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Originally posted by: teechur
p.s. I haven't flown Southwest in a few years so this may have changed, but the one thing I HATED about their flights was NO SEATS ASSIGNED. Based on what you paid, you were in a certain category. When they called that category, it was "first-come, first-seated" on their planes. Obviously, people know this, so started forming lines at the counters LONG before the flight.
That has changed somewhat. Still no assigned seats, but one's place in line is numbered on the boarding pass. So, there is no point in lining up hours before the flight. Price only comes in if one buys Business Class which boards first.
SWA then instituted the Early Bird program, pay $10...oops now $12.50, one way to supposedly be assigned a lower boarding number. And, if reeeallly determined to board first, one can pay $40, or $50 or whatever at the gate to board ahead of some. They announce this wonderful opportunity at the gate if they don't have enough Business Class or A List boarders already taking up spots A 1-15 or so.
I still love SWA. From my relatively small city, their price and schedules beat everything else hands down. And much easier to make or change a flight online.
