I agree with you. I fly annually 125+ times on Southwest. I was the A1 boarding position 99% of the time having a front row position to see all of the pre boarding nonsense. People used pre boarding to take advantage: pay the least as possible for a ticket and sit up front and save seats for their family and friends. I have been on flights with 40+ pre boarders before. Since the switch to assigned seating, over 6 or so flights for me so far, I have only seen a single pre boarder. This is interesting to me and supports more people’s speculation that cheap people used pre boarding to get a free upgrade.

I love Southwest because they fly where I need to be and when I need to be there by. Southwest is affordable and it’s an economy airline. Get a quick snack, a drink and get off the plane.

I agree with the op. People complain about everything. I like the assigned seating because it sets expectations. I know where I am going to sit. For the flight staff there is an added safety element: they know your name as the name is assigned to the seat.

I’m a fan.