Southwest or every other airline in the history of the world?

[closetohumping 17,431]

With regards to their boarding policies.  Used to like them but it's been annoying me as of late.

[pch 1,259]

On the fence about this.  There is a reason you are assigned a  boarding number yet lately some asshole thinks they are not required to follow the procedure and gets upset when they are told they have to WAIT THEIR TURN!!!!🤬. Not the airline's fault for having to deal with morons. 

[Shaddie 1,651]

I will be stuck in middle seat cause I changed flights and they have no A1 positions available. 
No 1st class. No larger legroom seats except exit. 
If you are a “travel all over states” type of worker then SW does not cut it. Being based in Dallas (and Love is closer than DFW) AA has 95% direct flight. No wasting a full day traveling. No Europe or Asia free tickets. 
 

I am just pissed I have to spend 4 hrs here in Phoenix waiting on a flight and middle seat. 😩

[mdmost 42,997]

I don't mind Southwest in the sense of you at least get a boarding number and know what place in line you should stand. It's better than the old group boarding they did where it was just a mass of people jammed at the gate. Yeah, you'll get the obliviate that doesn't notice they actually need to stand where their number is and not just stand where they feel like it. I typically only do Southwest if I'm flying alone so it's easier just to grab an aisle seat somewhere. If it's a family flight, we opt for American and dedicated seats. I miss Virgin America. That was such an enjoyable flight experience. I do enjoy Southwest out of Burbank where you can go to the back of the plane as well as the front. 

The mass of people just hovering at the gate is part of my issue with flying American. Yeah, you get a seat but unless you're higher than Group 4, sometimes you're not going to get an overhead space next to your seat. We're Group 5 thanks to our Citi card and that can be iffy at times. They also sometimes call both Groups 5 & 6 after 4 has gone through. A larger problem I have with American is not policing the number of overhead spaces being used by a person and letting passengers from the back half of the plane put stuff in the middle to front of the plane. Put the bag over your space.  

Edited June 11, 2021 by mdmost

[closetohumping 17,431]

10 minutes ago, mdmost said:

I don't mind Southwest in the sense of you at least get a boarding number and know what place in line you should stand. It's better than the old group boarding they did where it was just a mass of people jammed at the gate. Yeah, you'll get the obliviate that doesn't notice they actually need to stand where their number is and not just stand where they feel like it. I typically only do Southwest if I'm flying alone so it's easier just to grab an aisle seat somewhere. If it's a family flight, we opt for American and dedicated seats. I miss Virgin America. That was such an enjoyable flight experience. I do enjoy Southwest out of Burbank where you can go to the back of the plane as well as the front. 

The mass of people just hovering at the gate is part of my issue with flying American. Yeah, you get a seat but unless you're higher than Group 4, sometimes you're not going to get an overhead space next to your seat. We're Group 5 thanks to our Citi card and that can be iffy at times. They also sometimes call both Groups 5 & 6 after 4 has gone through. A larger problem I have with American is not policing the number of overhead spaces being used by a person and letting passengers from the back half of the plane put stuff in the middle to front of the plane. Put the bag over your space.  

I'm in OC and this middle aged lady is like "why does the sign say A's and B's?  I said they haven't called the B's go sit down.  And yet, she just can't accept that?  Sit down, let the A's board and then they'll get to you 

 

Idk, even with assigned seatings there are assholes wanting to board early.  Unassigned seating just accentuates it.  The overhead stuff can certainly be annoying, especially those that feel the need to put their damn coat up there.  

Edited June 11, 2021 by closetohumping

[BabaYaga 15,286]

You still have boarding groups with American.  With kids, I like being able to validate in advance that we are all sitting together.  

[SDG 3,319]

I can’t do Southwest because I prefer to sit at the bar until they call the last boarding group.  There’s no reason to sit on a plane for 45minutes before takeoff.  

[billfromlaketravis 11,444]

SDG gets it. It’s hotter than f*** on the tarmac in Houston. You want to spend as little time as possible on the ground. 
 

I think United’s boarding policy is a little better, but they get very cute, very early with the overhead bins.  Especially on week day, early morning business flights. If you have to check your bag, there’s a good chance you’re going to be late to a meeting. 
 

Air travel by its very nature is terrible. If you’re not flying private or first class, you might as well find the cheapest, fastest flight available. I’ll get flamed, but it’s for this reason that I like Spirit. 

Edited June 11, 2021 by billfromlaketravis

[closetohumping 17,431]

57 minutes ago, SDG said:

I can’t do Southwest because I prefer to sit at the bar until they call the last boarding group.  There’s no reason to sit on a plane for 45minutes before takeoff.  

[closetohumping 17,431]

1 minute ago, billfromlaketravis said:

SDG gets it. It’s hotter than f*** on the tarmac in Houston. You want to spend as little time as possible on the ground. 
 

I think United’s boarding policy is a little better, but they get very cute, very early with the overhead bins.  Especially on week day, early morning business flights. 
 

Air travel by its very nature is terrible. If you’re not flying private or first class, you might as well find the cheapest, fastest flight available. I’ll get flamed, but it’s for this reason that I like Spirit. 

Nothing beats an early morning business flight to get sloshed on.  "yep,  I know, was supposed to land at 11 but dang it, we're delayed.

[Js1 85,257]

I voted "love" but really there should have been an IDGAF option.  I neither love nor hate it.  I tolerate it and it's fine for me, because I'm usually a solo traveler and can score an aisle or window pretty easily, depending on my mood.  Plus I get 4 boarding upgrades with my SW card, so I just pick and choose based on my boarding group when I check in if I need an upgrade or not. 

Plus the flights are usually cheap enough to just pay the extra money to get an A boarding group automatically. 

Edited June 11, 2021 by Js1

[BearSchlong 8,082]

Ditto here, SW CC is my main one.

I don't remember the last time I didn't have A30 or better.

[CooterBrown 18,001]

Plus I get 4 boarding upgrades with my SW card, so I just pick and choose based on my boarding group when I check in if I need an upgrade or not. 

What? I didn’t know this was a perk.

[Js1 85,257]

1 minute ago, CooterBrown said:

What? I didn’t know this was a perk.

If you have the priority card, you do it at the gate and it gets automatically credited to your account 

[CooterBrown 18,001]

If you have the priority card, you do it at the gate and it gets automatically credited to your account 

I do. Awesome.

[After irth 1,243]

7 hours ago, mdmost said:

We're Group 5 thanks to our Citi card and that can be iffy at times. They also sometimes call both Groups 5 & 6 after 4 has gone through.  

You’re a fuckin’ baller!

[ztejas 43,411]

I enjoyed not paying to check my bag on my last Southwest flight. 

[mdmost 42,997]

50 minutes ago, After irth said:

You’re a fuckin’ baller!

Yeah, your mom thought so.

[Your Mom 4,805]

11 hours ago, mdmost said:

Yeah, your mom thought so.

Yeah I guess. 

[Underdog 28,543]

21 hours ago, closetohumping said:

I'm in OC and this middle aged lady is like "why does the sign say A's and B's?  I said they haven't called the B's go sit down.  And yet, she just can't accept that?  Sit down, let the A's board and then they'll get to you 

 

Idk, even with assigned seatings there are assholes wanting to board early.  Unassigned seating just accentuates it.  The overhead stuff can certainly be annoying, especially those that feel the need to put their damn coat up there.  

Guess this Boarding Nazi was off... 

 

[Underdog 28,543]

We pretty much fly SWA exclusively because fares are usually cheap, their baggage policy/fees are reasonable and we've never really had an issue with them.  

[Lat22 4,010]

I’m not a huge SWA fan. I like to know where I’m sitting before I board. I’m a big guy and I don’t want to ever get stuck in a middle seat. 

[The Ace of Aces 5,175]

1 hour ago, Lat22 said:

I’m not a huge SWA fan. I like to know where I’m sitting before I board. I’m a big guy and I don’t want to ever get stuck in a middle seat. 

Spend the extra $15 or whatever for Early Bird and you never have to worry about this. 

[Telegraph_it 3,357]

No booze. No thanks. 

[wild_turkey 3,159]

I don’t like Southwest mainly for their boarding policies. I would like to know my seat in advance, and if I’m paying extra for a better seat, I want to know specifically which better seat.

Agree with being able to stay at the bar, bookstore, bathroom, etc until the plane is near the end of boarding. Rushing to get in line for a good seat is ridiculous to me.

Beyond that, I’m based out of DFW and it seems AA is much more likely to have direct flights to the places I want to go. I don’t like AA much either, but that’s for different reasons.

[Upgrayedd 5,810]

I’m usually automatically assigned A16 17, or 18, so I like it.

[pearlandhorn 3,269]

For work, I book business select and fly so frequently that I can check in at the airport and still be A1 - A3.

For vacations, I'm always A15-A17 as well.

Sucks to be poor.

[CHIEF 5,075]

1 hour ago, pearlandhorn said:

For work, I book business select and fly so frequently that I can check in at the airport and still be A1 - A3.

For vacations, I'm always A15-A17 as well.

Sucks to be poor.

This. Spend the extra $17, it even comes with a couple of drink stubs. 

CHIEF

[royiv 9,236]

2 hours ago, pearlandhorn said:

For work, I book business select and fly so frequently that I can check in at the airport and still be A1 - A3.

For vacations, I'm always A15-A17 as well.

Sucks to be poor.

Lol. Fly a real airline and fly first class. This is like bragging about being Wal-Mart’s number one customer.

[CooterBrown 18,001]

For work, I book business select and fly so frequently that I can check in at the airport and still be A1 - A3.
For vacations, I'm always A15-A17 as well.
Sucks to be poor.

It’s always been just an urban legend that the faster you checkin, the better boarding number you get. It’s solely by status and for those with no status, it’s a random assignment. When I hit my record of 89 flights in one year on SWA, I was A1 no matter when I checked in.

[pearlandhorn 3,269]

24 minutes ago, royiv said:

Lol. Fly a real airline and fly first class. This is like bragging about being Wal-Mart’s number one customer.

Why fly a real airline when I can fly my wife for free everywhere I go?  Air travel is a commodity.  I fly first or business if I travel internationally.  Domestic - SWA.

Edited June 12, 2021 by pearlandhorn

[Telegraph_it 3,357]

22 minutes ago, pearlandhorn said:

Why fly a real airline when I can fly my wife for free everywhere I go?  Air travel is a commodity.  I fly first or business if I travel internationally.  Domestic - SWA.

I do about everything possible to not do the travel part of vacation with my wife. 

[pearlandhorn 3,269]

8 minutes ago, Telegraph_it said:

I do about everything possible to not do the travel part of vacation with my wife. 

Eh.  I like my wife.

[Guest]

11 minutes ago, Telegraph_it said:

I do about everything possible to not do the travel part of vacation with my wife. 

"I'll meet you there..."

[royiv 9,236]

8 minutes ago, pearlandhorn said:

Eh.  I like my wife.

I like my wife, too. That's why we fly first class wherever we go.

[BearSchlong 8,082]

I used to be first class guy. Its a waste of money if you're actually buying the ticket, unless you have business or health reasons, or a long flight overseas.

The fact that southwest employees don't hate their employer is nice. And companion status.

[BearSchlong 8,082]

"I'll meet you there..."

@Sbbruin is the GOAT. I'm in awe of his abilities to sail alone. Peace and quiet.

[royiv 9,236]

6 minutes ago, BearSchlong said:

Congratulations on your high maintenance, expensive wife. I used to have one.

I used to be first class guy. Its a waste of money if you're actually buying the ticket, unless you have business or health reasons, or a long flight overseas.

The fact that southwest employees don't hate their employer is nice. And companion status.
 

I'm a lot more high maintenance than my wife is. I'm a pretty tall guy and sitting in a coach seat for more than about 45 minutes fills me full of rage.

[Js1 85,257]

1 hour ago, royiv said:

Lol. Fly a real airline and fly first class. This is like bragging about being Wal-Mart’s number one customer.

Airline snob fags are so insufferable. 

[royiv 9,236]

2 minutes ago, Js1 said:

Airline snob fags are so insufferable. 

Southwest fanbois are so insufferable.

Also, why do we allow folks on this board to throw slurs around so casually? Imagine the word beginning with f above is replaced by a word starting with n. Can't imagine that would go over well.

Edited June 13, 2021 by royiv
Slur soapbox

[BearSchlong 8,082]

I'm a lot more high maintenance than my wife is. I'm a pretty tall guy and sitting in a coach seat for more than about 45 minutes fills me full of rage.

That's a legit reason. Sorry I insulted your wife, I had to spend all day with my ex and it bled over.

[Nueces River Rat 5,537]

56 minutes ago, BearSchlong said:

I used to be first class guy. Its a waste of money if you're actually buying the ticket, unless you have business or health reasons, or a long flight overseas.

The fact that southwest employees don't hate their employer is nice. And companion status.


 

The later is true.   Plus SWA doesn’t cancel/delay its flights when it’s starts pissing mist outside as much  as United and American.   Especially if you flying out of a smaller airport.  Screw those two putos. 

[Fastbreak 3,973]

I prefer train travel 

[Bernard 879]

On 6/11/2021 at 2:25 PM, billfromlaketravis said:

you might as well find the cheapest, fastest flight available. I’ll get flamed, but it’s for this reason that I like Spirit. 

Spirit out of IAH is great. For the same or less than a United flight, I can upgrade to the Big Front Seat and no worry about crushing my 6'5" into a regular sized seat. Also, there's almost never a security line in Terminal A and the Spirit gates are a short walk from the entry. From Uber drop off to the gate is usually like 10 minutes.

Bernard

[closetohumping 17,431]

5 hours ago, royiv said:

Lol. Fly a real airline and fly first class. This is like bragging about being Wal-Mart’s number one customer.

You’ve won this thread.  It’s like going to Goodwill and saying I’ll take one of everything 

[midtown 3,345]

I stopped flying SWA in large because they stopped having  the cheapest flights about 10 years ago.  I did pick up one of their bonus offers so I have some pts to and a credit to use up but once they are gone I don't really see the point in flying them.   Unless its because their airport is more convenient.   Plus it's just plain annoying to have to price them separately vs google flights. 

[mdmost 42,997]

2 minutes ago, midtown said:

I stopped flying SWA in large because they stopped having  the cheapest flights about 10 years ago.  I did pick up one of their bonus offers so I have some pts to and a credit to use up but once they are gone I don't really see the point in flying them.   Unless its because their airport is more convenient.   Plus it's just plain annoying to have to price them separately vs google flights. 

Same. When we're looking at taking a family trip, SWA is never the cheaper option. They ceased being a cheaper option out of Love a while back which is disappointing because I'd much rather fly out of there than DFW. I miss flying Virgin America out of Love. Those flights were so enjoyable. Alaska took over their gates so that's an option if you're going to LAX, SFO, PDX, or SEA. 

[blacklab 11,926]

Have a flight today and forgot to check in at the 24 hour point. Seat C-20. Tried to add biz class and it says sold out.

 

[BearSchlong 8,082]

Ask at the gate, they might be able to sell you the upgrade right then.

[Js1 85,257]

They almost always have them available at the gate.