A new phenomenon.. The Southwest gate area intruders!
Oct 13, 2008, 3:58 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: MDW
Programs: SWA EMP (the ultimate program)
Posts: 713
A new phenomenon.. The Southwest gate area intruders!
Ever since Southwest upgraded their gate areas with large HDTVs and leather chairs with power jacks, has anyone else noticed the people who are flying with other airlines crashing the Southwest gate areas? I've been seeing it a lot lately.
I have to say, it kind of annoys me a little bit. Only because it's premium seating and it's put there for the enjoyment of people who do business with Southwest. Also, as it is premium, it's also limited.. The "other airline flyers" who are intruding on the seating areas are displacing actual Southwest customers..
Would a posted sign that reads "Seating for Southwest Passengers Only" be out of line?
I'm curious to hear what other people think about this, or am I the only one even noticing it?
I have to say, it kind of annoys me a little bit. Only because it's premium seating and it's put there for the enjoyment of people who do business with Southwest. Also, as it is premium, it's also limited.. The "other airline flyers" who are intruding on the seating areas are displacing actual Southwest customers..
Would a posted sign that reads "Seating for Southwest Passengers Only" be out of line?
I'm curious to hear what other people think about this, or am I the only one even noticing it?
Oct 13, 2008, 4:27 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: MDW
Programs: SWA EMP (the ultimate program)
Posts: 713
People often have their boarding passes right in their hands while waiting. You can see on the ticket sleeve when it says "airtran" on it.. I've also seen people get up and walk to a nearby gate when the boarding announcement is made.. Obviously I spend time in airports besides MDW if I'm flying, but I see it happening at MDW as well..
Oct 13, 2008, 4:56 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2006
Location: BOS and ...
Programs: UA 2MM, AA 650k, DL 500k, Hyatt GP 1M, HH Gold, Rad. Gold, CP Gold, Miracle Fruit-su Club
Posts: 9,952
I hope it's not OT: The counters with the connections are attractive, but I'm strongly among those who try to find the sweet spot as far away from the incessantly blaring TVs (even if they are HDTV) as possible, yet still within earshot of the GA's PA.
Actually, a bigger issue to me is stacking two flights from the same gate within an hour or an hour and a half. I know the cause of this is a good thing for everyone (e.g., that Southwest is busy), but when people try to lead their flight by an hour and a half, and get through security quickly, things get to standing room only. In my observation, this is most intense at MDW and LAS. (Never at SFO, and not at OAK anymore!) So, this may be a factor in what you're seeing. Anyway, it all sorts out in the long run.
Actually, a bigger issue to me is stacking two flights from the same gate within an hour or an hour and a half. I know the cause of this is a good thing for everyone (e.g., that Southwest is busy), but when people try to lead their flight by an hour and a half, and get through security quickly, things get to standing room only. In my observation, this is most intense at MDW and LAS. (Never at SFO, and not at OAK anymore!) So, this may be a factor in what you're seeing. Anyway, it all sorts out in the long run.
Last edited by Firewind; Oct 13, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Oct 13, 2008, 5:02 pm
#5
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Downtown Denver
Programs: WN A-list/CP, HHonors Diamond, IHG Plt,*wood Plt,F9 Summitt, Hyatt Diamond,
Posts: 391
Ever since Southwest upgraded their gate areas with large HDTVs and leather chairs with power jacks, has anyone else noticed the people who are flying with other airlines crashing the Southwest gate areas? I've been seeing it a lot lately.
I have to say, it kind of annoys me a little bit. Only because it's premium seating and it's put there for the enjoyment of people who do business with Southwest. Also, as it is premium, it's also limited.. The "other airline flyers" who are intruding on the seating areas are displacing actual Southwest customers..
Would a posted sign that reads "Seating for Southwest Passengers Only" be out of line?
I'm curious to hear what other people think about this, or am I the only one even noticing it?
I have to say, it kind of annoys me a little bit. Only because it's premium seating and it's put there for the enjoyment of people who do business with Southwest. Also, as it is premium, it's also limited.. The "other airline flyers" who are intruding on the seating areas are displacing actual Southwest customers..
Would a posted sign that reads "Seating for Southwest Passengers Only" be out of line?
I'm curious to hear what other people think about this, or am I the only one even noticing it?
Oct 13, 2008, 5:21 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: MDW
Programs: SWA EMP (the ultimate program)
Posts: 713
Oct 13, 2008, 5:23 pm
#7
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Commuting around the mid-atlantic and rust-belt on any number of RJs
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Posts: 9,255
In my experience, the real problem is with people stealing the seats at the stands with the outlets for charging stuff.
Oct 13, 2008, 5:38 pm
#8
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: ORD, MDW or MKE
Programs: American and Southwest. Hilton and Marriott hotels primarily.
Posts: 6,468
100% agree. When I become the imperial ruler here, the TV's at airports are gone.
Oct 13, 2008, 5:58 pm
#9
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: CO OnePass Platinum AS MVP HHonors Diamond SPG Gold
Posts: 2,417
As a ticketed passenger, I may sit, walk, shop, eat or drink anywhere I please as long as it's not marked "authorized personnel only" or a club/lounge to which I don't have a membership or have not purchased a day-pass. I pay a "passenger facility charge" and expect to be able to utilize the passenger facilities as I please. WN or any other airline doesn't have the right to exclude passengers from other airlines from their waiting areas.
Anyway, if WN's gate areas are attracting crowds I say it's payback for the number of times I was inconvenienced @SEA where the line for WN gates B6/B8 have backed up across the concourse walkway and blocked access to the CO President's Club!
Anyway, if WN's gate areas are attracting crowds I say it's payback for the number of times I was inconvenienced @SEA where the line for WN gates B6/B8 have backed up across the concourse walkway and blocked access to the CO President's Club!
Oct 13, 2008, 6:40 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
Just have the underlings turn the volume all the way down and turn on the closed-captioning. CNN Airport Channel talking over Muzak, talking over GA's, talking over mechanized airport announcements...
Oct 13, 2008, 6:50 pm
#12
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: ORD, MDW or MKE
Programs: American and Southwest. Hilton and Marriott hotels primarily.
Posts: 6,468
Those fees did not pay for WN's upgraded waiting areas.
Oct 13, 2008, 7:05 pm
#13
Formerly known as I_Hate_US_Airways
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Just South Of North
Programs: My Loyalty Programs? I now VOTE with my wallet!!!
Posts: 2,568
Wow!
Didn't realize that Road Warriors were still flying Southwest, good to know!
David
Fly more & get a better seat
David
Fly more & get a better seat
Oct 13, 2008, 7:45 pm
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: MDW
Programs: SWA EMP (the ultimate program)
Posts: 713
It seems like a legitimate gripe to me.. If you're a Southwest passenger, and you can't sit in the seats that were MEANT for you as a token of appreciation for your business, because they're being hogged by a bunch of airtran passengers from a flight across the way, that wouldn't bother you even a little? If not you must reside in a monastery.
