Do you do anything about line cutting?

[PF52]

Maybe different on SW Airlines today...

Yes, it's very different today. You're describing the days before online check-in became available, when passengers had to line up hours in advance at the desk at each gate to get the plastic boarding passes. I've gotten really low numbered boarding passes like 3 or 5 but they required getting there something like four hours before my flight.

I much MUCH prefer the system that they have now.

 

[opus1]

Not sure of SouthWest Airline rules today, but some time ago I had a flight booked with them and they didn't provide seat assignments. First come, first served but didn't know this! I was early (first at the gate) assuming I would get a seat, waiting for the desk at the gate to be staffed to obtain a seat assignment. No one came but noticed people lining up early so became concerned. Eventually the desk was staffed so I cut in to the front to get my seat assignment. You can imagine the outcry. Told everyone within ear shot I had been there since the previous flight disembarked. Fortunately, they believed me and I was able to go to the front and board the aircraft. Left a very bad taste. Will never book a Southwest Airlines flight again, although no other issues and the crew announcements were entertaining.

Maybe different on SW Airlines today, but as accepted rules and common courtesies seem to have gone out the window, for whatever activity I engage in, I will purchase a ticket and solidify the seat assignments BEFORE leaving the house. And yes, sadly I am aware of situations where even assigned seats are fought over causing much distress to both cabin crew and other travelers.

I think even they are finally capitulating and making seat assignments, but I have the same dislike as you. I flew them once (and that was two times too many...). I was in the "B" boarding group. They did the "if you need extra time to board due to children/disabilities/etc." announcement and among other things, I saw a family of 8 board early due to *1* child. 1 parent/guardian, of course; 2, maybe. But the whole family of 8 had to board with the kid??? By the time I got on board the plan was already pretty full.

In all fairness, though, this happens when people abuse the "extra time" call even with seat assignments. I was on a United flight once and was in the first group to board after the early boarders...I think they announced rows 30-35 to board, which was the back of the plane. I came on and saw a lot of people in the front part of the plane and said "dang, I didn't realize row 30 came up this far."

 

[PF52]

I think even they are finally capitulating and making seat assignments....

Coming in 2025 I think; they've been making hints about it on their website.

I'll miss the current system. As a single flyer, I like it, and I treat it like a game. A game I'm pretty good at.

 

[PF52]

Immediately my wife went to the other patron and the waiter and said, we will have to take that table as we have been waiting. Neither cared at all, nor did they object. So we took the table.

I remember my parents would get into big arguments; my mom would prefer to say nothing and let people cut in line and/or walk all over us, but my dad would bristle and speak up about the line cutters. This of course would embarrass my mom and then they'd spend the rest of the evening arguing. I think there were several restaurants they used to go to and then suddenly they wouldn't go there any more because my dad said or did something to embarrass my mom so she would self-ban them from those establishments!

 

[billt460]

I don't go to restaurants anymore, and I stopped going to "barbers" over 40 years ago. I call the girl who cuts my hair when I need it cut, and she'll usually take me within a day or 2. And I'm usually her first appointment. I have to say one of the things women do better than men is cut hair. And they don't need electric shears to do it.

The older I get, the more I try to avoid crowds. The last concert I went to was the Rolling Stones in 1972. We were so far back you would have needed the Hubble Space Telescope to recognise Jagger. It could have been anybody up there the sound was so bad.

And people today are far worse than they were then. Just look at how some were acting back when Covid hit. Or all of these airline crackpots being hauled off in cuffs. Today it's every man for himself. And if I'm going to get into a fight, it isn't going to be over an overpriced meal, or someone obsessing over "germs".

 

[97prizm]

Not sure of SouthWest Airline rules today, but some time ago I had a flight booked with them and they didn't provide seat assignments. First come, first served but didn't know this! I was early (first at the gate) assuming I would get a seat, waiting for the desk at the gate to be staffed to obtain a seat assignment. No one came but noticed people lining up early so became concerned. Eventually the desk was staffed so I cut in to the front to get my seat assignment. You can imagine the outcry. Told everyone within ear shot I had been there since the previous flight disembarked. Fortunately, they believed me and I was able to go to the front and board the aircraft. Left a very bad taste. Will never book a Southwest Airlines flight again, although no other issues and the crew announcements were entertaining.

Maybe different on SW Airlines today, but as accepted rules and common courtesies seem to have gone out the window, for whatever activity I engage in, I will purchase a ticket and solidify the seat assignments BEFORE leaving the house. And yes, sadly I am aware of situations where even assigned seats are fought over causing much distress to both cabin crew and other travelers.

This was one of the well known "issues" that I had with southwest. It was hurry up and login and get an early boarding ticket. Then it was hurry up and login exactly 24 hours to get the best "A" group. Then it was pay $10 for the previous etc. After all that then they let you sit wherever. Apparently starting next year thatvis going away.

 

[Leo99]

This was one of the well known "issues" that I had with southwest. It was hurry up and login and get an early boarding ticket. Then it was hurry up and login exactly 24 hours to get the best "A" group. Then it was pay $10 for the previous etc. After all that then they let you sit wherever. Apparently starting next year thatvis going away.

I pay the extra early bird fee so that I don't have to log in early and risk a bad number and preventing my wife and me from sitting together. But SWA has gotten so expensive that I don't fly them much anymore.

 

[97prizm]

I pay the extra early bird fee so that I don't have to log in early and risk a bad number and preventing my wife and me from sitting together. But SWA has gotten so expensive that I don't fly them much anymore.

Yeah they had a really great rate due to fuel hedging but that mostly dried up. Add in purchasing a ton of new 737 max aircraft to rotate old aircraft out of service.

 

[Dave Hess]

I pay the extra early bird fee so that I don't have to log in early and risk a bad number and preventing my wife and me from sitting together. But SWA has gotten so expensive that I don't fly them much anymore.

I fly American and never had a problem.

When I fly I don’t look to save a few bucks and have a terrible experience.

100% of the time it’s first class for the warm bowl of lightly salted mixed nuts.
I ask and get 3 bowls of these nuts.

 

[vavavroom]

"Where you going, buddy?"

 

[Leo99]

I fly American and never had a problem.

When I fly I don’t look to save a few bucks and have a terrible experience.

100% of the time it’s first class for the warm bowl of lightly salted mixed nuts.
I ask and get 3 bowls of these nuts.

I've had those nuts. I'm allergic to all except almonds. So, I pick out the almonds and ask for more. The hot towel is nice, too.