Southwest Airlines Community

guess is that if you call southwest and say you would like a refund, they will tell you that there is no policy on seat saving and tell you that you could have sat in that seat.  It's several years after your post and the same seat saving is still being done today.  At this point, I do not think it will ever change.  Southwest got their money and that is where they stopped caring.  ... View more

Although Mamadesiete's reply is 2 years after the initial post, thanks for sharing it.   Per the response by dfwskier of the TSA site info, and me half agreeing that the security questions failure is valid (I wasn't there), there is a general theme about the TSA 'agents'; Some of them should find a different line of work.   Some do not know the guidelines or apply those rules as they deem proper. They also exercise their duty with impunity.   And only sometimes does their playing god wrongly ever become known to the traveling public, ie the 'breast milk' or 'childs toy' or 'grope/fondle' events.   Minor case was peanut butter, never permitted, but some agents do not mention to the public that alternatives exist to throwing the item into the trash. And what might be OK with one scanner is voboten by another, with arguing never being sucessful. ... View more

Thank you for posting this information, it's a recurring discussion topic!   You are also always able to go the airport information page to see the most up to date embargo information.  This page also list additional information that is relevant for each airport Southwest serves: https://www.southwest.com/html/air/airport-information.html ... View more

"First, an addendum. The FAQ for lost items states to call lost and found."   Actually, the FAQ for lost items says "file a lost item report."   https://live.nettracer.aero/southwest-paxview/lostandfound/bagunchecked.do   If your checked baggage is missing you do this instead:   "   Please contact your local Southwest Baggage Service Office located in the airport baggage claim area or at the ticket counter to report your situation. For general baggage questions, please call 1-888-202-1024." ... View more

Any updates to these items that you can share?   --TheMiddleSeat ... View more

This is a follow up. The visa was not issued in May because the Embassay is very stern/strick on insurring Jamaicans will return to the island after their vacation visit. VERY. I sent DianeS a private message because I feared it was a typical hussel by a Jamaican to get money out of the tourist who is smitten and yields a false "my good friend" status. ... View more

A cardboard box is acceptable. As a community member, I guarantee it. (humor.) What I shall classify as non-standard luggage, something which does not have a handle, is probably OK unless it is an International flight in December. SW invokes their EMBARGO without advance notice every year. You will find several posts on this subject in these community pages; Search for them. A duffle bag is Okay also. A cooler, well, you don't want the lid opening. As for the box, max volume is via 21 inches on each side and I stongly urge you use a thick walled one least it split open. Happy to go into more detail if anyone wants to private message me on crush-strength or using lots of sealing/duct tape. ... View more

My experience: sandwhich in my carry-on along with a frozen ice pack, the reusable white bag which comes in a foam box containing drugs. After going through the TSA inspection (xray only), I thought the TSA slipped up. However, since it had not reverted to its unfrozen liquid (jell?) state (mostly), there had been no mistake which I believe I confirmed later on the TSA web site My belief is you will not have a problem. Since your box is only ten pounds, I'd suggest you carry it on for several reasons. ... View more

@jenniferg70 I replied to your question in your other post at https://www.southwestaircommunity.com/t5/General-Travel-Policies/Flight-funds/m-p/92376/highlight/true#M7803   --TheMiddleSeat ... View more

@slbrantley wrote: I know I am in the minority, but I have absolutely no use for the free drink coupons that come along with my A-list status.  I've never been a big drinker and while I appreciate other people finding them beneficial, it would be nice to be able to get anything other than alcohol with these coupons.  You used to offer vitamin water but that went away.  How about a snack box or a candy bar or absolutely anything else? Im in exactly the same situation.  Have offered NUMEROUS suggestions to Southwest on what they could do and they seem to ONLY want people to drink!   ... View more

I think the topic of a lost bag belongs in the General Travel Policies, at least more then here in the community section, but it is note worthy that there is no specialized lost-bags-and-problems grouping.   You wrote that you were told the bag would be on the next plane. What I did not read is if you followed the Conditions of Carriage where it requires a written claim form be obtained within 4 hours. Did you? I also wonder what airport was involved.   Some airports have no checking of bags being taken off the belt and going out the door by the non-owner. LA and Newark are two prime examples.   I do not know if the lost-bagage claims are checked against bags remaining on the belt unclaimed or if bags are scanned as they are being unloaded from the plane, but I think the latter is unlikely.   Unfortunately, 3 weeks is also the limit for any recourse (see C of C)   3 weeks is a lot of time and I can understand their response of not being able to validate something from a month prior. I would have been on the phone the next day requesting an update. ... View more

Unfortunate update of Dec 2017. Either on or just prior to the Nov 2017 prohibited baggage policy change, SW again risked causing undo stress to customers with prior bookings.   Their 'get ready to fly' email, sent 3 days prior to departure has one small line "review baggage policies" which links to the very important page saying:   Baggage embargo: A baggage embargo is in effect for Passengers traveling to Havana (HAV). For specific information about the embargo at each destination, visit our airport information page. During the holiday season, the combination of high load factors along with excess, oversized, and overweight checked baggage can exceed available baggage space on scheduled flights. This causes baggage to be left behind and sent on other flights. Due to the excessive number and size of checked items to Belize City (BZE), Montego Bay, (MBJ), Mexico City (MEX), Nassau (NAS), and San Jose, Costa Rica (SJO) a baggage embargo is being enacted from November 18, 2017 through January 8, 2018 for all Customers traveling to these locations. For specific information about the embargo at each destination, visit .... # # # This again casts doubt on their statement to me that booked passengers were notified in advance via email.   It would be in SW best interests if they leave this page intact all year so next year the customer will not have to learn the check-in agent has no power to override policy, as they stand there with the rubbermaid container of medical supplies, or worse if their transport to the airport has already left.   During September 2017 I did receive an email from SW customer support which basically said "we don't know IF or WHEN, so please stop asking us." A phone person seemed like she would do a follow up, but nothing came down. Unknown if any communication "went up the corporate ladder." . ... View more

The solution is to put both names on the ticket.  For example, if you son is named Joe Grant, and your nephew is name Francis Smith, then buy the ticket for Joe Francis Grant Smith.   If they check names, they just want to see the name on the ID match some of the names on the ticket.  If there are more names on the ticket, they will just ignore the extras.   If they ask you, just say, "he has a very long name, we keep it short on his ID." ... View more

Post script to the above. According to the verbal instructions given to the phone CS person I spoke to, a nylon bag with a zipper and a handle would solve the box embargo situation. No suck mention was made in the email I originally received. Why was that? ... View more