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Why must we pay for Business select when pre-boarding almost takes longer than actual boarding. What are the requirements for pre-boarding these days??? I find it hard to believe that I paid for business boarding with position A3 boarding and over half the business boarding seats were taken up when I got to board. I would like to request a refund for the extra I paid for business boarding. I know a refund won’t happen, but if just anyone can walk up and request to pre-board... and take up pre-boarding seats...then I’ll remember that next week on my next business trip. Very frustrating. I understand and sympathize with disabilities, but don’t sell business seats to people that will pay for them... while charging other people a lesser fee for the same seat just because they claim a fear of flying/anxiety/ or a disability.
Solved! Go to Solution.
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Pre-boarding is an issue. I witnessed on a flight over this past weekend where an elderly woman in a wheelchair was rightfully pre-boarded - along with her 15 healthy travelling companions/family members. That's a bit absurd.
I think the real issue is that 99% of us understand SW's unique boarding mechanism and follow the rules that allow us to have a civilized society. Then there are those who have no moral compass and have no problem whatsoever finding ways to abuse the system ....
Home Airport BWI
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It is absurd I can see one person to help but not all those people
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Southwest better listen. Many of your loyal A list & A list preferred have spoken up on this subject. How is it that all you require is someone to say “l need assistance, or have anxiety, or I’m too cheap to pay extra but my spoiled children have to sit with me”? And POOF you’re eligible for preboaard. The next time as an A List preferred member I board a flight with a position < 20 and have to go to the back of the plane just to find enough overhead space for my carry on that is well within the requirements will be my last. You aren’t the only game in town and your not the cheapest. My loyalty is deteriorating quickly.
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@Iwrk2ski Question...what do you think would be a good solution to this “issue”?
SWA Passenger, Community Champion
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there are fair solutions.
1) if you preboard you get off last. That will create a deterent for the abuse
2) If the disability is not obvious, require the the preboarder to have documentation from a health care provider. That's what they do to deter everyone saying their pet is an emotional support animal. It works.
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One more thing...I really didn't care,I was just curious about the policies when I called customer relations. Now I am actively speaking up because of the attitude of the customer "relations" specialist I spoke to. "Great" job southwest and a big thanks to you, NANA. You really know what customer service is all about.
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@wasacustomer wrote:I was just curious about the policies when I called customer relations
Hi there, I'm another Southwest customer and in no way a legal expert, but here are the linked references I see with regard to Southwest policy and/or FAA guidance:
- Southwest "Boarding the Plane" page. Click to open the section titled "Do passengers with disabilities get to preboard?"
- The Southwest Contract of Carriage in .pdf format
- FAA page "Additional Guidance: Preboarding of Air Travelers With Disabilities" and the linked .pdf document "ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE ON THE APPLICATION OF PREBOARDING REQUIREMENTS FOR AIR TRAVELERS WITH DISABILITI..."
Here is text of the first paragraph of the Southwest "Do passengers with disabilities get to preboard?" section:
"Preboarding is available for Customers who have a specific seating need to accommodate their disability and/or need assistance in boarding the aircraft or stowing an assistive device. If a Customer with a disability simply needs a little extra time to board, we will permit the Customer to board before Family Boarding, between the “A” and “B” groups. Those Customers who need extra time to board will receive a new boarding pass with an extra time designation. The designation serves as notification to our Operations (boarding) Agent that the Customer should be permitted to board before Family Boarding."
Customer | Home airport DCA
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I appreciate the links to the information. Funny, when I asked the customer relations rep on the phone she couldnt/wouldnt provide this information.
Also per the customer relations rep there are three questions and an answer of yes to any of these gets you preboarded
do you have a disability
do you need assistance boarding
do you need extra time.
obviously southwest is not adhering to their own stated policies!
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@wasacustomer wrote:there are fair solutions.
1) if you preboard you get off last. That will create a deterent for the abuse
2) If the disability is not obvious, require the the preboarder to have documentation from a health care provider. That's what they do to deter everyone saying their pet is an emotional support animal. It works.
1. And people who "cheat" the system to preboard will suddenly decide to follow the rules and deplane last?
2. Not legal.
--TheMiddleSeat