WN Fix your boarding process - issues
Feb 12, 2024, 12:09 pm
#17
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Blue Ridge, GA
Posts: 5,512
DOT is considering allowing passengers with food allergies to preboard.
Lysol wipes easier to carry than crutches. And also biodegradable.
Claimants argue preboarding would NOT raise “operational, legal and policy concerns that would affect the entire industry as Southwest claims." There can be "no regulatory carveout for individuals with allergens to anything other than nuts."
DOT-OST-2022-0134
Lysol wipes easier to carry than crutches. And also biodegradable.
Claimants argue preboarding would NOT raise “operational, legal and policy concerns that would affect the entire industry as Southwest claims." There can be "no regulatory carveout for individuals with allergens to anything other than nuts."
DOT-OST-2022-0134
Last edited by LegalTender; Feb 12, 2024 at 12:32 pm Reason: Link added
Feb 12, 2024, 5:22 pm
#18
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: California
Posts: 1,129
Yes we have a choice and it doesn't directly involve posting here. Just sit in the seat. More of us AL+ and AL need to insist and hold up the line if necessary. The pilot can come out and make a decision. If he makes the wrong decision, you can get his name and write about it later to customer service on the website and get some $$$ because seat saving isn't a thing without a COS boarding pass.
I don't go out of my way to cause conflict so I won't manufacture a conflict, but I will insist if I actually need a quick exit from the plane.
I don't go out of my way to cause conflict so I won't manufacture a conflict, but I will insist if I actually need a quick exit from the plane.
Feb 12, 2024, 7:27 pm
#19
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: stl
Programs: AA LT Plat/8.1mm now with 1350 miles left in my account and proud of it.. SPG LT Titanium.
Posts: 3,082
SWA time to solve your self created boarding issues.
Today, from MCO to MDW. Flight packed. Pre-boards lined up as far as eyes could see as usual. Clearly some gaming the system. Very over weight folks now pre boarding, to many to be legitimate pre boarders. Wait, it gets better, same groups of Ow pre boarders SAVINg seats for family members. ...?! Wait, elderly pre boards, saving window seat for their family member.
time to fix a glaring problem. Many in my group online saying the same thing. We are all AList and AList P and are pissed about the same problem at every station and flight.
We have a choice and we are going to exercise it.
Typong on iPad on flight p,ease excuse typing
Today, from MCO to MDW. Flight packed. Pre-boards lined up as far as eyes could see as usual. Clearly some gaming the system. Very over weight folks now pre boarding, to many to be legitimate pre boarders. Wait, it gets better, same groups of Ow pre boarders SAVINg seats for family members. ...?! Wait, elderly pre boards, saving window seat for their family member.
time to fix a glaring problem. Many in my group online saying the same thing. We are all AList and AList P and are pissed about the same problem at every station and flight.
We have a choice and we are going to exercise it.
Typong on iPad on flight p,ease excuse typing
Feb 13, 2024, 3:04 am
#20
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 1,868
Not to pile on, but I recently made use of their generous offer to book and board as a COS to accommodate a 'medical device' that is essentially just an angled foam block. I flinched pretty hard when another preboarder who heard me speak with a gate agent (I'm not your typical COS) told me what a 'great idea' it was.
I don't have any answers - the airlines have to comply, and I understand and agree with most/all of the reasoning, but that stung. I do think family boarding being allowed on early but required to sit behind the exit rows would help a lot to push the traffic jam and issues further back.
I don't have any answers - the airlines have to comply, and I understand and agree with most/all of the reasoning, but that stung. I do think family boarding being allowed on early but required to sit behind the exit rows would help a lot to push the traffic jam and issues further back.
Feb 13, 2024, 4:59 am
#21
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: ABQ
Programs: Delta Platinum, Southwest A-List
Posts: 1,426
I recently flew from mco to sju. What a disaster. There were DOZENS of preboards. This does need to be fixed.
The easiest solution is having an Alist only section. Make the exit row and the first several rows of the plane Alist or business select. Then I won’t give a crap about the whole pre board situation.
this really is an issue and for any apologists to act like it isn’t is disingenuous. While it’s not an issue at many stations - it’s a disaster at others.
The easiest solution is having an Alist only section. Make the exit row and the first several rows of the plane Alist or business select. Then I won’t give a crap about the whole pre board situation.
this really is an issue and for any apologists to act like it isn’t is disingenuous. While it’s not an issue at many stations - it’s a disaster at others.
Feb 13, 2024, 5:57 am
#22
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: ATL
Posts: 1,924
I recently flew from mco to sju. What a disaster. There were DOZENS of preboards. This does need to be fixed.
The easiest solution is having an Alist only section. Make the exit row and the first several rows of the plane Alist or business select. Then I won’t give a crap about the whole pre board situation.
this really is an issue and for any apologists to act like it isn’t is disingenuous. While it’s not an issue at many stations - it’s a disaster at others.
The easiest solution is having an Alist only section. Make the exit row and the first several rows of the plane Alist or business select. Then I won’t give a crap about the whole pre board situation.
this really is an issue and for any apologists to act like it isn’t is disingenuous. While it’s not an issue at many stations - it’s a disaster at others.
And again, pre-boarders legally need to be accommodated with the easiest seats to get to, and those are going to be at the front
Feb 13, 2024, 6:50 am
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: TPA for now. Hopefully LIS for retirement
Posts: 13,707
I strongly prefer an aisle seat towards the back rather than a window or middle in the first several rows, and I doubt I am the only AL like that.
Feb 13, 2024, 7:40 am
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Nashville -Past DL Plat, FO, WN-CP, various hotel programs
Programs: DL-MM, AA, SW w/companion,HiltonDiamond, Hyatt PLat, IHF Plat, Miles and Points Seeker
Posts: 11,073
[QUOTE=Juanefny;35994645]...
The easiest solution is having an Alist only section. Make the exit row and the first several rows of the plane Alist or business select. Then I won’t give a crap about the whole pre board situation..../QUOTE]
And that would require FA to monitor it on the plane, by checking your boarding pass, or something.
Or a separate boarding group who then can fight among themselves... LOL!
The easiest solution is having an Alist only section. Make the exit row and the first several rows of the plane Alist or business select. Then I won’t give a crap about the whole pre board situation..../QUOTE]
And that would require FA to monitor it on the plane, by checking your boarding pass, or something.
Or a separate boarding group who then can fight among themselves... LOL!
Last edited by NoStressHere; Feb 13, 2024 at 7:46 am
Feb 13, 2024, 8:29 am
#25
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Blue Ridge, GA
Posts: 5,512
"Sectioning" and "open seating" are self-cancelling.
The airline tolerates unhappy elites in favor of exploiting "pick your open seat" charms. No crisis exists until upgraded boarding revenue tanks because of preboarding abuse.
The 2022 ancillary revenue total was 43.7% higher than the previous year.
The airline tolerates unhappy elites in favor of exploiting "pick your open seat" charms. No crisis exists until upgraded boarding revenue tanks because of preboarding abuse.
The 2022 ancillary revenue total was 43.7% higher than the previous year.
Feb 13, 2024, 8:33 am
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Nashville -Past DL Plat, FO, WN-CP, various hotel programs
Programs: DL-MM, AA, SW w/companion,HiltonDiamond, Hyatt PLat, IHF Plat, Miles and Points Seeker
Posts: 11,073
A listers pretty much get their choice of seats, other than the first few rows going to "special preboards".
Feb 14, 2024, 8:00 am
#27
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: SW Comp Pass, Lft Gold AA, Lft DIA HHONORS, National Exec Elite
Posts: 232
I will take the exit seat that is being “saved”. Uh no. Not going to play that game. Fell free to buy your travel partner the BS fare or upgrade at the gate. When I’m A16 because I didn’t buy BS on this flight, that doesn’t mean typical get to save exit row seats. So sorry
Mar 1, 2024, 2:36 pm
#28
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Formerly of SacTown, Cali
Posts: 1,243
We fly WN a fair amount and have for 25 years. Been AL for many years now. My dad had a non-visible disability so I am aware. Lately it’s 30+ pre-boarders every time. Today in Kona more like 40-45 with many young and very able bodied and then one I noted had a Southwest employee looking sweater on. Pre board should be mandatory back of plane so that way they have plenty of extra time to get off without feeling rushed… same as onboarding. Makes sense. If it wasn’t for the CP we wouldn’t fly WN anymore with the preboard nonsense just one issue.
Mar 1, 2024, 8:24 pm
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Nashville -Past DL Plat, FO, WN-CP, various hotel programs
Programs: DL-MM, AA, SW w/companion,HiltonDiamond, Hyatt PLat, IHF Plat, Miles and Points Seeker
Posts: 11,073
As normal flyers, maybe we can take some action.
A suggest.
How about we all go over to the preboard line, then knell down and pray with them to cure whatever ailment they have.??
A suggest.
How about we all go over to the preboard line, then knell down and pray with them to cure whatever ailment they have.??
Mar 2, 2024, 1:13 pm
#30
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PHX
Programs: AA Gold, WN A+ & CP, HH Diamond, Hyatt Platinum, National Executive Elite
Posts: 3,246
Aside from being illegal for WN to do that, and the fact that people who preboard aren't necessarily doing it because they don't want to "feel rushed", your statement demonstrates a cognitive bias.