Originally Posted by
flymeswa
The original poster couldn't have been more correct. Additionally the quote above rarely happens anymore. They print you a boarding category and don't let you board with the flight deck authorization sheet that much anymore. If you ask them to board with the flight deck form, half of them don't understand that jumpseating doesn't actually mean the jumpseat and they say "no there are seats in the back". Explaining further, only confuses them further.
Lately agents have been rude, non-helpful, no preboarding, and a lot of agents have no idea what's going on anymore. I find the entire boarding experience to be a complete disaster once you're on board as well, everybody switching with everybody, never on time. The only pleasurable experience is dealing with the pilots ( who are exempt from all statements above and always go out of their way) and maybe half of the flight attendants.
For those who say fine then don't fly Southwest, I usually don't however they do have a very frequent schedule... and I'd rather it be fixed then just be told to fly on somebody else. It used to be a great experience.
I have had a similar experience with some of our gate agents. They are honestly trying to help you out. They think that you prefer a seat in the cabin and don't want to have to go through the whole process of dealing with the jumpseat. I just politely ask for the cockpit jumpseat if that is what I want and if they still hand you a boarding group and you are in uniform, just head over to the preboard area and when the ops agent makes his or her initial announcement, ask if it is cool if you head down and introduce yourself. I haven't had one say no yet, and I frequently go down early with non-SWA guys who are in the same situation.
The response is generally the same no matter what from the flight crew - grab a seat in the back and make yourself at home. We will call you if we need you.
As for crabby FA's, every company has their five percent, us included. Some of them really need to take a long vacation. They get so frustrated telling customers the same thing over and over that it comes out rude and condescending.
Many captains (commuters, mainly) will tell guys to take a seat close to the front. You know, in case we have to call you up and for cabin security reasons in flight. I personally approve of that method. If not, though, I go aft of the exit row and plop down there in an aisle seat.