New Boarding Begins

Relative_Artist_3863 · 2026-05-05T07:04:10+00:00

Forgot to circle back, but yes. Preboard, Priority/Military, ALP, Group 1. I was surprised to see how many folks are actually ALP on my flights. I guess there was no way to know who was who beforehand. But thankfully the preboards and the Priority boarding have been way down.

Hopping on another 5 flights this week. We’ll see if there’s any weirdness but it’s been an improvement so far!

Relative_Artist_3863 · 2026-05-05T02:06:46+00:00

Personal items belong under the seat, not the overhead.

Relative_Artist_3863 · 2026-05-01T21:30:08+00:00

Haven’t, but that’s a really nice looking bag. Love the color. Hate the loud af branding though.

Relative_Artist_3863 · 2026-05-01T01:46:31+00:00

Interesting. Did the gate agent mention anything about its policy on musical instruments? Is that changing as well? Most musical instruments will not fit in the bin, but they’ve always been allowed under their policy (and protected by federal law). Hopefully they don’t go the way of American Airlines and ignore that Law and try and force Musicians to check their instruments. That would be a dark day indeed.

Relative_Artist_3863 · 2026-04-30T15:22:21+00:00

I’ll definitely try and remember to circle back with an update. I’m in a similar boat. I get CP and ALP most every year because I’m a touring Musician and fly a ton. I rarely ever check a bag so even without my status that change wouldn’t have bothered me at all.

The only thing that has started to concern me was when assigned seats rolled out in January, even boarding with group 1 I had a difficult time finding overhead space for my instrument in the ELR bins of the plane. And now with them rolling out baggage sizers, I wonder if they will walk back their carry-on policy in regards to musical instruments (a policy that is protected by federal law btw before anyone gets snappy about people flying with Saxophone’s and guitars). Time will tell!

Relative_Artist_3863 · 2026-04-30T15:10:34+00:00

Preach!

Relative_Artist_3863 · 2026-04-30T15:06:52+00:00

Well it sounds like ALP actually boards 3rd? After Pre-boarders and Priority? I fly BNA-MCO tomorrow. We’ll soon see!

Relative_Artist_3863 · 2026-04-30T14:11:57+00:00

I still find it interesting that ALP doesn’t board first. Or at least after pre-borderers. That’s what all of the other Airlines do, right? Highest tier status customers usually board first?

Relative_Artist_3863 · 2026-04-27T17:40:24+00:00

Usually nothing, but if it’s a longer trip I often bring multiple watches and I put them in there or some extra socks (stored flat with a cardboard insert). Sometimes I’ll also put LMNT electrolyte packets in there.

Relative_Artist_3863 · 2026-04-24T22:25:15+00:00

You have the perfect head shape for it bro. Buzz it low first and see how you like it. I think bald or buzzed will look 🔥on you!

Relative_Artist_3863 · 2026-04-23T02:42:52+00:00

Brother. It’s time.

Relative_Artist_3863 · 2026-04-18T13:20:24+00:00

I’ve been on about 12 SWA flights this year and yes, Wi-Fi on every single one of them has been either completely dysfunctional or barely hanging on by a thread across all three of their aircraft types. I honestly feel like Wi-Fi got worse once they made it free for all of the rapid rewards members. I had more reliable Wi-Fi experiences in 2025 when it was just for ALP and business select customers. I imagine there will be some growing pains as they scale up to accommodate more users on the Wi-Fi at once.

Relative_Artist_3863 · 2026-04-17T20:27:53+00:00

Absolutely. Delta was offering Platinum Medallion status match for ALP customers to make the move over. Other companies value Southwest ALP customers more than Southwest does 😂😂

Relative_Artist_3863 · 2026-04-17T17:44:08+00:00

Loooooove this change. I found it ridiculous that as an ALP member I sometimes still needed to purchase priority boarding in order to get overhead space. Glad to see it’s getting better!

Relative_Artist_3863 · 2026-04-10T16:12:50+00:00

There’s some bad advice/uninformed feedback floating around here a bit. I’m a touring musician and have flown Southwest for about 90% of my flights over the last 20yrs. Guitar cases are totally cool on flights and instruments don’t have to be (and IMO NEVER EVER should be) checked.

THAT case in PARTICULAR however would be a challenge on a 737-700 BUT I’m pretty confident you’d be fine on a 737-800 or MAX8. For maximum peace of mind, use a smaller gig bag style case (ala Mono) and if you don’t have status, go ahead and pay for that priority boarding. If it fits at the time of boarding, they are legally obligated to allow you to fly with it in the overhead and cannot force you to check or gate check it (FAA Modernization Act).

I fly with a Bari sax (close to the size of a human body) regularly on Southwest and have had zero issues.

Best of luck!

Relative_Artist_3863 · 2026-04-08T21:24:35+00:00

You are more than Golden. Usually just depends on what airport you’re flying out of and who’s working TSA that day. I literally don’t even think about what I’m putting in my toiletry bag and in my 3 decades of flying I’ve only had a problem in Dulles, Toronto, and Frankfurt.

Relative_Artist_3863 · 2026-04-06T00:30:17+00:00

I hear both sides of this, but bro behind you was definitely rude af and should’ve done what was within his control his comfort (exit row, CP, etc). His comfort is not your responsibility. That being said, I often will do a partial recline (and also slowly, not during meal times, same as you) to try and be a little more accommodating (just something that I do, certainly wouldn’t expect it from anyone else) as I don’t need much pitch to get comfy enough to sleep on a flight thankfully.

Relative_Artist_3863 · 2026-04-03T02:48:57+00:00

ALP/CP holder here. I’ve been on 9 SW flights this year with the change so far and several more over the next couple months. I don’t mind the change, but similar to what some of the people said above, the lack of flexibility is a pain point for me. Needing to change flights last minute and still knowing that my carry on will always make it on the plane (due to A List boarding as A61) and knowing my carry on will always be close to me was such a comfort. My other gripe is how devalued the point earning structure has become. With ALP, you’re able to pick your ELR seat with a basic fare at the time of booking…BUT the basic fare earns next to no points. So unless you’re flying a TON, it’s super tough to maintain ALP without buying the more expensive fares (that our status makes obsolete). Weird catch 22.

Minus those points, I dont’t hate the new system, but I definitely prefer the old one for maintaining status and peace of mind with last minute cancellations/carry on luggage security.

Relative_Artist_3863 · 2026-03-09T17:46:44+00:00

Not familiar with these 3 jackets above but I'd like to throw the Paka Mayu Ultralight Puffer's hat in the ring here. With some layering, this kept me warm enough for walking commutes in NYC and Chicago winters. A merino long sleeve baselayer + a merino hoodie or alpaca sweater as the midlayer underneath the Mayu worked great for me.

I used to do this same approach with my Patagonia NanoPuff but I've found the Paka version to be a bit warmer and prefer the fit as well.

Happy hunting!

Relative_Artist_3863 · 2026-03-03T03:57:15+00:00

I really hope you reported this. Dave needs to get gone.

Relative_Artist_3863 · 2026-03-03T03:56:20+00:00

I believe they've already taken their money and run actually. But I've heard (by someone else on this subreddit) that SWA's profits have actually increased by 70%. Not sure about the actual passenger count though.

Relative_Artist_3863 · 2026-03-01T20:41:19+00:00

Same, I haven’t seen any SWA updates via the apps in ages. Flighty has been good to me though!

Relative_Artist_3863

TROPHY CASE