sitting here." We asked where she was, and he said "she's coming." Meanwhile the flight attendant is observing, but saying nothing. My daughter tries to sit in the middle seat and asks him to pick up his random items. She asks the flight attendant to help. He then states, "you are a b **** " and refuses to move them. Flight attendant looks wide eyed at us, then repeats to him that he can't save seats. He moves his stuff to the aisle seat across from him, to save that seat now.
We are now both seated. Still no mystery wife. Finally, at the very end of the C group, the wife boards and sits in the saved aisle seat.
Gate agent boards plane, motions to man to accompany her to jetway to speak to her. We never saw him again. The wife remained on board and kept his personal items, opting not to take a "later flight" with him.
Apparently he was not drunk, but had "space issues" , we were informed.
We are now both seated. Still no mystery wife. Finally, at the very end of the C group, the wife boards and sits in the saved aisle seat.
Gate agent boards plane, motions to man to accompany her to jetway to speak to her. We never saw him again. The wife remained on board and kept his personal items, opting not to take a "later flight" with him.
Apparently he was not drunk, but had "space issues" , we were informed.
"Dear X,
Thank you for taking the time to contact us. We appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns.
As you probably know, all flights on Southwest are "open-seating," and Customers are free to take any available seat onboard the aircraft. In light of this, it is not uncommon for a Customer to want to reserve a seat (or seats) for a friend, family member, or associate who will be boarding behind them.
Truthfully, we don’t have a policy either way--for or against--saving seats. In fact, we share our perspective on this issue on southwest.com as follows: "because Southwest Airlines maintains an open-seating policy, general-boarding Customers may sit in any open or unclaimed seat." With this in mind, as long as there is no Safety concern, it would be acceptable for a Customer to "claim" a seat for his/her family member or traveling companion who may be in a later boarding group. We are aware that the saving of seats is a by-product of our policy, and as long as the boarding process is not delayed and other Customers aren't inconvenienced, it usually isn’t a significant issue.
Again, we appreciate your contacting us. We look forward to welcoming you onboard a Southwest flight soon.
Sincerely,
Marco, Southwest Airlines"
I guess this means if you are travelling with your family, spend the extra $10 for EB and save seats for your whole family. The flight attendants can't do anything to stop you.
Apr 26, 2011, 9:13 am
#70
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: ATL
Programs: Marriott Platinum, Delta Kryptonium Medallion, National Executive
Posts: 1,889
After a flight back from Las Vegas where my wife was told by a woman sitting in the window that the middle seat was saved, I emailed SW customer service. Here is there reply:
"Dear X,
Thank you for taking the time to contact us. We appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns.
As you probably know, all flights on Southwest are "open-seating," and Customers are free to take any available seat onboard the aircraft. In light of this, it is not uncommon for a Customer to want to reserve a seat (or seats) for a friend, family member, or associate who will be boarding behind them.
Truthfully, we don’t have a policy either way--for or against--saving seats. In fact, we share our perspective on this issue on southwest.com as follows: "because Southwest Airlines maintains an open-seating policy, general-boarding Customers may sit in any open or unclaimed seat." With this in mind, as long as there is no Safety concern, it would be acceptable for a Customer to "claim" a seat for his/her family member or traveling companion who may be in a later boarding group. We are aware that the saving of seats is a by-product of our policy, and as long as the boarding process is not delayed and other Customers aren't inconvenienced, it usually isn’t a significant issue.
Again, we appreciate your contacting us. We look forward to welcoming you onboard a Southwest flight soon.
Sincerely,
Marco, Southwest Airlines"
I guess this means if you are travelling with your family, spend the extra $10 for EB and save seats for your whole family. The flight attendants can't do anything to stop you.
"Dear X,
Thank you for taking the time to contact us. We appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns.
As you probably know, all flights on Southwest are "open-seating," and Customers are free to take any available seat onboard the aircraft. In light of this, it is not uncommon for a Customer to want to reserve a seat (or seats) for a friend, family member, or associate who will be boarding behind them.
Truthfully, we don’t have a policy either way--for or against--saving seats. In fact, we share our perspective on this issue on southwest.com as follows: "because Southwest Airlines maintains an open-seating policy, general-boarding Customers may sit in any open or unclaimed seat." With this in mind, as long as there is no Safety concern, it would be acceptable for a Customer to "claim" a seat for his/her family member or traveling companion who may be in a later boarding group. We are aware that the saving of seats is a by-product of our policy, and as long as the boarding process is not delayed and other Customers aren't inconvenienced, it usually isn’t a significant issue.
Again, we appreciate your contacting us. We look forward to welcoming you onboard a Southwest flight soon.
Sincerely,
Marco, Southwest Airlines"
I guess this means if you are travelling with your family, spend the extra $10 for EB and save seats for your whole family. The flight attendants can't do anything to stop you.
Apr 26, 2011, 10:52 am
#71
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: STL
Programs: Hhonors Diamond, Southwest A-list Preferred, Delta Million Miler
Posts: 362
After a flight back from Las Vegas where my wife was told by a woman sitting in the window that the middle seat was saved, I emailed SW customer service. Here is there reply:
"Dear X,
Thank you for taking the time to contact us. We appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns.
As you probably know, all flights on Southwest are "open-seating," and Customers are free to take any available seat onboard the aircraft. In light of this, it is not uncommon for a Customer to want to reserve a seat (or seats) for a friend, family member, or associate who will be boarding behind them.
Truthfully, we don’t have a policy either way--for or against--saving seats. In fact, we share our perspective on this issue on southwest.com as follows: "because Southwest Airlines maintains an open-seating policy, general-boarding Customers may sit in any open or unclaimed seat." With this in mind, as long as there is no Safety concern, it would be acceptable for a Customer to "claim" a seat for his/her family member or traveling companion who may be in a later boarding group. We are aware that the saving of seats is a by-product of our policy, and as long as the boarding process is not delayed and other Customers aren't inconvenienced, it usually isn’t a significant issue.
Again, we appreciate your contacting us. We look forward to welcoming you onboard a Southwest flight soon.
Sincerely,
Marco, Southwest Airlines"
I guess this means if you are travelling with your family, spend the extra $10 for EB and save seats for your whole family. The flight attendants can't do anything to stop you.
"Dear X,
Thank you for taking the time to contact us. We appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns.
As you probably know, all flights on Southwest are "open-seating," and Customers are free to take any available seat onboard the aircraft. In light of this, it is not uncommon for a Customer to want to reserve a seat (or seats) for a friend, family member, or associate who will be boarding behind them.
Truthfully, we don’t have a policy either way--for or against--saving seats. In fact, we share our perspective on this issue on southwest.com as follows: "because Southwest Airlines maintains an open-seating policy, general-boarding Customers may sit in any open or unclaimed seat." With this in mind, as long as there is no Safety concern, it would be acceptable for a Customer to "claim" a seat for his/her family member or traveling companion who may be in a later boarding group. We are aware that the saving of seats is a by-product of our policy, and as long as the boarding process is not delayed and other Customers aren't inconvenienced, it usually isn’t a significant issue.
Again, we appreciate your contacting us. We look forward to welcoming you onboard a Southwest flight soon.
Sincerely,
Marco, Southwest Airlines"
I guess this means if you are travelling with your family, spend the extra $10 for EB and save seats for your whole family. The flight attendants can't do anything to stop you.
There is no definition of what a "seat" is, so I assume that could include window seats, aisle seats, exit rows (if they meet FAA guidelines), and seats near the front of the plane.
This almost seems unethical as many pay $10 for EB to snag a better boarding location. Based on this repsonse from WN, a family of 5 should pay for one (1) EB, then have someone save 4 seats for their C-boarding companions. If the FA (or passengers) challenge them on the action, they should flash a copy of this letter. They are within WN poliocy on the matter...right?
WOW!
Apr 26, 2011, 11:08 am
#72
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: AS MVPG 75K, HH Diamond
Posts: 144
WOW!!! There it is in writing. First time I've seen WN actually spell it out in writing. That means you CAN save a seat an no one at WN will challenge you.
There is no definition of what a "seat" is, so I assume that could include window seats, aisle seats, exit rows (if they meet FAA guidelines), and seats near the front of the plane.
This almost seems unethical as many pay $10 for EB to snag a better boarding location. Based on this repsonse from WN, a family of 5 should pay for one (1) EB, then have someone save 4 seats for their C-boarding companions. If the FA (or passengers) challenge them on the action, they should flash a copy of this letter. They are within WN poliocy on the matter...right?
WOW!
There is no definition of what a "seat" is, so I assume that could include window seats, aisle seats, exit rows (if they meet FAA guidelines), and seats near the front of the plane.
This almost seems unethical as many pay $10 for EB to snag a better boarding location. Based on this repsonse from WN, a family of 5 should pay for one (1) EB, then have someone save 4 seats for their C-boarding companions. If the FA (or passengers) challenge them on the action, they should flash a copy of this letter. They are within WN poliocy on the matter...right?
WOW!
Apr 26, 2011, 4:01 pm
#74
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Cerritos, CA
Programs: AA Plat; HH Gold; Marriott Silver; UCLA Fan
Posts: 798
Last week, I got on a plane and the guy in the exit row (11) was sitting in the window seat, saving the entire 3-seat row. I went to sit in the aisle seat, he challenged me on this saying his wife and aunt were sitting in the two saved seats. I asked him if they were on the plane, and he said they were coming. Since I was on first, I took the aisle seat, and got into an argument with him, but I refused to move. I told him if he wants to save 2 seats, go to a regular row in the back of the plane and he wouldn't have anyone challenge him. He called me a jerk, and I responded accordingly. He finally got up and left, used a word I can't use here, and moved 2 rows back and saved that row, and two other people took the two available exit row seats. I looked back during the flight, and he was sitting in that window seat with his wife (apparently) in the aisle and no one in the middle seat, which he also saved to prevent someone from occupying the middle seat. No "aunt" in sight. No FA ever got involved in our situation, but I would have also held firm with her (or him) if I would have gotten a "no real policy" reply.
Apr 26, 2011, 4:07 pm
#75
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: STL
Programs: Hhonors Diamond, Southwest A-list Preferred, Delta Million Miler
Posts: 362
Last week, I got on a plane and the guy in the exit row (11) was sitting in the window seat, saving the entire 3-seat row. I went to sit in the aisle seat, he challenged me on this saying his wife and aunt were sitting in the two saved seats. I asked him if they were on the plane, and he said they were coming. Since I was on first, I took the aisle seat, and got into an argument with him, but I refused to move. I told him if he wants to save 2 seats, go to a regular row in the back of the plane and he wouldn't have anyone challenge him. He called me a jerk, and I responded accordingly. He finally got up and left, used a word I can't use here, and moved 2 rows back and saved that row, and two other people took the two available exit row seats. I looked back during the flight, and he was sitting in that window seat with his wife (apparently) in the aisle and no one in the middle seat, which he also saved to prevent someone from occupying the middle seat. No "aunt" in sight. No FA ever got involved in our situation, but I would have also held firm with her (or him) if I would have gotten a "no real policy" reply.