SWA new boarding procedure

[capt. megadeth]

I just read on our daily union update that SWA will have letters and numbers for boarding. Do you all think that will stop the knuckleheads from getting in line 50 minutes before boarding?

Seriously though, how do you all think that will work out?

 

[CA1900]

Better get rid of all those pesky seats, so there will be more room for the new lines of people sitting on the filthy floor....

That never ceases to amaze me... if you have an A or a B, you're almost guaranteed a window or an aisle, whichever you want. Does it matter that much which one?

 

[skiandsurf]

That never ceases to amaze me... if you have an A or a B, you're almost guaranteed a window or an aisle, whichever you want. Does it matter that much which one?

I was boarding a SWA flight. I was in the group B. As I get onboard the plane, in uniform, some fool sitting in a middle seat in row 3, asks me (I'm in uniform, so I know all), "is it going to be a full flight?". I said, "I am the last one, and the back end is empty, so I would have to say NO".

I went to the back of the plane and had the last 5 rows to myself, meanwhile that guy is wedged between two people up front......oh, but he does get off the plane 1 minute before me.

 

[MK82Man]

Mega -- this has been happening at a couple of thier stations as a test this summer. Designed to reward the A travelers. As you read, expect it to go system-wide. You get a number a1-5, a6-10, a11-15, etc and so now there is no need to que. Everyone just stands by these poles. B and C group don't even stand up until after all the As are on board. No need to. Here is the rub. Families and Jumpseaters board after the A group (including SWA employees). Handicap and Wheelies still board before As. Always grateful for the ride and never take J/Sing for granted, but now you have J/Sers and Families after the first 40, and it really slows it down. As quick as I can, I try to get out of the way with my rollerboard as I'm asking the Capt for a ride. Families clog the door with strollers and car seats. SWA FAs hate it because now they get folks coming on board asking the first 40 to move so families can sit together (all while trying to do the SWA quick turn shuffle). I've had some real good luck with some gate agents who will still let you on in front of all the A pass holders, but I've also been told "no can't let you on early anymore." Just roll with whatever they tell you and as always grateful to SWA for every jumpseat. Big tip of my Hat to you guys.

 

[talondriver]

I took part in the new process in SAT. I like it

 

[Hose A. Jiminez]

Handicap and Wheelies still board before As..

Wheelies? You Politically Incorrect insensative son of a bitch you.

They prefer to be called "Rollers".

Get with it.

 

[SELFloadingCRGO]

Is this possibly the "big announcement" that was expected before the end of the year or whenever it was?

 

[Tejas-Jet]

The test program was in SAT this summer. From what I was told it was a rousing success.

No more standing in line for 30 minutes before the airplane arrives. Thats because your spot in line is already reserved.

In addition, there will now only be room for one line during the boarding process. And you will line up according to the number on your boarding pass.

The local agents told me that Customers boarding in SAT this past summer absolutely LUV'ed the new boarding process. Felt it was more relaxed....but it didn't add anymore to the aircraft turn time....thats good....

 

[HalinTexas]

Guess this means SWA won't be going international any time soon.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but passenger manifests with their assigned seats are required, dontcha know. ICAO and homeland security, etc.

 

[Stifler's Mom]

More importantly, what do the people in LBB think of this?

 

[Tejas-Jet]

More importantly, what do the people in LBB think of this?

Funny you should ask...because the people in LBB, AMA, MAF and many other Customers were asked for their opinions on this. In addition, SWA also talked to the Customers of other airlines during their information gathering survey.

According to today's Dallas Morning News, SWA was considering assigned seating. They were surprised by the results. They found that many Customers were either in favor of keeping the open seating or just neutral on the subject.

Among those who were in favor of assigned seating, there was "no compelling evidence that offering it would move the needle" in terms of persuading more filers to choose SWA.

An assigned seat was just "not high on the list of things they consider when choosing an airline."

 

[temcgrew]

I just read on our daily union update that SWA will have letters and numbers for boarding. Do you all think that will stop the knuckleheads from getting in line 50 minutes before boarding?

Seriously though, how do you all think that will work out?

commuting last night with 40 pax and 15 people camped out, laying down etc in front of the A cattle gate. I didn't even ask to pre-board

 

[flyboycpa]

People can be amazing. All the seats go to the same place and arrive relatively at the same time!

 

[capt. megadeth]

More importantly, what do the people in LBB think of this?

No no no.....more importantly, what does GENERAL LEE think of this.

 

[capt. megadeth]

commuting last night with 40 pax and 15 people camped out, laying down etc in front of the A cattle gate. I didn't even ask to pre-board

More proof that people check their brains in with their luggage and become complete bafoons in the terminal.

 

[GuppyWN]

I feel like the preacher every time I pull into the gate. It's funny to see everybody rise and line up.

It's going to be like Springer to watch the moms with stollers go postal not getting to preboard. Although I must admit they really slow down the operation.

Gup

 

[capt. megadeth]

I feel like the preacher every time I pull into the gate. It's funny to see everybody rise and line up.


Gup

LOL! That's funny.

 

[737tanker]

Here is the rub. Families and Jumpseaters board after the A group (including SWA employees). Handicap and Wheelies still board before As.

Jumpseaters still pre-board, as do FFDOs and SWA employees who are deadheading (in or out of uniform). However some gate agents don't think you are a Jumpseater if you are given a boarding card to ride in the back.

 

[CesnaCaptn]

Jumpseaters still pre-board, as do FFDOs and SWA employees who are deadheading (in or out of uniform). However some gate agents don't think you are a Jumpseater if you are given a boarding card to ride in the back.

I always thought that jumpseat riders got to pre-board as a personal courtesy from the ops agent. LAX is adamant that jumpseaters board with their group if given a boarding pass.

 

[Aubie]

The general isn't here to make his usual comment about LBB overnights and 5-leg days because he is enjoying his sweet overnight in Bucharest.

 

[AV80R]

I always thought that jumpseat riders got to pre-board as a personal courtesy from the ops agent. LAX is adamant that jumpseaters board with their group if given a boarding pass.

I've been told that jumpseater may pre-board only if they are riding upfront. If given a boarding pass we are supposed to board with the rest of the flock but many gate agents will let us pre-board anyway.

 

[RedDogC130]

We have a new RFB that states that jumpseaters and DHers will preboard. I am keeping a copy in my bag so when the ops person says no then I whip it out (sts)

 

[Geronimo4497]

I think the concept is great and hope it reduces the riff raff effect.

Question, however: what happens if there are a whole bunch of stop over or carry through pax (or whatever the term is)?

Exp: Full flight from PBI - BWI (flight continues to MHT). 100 folks deplane in BWI, but 37 are continuing onto MHT. The terminal has another 100 folks waiting to get on the BWI - MHT flight. Now, if they board the A group, how the heck are families going to be able to sit together?

 

[AV80R]

We have a new RFB that states that jumpseaters and DHers will preboard. I am keeping a copy in my bag so when the ops person says no then I whip it out (sts)

Awesome, thanks. I don't mind boarding with the rest of the passengers but always feel like I am "stopping the train" when I leave my bags outside the aircraft before I introduce myself to the crew and get the captain's permission to catch a ride. When I pre-board I feel like the traffic flows better which I think benefits the passengers but especially the crew. Thanks for the many rides.

 

[whaleroast]

How much extra does it cost Southwest to assign seats?

 

[ivauir]

How much extra does it cost Southwest to assign seats?

You are asking the wrong question: how much TIME would it take to assign seats? I don't know, but apparently too much.

 

[Bake]

Here is my prediction__(like you care).

The lady that was selling our A boarding passes over the internet got shut down by a federal judge a couple of weeks ago. I bet SWA starts selling the first 20 or so A boarding passes for $10. This will start in NOV when our new boarding proc. goes system wide. Now with approx 3300 flights/day multiply that times $200 of added income and multiply that by 365 days and you get approximately 241 million more dollars per year. Its gonna happen people.

BAke

 

[SWA/FO]

in front of the A cattle gate

SWEET! I love it.

 

[NuGuy]

Better get rid of all those pesky seats, so there will be more room for the new lines of people sitting on the filthy floor....

Speaking of which...name that airport:

Overwieght, tatooed, sunburn, hungover trailer trash, dressed in short shorts, tank tops, with no shoes sleeping on the terminal floor while their kids torment each other at 125 dB.

There can be only one place...

MCO

What a pit....I want to double bag my shoes before I even set foot in that place...yuk.

Nu

 

[landlover]

Speaking of which...name that airport:

Overwieght, tatooed, sunburn, hungover trailer trash, dressed in short shorts, tank tops, with no shoes sleeping on the terminal floor while their kids torment each other at 125 dB.

There can be only one place...

MCO

What a pit....I want to double bag my shoes before I even set foot in that place...yuk.

Nu

i see this stuff at all swa gates in all cities