Experience with Southwest Airlines - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Fightinfire921 · 08-12-2012, 04:50 PM

My daughter is a second grade teacher and flew in for a week before school starts. She has always received an escort pass at the airports through Southwest for help with her 9 month old son, diaper bag, car seat, purse and a carry on bag. When she checked in and asked "Manny" for one, he denied it stating it was up to his discretion if we needed one and we didn't because she only had the one child and not five. I don't appreciate being judged that way and think he was just being lazy.

I became upset and asked why when we have never been denied before and he stated again she didn't need help. I asked to speak with a supervisior and was told he was the only one on duty as he was pointing to his name tag stating his name was Manny with no last name because he's not required to announce it. I believe she was discrimiated against for not having five children. Being the weekend this matter is not finished. She has made this flight 2 other times this year and other times in previous years. She, as well as my wife and I, are members of Southwest's Rapid Rewards program.

Just thought I would get some other opinions on the matter.

HookemHorns · 08-12-2012, 05:15 PM

I have always had really good luck with Southwest...

upflying · 08-12-2012, 05:16 PM

I'm not surprised, airlines are simply airborne transit buses with cramped seats, overfilled bins, grumpy passengers and rude flight attendants. Friendly service is no longer part of the business of any airline.
Their only business is to get you safely from one place to another at high cost.

Higgs Boson · 08-12-2012, 05:45 PM

Maybe people are taking advantage of things like Escort Passes and Manny was getting a little tired of all the people who don't want to wait in security line. Every freaking time I fly, once a week or so, two or three people have "a good reason" to cut or go around. I love their faces when elderly woman watching the line says, "sorry you didn't arrive early enough." Lol, it's 6am, jackass, we are all tired, get to the back of the line.

Having a 9 month seems like a personal choice for most people. I guess sometimes you get stuck with one out of nowhere but usually you see it coming.

Fightinfire921 · 08-12-2012, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Higgs Boson

Maybe people are taking advantage of things like Escort Passes and Manny was getting a little tired of all the people who don't want to wait in security line. Every freaking time I fly, once a week or so, two or three people have "a good reason" to cut or go around. I love their faces when elderly woman watching the line says, "sorry you didn't arrive early enough." Lol, it's 6am, jackass, we are all tired, get to the back of the line.

Having a 9 month seems like a personal choice for most people. I guess sometimes you get stuck with one out of nowhere but usually you see it coming.

I guess you don't know what a escort pass is, there is no passing through the line for us. It's just helping with an extra set of hands.

Having the baby was a choice and everyone is happy about it.

Steve Dallas · 08-12-2012, 06:43 PM

When I fly...I don't sweat the small stuff...and this is small stuff.

You're flying in a plane! It's amazing. You go from one place to across the country in a few hours. Seriously, having to spend a little extra effort with your kid isn't the end of the world, maybe they were understaffed and couldn't do it that time.

No need to lose your cool...remember, you're still FLYING across the country in a chair. It's magical, it's wonderful....and too many people seem to take it for granted (some of this ripped off from some stand up comic I heard once).

RichGreene · 08-12-2012, 06:59 PM

Next time take the friendly Greyhound.

Higgs Boson · 08-12-2012, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gramps69Z

I guess you don't know what a escort pass is, there is no passing through the line for us. It's just helping with an extra set of hands.

Having the baby was a choice and everyone is happy about it.

You are right I never heard of escort pass. I'd be happy to have a kid too. Waiting. :-)

Fightinfire921 · 08-12-2012, 08:54 PM

Thanks for the input, have a great week and be safe.

Caddyroger · 08-12-2012, 08:59 PM

Maybe she needs to get one these to use.

http://www.toysrus.com/family/index....goryId=2256191

Like some have said they may have been short handed that day and did have any extra at that time. Airlines are getting rid of employes to save money so they can reduce rates or not raise them.
I have not personally flown Southwest but I have taken my grand kids to the airport. They fly Southwest from and to Mich. Since they are under 12 I have to got to the gates to pick the up or hand them off to the flight service workers. I have not seen Southwest help people with babies only wheelchair people. Alaska airlines is the same way.

Fightinfire921 · 08-12-2012, 09:02 PM

OK, it had nothing to do with being shorthanded or busy. This was Southwest's ticket counter not TSA. I just needed to show my D.L. and he printed the escort pass. We go through security like everyone else, no favors. The guy was just being rude.

http://www.toysrus.com/family/index....goryId=2256191
Caddyroger, she has one.

Thanks for the input, have a great week and be safe.

Avenging Orange · 08-13-2012, 01:38 AM

Why would you need to carry on a car seat?
Not making excuses for the rudeness, but seriously, baggage is free on Southwest the last time I looked.

two_wheel_mayhem · 08-13-2012, 01:49 AM

If they charged you $20 bucks for that service, would you complain? Would you pay it?

If that service is free that person deserves a tip, has your daughter tipped that person in the past? Does she buy two seats? She should, southwest is always cramped and flies on a shoestring budget.

Just feeling you out. Are you part of the problem or the solution?

Stingr69 · 08-13-2012, 05:52 AM

I thought the "escort pass" was just a document that would allow a passenger to bring a non-passenger friend along with you just to help you get through the airport to the departure gate? The pass will need to be shown to the TSA when you go through screening. This allows you to walk to the gate even if you do not have a ticket to fly. Is that right?

I have no idea why the airline would not want to issue the pass. It sounds like a nice thing to have if you have a small child and a lot of gear to take with you. You still need a friend to come along and help so they need to have the pass.

Would I ask Southwest why they did not issue the pass? - yes. Would I loose sleep over it? - nope.

JMO.

08-12-2012, 04:50 PM	#1
Fightinfire921 Drives: GMC Acadia, Chevrolet Camaro Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Winter Springs FL Posts: 1,657 View My Garage	Experience with Southwest Airlines My daughter is a second grade teacher and flew in for a week before school starts. She has always received an escort pass at the airports through Southwest for help with her 9 month old son, diaper bag, car seat, purse and a carry on bag. When she checked in and asked "Manny" for one, he denied it stating it was up to his discretion if we needed one and we didn't because she only had the one child and not five. I don't appreciate being judged that way and think he was just being lazy. I became upset and asked why when we have never been denied before and he stated again she didn't need help. I asked to speak with a supervisior and was told he was the only one on duty as he was pointing to his name tag stating his name was Manny with no last name because he's not required to announce it. I believe she was discrimiated against for not having five children. Being the weekend this matter is not finished. She has made this flight 2 other times this year and other times in previous years. She, as well as my wife and I, are members of Southwest's Rapid Rewards program. Just thought I would get some other opinions on the matter.

08-12-2012, 06:43 PM	#6
Steve Dallas Commits weekly crime Drives: 2017 Camaro 1LT Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Camano Island, WA Posts: 9,513 View My Garage	When I fly...I don't sweat the small stuff...and this is small stuff. You're flying in a plane! It's amazing. You go from one place to across the country in a few hours. Seriously, having to spend a little extra effort with your kid isn't the end of the world, maybe they were understaffed and couldn't do it that time. No need to lose your cool...remember, you're still FLYING across the country in a chair. It's magical, it's wonderful....and too many people seem to take it for granted (some of this ripped off from some stand up comic I heard once). __________________ 2017 Camaro 1LT - Blue Barchetta IV I fire up the willing engine, responding with a roar. Tires spitting gravel I commit my weekly crime.

08-12-2012, 08:59 PM	#10
Caddyroger Drives: 2011 RJT Camaro LT2 RS auto shift Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Washington state Posts: 1,861	Maybe she needs to get one these to use. http://www.toysrus.com/family/index....goryId=2256191 Like some have said they may have been short handed that day and did have any extra at that time. Airlines are getting rid of employes to save money so they can reduce rates or not raise them. I have not personally flown Southwest but I have taken my grand kids to the airport. They fly Southwest from and to Mich. Since they are under 12 I have to got to the gates to pick the up or hand them off to the flight service workers. I have not seen Southwest help people with babies only wheelchair people. Alaska airlines is the same way. __________________ Caddy

08-12-2012, 09:02 PM	#11
Fightinfire921 Drives: GMC Acadia, Chevrolet Camaro Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Winter Springs FL Posts: 1,657 View My Garage	OK, it had nothing to do with being shorthanded or busy. This was Southwest's ticket counter not TSA. I just needed to show my D.L. and he printed the escort pass. We go through security like everyone else, no favors. The guy was just being rude. http://www.toysrus.com/family/index....goryId=2256191 Caddyroger, she has one. Thanks for the input, have a great week and be safe. Last edited by Fightinfire921; 08-12-2012 at 09:46 PM.

08-13-2012, 01:38 AM	#12
Avenging Orange Drives: 2010 Inferno Orange 2SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Clermont, IN Posts: 3,297	Why would you need to carry on a car seat? Not making excuses for the rudeness, but seriously, baggage is free on Southwest the last time I looked. __________________ 2010 Inferno Orange 2SS/RS M6 Black Leather, Sun Roof, OBX Headers, Borla touring axle back, Cold Air Inductions CAI , non synthetic fluids, BMR total bushing upgrade/1" lowering springs, DSE 32mm rear sway bar. GM fe4 shocks/struts/LCA's, AAM 3.91 diff, Vertini RFS1.8 20x9 +30. Conti ExtremeContact Sport 275/35/20. sjm autoprod ABL dash kit. Mike Norris tuned 413/419. Avenging Orange: 43 years of not buying into the Hype........and damn proud of it!! https://youtu.be/9JD9it6SmB8 https://youtu.be/xmelTlEzI34 KICKING CANCERS ASS SINCE 2015!!

08-12-2012, 05:15 PM	#2
HookemHorns Drives: 2023 Camaro ZL1 Red Hot Convertible Join Date: May 2011 Location: Arkansas Posts: 859	I have always had really good luck with Southwest...

08-12-2012, 05:16 PM	#3
upflying Drives: '86 Monte Carlo SS Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 3,119	I'm not surprised, airlines are simply airborne transit buses with cramped seats, overfilled bins, grumpy passengers and rude flight attendants. Friendly service is no longer part of the business of any airline. Their only business is to get you safely from one place to another at high cost.

08-12-2012, 05:45 PM	#4
Higgs Boson Perpetual Order Drives: indeed Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 1,277	Maybe people are taking advantage of things like Escort Passes and Manny was getting a little tired of all the people who don't want to wait in security line. Every freaking time I fly, once a week or so, two or three people have "a good reason" to cut or go around. I love their faces when elderly woman watching the line says, "sorry you didn't arrive early enough." Lol, it's 6am, jackass, we are all tired, get to the back of the line. Having a 9 month seems like a personal choice for most people. I guess sometimes you get stuck with one out of nowhere but usually you see it coming.

08-12-2012, 06:59 PM	#7
RichGreene Account Suspended Drives: 2011 1SS M6 Green 1993 Custom Eldo Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 973	Next time take the friendly Greyhound.

08-12-2012, 08:54 PM	#9
Fightinfire921 Drives: GMC Acadia, Chevrolet Camaro Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Winter Springs FL Posts: 1,657 View My Garage	Thanks for the input, have a great week and be safe.

08-13-2012, 01:49 AM	#13
two_wheel_mayhem Would rather be riding Drives: No car no more Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Indiana Posts: 2,750	If they charged you $20 bucks for that service, would you complain? Would you pay it? If that service is free that person deserves a tip, has your daughter tipped that person in the past? Does she buy two seats? She should, southwest is always cramped and flies on a shoestring budget. Just feeling you out. Are you part of the problem or the solution? __________________ No dog in this fight anymore. 5th Gen owner 2009-2016.

08-13-2012, 05:52 AM	#14
Stingr69 '69 Owned Since '79 Drives: '69 Z/28 LeMans Blue w/White Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: LR AR Posts: 1,847 View My Garage	I thought the "escort pass" was just a document that would allow a passenger to bring a non-passenger friend along with you just to help you get through the airport to the departure gate? The pass will need to be shown to the TSA when you go through screening. This allows you to walk to the gate even if you do not have a ticket to fly. Is that right? I have no idea why the airline would not want to issue the pass. It sounds like a nice thing to have if you have a small child and a lot of gear to take with you. You still need a friend to come along and help so they need to have the pass. Would I ask Southwest why they did not issue the pass? - yes. Would I loose sleep over it? - nope. JMO.