Pax poll on what is most important when flying

[canyonblue]

Vote in the Poll:


http://www.forbes.com/business/2005/01/04/cx_js_jw_0104polldujour.html?partner=yahoo&referrer=

 

[On Your Six]

How about seat assignments? How difficult would it be for SWA to change its policy? AirTran does it. JetBlue does it. Personally, I hate the cattle-car rushing routine to find an adequate seat - especially on transcon flights that SWA offers now....

 

[HalinTexas]

Leg room!

 

[canyonblue]

How about seat assignments?

From talking to passengers while commuting and deadheading, this is not a big issue. Even the businessmen tell me they like it better since you can now print an "A" boarding pass at home. There are some benefits to assigned seats, however as some of the biz travelers have told me, when you choose a seat online you don't know who may be sitting near you, ie:crying babies etc. They get their "A" pass show up whenever, and sit spread out around the cabin. (a 68%-74% load factor helps) Booking online with assigned seats still will not guarantee you a window or an aisle, but with the ability to choose your own seat I notice a lot of boy-girl-boy or girl-boy-girl, whatever suits ya.

 

[Rhino]

c ticket is best

Sure, the "A" ticket stub gets you onto the plane first. But, as the remaining 2/3rds of the people are herded onto the jet, you have zero control of who sits next to you. Babies or otherwise.

Now, if you are the holder of the much-maligned "C" ticket stub, the power of choice remains in your hands. You are free to pick and choose from the remaining empty 1/3 of the seats. Yes, many are towards the back, but there are also plenty of chances to sit next to someone "interesting" or away from younger, fussier and perhaps small crying passengers.

I'm not a fan of the cattle-herd either. That's why I'll pay a few dollars more for a seat and something to eat besides a tiny bag of salted legumes.

 

[furloughed dude]

I have to agree that assigned seats are important to me. I don't pay to fly too often these days, but avoid SWA primarily for this reason. I jumpseat often on them (and, by the way, you guys are always very nice) and see middle seats open and passengers on either side avoiding eye contact to the max extent. I guess you guys are doing very well though so it must not be a big deal to most passengers.

 

[canyonblue]

so it must not be a big deal to most passengers.

In 2004 74,719,340 passengers can't be wrong!

 

[AFcitrus]

Or maybe 80% of those 74 million passengers live near airports not served by a low cost company who gives seat assignments - just a thought. Most people won't drive 3 hours and pay the same ticket price, just to get a reserved seat. However, when their cities start being served by "seat assignment" airlines with the same prices and employee attitudes- which they will, then we'll see how much those 74 million people mind the "cattle-car"


Have a nice day.

 

[N1kawotg]

Just a thought, but I heard awhile back,but later disregarded, that TSA was trying to get all airlines to go to non-assigned seats due to the fact 9-11 had those guys in the same seats and preplanned for them. One bonus for SWA is most people flying them know the open seating policy and don't wait til 10 min prior to show at the gate and demand a window seat. It seems to save time boarding and continuing the 25 min turns when everyone on your flight is already at the gate.

 

[GCD]

No selected answer for past safety record, which indicates that the public will willingly take a chance on a "turn and burn cheap fair airline", over a proven, safe airline.

Interesting.

 

[canyonblue]

Or maybe 80% of those 74 million passengers live near airports not served by a low cost company who gives seat assignments - just a thought. Most people won't drive 3 hours and pay the same ticket price, just to get a reserved seat. However, when their cities start being served by "seat assignment" airlines with the same prices and employee attitudes- which they will, then we'll see how much those 74 million people mind the "cattle-car"


Have a nice day.

Yea, since we currently fly out of airports that are not currently served by other "seat assignment" airlines. Seems to me that it would be easier for us to start assigning seats, then it would for other guys to have a product that sells. Start flying 74 million then come back and mouth off. Until then, thanks for your concern.

 

[capt. megadeth]

No selected answer for past safety record, which indicates that the public will willingly take a chance on a "turn and burn cheap fair airline", over a proven, safe airline.

Interesting.

Yup...and they will be the first to sue at any indication that safety is an issue.

 

[PHXFLYR]

The only thing missing in the whole Southwest boarding process is the cattle prod.....


PHXFLYR

 

[NEDude]

I have a relatively large family, and I love flying SWA when we are together because of the unassigned seats. Do you know how hard it is to get six seats together with assigned seats? We usually end up having to either switch around with other passengers (a pain), or end up having one of our kids sitting alone near the front, with two others somewhere in the middle. With SWA, we pre-board and go right for the back and get six seats all together, couldn't be more simple.

As for the cattle car thing, IMHO it is blown way out of proportion. All airplanes are cattle cars these days, even the legacy carriers (in coach). At SWA people stand in line a bit longer, but when the boarding starts, it all looks the same. Have you ever seen what happens when the announce that boarding will begin shortly? Everyone in the boarding area gets up and heads for the line. You end up having to fight your way through a mass of people blocking the doorway while waiting for their turn to board. Not much better than what you deal with on SWA, other than it takes longer. And why should SWA fix what ain't broke?

 

[SWAInflt]

Not a bad idea

The only thing missing in the whole Southwest boarding process is the cattle prod.....


PHXFLYR

That's not a bad idea....Gary Kelly is unhappy with our turn times...a little "moooo...tivation" might just be the answer.

 

[crashpad]

C'mon people! We're one step away from paying customers to fly on our airlines.
It's time the carriers start doing two very simple things:
1) Charge a lot more.
2) Provide customer care comensurate with that charge.

 

[canyonblue]

Have you ever seen what happens when the announce that boarding will begin shortly? Everyone in the boarding area gets up and heads for the line. You end up having to fight your way through a mass of people blocking the doorway while waiting for their turn to board. Not much better than what you deal with on SWA, other than it takes longer. And why should SWA fix what ain't broke?

I believe we are the only Major airline left that boards Families traveling with children first. Most of the others only pre-board Platinum, Gold & Crystal Elite passengers then all of you pee-ons next.

Last time I commuted offline on a Legacy carrier the boarding was more of a goat rope than Southwest's is. "now boarding rows 12-30" and everybody jostled for position and it was impossible to figure out where the line was. At least at SW the people are in A-B-C lines. You may think it's a cattle call, but it's better than the mosh pit.

 

[capt. megadeth]

You may think it's a cattle call, but it's better than the mosh pit.

I would prefer to be in a mosh pit dude! Ha ha

 

[minitour]

I like seat assignments. Not that I've avoided SWA because of it, but I do prefer it.

I'm a window person...enjoy the window seat, the view (when we're not stuck at 220 in IMC the whole time), and usually the people that I get next to.

As much as cost is a factor to me, I'm willing to pay a little more to get a little better service, depending on what that is.

I frequent AirTran to visit relatives in the Orlando area and it's always nice...no complaints...and I've almost got a free one way business class ticket coming my way!

-mini

 

[SWA GUY]

It's gonna suck if you buy an assigned seat ticket and have to sit next to a passenger that is crying/hacking/snoring/drooling or worse and can't move seats.

I'd rather have the option, but that's just me.

 

[AFcitrus]

Touchy, Touchy

Hey Canyon,

Are we a bit sensitive today? Usually a remark like yours on this board is met with a comment about insecurity. I'll save my opinions. But as for the facts, there are millions of passengers just like "furloughed dude" who will jump the SW ship in a heartbeat if an airline with comparitive prices and a quality experience enters that market. Don't ask me, check with your own airline. Thank goodness for SW's sake that you are not in any kind of corporate decision making position.

And if you don't think SW is afraid of any competition, which has been mentioned several times on this board, then why did they pay 87 million dollars for six gates that they don't need just to keep a rival (seat assignment) airline from gaining a presence at that airport.

How's that for "mouthing off" you arrogant a**

Oh, and have a nice day.

 

[TexaSWA]

...if an airline with comparitive prices and a quality experience enters that market... QUOTE]

if my aunt had balls she'd be my uncle.

 

[TexaSWA]

#*!@$

 

[gunfyter]

YGBSM! You complain about SWA seating but when I fly legacy carriers half the time I am on RJs for way too long of a flight. Talk about Discomfort.

 

[Sy-bill]

Hey Canyon,

Are we a bit sensitive today? Usually a remark like yours on this board is met with a comment about insecurity. I'll save my opinions. But as for the facts, there are millions of passengers just like "furloughed dude" who will jump the SW ship in a heartbeat if an airline with comparitive prices and a quality experience enters that market. Don't ask me, check with your own airline. Thank goodness for SW's sake that you are not in any kind of corporate decision making position.

And if you don't think SW is afraid of any competition, which has been mentioned several times on this board, then why did they pay 87 million dollars for six gates that they don't need just to keep a rival (seat assignment) airline from gaining a presence at that airport.

How's that for "mouthing off" you arrogant a**

Oh, and have a nice day.

Talk about an ass.

 

[freddriver]

I appreciate your view on getting the large family all to sit together. That was one angle I had not considered. However, later in your post you described what I call the "Southwest mentality" i.e. as soon as the CSR grabs the hand mike, the passengers all rise from their seat to push in so they can be "ahead of the other guy". Unfortunately, this attitude is infectionus and I see it all over the place now: shopping malls, movie theaters, etc. Not the Southwest began this undignified tradition, but their seating policy propogates it. I even see it in the legacy carriers passenger areas. The good thing, though, is that I see the legacy CSRs being very blunt with those passengers who cannot figure out it's not their time to board yet. I just wish one CSR would announce "you're not flying Southwest today, so please refere to your boarding pass for your boarding group and seat assignment."

 

[canyonblue]

I appreciate your view on getting the large family all to sit together. That was one angle I had not considered. However, later in your post you described what I call the "Southwest mentality" i.e. as soon as the CSR grabs the hand mike, the passengers all rise from their seat to push in so they can be "ahead of the other guy". Unfortunately, this attitude is infectionus and I see it all over the place now: shopping malls, movie theaters, etc. Not the Southwest began this undignified tradition, but their seating policy . I even see it in the legacy carriers passenger areas. The good thing, though, is that I see the legacy CSRs being very blunt with those passengers who cannot figure out it's not their time to board yet. I just wish one CSR would announce "you're not flying Southwest today, so please refere to your boarding pass for your boarding group and seat assignment."

Sorry kernel, that's not the boarding process. The gate area is more civil, with designated lines for groups, it's the other way that propagates it. If you read his post correctly you would see that he meant that the scramble for the gate and blocking the door was on the other carriers. I just can't keep explaining it, so come to town, take our passengers, and then your wonderful boarding experience can be enjoyed by all!!!

 

[freddriver]

My pax are not in such a hurry to board since their destination is not to a vacation. Note the picture. Crowding at the gate is not a problem at my present employer. BTW you should probably keep the "kernel" thing to yourself. An awful lot of SW folks have spent a number of years wearing the nations uniform.

 

[canyonblue]

Aye aye, Skipper!

 

[cactuspilot]

At swa the boarding process is the SAME at all airports, all flights, all gates, 365 days a year. People know exactly what to expect and when. People like to know whats going on.

Won't mention any names but at a one (major) I was involved with, EVERY flight was different. The term GOAT ROPE usually came to mind every time I had to dh.
Then about halfway through the goat rope "ding ding" can you please call the agent down to sort out these seat dupes.
Average delay about 10 min. " Pissing off America, 150 at a time"