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Southwest Airlines ditches family pre-boarding
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My husband and I enjoy traveling, and becoming parents hasn't changed our feelings towards air travel. In fact, my 13-month-old son has flown over 20 times. I never really had a favorite airline before the birth of my son, but in the past year we have exclusively flown on Southwest Airlines. Why? Well, they have (or had) a great pre-boarding policy for families and since Southwest doesn't issue seat assignments, you don't have to deal with the cattle call of crowded boarding group lines.
This policy has been extremely helpful for me, especially when I'm traveling without my husband. It's not the easiest of tasks getting through security with a baby in a car seat or stroller along with all of the diaper bags and essentials.
Beginning October 2, 2007, Southwest is eliminating pre-boarding for families in an effort to speed the boarding process. Families will now board in between the first and second boarding groups (Group A and Group B), unless they have an "A" boarding pass. Like before, boarding passes will be awarded on a first come, first served basis. Passengers can check in online 24 hours in advance in an attempt to secure the coveted "A" boarding pass.
I understand Southwest's inclination to level the playing field for all passengers, but I sure won't be clamoring to exclusively fly with them any longer.
What do you think of this new development? Does this affect whether or not you would choose to fly with Southwest?
This policy has been extremely helpful for me, especially when I'm traveling without my husband. It's not the easiest of tasks getting through security with a baby in a car seat or stroller along with all of the diaper bags and essentials.
Beginning October 2, 2007, Southwest is eliminating pre-boarding for families in an effort to speed the boarding process. Families will now board in between the first and second boarding groups (Group A and Group B), unless they have an "A" boarding pass. Like before, boarding passes will be awarded on a first come, first served basis. Passengers can check in online 24 hours in advance in an attempt to secure the coveted "A" boarding pass.
I understand Southwest's inclination to level the playing field for all passengers, but I sure won't be clamoring to exclusively fly with them any longer.
What do you think of this new development? Does this affect whether or not you would choose to fly with Southwest?
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ReaderComments (Page 3 of 3)
10-30-2007 @ 11:28PM
meg said...I had been under the impression that the South West boarding system was designed to maximize efficiency and on time take off. Actually it seems it is to cater to people with abused secretaries willing to get them an A boarding card. I am a business traveler who regularly travels with an 18 month old. Last trip I was expected to carry my child, car seat, carry on bag, computer and diaper bag half way down the plane. On the trip out I was literally sweating trying to get it done. Further, my child was slipping and falling all over the walkway (amazing he was not hurt) when my request for some help from the ground staff resulted in them taking my stroller and then never returning to help with the rest. When I suggested to the "gentleman" boarding us on the way back that I was not willing to work that hard and that I would simply take my time in future (carry one thing at a time if necessary), I was informed that SW did not believe that they should have to be disadvantaged by my "choice" to have a child.
Well I will not be disadvantaged by their "choice" to have a stupid boarding policy. If it takes me 10 minutes to load on then all the "selfish me first" business men will just have to wait and be disadvantaged by a late takeoff as well. Bottom line is I am not showing up to meetings looking like I came out of a sweat shop so lazy businessmen are spared having to take seats in row 10. I believe that this policy is not only an indication of the bad management at SW, but also a comment on what these selfish bums are learning in Business School. They continue to think they should get to ride in the front of the bus in exchange for leaching on society. In my opinion, those who can't do have their daddies buy them a Harvard NBA.
I did call Virgin America and they do preboard families. In future I will fly with airlines that preboard when possible and if not I will take all the time I need to get on safely and with dignity with or without the support of the illustrious managers at SW and the selfish business class they seem to value so much.
Meg
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11-08-2007 @ 7:51AM
Carla Cody said...I just flew Southwest w/ my 1 yr old daughter. I think their new policy is awful. They said that preboarding families w/ small child was only so they could insure that the family could sit together. NO NO NO Families w/ small children prefer to preboard because it takes awhile to get on and get situated. I traveled alone w/ my 1 year old. I bought a seat for her so she could sit in her car seat. SOOO I had the baby to carry, her car seat, her diaper bag and a bag of my own. Not so ease to get on the plane. On the flight up north there was only one other woman w/ a 2 yr old and on the way back I was the only one with a baby. SO why not let us preboard. On the trip back to FL I was seated after the "A" people. I had to sit 2/3 of the way in the back of the plane. It was not easy to get down the aisle carrying everything. Southwest's new policy is NOT family friendly!!! Next time I will pay a little extra to fly DELTA!!
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12-10-2007 @ 12:03AM
Chris said...This policy is ludicrous. I hope the business traveler who hates kids and is in a hurry doesn't mind sitting next to my five year old while I sit six rows behind casually reading a magazine. Sorry, he's crying because he has a cold and his ears are killing him. I'd be there to handle it, but the seatbelt sign is on, you know how it is...
I just flew SW with my kids for the first time under this new policy. We went to Disneyland. Just got home. This scenario played out. If this was any indicator, I doubt the policy will last. I don't think that person who sat next to my kid will fly SW again either!
The most shocking part was that the flight attendant actually told my five year old that if he didn't stop crying he was not going to get to go to Disneyland! O' that really helped! You only thought he was crying until you said that, dumba**!
I had to go online to find out what others thought.
Is it just me, or is there something very, very wrong with an airline that would think for a second that any competent parent would willingly allow their five or six year old child to be over arm's reach away after 9/11? There is something so horribly wrong with this policy it just shakes my core.
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