re: Do you like the non-assigned seats on Southwest?

Only if I’m flying alone or friends. Not cool when flying with family.

I hate southwest for this reason

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Ive had to fly southwest the last couple times since American decided to just cancel flights. I hate their boarding with a passion.

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SW definitely rewards loyalty. Everything you described in your post is eliminated once you get status. I can respect that.

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SWA has been consistently priceier to my destinations and a lot of times there isn't a direct.

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That makes perfect sense. I fly southwest because Live Field is close to my house. I couldn't really give a shite about them in general, the no assigned seat thing just doesn't make sense.

On a flight a year or so ago, the flight crew is announcing that the flight is not full and that they need us to spread throughout the plane.

I was one of the first to board, and I chose an aisle seat. A lovely blonde comes in and takes the window seat. She was very pleasant.

After they again ask those boarding to spread out, an older woman comes and plops down in the middle seat when there were rows with only one person in them.

On a full flight, you know you are going to be crammed, but that was just downright aggravating.

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Everything you described in your post is eliminated once you get status.

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So we're supposed to suffer for a few years with their idiotic boarding procedure? Then after those few years we get the option of riding coach up front instead of coach in back?

Hard pass.

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So we're supposed to suffer for a few years with their idiotic boarding procedure? Then after those few years we get the option of riding coach up front instead of coach in back?

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No. Fly another airline. You don’t have to fly SW. Just pointing out SW takes care of their loyal customers. Companion pass and A-list preferred are nice.

Quick flights from NOLA to Houston are a breeze running through Hobby

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If I'm flying with family I'll take Spirit over Southsmwest because of this.

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I have to say we’ve never had an issue with southwest boarding as a family, and actually think it works very well for families. Family boarding happens after group A and in my experience there are always whole open rows after group A for us to sit together as a unit.

Although I could see if you are running late for whatever reason it could be an issue. And we have had some tight connections where we are late walking on the plane but I guess haven’t had this issue yet.

I wonder if they couldn’t keep their open seating for 80% of the plane but just reserve some rows initially for people flying with kids under a certain age to reserve a seat.

I actually prefer the pre-boarding process to that of other airlines. With other airlines, once boarding begins, 100 people go cram their way around the line even if they are Zone 4. With Southwest, you at least have orderly lines to board in your particular group.

I am continually surprised that an airline has not found a more efficient boarding method than our current setup though. There is an absolutely massive incentive to being able to trim 5-10 minutes off the boarding time of each flight. My Southwest flight yesterday took 1 hour to get everyone boarded. It was full of confrontations for seat saving, etc.

I'll never understand the complaints with Southwest. I've never, in probably 100 flights, not been able to sit next to my spouse or had to sit middle by myself. At worst you set an alarm 24 hours in advance to check in and ensure you're A or B.
-They allow free checked bags so overhead space is essentially never an issue. Realistically many people are in a carry-on to avoid paying the baggage fee, and if they really need the space they can sit 4 rows back with their bag instead of sitting in their assigned seat and having their bag 4 rows behind them on Delta.
-Those complaining about paying SW $30 extra to get early boarding are paying $30 to be in economy to choose their seat instead of basic economy on other airlines.
-When you board in "groups" on other airlines there are still always people in group 8 that I have to squeeze past if I'm on Group 4 and have to do the same "what group are you in." SW at least you're standing in the 5 seat area so you're already in the ballpark.

I have A-list and the card so a lot of the hassles are taken care of for me nowadays, and maybe I'm just used to it but it's never been an issue even before status. I still only fly SW if it's most convenient/cheapest and don't necessarily prefer SW over the others, but it works better in most cases than the others. It's only real downside is people aren't used to it.