southwest to offer Early boarding for a $40 fee

taken from 1/21/13 Los Angeles Times item

"The add-on fee trend among the nation's airlines continues as Southwest Airlines announced Monday a new $40 fee to let passengers board early.

Southwest, the nation's most popular domestic carrier, already charges $10 for its Early Bird Check-In service, which improves a passenger's position in the boarding queue.

But the new $40 fee guarantees that passengers get to be among the first 15 in line, letting them stow away carry-on bags in the overhead bin and pick seats with more legroom.

The new boarding option can be purchased at the gate, up to 45 minutes before boarding, and only when space is available, according to Southwest officials.

The fee was tested at the San Diego International Airport last month."

I heard about this on the morning news today, but couldn't find it on the Southwest website.

We saw this being tried at McCarran last October. They were asking $50. Nobody went for it that we saw (and we didn't). Of course, this was a flight LEAVING Las Vegas...LOL.

The A 1-15s (or at least most of them) went unclaimed. Now they are trying $40. Will they go lower?

Now we'll see people camping out at the gate hours before the flight like they did along the walls in the old days before the number system. Sheesh.

I am always in the first few to board. I just limp up and offer my boarding pass - I have never been told that I can't early-board. Then again - I don't do happy dance once through - ya at least gotta limp until you round a corner!

I have never flown Southwest so am not familiar with them.Do they have assigned seating?If so,how would early boarding work when your allowed to pick your seat?

Southwest doesn't have assigned seating. You can pick your seat based on what's left after everyone else has boarded. Boarding position is based on:

* Whether you need assistance in getting on the plane (these go first, as on every other airline)
* Whether you bought a higher class ticket
* Whether you paid $40 at the gate for early boarding (if available)
* Whether you paid $10 in advance for EarlyBird check-in
* Whether you're traveling with a family

Thanks that's very helpful.

* Whether you need assistance in getting on the plane (these go first, as on every other airline)
* Whether you bought a higher class ticket
* Whether you paid $40 at the gate for early boarding (if available)
* Whether you paid $10 in advance for EarlyBird check-in
* Whether you're traveling with a family

If you are none of the above at least you will be close to the bathroom

They tried it at Nashville when we left and had no takers. I asked one of the agents I know and she said they had been doing it for a week and only had one taker.
I've found that as long as we are in the A group, overhead space is no problem. We were 55 & 56 out of Vegas and ended up in the 4th row with bags overhead.
Got to fly their new bird out of Nashville (the 800) and it was impressive...lots of bin space and more open. Looking forward to them adding Hawaii in their new "over water" bird (just rumor right now).

Yesterday, Southwest's CEO indicated that his airline's commitment to free baggage may be waivering.

"There are no plans to charge for bags in 2013," Southwest CEO Gary Kelly said Thursday (Jan. 24) when asked about that during an interview on CNBC's "Squawk Box" program.

"Never say never," Kelly added, continuing by saying: "The customers will tell us whether they would prefer to have extra fees or whether they would prefer to have everything bundled."

Story in USAToday

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