Nuts About Southwest

Is it the last word? Open vs. assigned seating still seems to be the hottest topic surrounding Southwest, and I'll be interested to see what the final decision is.

Personally, I fly Southwest exclusively for the open seating. If it wasn't for open seating, I don't know that I would LUV Southwest as much as I do now.

Were the comments of the passengers who actually went through the boarding process positive or negative?

Ah Gary, that sounds like a politician answering :-)

I've read all of the comments on this blog, the USA Today blog, and many comments elsewhere. Here on BlogSouthwest, it appears about 90% (myself included) are opposed to assigned seating. Other blogs seem to be about 50/50.

BUT - let's divide the comments into four groups:

Regular SWA flyers who do want assigned seating - a very, very small group.
Regular SWA flyers who do not want assigned seating - a very large group.
Non Regulars who want assigned seating - these non-customers are the vast majority of the people in favor of assigned seating.
Non Regulars who do want assigned seating - almost non existent.

So - in summation, we have learned two things:

Your existing and loyal customer base is highly in favor of keeping open seating. (Hmmm - "Cattle Call" and leather seats, is there a relationship?)

People who are loyal to other airlines are mostly in favor of assigned seating.

BTW, even if SWA moves to assigned seating, I will still remain a loyal and fanatical customer. The people of SWA are the reason, not the seating assignment or the boarding process or the existence of pillows and blankets or any of the myriad of other issues that get discussed - it is the people who smile.

I really wish that you could seat people with childern up front so there not crying and kicking your seat. Like the first five rows up front for them. there first on and f irst off. That will give people a little chance to rest. I think everyone will thank you! I also think all air lines should do so. I'm also help in raising my grand childern. So I know what it's like. Thanks , billie

Personally, I love open seating because I can always scope out the great looking guys and the places where I am "glad I didn't get assigned seating" and sit in the back........ahhhh eye candy and leather all at once!! ooops!!

Gary,

It is funny that this is the main topic on the Southwest blog, meanwhile I have found out today that I can no longer book any flight with open seating using my Rapid Rewards. Now only a certain amount of seats may be used for these rewards?

Both myself and my father fly regularly for our small corporations and have frequented Southwest because of the coporate culture and standards of excellence Southwest's irreverance have fostered.

Upon learning of this new restriction my father today called me and asked, "Well isn't this one more thing that makes Southwest just like all of the other airlines? Why should I continue to differentiate?"

In my MBA program Southwest was frequently modeled for what made it different and created strategic advantages that other airlines could never precisely copy. This created a situation of prosperity unparrelleled in an industry that as whole does nothing but lose money. So why is Southwest suddenly becoming so much more like those airlines that have historically been huge destroyers of share holder value?

Did the accountants come in and say it was okay the suffer the overall picture and profitability, the very image and uniqueness of the company to show enhanced profitability on certain flights?

What would Herb say?

Well who cares what Herb would say I guess. What I say, is that my loyalty has been lost and myself and others will be comparing all airlines much more than just going to the SWA website and booking a flight.

What a shame to tarnish what has been a shining star in an otherwise terrible industry.

Brian McKay

I love the open seating. I believe that it contributes to the ontime performance. I would be very sad to see you go to assigned seats. Open seating is one of the good things that sets Southwest apart from all the other airlines.

Gary,
One of the things that sets SWA apart from many companies is that in cases such as these, where emotions run high on both sides of an issue that greatly impacts its customers, yours is one of the few that cares enough to involve its Customers in the decision-making process. For that, we appreciate your approach and enjoy being asked!

Now, if I can only figure out how to coordinate my trips with Tricia... ha ha

Kim :-)

I'm a southwest employee and I luv our open seating policy. I work in the phoenix reservations office so I get a chance to hear from many of our customers about the subject. From the people I have heard from there is a large majority who are in favor of open seating. I think the biggest reason for this is that it makes us more on time compared to other airlines. Also, people don't have to look for their assigned seat, they can just sit wherever they want. The only people who seem to dislike our open seating are the people who are first time southwest customers. 100% of the frequent southwest customers who I have spoken with have told me how much they love our open seating and that they really want us to keep things how they are. I really hope we can keep our open seating policy so we can continue to give loyal customers what they want. We luv our customers and we want to keep them happy.

-Jeramy

Your open seating is on of the things that distinguishes you. Don't change it.
Other airlines are scrambling to distinguish themselves; you don't need to become like them.

I fly SWA regularly. I also fly on another airline because it has great service, too. I wouldn't want that airline to change.

The companies are different and should stay that way.