This is an interesting discussion.  I wonder how many people saw the episode of Mythbusters during one of the final two seasons that tried all the different boarding styles.  They tried several methods with assigned seats (back to front, windows then middles then aisles, free for all).  Each of the traditional carriers uses some form of these in the form of "group 1 board now", etc.  They just have the computer move people to the right group to make it back to front or whichever way they want it.  They also tried the "cattle call" as some have deemed it.  The amazing thing was that the boarding time saved on the method most like the SWA method was actually statistically significant.  That's important because saving 1 minute in a 25 minute process may just be noise in the process, but in this case they showed it was statistically significant.   There is a catch, however.  When interviewing the test subjects after the trials, they found that the "cattle call" was the "least satisfying" method to the passengers.  And this was also by a statistically significant amount.   Bottom line, if you have status on an airline you will get a better seat and usually not have to pay extra for it.  But if you are a recreational traveller, you will have to pay extra to get a better seat (or possibly be a credit card holder, or something else).   Best thing I can say is get out that old yellow legal pad (just like Ted Mosby on HIMYM) and do the pros and cons.  If you like the boarding process put it in the pro side for that airline and if not it goes in the con.  If you like paying for checked luggage, put that in the pro side (lol).   Above all, don't say "I will never fly this airline again because they lost my luggage once in 2003".  You will eventually need one of those airlines again someday.  SWA broke one of my skis (luckily on the way home) one time.  (I liked my skis, they should have broken my putter, that thing never works when I need it, but I digress).  We made an amicable settlement and moved on with our lives.  SWA has the most customer focused people in the airline business that I have come across.  The traditional carriers are just not anywhere near that level.  Alaska tries pretty hard, but still is a step or two behind SWA (several above UA, DAL, AA).   I have done extensive time and high level frequent flier miles on SWA, then Alaska, then Delta, now back to SWA over 15 years of constant travel.  It all depends on where and how you travel.  I LUV SWA, but when I had a job that made me fly to small towns in the middle of nowhere and international (before SWA went INTL) I went with Delta.  Now I am back and just don't see the need to change again.  Give an airline a couple chances before you give up on them.  Learn a little about their system and what makes them tick.  If it doesn't match your style and needs, then it doesn't and we move on down the road (sky).  GM vs Ford, Mercedes vs BMW, UPS vs Fedex, Amazon vs Mall.     Anyway, now that I have had my say, I am beginning to wonder if that whole putter thing is "operator error"?  No, that can't be it.   LUV -- HGM     ... View more

Remember you can always buy Early Bird for the reservation that doesn't have a-list.  It really isn't that much if you got the flight on points or companion pass already.  The only thing is that Early Bird is non-refundable, so if there is any chance you're going to cancel / change the booking, maybe wait until later to buy the EB.  Of course it appears that EB are in a first come - first serve basis by my experience, so you can end up with a very high A or even a low B even on an EB that you buy just a couple days before the flight rather than 3 months earlier when you bought the tickets.   Also, if A-List or A-List Preferred applies to the reservation, SWA's reservation system won't even offer you EB purchase, so you'll know you're good at that point.   Luv -- hgm ... View more