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pre board

jan8776
Explorer A

Totally unfair.  I have never seen such abuse of a policy.  I get sick of paying for A 1-15 and ending up watching 15 people on cheap tickets board before me.  If they need extra time to board, then they should be required to exit last...so they have that extra time they need.

3 REPLIES 3

Re: pre board

SWDigits
Aviator A

For reference here is the link to the Southwest policy, click on the section titled, "Do passengers with disabilities get to preboard?"

 

https://www.southwest.com/html/generated/help/faqs/boarding_the_plane_faq.html


Customer | Home airport DCA

Re: pre board

ffflyer
Frequent Flyer B

https://www.southwest.com/html/generated/help/faqs/boarding_the_plane_faq.html 

"Do passengers with disabilities get to preboard?

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.

We will allow one travel companion to act as an “attendant” and preboard with a Customer with a disability. In most cases, the Customer requires assistance from only one other person, and any additional family members or friends are asked to board with their assigned group.

Customers should request preboarding from our Customer Service Agent at the ticket counter or departure gate. Our Agents are trained to ask fact-finding questions to determine if the Customer meets the qualifications described above. Those Customers who qualify for preboarding will receive a new boarding pass with a preboarding designation. The designation serves as notification to our Operations (Boarding) Agent that the Customer should be permitted to preboard.

It's important to keep in mind that Customers who preboard may not occupy an exit seat.

Note: Customers who are preboarding because of a need for a specific seat onboard the aircraft should speak with the Operations (Boarding) Agent prior to the start of preboarding to alert the Agent to the seating need."

 

Is this new? This certainly wasn't how it was done last time I flew SWA (October 2019).

 

Will this be enforced?

 

Re: pre board

jan8776
Explorer A

While I appreciate your response it really doesn't solve the problem of so many people taking advantage of pre board as a way to get a great seat.  I would love if they boarded "with extra time" between A boarding and B boarding like families do.  This would at least make it fair for those who paid more for their upgrades or for Business Select