AMTs Take on the New Southwest Boarding Policy

Three cheers for open seating!! We previously posted about how we hoped Southwest would not change their A, B, C boarding because we've perfected how to work the system.

A Numbers Game
Now, Southwest has announced that only a slight modification will be made to the notorious "cattle call". A, B, and C boarding passes will still be issued. However, passengers will now receive a number as well as a letter when printing their boarding pass--a sub-set of the letter categories, if you will. These numbers will correspond to the order of passenger boarding on the plane. The earlier you get your boarding pass, the lower your number. Flyer A3 will be ahead of traveler A16; passenger B2 must wait in a line separate from the A's (and board after the A's) but he will be allowed to board before Mrs. B31.

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Freedom!
Actually, these numbers aren't new--most astute travelers have noticed a number on their boarding pass in the past. But now the digits have significance. The purpose of this new system is to relieve travelers from setting up camp in line hours before a flight to assure preferred seating. Beginning in November, Southwest passengers will be able to "hit the head" or grab a bite to eat or browse through books without risking the chance for an aisle seat.

Family Values
Earlier this week Southwest also announced that families will no longer board before all other passengers. Good. After witnessing familes of 10 trot onto a plane with only one kid in tow, passengers holding an A, B or C pass were getting the shaft by opportunistic second and third cousins. I swear some kids didn't even physically resemble their "parents". Families will still be given priority over B and C groupers, but if they arrive early enough, they will be allowed to board WITH the first group of 30 "A" passengers.

Kudos to Southwest!