3 ms·

Getting people to board in a certain order isn't particularly difficult. Southwest does it already, even if they only use it to... make sitting in a grounded pl

Getting people to board in a certain order isn't particularly difficult. Southwest does it already, even if they only use it to... make sitting in a grounded plane a perk of checking in early? I'm actually not sure why they do it.

londons_explore 3y ago
Thing is, you need people to board in a super precise order. Just two people swapped around in the line means someone can't get to their seat, delaying the whole boarding process.
- ajmurmann 3y ago
  That still would be much faster though than the current approach employed by most airlines which makes it more likely to create congestion in the aisle and minimizes how many people can load luggage and take their seat in parallel.
1-more 3y ago
To get overhead luggage space before it fills up, or does SW not allow for that?
- nradov 3y ago
  Southwest offers free checked bags so there is somewhat less demand for overhead bin space.
  - 1-more 3y ago
    Lots of airlines will gate check your bag for free if the overheads are full, but the overheads are still in high demand because they give you one less errand leaving the destination airport.
jcl 3y ago
I thought Southwest uses “open” seating, where passengers aren’t assigned a seat, but instead just take any unoccupied seat? If so, a perk of being earlier in the boarding order would be that you have a better chance of getting a seat you want, if you have any particular preferences.
- inetknght 3y ago
  > you have a better chance of getting a seat you want, if you have any particular preferences. also have a better chance of not having to risk getting separated from your carry-on baggage because the plane's already full
- egypturnash 3y ago
  Yes, they do, it's great. Being right at the very front of the line is a paid perk for singles, free for families with kids; being in the first main group after that is just a matter of checking in the night before. Usually I find I can get a seat I don't hate unless I am running so late that I am in the latter half of the 'B' group or anywhere in the 'C' group.
- User23 3y ago
  This is why every southwest flight has 20 boomers in wheelchairs at the front of the line for preboard. One time I was traveling with a blind girl who had a guide dog and the boomer patrol had occupied all the bulkhead space. They seemed to think she should sit with a German Shepherd in her lap. Needless to say I aggressively advocated and reminded the flight crew that FAA regulations entitle persons with guide dogs to a bulkhead seat. Let me tell you, we got some stink eyes from the displaced boomers who didn't want to have to walk an extra six feet to the potty.
  - londons_explore 3y ago
    > FAA regulations entitle persons with guide dogs to a bulkhead seat. Google didn't find those regulations for me.
    - 3y ago

londons_explore 3y ago

Thing is, you need people to board in a super precise order. Just two people swapped around in the line means someone can't get to their seat, delaying the whole boarding process.

ajmurmann 3y ago
That still would be much faster though than the current approach employed by most airlines which makes it more likely to create congestion in the aisle and minimizes how many people can load luggage and take their seat in parallel.

1-more 3y ago

To get overhead luggage space before it fills up, or does SW not allow for that?

nradov 3y ago
Southwest offers free checked bags so there is somewhat less demand for overhead bin space.
- 1-more 3y ago
  Lots of airlines will gate check your bag for free if the overheads are full, but the overheads are still in high demand because they give you one less errand leaving the destination airport.

jcl 3y ago

I thought Southwest uses “open” seating, where passengers aren’t assigned a seat, but instead just take any unoccupied seat? If so, a perk of being earlier in the boarding order would be that you have a better chance of getting a seat you want, if you have any particular preferences.

inetknght 3y ago
> you have a better chance of getting a seat you want, if you have any particular preferences. also have a better chance of not having to risk getting separated from your carry-on baggage because the plane's already full
egypturnash 3y ago
Yes, they do, it's great. Being right at the very front of the line is a paid perk for singles, free for families with kids; being in the first main group after that is just a matter of checking in the night before. Usually I find I can get a seat I don't hate unless I am running so late that I am in the latter half of the 'B' group or anywhere in the 'C' group.
User23 3y ago
This is why every southwest flight has 20 boomers in wheelchairs at the front of the line for preboard. One time I was traveling with a blind girl who had a guide dog and the boomer patrol had occupied all the bulkhead space. They seemed to think she should sit with a German Shepherd in her lap. Needless to say I aggressively advocated and reminded the flight crew that FAA regulations entitle persons with guide dogs to a bulkhead seat. Let me tell you, we got some stink eyes from the displaced boomers who didn't want to have to walk an extra six feet to the potty.
- londons_explore 3y ago
  > FAA regulations entitle persons with guide dogs to a bulkhead seat. Google didn't find those regulations for me.
  - 3y ago