lola
One Bedroom
Posts: 232
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Post by lola on Jul 25, 2024 13:17:06 GMT -5
YAY! I have never loved SWA because of the open seating. I rarely use bin space, so I prefer to have an assigned seat and leisurely finish my cocktail at a bar near the gate. I board almost last to avoid the chaos.
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Post by tomandrobin on Jul 25, 2024 13:46:52 GMT -5
Hold on tight.....turbulence ahead!
We are long time SWA fliers. We have companion status and A-List status for years. I know that this is suppose to start next year. It will be interesting to see how these changes are implemented and how it impacts how one books a flight and reserves a seat. When you create a rule, there will always be exceptions and rule breakers.
I see issues already....for example, I can see where people will book multiple seats on a flight (there are ways) using points. Then right before boarding starts, cancel the extra seat, with no penalty, and have extra space of the now empty seat.
Of course, SWA will already see this and make rule changes on point reservations and canceling.
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Post by a1000monkeys on Jul 25, 2024 14:10:51 GMT -5
Plus the extra legroom seats will be made possible by introducing 28 inch pitch seats in the back 2/3 of the plane. They'll likely introduce fees for seat selection, checked baggage, carry on bags, etc. In this respect, i think they'll become more like Frontier and Spirit which I will not fly.
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Post by reblzmom on Jul 25, 2024 15:43:49 GMT -5
Sigh - I don't object to assigned seating, but how long do you think it will take to charge for seats?
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Post by pooh bears mom on Jul 25, 2024 18:25:12 GMT -5
This stinks because i guarantee it comes with higher prices.
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Post by capeokw56 on Jul 25, 2024 19:09:40 GMT -5
We are longtime SWA fliers too. However, for our November flight we are flying Breeze for the first time. I like being able to choose our seats and I especially like that there are only two seats on the left side of the plane so we can sit alone. We paid for extra legroom and the total price was just a little more than half of SWA. We shall see if we'll continue to be SWA customers.
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Post by baymaxfan on Jul 25, 2024 23:30:22 GMT -5
I’m with the OP. Open seating is what keeps me away from Southwest.
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Post by amdev on Jul 26, 2024 6:18:18 GMT -5
I was disappointed to see this. We pretty much fly SWA exclusively and the open seating never bothered me. Aside from their lower prices, they usually had flight times/routes that we needed, the staff for SW has always been the most friendly, and the 2 free checked bags (hopefully that stays). But like with all these corporations, it comes down to greed. The shareholders weren't making enough money, so things needed to change so they can be satisfied, who cares about the customer.
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Post by WDWGoof on Jul 26, 2024 11:50:06 GMT -5
I am curious of their reason for change after all these years. It may not be greed, but from complaints. The system works well when you know what to expect but I have to admit, when you see that family line snake around the corner and you are a “B” I do feel my shoulders sinking down and an “uggggh!” coming out under my breath. Wondering if others are voicing their opinions about that or other scenarios.
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Post by tomandrobin on Jul 26, 2024 12:15:50 GMT -5
I am curious of their reason for change after all these years. It may not be greed, but from complaints. The system works well when you know what to expect but I have to admit, when you see that family line snake around the corner and you are a “B” I do feel my shoulders sinking down and an “uggggh!” coming out under my breath. Wondering if others are voicing their opinions about that or other scenarios. The change is coming because of falling profits and soaring costs. Also, there has been shareholder activism that is pushing for changes to increase profitability.
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lola
One Bedroom
Posts: 232
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Post by lola on Jul 26, 2024 13:24:46 GMT -5
I’m with the OP. Open seating is what keeps me away from Southwest. Thanks! We flew SWA once and didn't have any issues. I just decided I didn't want to deal with their open seating. I would be willing to try them again after the dust settles. ALSO, I hear a lot about the two free checked bags. Do people really need TWO checked bags? I am a very efficient packer and can do a city weekend trip in a backpack (hence no need for early boarding and bin space). Please tell me what goes in to two checked bags? I honestly am curious, not trying to be smug.  |
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lola
One Bedroom
Posts: 232
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Post by lola on Jul 26, 2024 13:27:45 GMT -5
I am curious of their reason for change after all these years. It may not be greed, but from complaints. The system works well when you know what to expect but I have to admit, when you see that family line snake around the corner and you are a “B” I do feel my shoulders sinking down and an “uggggh!” coming out under my breath. Wondering if others are voicing their opinions about that or other scenarios. Funny thing. Delta MSP>MCO doesn't do family boarding (they do for other cities). Last MCO trip we took, the gate agent said, "that's almost ALL of you!" LOL |
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Post by tomandrobin on Jul 26, 2024 13:53:58 GMT -5
ALSO, I hear a lot about the two free checked bags. Do people really need TWO checked bags? I am a very efficient packer and can do a city weekend trip in a backpack (hence no need for early boarding and bin space). Please tell me what goes in to two checked bags? I honestly am curious, not trying to be smug.  We fly SWA around 24 times a year. The only time we check a bag is when we travel for a week long family vacation. Last week the family was on a Disney Cruise. Robin and I each checked a bag. We could have only checked one, but I wanted "extra room for coming home. I knew that we would be bring back more than we took on the cruise.
So out of the 24 flights, maybe 4 will have a checked bag.
PS - by number of flights, I am referring to one-way flights.
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Post by johnb on Jul 26, 2024 13:56:53 GMT -5
Hmm. The main reason I keep my SWA Visa is for the three free A1-15 upgrades. This covers the annual fee. The new system makes me wonder how the credit card benefits are going to be impacted.
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Post by tomandrobin on Jul 26, 2024 13:58:45 GMT -5
I am curious of their reason for change after all these years. It may not be greed, but from complaints. The system works well when you know what to expect but I have to admit, when you see that family line snake around the corner and you are a “B” I do feel my shoulders sinking down and an “uggggh!” coming out under my breath. Wondering if others are voicing their opinions about that or other scenarios. Funny thing. Delta MSP>MCO doesn't do family boarding (they do for other cities). Last MCO trip we took, the gate agent said, "that's almost ALL of you!" LOL SWA allows pre-board for people with disabilities. Over the years, that those in the pre-board line has grown and grown, similar to the Disney and the DAS. Am I judging, yes.....but I am also basing this on my many years experience of flying and watching trends. Why pay for an upgrade, when you can fake an injury and be among the first to board. On some flights this past year, I have seen upwards of 20-30 pre-boarding our flight. |
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