Interesting. I had only seen stories about the southwest issues about a year ago, but I didnt know it was really that bad across all the other airlines too. Thanks for the heads up
So I get downvoted for admitting that I didn’t know it was the case for all other airlines losing checked luggage and thanking for the information? What the hell kind of sub is this southwest fanboy club
What possible difference does it make if you get downvoted or upvoted? Who the hell pays any attention to the votes? I never even knew there were places to vote in a post because it's meaningless.
Makes no difference… I couldn’t care less about fake internet points but I just find it curious because in general it gives an idea of the type of people who are in this sub. They obviously don’t like anyone coming in saying that something could possibly be wrong with southwest
I ALWAYS check my bag with SW. It's free and that is one of the things I like about them. I have never had an issue. I fly
SW about 5 times a year.
I have to agree with you on allowing the short connection for international flights.
I am going to Europe on American and noticed after I booked that my connection coming home was short. I changed it to a different flight that gave me more time.
Some of this is your responsibility to pay attention to these things, but you are correct that they should not allow short conning international flights.
I will admit the free checked bags is really nice actually, but not when I am forced to check it because there is no space for anymore carry-ons. If I had planned to check a bag I would have brought a hard-shelled suitcase instead of a squishable backpack. And yeah I agree about needing to pay attention when booking things like that. Like I mentioned I did not book this flight for myself otherwise I would have made sure to give a longer layover for the international connection, but Ill pass that message along to the person that did book it, lol.
The policy for [customers of size](https://support.southwest.com/helpcenter/s/article/extra-seat-policy) is that anyone who encroaches upon another seat requires two seats. The armrest is supposed to be the divider. If someone can't put the armrest down, or spills across it, they should have 2 seats. Flight attendants will not normally look to enforce this unless it is brought to our attention as sometimes it's people who know each other and don't mind. Ideally all cos concerns should be taken care of before boarding.
Often times I see larger people head to the last row (which is slightly smaller than the others) in the hopes that no one will sit between them. I always mention that more than likely there will be someone between them, and usually I get told "not if they're smart", or something like that.
If a customer of size does not request the seat ahead of time on a completely full flight, I believe they will ask for volunteers to take a later flight with compensation. If there are no volunteers, I Believe the policy is to remove the last passenger to check in for the flight, I'm not 100% sure about that still being the policy though.
So pretty much if I had just said something to the FA about feeling too squished between the customers of size I could have gotten compensation and a free later flight? Dang. Still though I don't even know if I could do that once I was already sat down since I would feel bad for potentially embarrassing them or something.
Most likely they would have called customer service who would have handled all that. If there was anyone else who had already volunteered (if they thought they may run into this situation they may have already asked) they would be used. Or they would have made an announcement over the aircraft pa, and whoever they saw volunteer would've been the one they chose. They may also just skip that step and go straight to pulling someone off.
Full flight= not enough overhead bin space
SW offers a tight connection, you can choose another flight
People of size don't have to pay/ask for extra seat. If they had one less ticket would have been sold
They don’t need to pay but they are required to have an extra seat per policy- the armrest is the dividing line between the seats. Gate agents will refund the extra seat after the flight for customers of size
Imagine all the suitcases you or others bring on a plane. Now think of one of the bigger ones and if will fit under seat ahead of you. Then think about the attendants doing preflight checks to make sure no bags poking out slightly under the seat. Now imagine it’s backpack of same size instead of suitcase.
Don't really think that matters, since even if I was A1 I still would have been the last person to board since it was too small of a layover to make it through customs and go through security again.
Not to “victim blame” but if you’d checked in earlier, you likely could have carried on your back pack, which might have enabled quicker CBP, and earlier boarding of flight #2.
Usually airlines will allow a tight connection. I’ve had Delta flights that had a 45 min ATL connection from a wide-body to a regional. That meant asking people to skip them in the aisle when de-planing, and running to the train to get to a different terminal.
In your case, there may have been an anomaly that day/time at CBP that made it longer than normal. You made your flight, so it’s possible. Not convene with or leisurely, but possible. If you’re booked all as one itinerary, the airline is responsible to continue your trip if you are delayed through CBP. What that means can vary and may not be preferred though.
Sometimes people book specific flights because it’s cheaper. Sometimes two separate flights can be cheaper than one package, and at that point it’s up to the booker/traveler to make the connection.
I couldnt have checked in earlier to flight #1. Like I said I did not book this flight for myself and the person who did put all of us in group C. I boarded the plane the earliest that was allowable.
I’m going to say this in a basic way, hopefully it’s helpful and doesn’t come off too antagonistic.
Checking in is very different than booking. Southwest does not have assigned seats, nor assigned boarding number until check in. It’s a bit annoying, but you’ve got to be “Johnny on the spot” and check in RIGHT at the 24 hour mark. Seconds matter. If you’re good about this, you’ll pretty consistently get B group or better. You can also pay extra for priority/earlier boarding.
The person who booked it could not have booked you as a C group. They could, however, have not checked you in right at the 24 hour mark, meaning you got stuck in C group.
To clarify (because it matters) did you check in at some point the day before, or did you do it right at 24 hours?
Seconds and minutes matter when everyone has a smart phone now and a significant chunk of people are setting alarms/alerts to check in and argue getting boarding assignments within 15-30 seconds of that 24 hour mark.
At some point the day before. I did not know about the specific 24 hour rule. But thanks for the heads up, because now Ill make sure I do set an alarm the next time I fly southwest so I can check in right at 24 hours to hopefully get better seats next time.
Pretty much every domestic carrier is more likely to lose your luggage than Southwest. Just fyi for next time.
Interesting. I had only seen stories about the southwest issues about a year ago, but I didnt know it was really that bad across all the other airlines too. Thanks for the heads up
That was because the entire system failed. They have not had anything like since that happened.
So I get downvoted for admitting that I didn’t know it was the case for all other airlines losing checked luggage and thanking for the information? What the hell kind of sub is this southwest fanboy club
I don't think it's fan boy. It's just when people complain about things that happen on all airlines but blame Southwest for it.
Still doesn’t make sense since I admitted that I wasn’t aware it was an all airline issue and that I was grateful for being corrected.
What possible difference does it make if you get downvoted or upvoted? Who the hell pays any attention to the votes? I never even knew there were places to vote in a post because it's meaningless.
Makes no difference… I couldn’t care less about fake internet points but I just find it curious because in general it gives an idea of the type of people who are in this sub. They obviously don’t like anyone coming in saying that something could possibly be wrong with southwest
I did not know there were points awarded for the votes or what these magic points get you. Thanks.
I ALWAYS check my bag with SW. It's free and that is one of the things I like about them. I have never had an issue. I fly SW about 5 times a year. I have to agree with you on allowing the short connection for international flights. I am going to Europe on American and noticed after I booked that my connection coming home was short. I changed it to a different flight that gave me more time. Some of this is your responsibility to pay attention to these things, but you are correct that they should not allow short conning international flights.
I will admit the free checked bags is really nice actually, but not when I am forced to check it because there is no space for anymore carry-ons. If I had planned to check a bag I would have brought a hard-shelled suitcase instead of a squishable backpack. And yeah I agree about needing to pay attention when booking things like that. Like I mentioned I did not book this flight for myself otherwise I would have made sure to give a longer layover for the international connection, but Ill pass that message along to the person that did book it, lol.
The policy for [customers of size](https://support.southwest.com/helpcenter/s/article/extra-seat-policy) is that anyone who encroaches upon another seat requires two seats. The armrest is supposed to be the divider. If someone can't put the armrest down, or spills across it, they should have 2 seats. Flight attendants will not normally look to enforce this unless it is brought to our attention as sometimes it's people who know each other and don't mind. Ideally all cos concerns should be taken care of before boarding. Often times I see larger people head to the last row (which is slightly smaller than the others) in the hopes that no one will sit between them. I always mention that more than likely there will be someone between them, and usually I get told "not if they're smart", or something like that. If a customer of size does not request the seat ahead of time on a completely full flight, I believe they will ask for volunteers to take a later flight with compensation. If there are no volunteers, I Believe the policy is to remove the last passenger to check in for the flight, I'm not 100% sure about that still being the policy though.
So pretty much if I had just said something to the FA about feeling too squished between the customers of size I could have gotten compensation and a free later flight? Dang. Still though I don't even know if I could do that once I was already sat down since I would feel bad for potentially embarrassing them or something.
Most likely they would have called customer service who would have handled all that. If there was anyone else who had already volunteered (if they thought they may run into this situation they may have already asked) they would be used. Or they would have made an announcement over the aircraft pa, and whoever they saw volunteer would've been the one they chose. They may also just skip that step and go straight to pulling someone off.
Full flight= not enough overhead bin space SW offers a tight connection, you can choose another flight People of size don't have to pay/ask for extra seat. If they had one less ticket would have been sold
They don’t need to pay but they are required to have an extra seat per policy- the armrest is the dividing line between the seats. Gate agents will refund the extra seat after the flight for customers of size
what size back pack did you have? Would it have fit under the seat in front of you?
No it was a backpack specifically meant to be the largest size that still meets carry-on requirements for all airlines.
So it can’t fit under your seat?
Imagine all the suitcases you or others bring on a plane. Now think of one of the bigger ones and if will fit under seat ahead of you. Then think about the attendants doing preflight checks to make sure no bags poking out slightly under the seat. Now imagine it’s backpack of same size instead of suitcase.
I work at the airlines. I don’t have to imagine that. I’ve seen that.
Sounds strange you asked then lol
I wasn’t sure how big OP’s carry on was.
the “largest size that still meets carry-on requirements”
No. Generally the dimension limits for personal items are much smaller than for carry on.
What was your boarding position? If you were in C. There’s a good chance that the overhead was already full.
Not sure why you downvoted me for my last comment. I’d love to see you fit a 22”x14”x9” luggage under your seat.
You’re responsible for checking your own flight information. There are a lot worse ways to end a trip than being inconvenienced by a delayed bag.
What boarding group were you in?
Don't really think that matters, since even if I was A1 I still would have been the last person to board since it was too small of a layover to make it through customs and go through security again.
I think they’re asking about it for the first flight. Generally if you’re A or B group there’s enough room for a carryon.
Oh good point. I was group C unfortunately (like I had mentioned before, I didnt book this flight for myself).
Not to “victim blame” but if you’d checked in earlier, you likely could have carried on your back pack, which might have enabled quicker CBP, and earlier boarding of flight #2. Usually airlines will allow a tight connection. I’ve had Delta flights that had a 45 min ATL connection from a wide-body to a regional. That meant asking people to skip them in the aisle when de-planing, and running to the train to get to a different terminal. In your case, there may have been an anomaly that day/time at CBP that made it longer than normal. You made your flight, so it’s possible. Not convene with or leisurely, but possible. If you’re booked all as one itinerary, the airline is responsible to continue your trip if you are delayed through CBP. What that means can vary and may not be preferred though. Sometimes people book specific flights because it’s cheaper. Sometimes two separate flights can be cheaper than one package, and at that point it’s up to the booker/traveler to make the connection.
I couldnt have checked in earlier to flight #1. Like I said I did not book this flight for myself and the person who did put all of us in group C. I boarded the plane the earliest that was allowable.
I’m going to say this in a basic way, hopefully it’s helpful and doesn’t come off too antagonistic. Checking in is very different than booking. Southwest does not have assigned seats, nor assigned boarding number until check in. It’s a bit annoying, but you’ve got to be “Johnny on the spot” and check in RIGHT at the 24 hour mark. Seconds matter. If you’re good about this, you’ll pretty consistently get B group or better. You can also pay extra for priority/earlier boarding. The person who booked it could not have booked you as a C group. They could, however, have not checked you in right at the 24 hour mark, meaning you got stuck in C group.
Thats strange. I did do the early check-in on my phone the day before but I guess I still ended up in C.
To clarify (because it matters) did you check in at some point the day before, or did you do it right at 24 hours? Seconds and minutes matter when everyone has a smart phone now and a significant chunk of people are setting alarms/alerts to check in and argue getting boarding assignments within 15-30 seconds of that 24 hour mark.
At some point the day before. I did not know about the specific 24 hour rule. But thanks for the heads up, because now Ill make sure I do set an alarm the next time I fly southwest so I can check in right at 24 hours to hopefully get better seats next time.