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Southwest started its test of assigned seating in San Diego today, but according to news reports, confusion reigned, with irritated passengers forced to line up twice — once to check in, and another time to get their seat assignment. In the end, many people were assigned to seats they didn’t want. But nonetheless, the plane left the gate on time, which is what the company was hoping for.

Two questions:
Is it really necessary to make people stand in line twice to get their boarding passes? Other airlines seem to do it in one line. Or none, if you check yourself in.

And what’s the point of assigned seats if the seats aren’t the passenger’s choice? Notice the title of the AP article linked earlier: “Southwest Tries Telling Passengers Where to Sit.” Telling. Not “allowing passengers to choose in advance of boarding.” The sole appeal of assigned seating, to me, is picking the seats I want to be in. Being told where to sit, or just having a seat assignment — any seat — is of little use.

I’m going to plug my earlier proposal for Southwest again. Let a limited number of those who want assigned seats choose them in advance (online). Let the rest of the passengers onboard with open seating.

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tags: travel | Southwest Airlines