ecloebl

Today, SWA announced a new boarding system using numbered boarding passes so that px would not have to wait in an endless line. They could sit at the gate until their small numbered group was called. Seating on the aircraft would still be "open". Families with children would no longer be pre-boards, but would board with the A group (if they had the appropriate numbered boarding pass) or just before the B group. What do SWA pilots think about that new system, or do you care?

328dude

Well it will certainy help with the long lines waiting to board which seemed to be the biggest complaint amoung customers.

sigtauenus

Comments below are not directed at original poster, but rather the px he mentions that apparently instigated the change in policy.

I liked the SWA old boarding system, don't understand the complaints. It was simple, cost effective, and it worked. If you have 149 people ticketed for a flight, it doesn't matter what number or letter or seat assignment you stamp on the ticket, its going to take the same time to board. Even if you are in Group 3 or C or seat 34B, you can hand your ticket at the gate, walk down the jetway and then still stand in line while the imbecile 15 people in front of you takes 5 minutes to stuff a carry-on that is bigger than the size restrictions into the overhead compartment. Standing in line is standing in line, it always sucks. I'm perfectly content to sit there at the gate seat and read my USA Today and finish my overpriced coffee and muffin, and get up when the line is done and walk right on the plane and see what's left over for me. Flown SWA a fair share, and never heard them announce that everybody had to stand up and get in line at the same time.

People who feel the need to stand up 10 minutes before boarding starts to establish their place in line or try to cut in line obviously have the inside scoop on what the best seat is so might as well let them have at it. As far as I'm concerned it really doesn't matter, seats in coach all suck equally. Sitting in coach for 3 hours is still better than driving for 30, so I can't really complain that much. And coach seats are more comfortable than ejections seats, so can't really complain there, either.

kalyx522

that was actually the only reason I hated flying SWA as a passenger. I mean I hated that boarding system so much I never took SWA unless it was the only option. Sigtau mentions that he doesn't care what seat he gets, but I believe most people (including me) aren't this way... who wants to be stuck in the middle seat between two fatties or the seat near to the lav? But with the old boarding system, if you want to be able to have a choice, you would have to start standing in line like 30 min prior to boarding, because that's what everyone else does. I just hate being put in that situation for a chance at a decent seat. With everyone rushing in the small area 30 min prior to boarding, it couldnt feel more like a cattle call. I understand it's much more cost effective for the airline, but from the customer's standpoint, it's like having an appointment in advance versus just showing up in the waiting room.

Freightpuppy

If you overflow over the armrest, you should be required to buy two seats, IMO.

Mink

Agree 1000%. But do you ever see it happen (somebody buying 2 seats for their enormous ASS, that is)? Nope....

kalyx522

I saw on "Airline" once the SWA agents making this very large person buy two tix.. she cried and screamed about how humiliating it was and made a disgusting scene. but yeah, normally it doesnt seem like any airlines do that because I regularly sit next to fat guys spilling onto me. I wouldn't complain about it at all because I'm just getting a free ride, but I would be ****ed if I was a pax paying for that kind of seat.. which is why that old boarding system sucked!

av8r4aa

I think that SWA should either use bull nose rings or
ear tags to help the process.

It works really well on the feed lots!

1Seat 1Engine

It's really not a new seating system, it's just a new system for lining up at the gate before you get on the airplane.

captjns

Its not a new inovative scheme... Its been done with low cost carriers all over the world with no problems. The key is to check in early so you can get a low number so you can get that emergency row seat without a seat in front of you.

As far as rotund people who take up a seat and a half... they should be required to pay for and occupy two seats.