Change in preboarding procedure coming Oct 2

[mga707]

Received this info today from a source 'in the know'--should be announced on southwest.com and via press release this week:
Starting October 2, family groups with children under 5 will no longer be granted preboarding privileges. Those with group 'A' boarding passes can board with that group, while those with 'B' or 'C' passes will be given the opportunity to board after the A group but before the B group.
Preboarding begore the 'A' group will be limited to those needing assistance to board or extra time, as well as unaccompanied minors.
This change has been undergoing testing at SAT and will be adopted systemwide as of 10/02.

 

[Travels2mch]

Received this info today from a source 'in the know'--should be announced on southwest.com and via press release this week:
Starting October 2, family groups with children under 5 will no longer be granted preboarding privileges. Those with group 'A' boarding passes can board with that group, while those with 'B' or 'C' passes will be given the opportunity to board after the A group but before the B group.
Preboarding begore the 'A' group will be limited to those needing assistance to board or extra time, as well as unaccompanied minors.
This change has been undergoing testing at SAT and will be adopted systemwide as of 10/02.

Any word on if they will be going with assigned seating?

 

[jimntx]

FWIW, supposedly we did a study at AA some time ago regarding preboarding procedures, and it was found that preboarding families with children actually slowed the overall boarding process rather than speeding up the process. We do still preboard wheelchair passengers and others, such as blind/deaf/unaccompanied minors, that require special briefing.

Of course, I'm still amazed at how quickly SWA boards a flight. I commute from DAL to STL on SWA a good deal. I can't figure out what the secret is, but SWA passengers seem to get on the plane and sit down. Ours want to stand in the aisles and visit, or dither about who gets the window seat--regardless of how many people are stuck in the aisle behind them or how many PAs are done asking them to take their seats.

 

[KCFlyer]

Received this info today from a source 'in the know'--should be announced on southwest.com and via press release this week:
Starting October 2, family groups with children under 5 will no longer be granted preboarding privileges. Those with group 'A' boarding passes can board with that group, while those with 'B' or 'C' passes will be given the opportunity to board after the A group but before the B group.
Preboarding begore the 'A' group will be limited to those needing assistance to board or extra time, as well as unaccompanied minors.
This change has been undergoing testing at SAT and will be adopted systemwide as of 10/02.

If they actually do this, it should make flying out of MCO a little better experience. Seems like half the plane preboarded out of MCO.

 

[mga707]

Any word on if they will be going with assigned seating?

No, no change on that as yet. The rumors I've heard/read on that say that WN is considering subdividing the 'A' group into three groups of 15: A1, A2, A3, or something similar. One obvious advantage of this would be that if one checks in 24 hours ahead and gets in the A1 subgroup, one would not have to physically stake out a place at the front of the A chute in order to snag that prime exit row seat (or whatever other seat one prefers) as the 'A1s' will be called before the A2s or A3s. 14 other people is a lot less than 44 others...

 

[ngneer]

You Spoke and We Listened - Southwest Airlines Says Open Seating is Here to Stay!
Southwest Streamlines Its Boarding Without Assigning Seats
DALLAS, Sept. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Our Customers have spoken! Southwest Airlines embraces and celebrates its unique open seating heritage, announcing today that Customers will continue to choose their favorite seat while onboard the aircraft. The airline does plan to make changes to its boarding; however, saying goodbye to the perceived "cattle call" and eliminating the need for Customers to "camp-out" in their boarding line at the gate. The boarding transformation will enhance Customers' Southwest experience, while maintaining the carrier's core values and Maverick character.

"Our open seating has served us exceptionally well throughout our 36-year history, and, after much research, deliberation, careful evaluation, and significant feedback from our Employees and Customers, we've decided that it is here to stay," said Gary Kelly, Southwest Airlines' Chief Executive Officer. "When we began our extensive exploration into the way our Customers board the aircraft, we set out to accomplish two things: improve the Customer Experience and increase Customer productivity. The new boarding delivers on both accounts and complements our legendary open seating."

Beginning in early November, Customers will be assigned a letter and a number on their Southwest boarding pass when they check in for a flight (for example: A32). This unique combination represents the Customers' reserved spot in their boarding group-boarding positions are separated into groups of five. When a Customer's boarding group is called, they simply find their designated place in line to board the aircraft. The A group will queue first in two lines: A1-30 on one side of marked columns and A31-60 on the other side, followed by two groups of B, and then the remaining Cs. Click here to a view video of the new process: (http://www.swamedia.com/swamedia/media_home.html ). Visit the following link to view Southwest CEO Gary Kelly's blog post: (http://www.blogsouthwest.com/ ).

"After testing assigned seats in San Diego last summer, we quickly learned that the majority of our Customers did not want us to abandon our open seating but they did challenge us to enhance the way we board our aircraft." Kelly said. "Through innovative thinking and a lot of long hours, I am confident that our Employees have successfully built a solution that answers our Customers' direct request, while protecting and even improving our aircraft efficiency. All the while, I am proud to say, preserving our out of the box thinking that makes us different."

The airline began experimenting with several boarding processes last year at San Diego International Airport. Based on encouraging results, a new boarding option emerged using frontline Southwest Employees and Customer feedback. Next, Southwest began constructing technology for a 2007 implementation in response to the initial San Diego results. In August 2007, the airline performed a "dress rehearsal" at San Antonio International Airport to confirm the carrier's preliminary findings and fine tune the process.

"Feedback from our San Antonio Customers and Employees has been overwhelmingly positive," Kelly said. "One of our primary goals with the new boarding is to give Customers back what they value most -- time. All of our research proves that this new way to board does just that."

The carrier plans to introduce the new boarding at every airport it serves by early November 2007. Over time, Southwest also plans to modify its gates with columns and signage that reflects the new boarding groups.

Southwest Airlines announced a plan to enhance its product in late June 2007. Today's announcement is the first step in a laundry list of items the carrier will introduce over the next several months. The new style of boarding opens the door to future enhancements for the carrier, allowing for product customization and additional incentives for the business and leisure traveler.

 

[mga707]

Beginning in early November, Customers will be assigned a letter and a number on their Southwest boarding pass when they check in for a flight (for example: A32). This unique combination represents the Customers' reserved spot in their boarding group-boarding positions are separated into groups of five. When a Customer's boarding group is called, they simply find their designated place in line to board the aircraft. The A group will queue first in two lines: A1-30 on one side of marked columns and A31-60 on the other side, followed by two groups of B, and then the remaining Cs. Click here to a view video of the new process: (http://www.swamedia.com/swamedia/media_home.html ). Visit the following link to view Southwest CEO Gary Kelly's blog post: (http://www.blogsouthwest.com/ ).

Hey, I wasn't too far off!
Although I wonder why not just go to A-B-C-D-E? Same thing.
Personally, I like it, since normally I'm one of the first 30 to check in anyway.

 

[JS]

Isn't that what they used to do? Cards 1 to 30 were red as I recall.

 

[mga707]

Isn't that what they used to do? Cards 1 to 30 were red as I recall.

Yes, after watching the video on swamedia.com, it does have certain similarities to the old plastic boarding cards--with a higher-tech feel. The breakdowns into groups of five is a nice touch.
If you haven't checked out the video, shot at SAT during the recent test there, do so.

 

[ngneer]

Although I wonder why not just go to A-B-C-D-E? Same thing.

I don't think so. I think it means that A1 boards first, followed by A2, A3, A4 etc. This way, you have your place in the boarding queue assigned so there is no need to rush to the boarding chutes ASAP and stand around waiting. If you're A40, for instance, you can sit until your five-person subgroup is called to board.

 

[mga707]

I don't think so. I think it means that A1 boards first, followed by A2, A3, A4 etc. This way, you have your place in the boarding queue assigned so there is no need to rush to the boarding chutes ASAP and stand around waiting. If you're A40, for instance, you can sit until your five-person subgroup is called to board.

Yes, I am aware of the five-person subgroups. What I was referring to is the nomenclature of the larger groups: The WN news release and the video indicate five groups: A1-30; A31-60; B1-30; B31-60, and C. These five groups could just as easily be A-B-C-D-E.

 

[WNrforlife]

Received this info today from a source 'in the know'--should be announced on southwest.com and via press release this week:
Starting October 2, family groups with children under 5 will no longer be granted preboarding privileges. Those with group 'A' boarding passes can board with that group, while those with 'B' or 'C' passes will be given the opportunity to board after the A group but before the B group.
Preboarding begore the 'A' group will be limited to those needing assistance to board or extra time, as well as unaccompanied minors.
This change has been undergoing testing at SAT and will be adopted systemwide as of 10/02.

This is gonna be cool......


ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding

 

[orangeman]

Yes, I am aware of the five-person subgroups. What I was referring to is the nomenclature of the larger groups: The WN news release and the video indicate five groups: A1-30; A31-60; B1-30; B31-60, and C. These five groups could just as easily be A-B-C-D-E.

Perhaps because the dividers can only have #'s on them this way. They can be used for all letter groups. Only a few LCD screens as opposed to one on each divider stating which letter/side to be on. Example: A left, B right next, C left, D right etc. It just seems more simple. More cost effective to implement as well?

 

[avion]

hmmm also heard that the next plan for the business traveler coming up is that they will PAY for A hot pink boarding passes. WN has been always saying how the others nickel and dime the traveler.. talk about nickel and dime.. the other airlines stopped preboarding families with small children long ago especially out of MCO they only preboard passengers with handicapped and folks with infant children this new WN boarding will not stop cattle boarding and the fight onboard for a seat.. but then again when WN says something its always the right way.. no questions are ever asked. atleast folks who weigh 300 lbs dont fly WN anyway since WN does not accept those fat pigs and WN can get away with it unlike other airlines... the bottom line... unless you offer in advance specific seat assignments to the traveler those folks wont bring more biz to WN.. and WN management knows that..

 

[KCFlyer]

atleast folks who weigh 300 lbs dont fly WN anyway since WN does not accept those fat pigs and WN can get away with it unlike other airlines... the bottom line... unless you offer in advance specific seat assignments to the traveler those folks wont bring more biz to WN.. and WN management knows that..

The other airlines certainly CAN get away with it...they just choose not to. Instead, they wait until the plane has boarded, and they wait until another customer complains...and THEN they try to find another seat for either the complainer or the person of size. What is worse...telling someone face to face that they need to buy two seats, or escorting them off the plane in front of 100+ other passengers so that they can stand by for a less empty flight later?

As far as losing the business of familes who must have advanced seat assignments...most families are travelling at loss leader fares...y'all are welcome to them. I mean, you all are offering something over and above what SWA offers....why not market the hell out of this to familes...and charge accordingly????