dfmaus

A first for me on Southwest. Even though I was arriving at C30 in Denver last night, I had little hope of making my flight at C31 in time, because the flight was quite late. I sat as close to the front as possible, aisle seat, but had pretty much resigned myself to missing flight.

The gate agent opening the door on arrival called me out by name, had me escorted to the waiting flight, which apparently was being held, but still left on time.

THANKS Southwest! Excellent job in my case

Although, even acknowledging the gate agents request to let me through, I still had to ask 5 people to move aside, who had promptly ignored the fact that someone was coming up from behind them. Is it just me, or when a request is made to let people with tight connections deplane first, there is no difference whatsoever in peoples behavior?

nsx

It's not just you.

kerrigjl

Status?

dfmaus

A-List with 40 flights this year so far

Another factoid is that this would have been the third time I missed that connection in 5 weeks. Once for weather, once for medical diversion on incoming flight. Not sure if that was a factor to SW or not.

pinniped

Ha!! Before opening this thread, I was thinking it was going to be something like "I've been flying hidden-city itins to <xxx> for a year now, and Southwest finally figured me out."

But no, that would be something United or Delta would do.

Nice that they actually helped you make a flight that, y'know, you *wanted* to make. ^

Insulator-King

Good News indeed.

joshua362

Last flight of the day?
Did bag(s) transfer or was it N/A?

I been have paged / met at BWI several times where my incoming from ISP is always late and badgered to hurry and told my bag would not be accompanying me (as AL+). And the gates at BWI are usually one side to the other for me.

I don't think this was anything too special other than you were literally located next door and it was an easy way to shave off a few minutes - they would have waited anyway.

If only they did this for me AND saved me a non middle while I was holding A01.

And yes, you could announce a cash payment for those who stay seated temporarily after the plane pulls into the gate and it would not matter, 90% of people will react once they hear that bell. Once they asked everyone to stay seated to remove a medical emergency, actually wheeled something down the aisle and a few people had to be scolded.

pinniped

I was on a flight about a month ago with a medical emergency. I was pleasantly surprised that people actually remained seated, allowed the paramedics onboard to remove a passenger in a wheelchair.

The key was this: the pilot of course announced it, but then never gave everybody the "ding". Only when the wheelchair was gone did we get the "ding." Then everybody immediately jumped out of their seats because that's pretty much an involuntary reaction to most people at this point.

InkUnderNails

I am a COS. This happens fairly often for my special situation and is always appreciated.

MrItchy

Long time lurker, but decided to register just to add my own story.

A few years ago my family of 7 was delayed leaving Orlando for a connecting flight in Phoenix. When we landed with 5 minutes to make our connection, I was sure that even if we DID make the next flight, we would be scattered in seats all over the plane (which was problematic since we had three under the age of 10). However, it turns out that SW had anticipated our needs, recognized us as we ran up to the gate, and led us on board the waiting plane to where they had roped off 7 seats together in the rear. Great customer service!

lougord99

I have been on many late arriving Southwest flights where the FA's made announcements that we should allow connecting passengers off first so they could connect to their flights. I have never seen that actually occur on a Southwest flight. People usually need to just bully their way to the front of the plane, if they are willing to do that. Last week, I went round trip ORD-CLT on AA. Both flights were delayed leaving ( One for weather and the other for mechanical ). On both flights, the FA's asked people to remain in their seats until connecting passenger could deplane and make their connections. On both flights, 3/4 of the plane remained in place while people who needed to got off. I have never considered Southwest passengers different than other airlines - but I do now.

glg

I had one of those years ago, everyone remained seated while the paramedics boarded, but then got up while they were attending to the passenger. Paramedics were not happy when they went to take the passenger off that the aisle had filled up.

Allan38103

OP did not make it clear enough to other passengers the necessity for him getting off the plane right away. Unfortunately, you can't reasonably expect someone else to know how important you are if you don't make the effort to tell them first. This is also where getting the crew on your side helps, (e.g., "I'm running a little late. Can you please tell the captain to keep the seat belt sign on for a few minutes for everyone else so I can get off?") If you are polite to your fellow travelers, and make your case well enough, they will be equally polite to you. But if you can't make a sufficient case, you might have to wait your turn like the others who aren't in a hurry.

3Cforme

Medical emergency is a whole lot different from 'We've got some people with tight connections.'

NextTrip

Seems like almost everyone these days seem to have a "tight connection", whether or not they even have a connection!