Yet another rant about EBCI & seat saving (was Sw airlines reputation crashing)
Jan 31, 2017, 12:31 pm
#121
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 141
Jan 31, 2017, 12:51 pm
#123
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 141
Jan 31, 2017, 12:55 pm
#124
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Chicagoland, IL, USA
Programs: WN CP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,192
Jan 31, 2017, 1:37 pm
#125
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PHX
Programs: AA Gold, WN A+ & CP, HH Diamond, Hyatt Platinum, National Executive Elite
Posts: 3,246
There are two sides to this and there's a lot of assumptions that most people don't want seat saving to be allowed. I know I don't know which group is in the majority and I'm guessing you don't either but I would hope that WN has some clue about it.
Maybe they do. Maybe it's the other way around. Maybe they they feel they would lose money if they didn't have open/no assigned seating.
Jan 31, 2017, 2:36 pm
#127
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PHX
Programs: AA Gold, WN A+ & CP, HH Diamond, Hyatt Platinum, National Executive Elite
Posts: 3,246
Maybe they wouldn't be angry.Boarding at the same time and seat saving are two different things and yes they can certainly still chose to board at the later boarding number but that doesn't mean they'll find two seats together.
Jan 31, 2017, 3:09 pm
#129
Join Date: Oct 2001
Programs: LTP, PP
Posts: 8,698
It's not about happy vs. unhappy. It's about what's right and fair.
This thread says it well and I'm glad the matter is getting the attention it deserves.
This thread says it well and I'm glad the matter is getting the attention it deserves.
Nothing will change until a decision is made to monetize it further through assigned seats and premium seating and I hope that day never happens.
Jan 31, 2017, 3:12 pm
#130
Join Date: Oct 2001
Programs: LTP, PP
Posts: 8,698
It's all been said before, but people on both sides here seem to believe that all complaints would stop if only Southwest would (a) prohibit seat saving or (b) explicitly sanction seat saving. This is as wrong as can be.
The number of unhappy people would increase if either of these policies were adopted and enforced. The reason is that under the current non-policy most people make reasonable accommodations for the preference of others, even if those others are selfish oafs.
A "one size fits all" policy cannot provide the same average level of customer satisfaction as a flexible non-policy. Given that different customers have different preferences, perfect customer satisfaction is not an option.
The number of unhappy people would increase if either of these policies were adopted and enforced. The reason is that under the current non-policy most people make reasonable accommodations for the preference of others, even if those others are selfish oafs.
A "one size fits all" policy cannot provide the same average level of customer satisfaction as a flexible non-policy. Given that different customers have different preferences, perfect customer satisfaction is not an option.
Jan 31, 2017, 3:26 pm
#131
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Blue Ridge, GA
Posts: 5,511
Jan 31, 2017, 3:50 pm
#132
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 17,455
To me this isn't so much about IT chops. It's more about not giving the car keys to a bunch of MBA's for whom short term profitability is a significantly better resume filler than long term customer loyalty and goodwill.
Jan 31, 2017, 4:15 pm
#133
Join Date: Oct 2001
Programs: LTP, PP
Posts: 8,698
Same with the "secret" prioritized automatic check-in boarding order (A Listers & EBCI). Give me a manifest at T-36, with the proper criteria, fields and variables, tell me how you want it sorted and I'll write you an Access query within an hour as a completely self-taught computer geek amatuer. It ain't rocket science...
Last edited by joshua362; Jan 31, 2017 at 4:57 pm
Feb 1, 2017, 6:57 am
#134
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 130
This is a hot button for me. I do save the seat next to me 2-3 x per year when I use a CP.
I have given up buying EBC for my wife since it really doesn't help the situation and restricts itinerary changes. I do not save an exit row (extra leg room) seat but opt for the 'love' seats (two in row). I frankly do not see how this is a desirable seat for someone traveling solo. There is no more leg room and you have someone next to you as you would an aisle or window elsewhere.
As a traveler who buys only BS and likely spends 12-15 a year on WN I don't feel this is an infraction in any way. As I fly through the year I see front rows almost always taken by questionable early boarders and desired exit rows populated by 'move up' flyers from a previous flight. I can live with this year round so don't begrudge me a chance to save one seat next to me.
On my last CP flight several SW employees commented that with my high board num. I should save a seat for my wife.
So my personal 'fairness' barometer after 20 years of SW flying- saving a single seat next to you is fair game with the exception of the extra leg room exit row. JMHO
I have given up buying EBC for my wife since it really doesn't help the situation and restricts itinerary changes. I do not save an exit row (extra leg room) seat but opt for the 'love' seats (two in row). I frankly do not see how this is a desirable seat for someone traveling solo. There is no more leg room and you have someone next to you as you would an aisle or window elsewhere.
As a traveler who buys only BS and likely spends 12-15 a year on WN I don't feel this is an infraction in any way. As I fly through the year I see front rows almost always taken by questionable early boarders and desired exit rows populated by 'move up' flyers from a previous flight. I can live with this year round so don't begrudge me a chance to save one seat next to me.
On my last CP flight several SW employees commented that with my high board num. I should save a seat for my wife.
So my personal 'fairness' barometer after 20 years of SW flying- saving a single seat next to you is fair game with the exception of the extra leg room exit row. JMHO
Feb 1, 2017, 7:16 am
#135
Join Date: Oct 2001
Programs: LTP, PP
Posts: 8,698
This exactly my situation with the possible exception that I pay up for BS, grab the infinite seat when possible and save the middle for my CP. While technically an exit row middle, there is nothing special about it otherwise.
And I would wager 99% of us travel in this manner when necessary. It's the 1% that cause problems.
And I would wager 99% of us travel in this manner when necessary. It's the 1% that cause problems.