4 ms·

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 t

by 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.
  - User23 3y ago
    They don’t appear to be indexed well anymore. However here[1] is a fairly recent article mentioning the existence of the space rule. If I fly with a guide dog user again I’ll be sure to find the actual rule. [1] https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/airlines/ultimate-guide-to-service-dogs-on-planes/ https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/airlines/ultimate-guide-to...

by jcl 3y ago

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.
- User23 3y ago
  They don’t appear to be indexed well anymore. However here[1] is a fairly recent article mentioning the existence of the space rule. If I fly with a guide dog user again I’ll be sure to find the actual rule. [1] https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/airlines/ultimate-guide-to-service-dogs-on-planes/ https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/airlines/ultimate-guide-to...