smmrfld

[QUOTE=ursine1;25902747]This is Southwest and just about any other domestic airline.

FTFY.

ursine1

In my experience, I find the inconsistent application of policy to be far more frequent on WN. This is perhaps a lingering result of "empowering" agents to use their best judgement in each situation, which has lead in my opinion to "rogue" agents who sometimes make up their own rules, or possess a misunderstanding of specific official policies, since enforcement isn't mandatory.

darthbimmer

[QUOTE=smmrfld;25902801]You beat me to it. I don't understand the people singling out Southwest over one minor runaround getting a BP and a single sharp-tongued employee at boarding, as if Southwest were unique for either of these happening occasionally.

nsx

If so, it doesn't show up that way in the DOT complaint statistics. Nor does it show up that way here on FT, where we complain intensely about all the major airlines.

Superguy

[QUOTE=darthbimmer;25902918]Maybe if Southwest didn't keep priding itself on being a "different" and "happy" airline people wouldn't expect something a bit different. @:-)

I know what I'm getting with the legacies and how to work around it. WN is a whole other ball of wax.

lougord99

And that is the problem. I know what I am getting with WN and know how to work with it.

texashoser

Even the best companies have crappy employees and good ones that have a bad day every now and then. I'm not saying you handled it any differently, but trying to get something extra by being nice or extra respectful works just as well at Southwest as it does any other airline - there is no special trick with WN just because they aren't a legacy carrier.

With that said, I don't like agents, FA's, or pilots with power trips, either. If you feel strongly enough about, call up Customer Relations in Dallas and let them know how you were treated (and pass along the flight number, airport, etc) and that you don't expect to be treated that way again especially given the situation with your 13-year old.

Superguy

Yeah, I've always tried to be very nice and not be "that guy." Had the GA even said he boards at his position on the card, I would have called it good and sat and waited for his position.

I'm not one for confrontation, and with my voice still torn up from some coughs over the last month, I'd rather not say more than I have to.

I'm thinking we may end up going that route as my wife feels much more strongly about poor customer service these days than I do. Well, that and she likes WN and was really disappointed in them. Unless it's really egregious, I'll generally just blacklist a business and not buy from them again.

wrp96

FYI UA just changed their UM policy to 16, so that won't be an option for you anymore unless you're willing to pay the fee.

LegalTender

"Major airlines" forums have 10x the FT threads. Consolidation can't account for the lopsidedness.

Southwest was fined a record $1.6 million this year for preventing pax on 16 aircraft at MDW the opportunity to deplane within three hours of arrival.

I'd be surprised if more than a handful filed a DOT complaint.

Superguy

Thanks. I saw that later after I started this. Gives me a reason to take 1-2 trips in the future to rack up EQMs. In some ways, it makes life easier by being able to pick any flight if I go with him.

ucfjoe

Does WN policy allow for a 12-17 year old unaccompanied "youth traveller" to board with "family boarding"? I ask because I assumed yes but when talking to customer service I made a comment about it and she nicely corrected me and basically said. If they are expected to be responsible enough to fly alone then they should be responsible enough to stand in line and board with everyone else and there is no issue with them sitting with a family member since they are alone or if you want them to have a "better seat" you can buy early board.

There are plenty of WN policies that seem to defy logic but this one seems to make sense. Besides, nothing would probably piss me off more if I was B1 and an entire high school basketball team full of 17 year old kids was allowed to board with families.

Again. If there is a written policy that allows it please share as I couldn't find it.

toomanybooks

WN's policy for unaccompanied 12-17 y.o. pax appear to be here. Nothing I see about boarding after A or any special treatment. Seems as though they are consider to be the same as adults.

Young Traveler Terms and Conditions

Traveling alone can be an exciting test of a minor’s independence; but whether it is appropriate depends on each minor’s individual maturity level. By purchasing this reservation, you acknowledge and confirm that:

Southwest considers children ages 12 through 17 traveling alone to be Young Travelers, not Unaccompanied Minors. Accordingly, Southwest’s Unaccompanied Minor procedures do not apply to ages 12 through 17.

Parents and guardians are responsible for ensuring a Young Traveler arrives for checkin and boarding in accordance with each airport’s suggested arrival time. The amount of time to park, check luggage, pass through the security checkpoint, and board the flight varies based on each airport’s size, configuration, and travel season.

Your child has sufficient maturity and capability to travel alone (this includes, but is not limited to, checking in, passing through the security checkpoint, boarding, deplaning, and claiming luggage), without adult supervision or assistance from Southwest Employees, on all scheduled service: nonstop, same-plane service with intermediate stops, and connecting service that requires your child to change planes.

Parents/guardians wishing to escort a Young Traveler to/from the gate must obtain a Non-Passenger Escort (NPE) from the ticket counter in order to pass through the security checkpoint. Each airport may impose restrictions on NPEs being issued based on guidance from the local Transportation Security Administration directives.

Southwest does not monitor Young Travelers during travel. Accordingly, each Young Traveler must have sufficient maturity and capability to request assistance from a Southwest Employee if needed and the means to contact a parent/guardian if there is a travel disruption.

Southwest Airlines reserves the right not to allow travel on flights that may be delayed, diverted, or cancelled due to weather or other operational disruptions.
Southwest Airlines does not provide Young Traveler service to/from international destinations.

Southwest Airlines does not assume responsibility for any Young Traveler’s actions. THE PURCHASER AGREES TO INDEMNIFY, HOLD HARMLESS, AND FULLY RELEASE SOUTHWEST AIRLINES FOR ANY AND ALL INJURY OR DAMAGES TO PROPERTY OR PERSONS CAUSED BY OR INCURRED AS A RESULT OF A YOUNG TRAVELER’S ACTIONS, INCLUDING INJURIES TO THE YOUNG TRAVELER CAUSED BY HIS OR HER OWN NEGLIGENCE.

ucfjoe

it is still silent on the family boarding window for YT's but I agree that since family boarding says who CAN use it it's reasonable to assume (because of the silence) that YT's can't for the same reason that 18+ and seniors can't either.

I think they should clearly say YT boards with the rest as I think folks like myself just assumed the process without really thinking about it but again now that I did think about it, it makes sense to me. Digressing even more could I pay $50 for a 13 year old to be "accompanied"? (I wouldn't but I'm curious). Hell, could I just pay the $50 for myself to be accompanied? Would be a better deal than paying BS in some circumstances haha.

flg8rmatt

My daughter flew as a YT this past Thanksgiving. Her nonstop flight was delayed over two hours so she was moved to an earlier flight with a connection. When she got her new boarding pass (C45 or something) the agent told me to try to have her board with the family boarding after the A group but that doing so wasn't in line with policy so the GA might not allow it.