Originally Posted by nsx
(Post 29688487)
Please try it and report your results. It's not as if Southwest could ask every passenger for an ID, then remove the companion and cancel the CP holder's Rapid Rewards account and confiscate all his points, right?
I'll offer $20 through PayPal for anyone who can post documented proof of negative action taken as a result of their companion boarding without them, including charging the companion full fare for the flight, etc. |
Originally Posted by smmrfld
(Post 29688522)
if this post is serious, which I doubt, may I suggest that modern aircraft have PA systems that allow for paging of PAX? And if said PAX doesn’t answer the page (typically by ringing the call button), I can only imagine what will ensue for the PAX and the CP holder. |
Originally Posted by TortillaChip
(Post 29688624)
Hah, quoting for posterity. Your realistic scenario is holding up an aircraft for 20 mins to check everyone's ID for a rogue companion!!
I'll offer $20 through PayPal for anyone who can post documented proof of negative action taken as a result of their companion boarding without them, including charging the companion full fare for the flight, etc. While it's true that the costs of a 20 minute delay exceed the immediate benefit, the long-run benefit is that fraudsters know that they can't get away with it so they don't try. It's basic game theory. |
I've been in that situation before unfortunately...some parents apparently don't understand what a "lap child" is :)
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Originally Posted by TortillaChip
(Post 29688434)
Scenario: Companion boards first, CP holder never boards. There is no way to "remove" the companion from the flight as there are no assigned seats. What happens then?
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Upping my offer to $50 for documented proof of negative action taken due to this scenario - scan of letter, email, etc, stating xyz is happening because your companion flew without you (I decided it's easier to send Amazon gift card code versus PayPal). I'll also accept video proof of companion being escorted off after FA advises them why :)
Look - I get the theoretical of what could happen, WN could certainly hold up the plane and check everyone's ID to root out that rapscallion. What I'm saying is, I don't believe they will. I also question if WN's IT system is sophisticated enough to enable the gate agent to even do this with 10 minutes to pushback. I've had CP before it was "cool", and I would never dare risk this myself. But the fact is, the OP asked a question and people here are answering with "fake news". Comments like "I can only imagine what will happen" and "then the real fun begins". These aren't answers, this is speculation. Unless someone here has experienced first-hand or has documented proof/DP's, we should simply restate what's in the terms and conditions and don't go beyond that. |
Originally Posted by TortillaChip
(Post 29688705)
Upping my offer to $50 for documented proof of negative action taken due to this scenario - scan of letter, email, etc, stating xyz is happening because your companion flew without you (I decided it's easier to send Amazon gift card code versus PayPal). I'll also accept video proof of companion being escorted off after FA advises them why :)
Look - I get the theoretical of what could happen, WN could certainly hold up the plane and check everyone's ID to root out that rapscallion. What I'm saying is, I don't believe they will. I also question if WN's IT system is sophisticated enough to enable the gate agent to even do this with 10 minutes to pushback. I've had CP before it was "cool", and I would never dare risk this myself. But the fact is, the OP asked a question and people here are answering with "fake news". Comments like "I can only imagine what will happen" and "then the real fun begins". These aren't answers, this is speculation. Unless someone here has experienced first-hand or has documented proof/DP's, we should simply restate what's in the terms and conditions and don't go beyond that. It's not much different than a stow-away. No airline will leave the gate with a passenger who didn't pay. Getting rid of a stow-away/CP abuser is an acceptable delay. |
Originally Posted by smmrfld
(Post 29688397)
it’s illegal and just plain dumb. So why even post it? |
I don't understand what is so difficult about this: If a companion is on a plane, then the CP holder must have their butt in a seat on the same plane. It's as simple as that.
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For argument's sake, why not allow this? One ticket was paid for (with points or cash) and one passenger boarded the plane. How would someone take advantage of this?
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Originally Posted by dmbolp
(Post 29690919)
For argument's sake, why not allow this? One ticket was paid for (with points or cash) and one passenger boarded the plane. How would someone take advantage of this?
Given that points bookings are refundable and CP tickets have last-seat availability, the workaround is to book the second passenger on points. Replace the points booking with a companion booking as soon as travel plans are 100% firm. You could say that the presence of this workaround makes it silly for Southwest not to allow the switch. You would be correct. |
Ahh, early/cheaper purchase price vs. last minute/unexpected/high purchase price...thanks
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Originally Posted by TortillaChip
(Post 29688705)
Upping my offer to $50 for documented proof of negative action taken due to this scenario - scan of letter, email, etc, stating xyz is happening because your companion flew without you (I decided it's easier to send Amazon gift card code versus PayPal). I'll also accept video proof of companion being escorted off after FA advises them why :)
Look - I get the theoretical of what could happen, WN could certainly hold up the plane and check everyone's ID to root out that rapscallion. What I'm saying is, I don't believe they will. I also question if WN's IT system is sophisticated enough to enable the gate agent to even do this with 10 minutes to pushback. I've had CP before it was "cool", and I would never dare risk this myself. But the fact is, the OP asked a question and people here are answering with "fake news". Comments like "I can only imagine what will happen" and "then the real fun begins". These aren't answers, this is speculation. Unless someone here has experienced first-hand or has documented proof/DP's, we should simply restate what's in the terms and conditions and don't go beyond that. Did they have to pay for a ticket? Did they lose CP? Did they have RR account cancelled? I don't know. I just know they were removed from the plane. I saw this one time and for several years I flew over 100 flights a year. There are other cases, 3-4 maybe, in which a person was called and removed, but I heard no one mention CP. There could be more. I do not always pay attention to these boarding dramas. So no proof of adverse action. However, it was evident that they were looking. That was then and this is now. It may have changed. As for me, my companion always flew with me, they boarded when I boarded A-List and no one ever complained. YMMV. It would have created quite a problem if my companion tried to fly without me. However, I am special. |
just board with wifey’s boarding pass and be done with it |
Originally Posted by Colin
(Post 29691487)
just board with wifey’s boarding pass and be done with it I totally get why WN doesn't like this abuse as there could be some angles for abuse. Also, I will confirm that as a companion I have boarded before the other because I out A listed them with no issue but in a friendly convo with a staffer they said that it would flag me when they tried to close the flight if the other never boarded. In a way I'd love for someone to try the hide since they are unassigned seats game like another poster offered a reward but I think at best you're 50% chance of getting screwed by that as FA's and GA's seem to really hate it when you screw with them and if you ignore their call for you then that seems like a much easier way to get criminally charged. |
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