EarlyBird Check-in: A Convenient Way to Travel...
Sep 5, 2009, 5:23 pm
#196
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: UA GOLD MM,WN CP A+list, HH Gold,MR LT Titanium
Posts: 2,184
The whole idea seems entirely flawed to me. In actuality, the whole "benefit" of being able to opt to board earlier works exactly in REVERSE. It used to be, the early bird gets the worm. In other words, you check in earlier, you board earlier. This was a fair system and it allowed some form of control for people who absolutely need to have aisle or window seats. Now, with that being completely undermined by a very small fee, there is no way at all to have that "control". All this fee effectively does is change the boarding order from who checked in first to who bought their ticket first, because lets face it, most people are going to opt for the small $10 fee otherwise they'll be guaranteed "C" boarding and a nice comfy middle seat. So, when you look at it that way you're almost being strong armed into paying the $10. It's not so much a "priority boarding fee" and much as it is a "dear god, please keep me out of C boarding" fee.
On top of that, I think this really sort of dilutes the "Business Select" product. On most flights, the difference between the wanna get away fare and the business select fare is pretty high. I have a hard time believing that people are paying double fare for a free drink and 1 extra RR credit.
So, I've come to the conclusion that this was either a very poor business decision, or this move doesn't have the customer's best interest in mind and this is simply a covert way of jacking up fares $10 across the board. If the latter is true, I beg Southwest to just GO AHEAD AND RAISE FARES but leave out ability to assure ourselves the seating that we require alone.
On top of that, I think this really sort of dilutes the "Business Select" product. On most flights, the difference between the wanna get away fare and the business select fare is pretty high. I have a hard time believing that people are paying double fare for a free drink and 1 extra RR credit.
So, I've come to the conclusion that this was either a very poor business decision, or this move doesn't have the customer's best interest in mind and this is simply a covert way of jacking up fares $10 across the board. If the latter is true, I beg Southwest to just GO AHEAD AND RAISE FARES but leave out ability to assure ourselves the seating that we require alone.
Sep 5, 2009, 8:28 pm
#197
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Texas
Programs: Frequent Flyer
Posts: 435
Like anything else that is new there is a learning curve. I have read that after the roll-out if the number of people buying Early Bird becomes an issue then they will look at limiting the number of Early Birds sold.
Sep 5, 2009, 11:29 pm
#198
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: SNA
Programs: Southwest
Posts: 41
I have been following this thread and been lurking on this forum for a while. I noticed the rollout of early bird check-in on Thursday and added it to my flight. It was only $10 and it saves me the trouble of having to start the computer at 7am and check-in. On my return flight, I bought a BS ticket. My flight is SNA to PHX (EB) and PHX to SNA (BS). Am I one those obsessed with getting a early number? You bet.
This is just a convenience fee and there is no perfect system that will make everyone happy. Some people will save seats. Sure, if you want to save a seat for your wife or husband, I will move on.
If you want to block out 2 rows for your entourage in a CHOICE row, get ready to be challenged. I know you will be in one of the rows and that will allow me to plop down in the other row. That's because SW has an open seat policy. The open seating policy does not trump the seat saving policy and vice versa. (Correct me if I am wrong)
And I know about the fake excuses/tactics like, this is for my friend in the bathroom, the jacket or purse on the seat, leaning over your seat into the other seat, etc. in order to prevent someone from sitting next to you.
It's just like a movie theater. Those get there 1st usually save seats for their slacker friends that come late. No big deal. However, this airline has an open seat policy and you board and sit down in the order of your BP.
There is really no written rules on this airline and it's not worth getting worked up. On any given flight, there are jerks that ruin the experience for the rest of us. The last thing the FA wants to do is be a referee and play the "parent." However, I have noticed some FA do not put up with the bull from anyone.
The only reason why I want to sit in the front of the plane is to get off and sprint to the bathroom. I don't think EB check in will make a dent in the Business Select tickets. The reason my ticket is BS on the PHX to SNA flight is that PHX is a transfer hub and I may need the flexibility to adjust my return home ticket at the last moment.
There is another thread that keeps track of EB and I will post my results there.
This is just a convenience fee and there is no perfect system that will make everyone happy. Some people will save seats. Sure, if you want to save a seat for your wife or husband, I will move on.
If you want to block out 2 rows for your entourage in a CHOICE row, get ready to be challenged. I know you will be in one of the rows and that will allow me to plop down in the other row. That's because SW has an open seat policy. The open seating policy does not trump the seat saving policy and vice versa. (Correct me if I am wrong)
And I know about the fake excuses/tactics like, this is for my friend in the bathroom, the jacket or purse on the seat, leaning over your seat into the other seat, etc. in order to prevent someone from sitting next to you.
It's just like a movie theater. Those get there 1st usually save seats for their slacker friends that come late. No big deal. However, this airline has an open seat policy and you board and sit down in the order of your BP.
There is really no written rules on this airline and it's not worth getting worked up. On any given flight, there are jerks that ruin the experience for the rest of us. The last thing the FA wants to do is be a referee and play the "parent." However, I have noticed some FA do not put up with the bull from anyone.
The only reason why I want to sit in the front of the plane is to get off and sprint to the bathroom. I don't think EB check in will make a dent in the Business Select tickets. The reason my ticket is BS on the PHX to SNA flight is that PHX is a transfer hub and I may need the flexibility to adjust my return home ticket at the last moment.
There is another thread that keeps track of EB and I will post my results there.
Last edited by lil Gophee; Sep 5, 2009 at 11:38 pm
Sep 6, 2009, 7:46 am
#199
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN Companion Pass, A-list preferred, Hyatt Globalist; United Club Lietime (sic) Member
Posts: 21,624
I totally agree with bears. I think in retrospect, this will be looked at as a horrible decision. NSX use to have a theory about how you had to work at getting on the plane early. So those who cared did so, and those who didn't care didn't do the work. That has now been totally turned around.
The only mistake is see here is pricing long-haul EB too low. That's easy to correct.
Sep 6, 2009, 9:23 am
#200
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN Companion Pass, A-list preferred, Hyatt Globalist; United Club Lietime (sic) Member
Posts: 21,624
Here's a comment I spotted on blogsouthwest that hits the nail on the head for the T-24 OLCI crowd:
I feel like I've been forced into paying the extra money just to maintain a relative boarding position which I already enjoyed.
Pricing EBCI twice as high and selling half as many would please the T-24 crowd.
Sep 6, 2009, 9:39 am
#201
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: Formaldehyde Medallion DL DieMiles
Posts: 12,646
(1) With regard to TSA's "random" searches at the gate, where passengers are taken to the side during boarding, it was previously mentioned that Southwest has worked with TSA to make them aware of BS passengers, boarding process etc. and that they are working with TSA.
While I feel "random" gate screening is largely a "publicity show" it would loose any effectiveness if some mal-intended individual only had to pay a hundred dollars more for a ticket that was, in effect, screening exempt.
As for those airlines with assigned seating, it takes the dumbest terrorist on the block to not see that all he has to do is hold back until TSA has "randomly" picked enough PAX to keep the screeners busy... then he can stroll on by.
If half of the FC passengers have already figured this out, why can't a terrorist?
Sep 6, 2009, 10:31 am
#202
Join Date: Jul 2004
Programs: CO, UA, AA, WN, DL Gold
Posts: 2,981
Are you implying that BS passengers are immune to the "random screening"?
While I feel "random" gate screening is largely a "publicity show" it would loose any effectiveness if some mal-intended individual only had to pay a hundred dollars more for a ticket that was, in effect, screening exempt.
As for those airlines with assigned seating, it takes the dumbest terrorist on the block to not see that all he has to do is hold back until TSA has "randomly" picked enough PAX to keep the screeners busy... then he can stroll on by.
If half of the FC passengers have already figured this out, why can't a terrorist?
While I feel "random" gate screening is largely a "publicity show" it would loose any effectiveness if some mal-intended individual only had to pay a hundred dollars more for a ticket that was, in effect, screening exempt.
As for those airlines with assigned seating, it takes the dumbest terrorist on the block to not see that all he has to do is hold back until TSA has "randomly" picked enough PAX to keep the screeners busy... then he can stroll on by.
If half of the FC passengers have already figured this out, why can't a terrorist?
Sep 6, 2009, 10:39 am
#203
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Likely Not at Home
Programs: WN RR A-List Preferred & CP, Alaska Air MVP Gold, HH Diamond, Hertz Pres. Circle
Posts: 111
Are you implying that BS passengers are immune to the "random screening"?
While I feel "random" gate screening is largely a "publicity show" it would loose any effectiveness if some mal-intended individual only had to pay a hundred dollars more for a ticket that was, in effect, screening exempt.
As for those airlines with assigned seating, it takes the dumbest terrorist on the block to not see that all he has to do is hold back until TSA has "randomly" picked enough PAX to keep the screeners busy... then he can stroll on by.
If half of the FC passengers have already figured this out, why can't a terrorist?
While I feel "random" gate screening is largely a "publicity show" it would loose any effectiveness if some mal-intended individual only had to pay a hundred dollars more for a ticket that was, in effect, screening exempt.
As for those airlines with assigned seating, it takes the dumbest terrorist on the block to not see that all he has to do is hold back until TSA has "randomly" picked enough PAX to keep the screeners busy... then he can stroll on by.
If half of the FC passengers have already figured this out, why can't a terrorist?
But at the end of the day TSA does what TSA wants to do, IMO.
The reason for "random" in quotes, is that based on my experience I do not see much randomness in their searches. They tend to pick the same positions in line, time after time--normally the first person in each group gets selected regularly, from my experiences.
Now back to the original topic.
Sep 6, 2009, 2:03 pm
#204
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Santa Cruz, CA USA
Programs: AA, UA, WN, HH, Marriott
Posts: 7,290
Here's a comment I spotted on blogsouthwest that hits the nail on the head for the T-24 OLCI crowd:
I feel like I've been forced into paying the extra money just to maintain a relative boarding position which I already enjoyed.
Pricing EBCI twice as high and selling half as many would please the T-24 crowd.
Sep 6, 2009, 6:41 pm
#205
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Chicago Area
Posts: 369
Well, they just got me for $80. Going to a wedding with the family in a couple of weeks, and I decided I wasn't going to pay. I'll just check in right at T-24. Then of course I start reading this thread and seeing how we might really be bumped to a higher boarding number. Since there are four of us, will all be carrying bags and want to sit together, I changed my mind. Of course might as well do it for the return as well.
I have to say I am not wild about paying the extra money, but it doesn't leave as bad a taste as bag fees, etc. would.
I have to say I am not wild about paying the extra money, but it doesn't leave as bad a taste as bag fees, etc. would.
Sep 6, 2009, 8:04 pm
#206
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: UA GOLD MM,WN CP A+list, HH Gold,MR LT Titanium
Posts: 2,184
From FAQS
I have not seen this posted here anywhere,but this adds to the uncertainty of this program. WGA purchasers could find themselves pretty far down on the boarding order.
It appears that WN is definitely trying to shed it's low cost airline image.
"Is there an order in which EarlyBird Check-in Boarding Passes are reserved?
Yes, Customers who have purchased Anytime Fares will receive priority over other fare types during the initial boarding position assignment."
It appears that WN is definitely trying to shed it's low cost airline image.
"Is there an order in which EarlyBird Check-in Boarding Passes are reserved?
Yes, Customers who have purchased Anytime Fares will receive priority over other fare types during the initial boarding position assignment."
Sep 6, 2009, 8:54 pm
#208
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: SNA
Programs: Southwest
Posts: 41
Well, they just got me for $80. Going to a wedding with the family in a couple of weeks, and I decided I wasn't going to pay. I'll just check in right at T-24. Then of course I start reading this thread and seeing how we might really be bumped to a higher boarding number. Since there are four of us, will all be carrying bags and want to sit together, I changed my mind. Of course might as well do it for the return as well.
I have to say I am not wild about paying the extra money, but it doesn't leave as bad a taste as bag fees, etc. would.
I have to say I am not wild about paying the extra money, but it doesn't leave as bad a taste as bag fees, etc. would.
If that was allowed, I will get a BS flight and save the first 3 rows on both sides. Then sell it to those who want it for $2.
Sep 7, 2009, 7:33 am
#209
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: MCO
Programs: Southwest Rapid Rewards
Posts: 791
Thread over at the rec.arts.disney.parks newsgroup about the new EBCI. Seems to be pretty universally hated over there, with some even saying they'll switch airlines because of it.
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.a...b779dc905ac7e#
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.a...b779dc905ac7e#
Sep 7, 2009, 8:29 am
#210
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Texas
Programs: Frequent Flyer
Posts: 435
That link takes you to a group of folks who don't have accurate information and are repeating it amongst themselves working themselves into a frenzy about it.
Families with young children will still board after A - plenty of time to get seats together.
Checking in 24 hours in advance will still get you a boarding assignement to sit with your travel mate.
Those choosing not to check in online or use Early Bird will still have the middle seats.
Families with young children will still board after A - plenty of time to get seats together.
Checking in 24 hours in advance will still get you a boarding assignement to sit with your travel mate.
Those choosing not to check in online or use Early Bird will still have the middle seats.