[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by LeRoySmith

That topic will really get me fired up.

I managed a data center in Dallas a few years ago and I got a request from the systems manager to increase the number of handicap parking spots. I took a look and we had 12 handicap spots for about 150 employees (500 spaces total so plenty of spots to convert). The problem came when I got the company I used to stripe the spaces said all my spaces were too steep to meet the ada regulations (must be under 2% grade), I was going to have to tear up a bunch of concrete, repour then paint the handicap symbols. A simple project turned into 25k spend and budgets were getting tight .I went back and looked at the typical ratio of accessable spaces needed and I should have been able to get by with 7 or 8 spaces for the number of employees I had, with 12 in place there should have been plenty of spaces. I directed security to post a guard at the handicap spaces the next morning and ask each person to provide their placard number and fill out a parking permit. Texas is great, if you have the placard info you can get the backing information from the state. Of the 14 employees vying for the 12 spaces there were 3 that had valid handicap placards.

I called each of the violators and told them there was a $1250 fine and 50 hours of community service for accessable parking violations and I would be calling the sheriff to come out and check the spaces that afternoon. There was a rush to the parking lot, no one hobbled, shuffled or needed a wheel chair.

I had plenty of empty spaces from them on.

Bastards.

Thanks for sharing. More and more we see the fake service dogs wheeled around in carts at supermarkets.

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by rjn5656

I am glad to see Southwest changing. I quit flying them due to this reason. I stayed with Jet Blue.

I’m glad they are changing the seat policy also, I hate playing the seating game. I still prefer Jet Blue, more legroom and the ability to watch a movie still gives them the upper hand over Southwest, but at least now we will consider them. Since JB and SW are the only two carriers operating out of BDL (the airport we use up north) with daily non stop flights to MCO, it’s good to have two competing options. I really wish one of the airlines would offer non stop flights to Sanford airport, that would definitely win over our business.

[npwalters]

It's good and bad. I prefer assigned seating as do most. Expect Southwest to join the other airlines and charge extra for all the "preferred" seats. The middle seats will be free.

[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by npwalters

It's good and bad. I prefer assigned seating as do most. Expect Southwest to join the other airlines and charge extra for all the "preferred" seats. The middle seats will be free.

When I would travel alone, I always chose a middle seat. When hubby and wife found they didn't have an empty middle seat I never agreed to change my seat. Such fun!

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by fdpaq0580

When I would travel alone, I always chose a middle seat. When hubby and wife found they didn't have an empty middle seat I never agreed to change my seat. Such fun!

How kind of you! Get off my lawn!!!!

[Caymus]

Originally Posted by fdpaq0580

When I would travel alone, I always chose a middle seat. When hubby and wife found they didn't have an empty middle seat I never agreed to change my seat. Such fun!

A problem with middle seats is being surrounded by seat belt "extenders" passengers.

[Topspinmo]

Well, I like seated at front of plane cause I’m first class material, it get there first.. ( really I like making quick exit) IMO boarding snafu, need board back first, then work way to front. Nothing like trying get by people boarding front first. Let’s face too many people now and majority are gifted whiners.

[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

How kind of you! Get off my lawn!!!!

I know. I'm a sweetheart. And when I poop on your lawn I always clean it up with a mulching mower, kitty litter, and a battery powered leaf blower. 🫢💩🤢 I'm the one in the middle

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by fdpaq0580

I know. I'm a sweetheart. And when I poop on your lawn I always clean it up with a mulching mower, kitty litter, and a battery powered leaf blower. 🫢💩🤢 I'm the one in the middle

May the "husband and wife" on either side of you in the middle seat be 2 sumo wrestlers who just finished a match

[Susan1717]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Finally, Southwest will allow passengers to reserve a seat on their planes. I would never fly on a plane without an assigned seat. And, don't ask me to change seats. The time to select a seat on a plane is when you buy the ticket, not when you get on the plane. Plan ahead. Rant over.

I’d rather SW stays as they are. I try and only fly them. I can change my flight a million times with no cancellation or change fee, I can book several flight months ahead for lower rates, and then cancel last minute for which dates work best. Once they assign seats, we will soon pay for seats and pay for luggage. Then the flight rates you see will be like the other airlines and almost double in actual cost by the time you add in seat selection and baggage check. I really cannot stand airlines that charge for even carry ons!

[darkim]

Originally Posted by Caymus

The seating system creates "Miracle" flights. Many passengers in wheelchairs board the plane (and jump the line) but somehow are able to run off the plane when it lands. I never noticed this same level on airlines that have reserved seating. This is most paravent with flights from the Northeast to Florida.

.
So true. People have found loop holes and abused Southwest policies for early boarding. Sometimes there’s 50 people in line for assisted boarding going down the jetway, but nobody needs help going up the jetway. It’s a miracle

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Susan1717

I’d rather SW stays as they are. I try and only fly them. I can change my flight a million times with no cancellation or change fee, I can book several flight months ahead for lower rates, and then cancel last minute for which dates work best. Once they assign seats, we will soon pay for seats and pay for luggage. Then the flight rates you see will be like the other airlines and almost double in actual cost by the time you add in seat selection and baggage check. I really cannot stand airlines that charge for even carry ons!

I agree, I try to fly SW whenever I can, especially their non-stop to Vegas

On the other hand, if an airline charged the same for carry-ons as they do for checked luggage, there'd be less "cheating" for space.

And for a VERY unpopular suggestion: I weigh 190#, My golf clubs in carrier weigh 40# and a full-size suitcase of 35# for a total of 265#. Other than SW the baggage fee is $70-80 + the ticket. Then, especially in a window seat, I get squished against the wall by a 320# person whose fat rolls are on my lap, and who managed to sneak 2 carry-ons aboard for a total of about 370# and $80 less. Since weight seems to be important on a flight (just see what happens if your bag is over 50#), maybe it's time to start charging passengers by the pound, just like their luggage.

[srswans]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Finally, Southwest will allow passengers to reserve a seat on their planes…

Bummer. I love Southwest’s open seating approach - it’s the main reason I fly Southwest whenever I can. Buy the Early-Bird, get in group A and then pick your seat - I always got an aisle seat in the first 12 rows and never had a problem. Plenty of overhead baggage room in group A.

Looks like I will be picking a new favorite airline - Delta anyone?

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by darkim

.
So true. People have found loop holes and abused Southwest policies for early boarding. Sometimes there’s 50 people in line for assisted boarding going down the jetway, but nobody needs help going up the jetway. It’s a miracle

Last time I returned to MCO, there was a person in a wheelchair next to me at the carousel. when his bag came around, he JUMPED out of his wheelchair, flinging it into the person on his left, then RAN out of the terminal. There should be draconian penalties for such people---such as the no-fly list.

[Mrmean58]

Originally Posted by laryb

Personally, I'd rather not see it change. I don't have a problem with lining up in the A,B,C,D preboarding system. We always buy the early bird option for $25, and have always been in "A" group. We always bring an empty bag or two so we can load up on the local and ethnic food items we can't get down here, so the 2 free bags work for us. I guess I can live with the new seating since I already pay extra to board early, but the free bags going away (if they do) might lead me to change airlines.

I agree. I've flown SW for over 20 years and never had an issue. I appreciated not having to pay to fly my golf clubs on vacation even to Maui from the left coast.