Do you buy Southwest early boarding?

We don't have Jet Blue, Spirit, Allegiant (except for charters and I hope that is a thing of the past), etc. The one "discount" is GLO or something like that, a new start up with one or two flights to New Orleans a week, and now some to St. Louis. Not sure the fares are any better, as I haven't needed to go to either city.

American, Delta, United, cobble Vegas flights together from here, but for the most part they are at inconvenient times, long layovers, and not much, if any, better in price. SWA is it for us.

Southwest Airlines provides little service to residents of Appalachia.

But when poor old DonDiego lived on the Texas/New Mexico border he'd use SWA a lot. He did not pay additional fees for the possibility of a better seat; on every flight which he did take, he found that the rear passengers were never further than 100 feet behind the forward passengers - whether boarding, in-transit, or exiting the aircraft.

So DonDiego is a "rear passenger"?

Loyal to SW? Yes since we fly out of Chicago. Midway Airport is so much easier for us to get toand the off site parking we use is easier than using the on site lot.

It has been a really long time since we haven't had a sold out flight--another reason to get the early bird.

Friends of ours flew recently from Chi to LV. They din't get the early bird and had high C group assignments. The plane that was sent to Chicago was too small for all the passengers (yikes) so the last 40 people got bumped. After 10 hours and two stops, they finally made it.

Joy

I got A-55 for my Los Angeles to Las Vegas trip tomorrow. I sat at my computer and at precisely 24 hours before my flight clicked on submit (I had my information prefilled and waited at my computer). I was hoping to get A-35 or somewhere near there.

I am a loyal southwest flyer - depart mostly from Buffalo or Detroit but live close to Toronto - always reasonable flights, two bags and of course, you can change your flights for free. And yes I always buy the early bird boarding - way too busy to check in for my seat and then I do not have to worry about it.

Oppps I should have said, I always have an A boarding pass

Yes always purchase the EB we travel 6 times a yea rand feel much better knowing ahead of time seating. Biggest problem is they always (what they call merchandising seats) when they sell 15 EB boarding at the gate for a slightly higher price.) a lot of time they sell maybe 5 or 6 seats but it is the idea. The only other problem I have is they should assign your seating at the time you book early bird boarding not 24 hours prior. The earlier you purchase the ticket the earlier you get seating.

Those aren't Early Bird (EB) seats. A1-15 are held in reserve for A listers and other priority boarders, offered to the rest of us yahoos at time of boarding for a price when they aren't filled via the normal reservation process. In my experience they've offered them for differing amounts (maybe depending on how many are vacant), but usually around $40-$50 each. Since I have already paid for EB for two ($60 round trip), it would make no sense to pay another $40/50 each just to get closer up for one leg of the trip.

For Sure!...when I'm heading to Vegas from NY. It's a long flight and I wanna get a seat that I'll be comfortable in for 4-5 hours. Ideally: up front, next to skinnies, and far away from kids. It's worth the few extra bucks to be comfortable and be able to walk off the plane and into my favorite city first! On short flights, no way. I can endure anything (fatties, screaming kids, snoring, etc) for an hour.