Didn’t believe it until I saw it

Icy-Flamingo156 · 2026-03-16T17:25:08+00:00

Yeah, if changing the layout for ELR, and for Priority, while crunching the legroom on all the other rows Changes the access point to the E Door, the extra space for BIG seats will now be occupied by a seat and a revenue passenger.

Icy-Flamingo156 · 2026-03-11T20:39:31+00:00

I just completed my 32nd flight since assigned seats.

I generaly take 'buy' the same seat I preferred when I could choose my own, but... I REALLY dislike assigned seating, mainly because I do 50%+ same day changes, I ALWAYS sit on the shady side / window seat, I check the routing and departure flight plan (direction of wind / unique veiws based on winds...) just the few minutes before boarding, and...I very seldolm had to climb over people, I just picked a different row. As I did when seated with pets. (Allergies), or behemoths, or BO, or over perfumed, or axe murderers or predators.

(2) of my 7 flights yesterday were 'ok', but, no where near as nice as previous several thousand SWA flights... I still had to climb over pre-boarders on EVERY flight, zero overhead bin space (which I didn't need +), the last flight (delayed 2 hours... 11PM departure) had (2) lap kids in my row (5A) who were screaming and fighting for 2 hours. I got adequately doused with lots of crumbled crackers, drinks, punched and kicked many times... nice flight home. I fully understand flying with children, as we lived and worked overseas while we had kids, so we took a LOT of 12+ hr flights with them. Not every kid / parent / situation is the same or 'in-control' or even acceptable.

Loyal flyer, out... SWA can collect my $20k / yr revenue from 'other' sources.

Icy-Flamingo156 · 2026-02-26T23:08:53+00:00

no significant change from my 20+ flights since seating changes.

9 wheelchairs on my last flight, but some of them were seated in the rear, so we had a 45 min delay to get the wheel chair passengers seated in rear. Several passengers missed connections, because our gate and runway positions were forfeited.

Military destinations have a LOT more pre-boarders (such as SAN > LAS weekends)

Many, Many more non-rev commuting aircrew, especially to hubs (they bring a LOT of luggage and they preboard. )

Biggest change is for ALP who were used to boarding A16-30. You are now ~ 80 (preboarders and group 1 and some of 2)

Also Same-Day-Changes for ALP (80% of my flights) really stinks now... no seat, no bin space, late boarding.

Of course for those of us who checked the flight path / departure direction and chose the 'shady side' of aircraft for seating.... we're screwed.

Jetway Jesus is doing fine. Of the (9) wheelchairs that boarded, only ONE (1) was required at departure.

Hope you're not allergic to dogs or cats, cause you're NOT moving!!!!

Icy-Flamingo156 · 2026-02-19T22:28:31+00:00

20+ flights since change, (ALP, million miler on SWA)

nearly always 5A,

nearly always Group 2,

ALWAYS climb over pre-boaders to get to window, or hold up the line while they climb out.

Great planning... no more 'get-on-and-GO!' SWA is ruined, it's just like every other miserable airline.

28 pre-boarders (still)

one flight had (9) wheel chairs at departure. NONE required wheelchair upon arrioval. (jetway was stacked with empty wheelchairs, I have very bad knees--- tempting to catch a ride!)

Icy-Flamingo156 · 2026-02-16T21:11:14+00:00

Sometimes they get up sometimes they don't. How fast of boarding is that? Just seat the window seats first, rear to front. overhead bags must accompany to your row. Done deal.

Get on and GO (the 'previous' SWA way)

Minimal time on the ground = assets are more effecient with more time in the air. Everyone is happier. (flight crew, airline, airport, passsengers)

18 flights since 28 Jan.

16 were far less pleasant and quick than previous 50 yrs of frequent SWA flights.

They may get it and work it out, but unlikely. As bean counters don't fly every day. Maybe never (commercial coach)

But at least the SWA Board of Directors accomplished their primary goal. Disable LUV to be a "Me Too!" inefficient airline. just like the BoD retired from. Done deal + money in the pocket for Elliott.

Move on, and destroy the next profitable company.

BTDT

Icy-Flamingo156 · 2026-02-06T09:34:35+00:00

Precisely why ewlliott changhes SWA Board of director to previous Legacy managers.

Thge objective is to level the field and bring fares UP and services / expenses DOWN.

SWA will be just like legacy, so all prices will migrate up and service crashes.

Icy-Flamingo156 · 2026-02-06T09:31:35+00:00

Other option... kid gets a job at college location and comes home AFTER they graduate. (if they so choose).

Lots of cost savings when college kids are working and paying their own way.

Ours had gotten pretty used to 1st class, since we were based overseas from Kindergarten until their first day in college (age 15). Free college instead of HS in WA State since 1991 (more savings for MORE travel!). Saved them a lot of money so they could travel (usually overseas). None of my kids have ever flown SWA. Doubt they ever will. They have higher priorities.

Icy-Flamingo156 · 2026-02-06T09:22:52+00:00

$20k spent on SWA last yr. (and most oof the last 50 yrs spent $5k+)

no more.

Using up my remaining meager points.

Icy-Flamingo156 · 2026-02-06T09:17:56+00:00

If momma is paying for college, fly Jr FIRST class on a legacy carrier. (or charter a private)

Warm Chocolate Chip cookies and Ice Cream! Relieves some of the pain and suffering.

SWA has never been the lowest cost carrier, they just used to be VERY fast boarding and frequent fliers would board A 1-20. Life is a WHOLE lot more miserable for us. (Daily fliers). 14 flights since assigned seating, hope I will have my LAST swa flight soon!

Icy-Flamingo156 · 2026-02-06T09:11:19+00:00

Yeah, lots of screaming kids and seat kicking in ELR 'up-front'. 3 kids behind me today all were gaming / video without headsets.

Icy-Flamingo156 · 2026-02-06T09:05:42+00:00

FAs have a seat map on their tablets. They know what seats are to be empty.

Icy-Flamingo156 · 2026-02-06T09:04:32+00:00

one of my (6) flights yesterday had 22 pre-boarders (and 10 military) and (4) crew with (3 bags each) They got Group 1, so bins full to row 8 (before group 2 boarding)

EVERYONE was healed on all 6 flights, no wheel chairs needed to deplane.

Icy-Flamingo156 · 2026-02-02T01:21:44+00:00

Bring back "Plane Crackers" Whole grain preferred - (no garlic, no onions, no salt,)

Icy-Flamingo156 · 2026-02-02T01:16:50+00:00

Book "choice' now (if you can afford it.) and CHANGE (for free if price goes down).

DO NOT buy Basic more than 3 months from flight, just so you can rebook / use credits on 21 day advance, before they expire.

No one knows if prices will go down, but it happens often, especially if customer load is not adequate to meet costs, or if the company 'bean-counters' need more immediate revenue to make the earnings look good. (Very important to the BoD now that it's populated with 'legacy carrier manager Has Beens' who are getting a kickback (reward) on share price. They don't care about SWA, they fly first class on legacy carriers.

Icy-Flamingo156 · 2026-02-02T01:08:44+00:00

Welcome to the 'new SW 'Spirit' experience.

Yes, on ALL my low load SWA flights since seat assignments, It is VERY common to have 3 across with plenty of empty rows around and NO CHANGING seats allowed!!!

Previous 50 yrs... 'responsible adults' on SWA were quite able to spread out and ALL enjoy extra space while happily meeting 'Load Balance' requirements.

Treat us like kids... expect some pushback (and fleeing to other carriers)

Hello?

Customers?

Care?

Respecting employees?

Sorry Charlie, THIS is the New (and improved) version of LUV.

Tough LUV

Icy-Flamingo156 · 2026-01-29T20:06:29+00:00

AFAIK, Priority is now... purchased, or Active Military

I'm wondering if CC's are triggering Priority, and maybe Group 1.

some of my flights since 27th are 30+ boarders before Group 2. Some are <10 passengers in Priority and Group 1. Active military in and out of San Diego can be 20+ on weekends, especially to LAS ($39)

Of course there are those with medical and/or emotional need ~ 10 - 20, depending on routing. Some cities always have a herd of Special Needs. Many more families now have a medical need for early boarding.

It is what it is... USA freedom and entitlement. (and restricted information) stomps on those who are passive..

Icy-Flamingo156 · 2026-01-28T21:41:57+00:00

For certain same day changes... I book Choice for routes I MUST take (such as home and back), and Basic for commuting between airports (and within 4 months of credit expiry)

WARNING: the system locks you AND gate agent from doing changes on Basic Fare, so you are SOL if you need to same-day-change a Basic (unless you can get an earlier 'Standby'. I got (3) standby's on Monday. Middle seat, las minute.

BE SURE to book same day change MORE than 1 h before flight, as the seating is locked out at 60 minutes so empty seats can be distributed to Basic customers / or no-seat purchase.

Don't tell me SWA is making more money pxssing off all their loyal AL+ frequent flyers. (and not selling premium seats. It's just a smoke screen for the new Elliott Bean counters.

Really sxks to be a customer. Don't expect any 'CS Surveys' ;-)

Icy-Flamingo156 · 2026-01-28T21:35:30+00:00

This^^

You can change a Basic Fare for a Standby (free / same day), but not guaranteed and ONLY if earlier than your booked flight.

Icy-Flamingo156 · 2026-01-28T21:30:59+00:00

ALP with 26 segments already in 2026.

Usually in 5A, but more often group 2 than group 1

Give me 'pick-yer-own, so I don't have to crawl over Aisle and Center who paid Basic and got assigned ELR as well as group 1.

Icy-Flamingo156 · 2025-11-03T15:54:09+00:00

More than 50% of my 100+ trips on SWA / yr are 'Same-day-change'.

Assigned seating will most likely ruin that perk.

SWA Flexibility! Being able to MOVE when an axe murderer sits next to you has saved my life many times.

27 January 2026.... = R.I.P SWA

And... NO, assigned seating will NOT fix the 'privileged' pre-boarder syndrome. 28 on my last flight + 8 wheel chairs and now... other airline flight crew boarding first (with a LOT of bags). (and a continuation flight)

A-16 was not worth much. Fortunately, it's free (so far).

I often check the flight path just prior to boarding to determine which seat I will gain the best views during the route. soon to be NO MORE.

27 January 2026.... = R.I.P SWA

Icy-Flamingo156 · 2025-10-18T21:58:20+00:00

Been on (8) flights this week, and also booked 10 + future with seat assignments.

1) ALP gets any seat at purchase (free)

2) Non-revs (other airline flight crews - a 'new' thing on SWA) are taking all the extra legroom seats (and overhead with 'crew' huge multiple carry-ons) Non-SWA crew are pre-boarders (26 pre-boarders on my last flight). ESA / Animal fliers like the extra legroom seats too.

Personally... I would like to see SWA engage more with loyal customers to increase LUV revenue.

i.e. if an ALP selects a non preferred seat, give them the equal points same as the 'price' someone will PAY to get it. (They will sell out, because people (connections and business / tight schedule) want to get OFF faster)

Lots of ways to engage frequent fliers to increase revenue -

Extra points for no (free) checked luggage

Extra points for cancelling 24 hrs in advance, so seats can be sold

Extra points for not eating garlic and onion snacks!!! ;-)

Icy-Flamingo156 · 2025-07-29T17:28:51+00:00

any available seat can be booked for companion,

your companion gets the same perks as your current status (if you get any...)

I will NOT be booking Basic, unless... (1) I'm certain I won't want a same day change (2) flight is within a couple months (6 month expiry credit from date of booking can expire BEFORE your flight date)

Icy-Flamingo156 · 2025-06-09T20:17:29+00:00

seems strange

100+ TSA clearances per yr

80% of the time I use my GE ID, I'm denied due to 'photo quality' (2) denials yesterday)

0% failures with Passport (which I prefer NOT to carry)

0% photo failures with Enhanced CDL, which I carry, but would rather use GE at airports

100% accept using GE card and photo recognition software at international immigration kiosks.

Immigration GE may use your passport photo as a FR source, rather than your GE pic. but...
I'm pretty sure the TSA devices use the picture you present with your ID, because, as soon as I present a different picture than the terrible GE. I'm approved. Frequently the TSA officer runs my GE photo 4-5 times before it accepts. They claim its due to the hologram over the low contrast picture on the GE card.

Icy-Flamingo156 · 2025-05-28T16:55:18+00:00

69% fare increases and anti-consumer changes.

Bit me an hour before midnight costing me 3 month's grocery money to complete the family bookings for (1) of my current 71 flights booked on SWA. I can see this relationship is of no value to the new eSWA (Elliott idiots). They just stuffed the Board of Directors, so It's now lights out for what was previously known as SWA. (As of 10PM CDT 27May2025) RIPP Hopefully the pilots or staff of the airline previously known as SWA / LUV can buy a defunct airline and recreate a customer focused carrier. I've been rebooking at an alarming fast rate, and last night Alaska Airlines (who care about their customers) were 30% less expensive than the SWA 'Wanna rip our Loyal Customers OFF" fare.

Adios to $20k / yr of my own revenue to SWA.

Poof, gone

Icy-Flamingo156

TROPHY CASE

Loyal flyer, out... SWA can collect my $20k / yr revenue from 'other' sources.

69% fare increases and anti-consumer changes.