Deadheading & Assigned Seating
01-29-2026 | 10:18 AM
#231
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 4,590
Likes: 434
Has anyone noticed when they list for a non rev the amount of seats available are way higher than normal?
every flight on my commute tomorrow is only half full with many over 100 seats open. Never in the 8 years I've been flying this route have there ever been more than 20 open at time of listing.
Is this due to not having assigned seats?
if thisbis true its really going to be difficult to predict seat availability
every flight on my commute tomorrow is only half full with many over 100 seats open. Never in the 8 years I've been flying this route have there ever been more than 20 open at time of listing.
Is this due to not having assigned seats?
if thisbis true its really going to be difficult to predict seat availability
Late January is typically pretty low. This year, January is the lowest block month of the year despite Feb being shorter. I am on a trip and the long legs have been packed and the shorter ones almost empty. There's a reason they picked this week to introduce assigned seating.
01-29-2026 | 10:26 AM
#232
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 4,590
Likes: 434
The fact is, your workgroup is in dire need of a complete training and standardization overhaul. The license to pick up the PA and do or say whatever comes to mind had a good run, but it's repelling customers and alienating employees. Uneven application of company policy is also harmful to the bottom line.
Not saying that it's you. I am sure you are great as are about 60 percent of FAs I encounter. I am on day 2 with an amazing crew right now. It's just a few of FAs (and pilots) that give the rest a bad name. It's the reason you guys get treated like children despite most of you acting like adults. Cheers to you and all you do...I couldn't do it. You guys are out there taking the shotgun blast to the face and making it all work. I just wish inflight corporate would get their act together and realize it isn't 1971 any more. Pilot training and standards have come a long way in the last 5 years. Y'all can do it too.
01-29-2026 | 12:03 PM
#233
On Reserve
Joined: Jan 2026
Posts: 7
Likes: 9
I appreciate the kind words, y’all. Truly. Came on here after a rough day at work a bit too emotional. Appreciate the perspective, and have immense respect for all you do. My closest friend in my base is my former roommate who is an FO at AA so I know how much hard work it took to get where you are. I’ve thought about pursuing flight school myself, but if I’m being honest, I like my beard a bit too much 
I agree that Inflight could use an overhaul. I’ve gotten pretty good at avoiding the problem children in my base, but there are some new ones that pop up every now and again. Replacing Sonya with Steve was a step in the right direction.
I have friends that work in Talent Acquisition who mentioned it was rough finding quality candidates early last year. A majority couldn’t even tell you why they wanted to be an FA outside of “I like to travel.” Meanwhile I spent weeks thinking of responses I could give that quoted one of Herb’s last big interviews and how they applied to myself. I knew I had one shot, and I was not about to blow it.
The good news is every 19XXXX number I’ve worked with has been really, really good. So there’s hope.
I’ll be the first to admit I have some strategically placed jokes in my PAs, but I also have a background in Public Relations so I’m hyper aware of how everything I say has a direct impact on the brand. Reading the room is also an essential skill that some of us seem to lack. I like to say I give the customers some sprinkles, not the whole can of icing.
I’m going to keep doing my part to take care of y’all and our customers, and I look forward to making this new, profit-generating era of Southwest our best yet.
I agree that Inflight could use an overhaul. I’ve gotten pretty good at avoiding the problem children in my base, but there are some new ones that pop up every now and again. Replacing Sonya with Steve was a step in the right direction.
I have friends that work in Talent Acquisition who mentioned it was rough finding quality candidates early last year. A majority couldn’t even tell you why they wanted to be an FA outside of “I like to travel.” Meanwhile I spent weeks thinking of responses I could give that quoted one of Herb’s last big interviews and how they applied to myself. I knew I had one shot, and I was not about to blow it.
The good news is every 19XXXX number I’ve worked with has been really, really good. So there’s hope.
I’ll be the first to admit I have some strategically placed jokes in my PAs, but I also have a background in Public Relations so I’m hyper aware of how everything I say has a direct impact on the brand. Reading the room is also an essential skill that some of us seem to lack. I like to say I give the customers some sprinkles, not the whole can of icing.
I’m going to keep doing my part to take care of y’all and our customers, and I look forward to making this new, profit-generating era of Southwest our best yet.
01-29-2026 | 12:25 PM
#235
Line Holder
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 767
Likes: 221
01-29-2026 | 01:26 PM
#236
Line Holder
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 696
Likes: 31
Man, you think you’re doing an excellent job at work only to get on here and be told you’re nothing more than a sentient soda machine, awful at customer service, and my mere presence brings y’all endless frustration. Ouch.
I’m a FA, but I like checking out this forum because, honestly, y’all have the best gossip and news about what’s going on. I care deeply about this company & my coworkers. I know what it’s like to work an office job in a dying Rust Belt city and only make $38,000 a year. I’ve been in the industry since March 2020 (great time to make a career transition btw!) and I fly 150-180 a month. According to my investment calculator, if SWA is still around a decade from now, I’ll be a millionaire by my mid 40s. To give you perspective on my background, my parents are retiring exclusively on social security. To say that I’m grateful for everything this job has given me would be the understatement of a lifetime. Southwest hasn’t helped me climb the economic ladder, it’s put me on an economic elevator in a high rise.
A HOU Captain and I chatted at the bar a couple weeks ago for about an hour about how much we love what we do, what I try to do for our customers, and how Captains like him - communicative, caring, and just plain happy - make my job even better. I’m an A flyer, and I really do care about y’all. If you’ve heard the phrase “You need anything? I like my pilots happy and hydrated” you know exactly who I am. The displacement situation, which I only learned about because of these forums, has me so mad for y’all, especially the Denver guys and gals. Living in a base while being forced to commute to another is cruel.
I’m not acting like every FA is as good at their job as me. In fact, I know they’re not. Trust me, I see the behaviors, y’all. My no fly list has some winners on there that should never have ever made it past the interview. It’s one of the reasons I try to fly A. I need to be the first and last person our customers associate with their flight. I’m one of the best Flight Attendants we have, and I’m not ashamed to say it because dozens of SWA pilots have told me so. I’ve had customers get off a 7 1/2 hour delayed flight smiling because that’s what emotional intelligence, a personality, and true hospitality can do. What makes me so different? I actually care about our customers. On this last trip alone two different customers hugged me as they got off the plane. Travel is stressful, and everyone could use some kindness.
If we’re being honest, I guess it just hurts to wonder if all the pilots I interact with in real life - the ones I shake hands with, laugh with, and engage in conservation with - actually hate my guts. As a dude, sometimes y’all are the only other guy coworkers I get to hang out with for weeks a time. The opinions I see frequently shared on here just don’t seem to match my real life experiences in the front of the plane, the walk to the shuttle, or ride to the airport. So, what’s the truth? Am I an unnecessary, unwanted part of the crew on your plane, or do some of us actually add value to Southwest, ensuring we have economic longevity for many years to come?
The only time I’ve ever clapped back at a Captain over the years is when the guy from BWI (that I since found out many other pilots dislike) told the FO within earshot of me that “you should go to Delta, their flight attendants are hotter.” I not-so-nicely reminded him my job description doesn’t involve being eye candy for men shorter than me.
I know y’all put up with nonsense from some FAs, but don’t act like I don’t have to smile through a lot of demeaning comments and behaviors. I’ve had a captain get angry with me because I was the A and not the two attractive ladies I was flying with. I’ve had a captain say “I expect a phone call at some point during the flight to see if we need anything, or is that too much work for you?” That doesn’t feel good.
My Captain on my last trip, who even after being corrected, couldn’t be bothered to call me by my actual, easy-to-pronounce first name, had to apologize to me after being condescending to me during multiple interactions. The thing that made him snap at me the most? I let him know the B’s emergency equipment had failed a check and would need to be replaced. I appreciated his sincere apology, but I’m not going to pretend I didn’t enjoy him having to wait around to shut down the plane and hear MANY deplaning customers laugh at my jokes and say how much they enjoyed the flight because of me. I think I even heard him laugh a time or two. That felt really, really good.
Okay, that’s enough from me & my soapbox. Hoping all these new changes return us to the record profitability we all deserve.
Stay happy & hydrated.
I’m a FA, but I like checking out this forum because, honestly, y’all have the best gossip and news about what’s going on. I care deeply about this company & my coworkers. I know what it’s like to work an office job in a dying Rust Belt city and only make $38,000 a year. I’ve been in the industry since March 2020 (great time to make a career transition btw!) and I fly 150-180 a month. According to my investment calculator, if SWA is still around a decade from now, I’ll be a millionaire by my mid 40s. To give you perspective on my background, my parents are retiring exclusively on social security. To say that I’m grateful for everything this job has given me would be the understatement of a lifetime. Southwest hasn’t helped me climb the economic ladder, it’s put me on an economic elevator in a high rise.
A HOU Captain and I chatted at the bar a couple weeks ago for about an hour about how much we love what we do, what I try to do for our customers, and how Captains like him - communicative, caring, and just plain happy - make my job even better. I’m an A flyer, and I really do care about y’all. If you’ve heard the phrase “You need anything? I like my pilots happy and hydrated” you know exactly who I am. The displacement situation, which I only learned about because of these forums, has me so mad for y’all, especially the Denver guys and gals. Living in a base while being forced to commute to another is cruel.
I’m not acting like every FA is as good at their job as me. In fact, I know they’re not. Trust me, I see the behaviors, y’all. My no fly list has some winners on there that should never have ever made it past the interview. It’s one of the reasons I try to fly A. I need to be the first and last person our customers associate with their flight. I’m one of the best Flight Attendants we have, and I’m not ashamed to say it because dozens of SWA pilots have told me so. I’ve had customers get off a 7 1/2 hour delayed flight smiling because that’s what emotional intelligence, a personality, and true hospitality can do. What makes me so different? I actually care about our customers. On this last trip alone two different customers hugged me as they got off the plane. Travel is stressful, and everyone could use some kindness.
If we’re being honest, I guess it just hurts to wonder if all the pilots I interact with in real life - the ones I shake hands with, laugh with, and engage in conservation with - actually hate my guts. As a dude, sometimes y’all are the only other guy coworkers I get to hang out with for weeks a time. The opinions I see frequently shared on here just don’t seem to match my real life experiences in the front of the plane, the walk to the shuttle, or ride to the airport. So, what’s the truth? Am I an unnecessary, unwanted part of the crew on your plane, or do some of us actually add value to Southwest, ensuring we have economic longevity for many years to come?
The only time I’ve ever clapped back at a Captain over the years is when the guy from BWI (that I since found out many other pilots dislike) told the FO within earshot of me that “you should go to Delta, their flight attendants are hotter.” I not-so-nicely reminded him my job description doesn’t involve being eye candy for men shorter than me.
I know y’all put up with nonsense from some FAs, but don’t act like I don’t have to smile through a lot of demeaning comments and behaviors. I’ve had a captain get angry with me because I was the A and not the two attractive ladies I was flying with. I’ve had a captain say “I expect a phone call at some point during the flight to see if we need anything, or is that too much work for you?” That doesn’t feel good.
My Captain on my last trip, who even after being corrected, couldn’t be bothered to call me by my actual, easy-to-pronounce first name, had to apologize to me after being condescending to me during multiple interactions. The thing that made him snap at me the most? I let him know the B’s emergency equipment had failed a check and would need to be replaced. I appreciated his sincere apology, but I’m not going to pretend I didn’t enjoy him having to wait around to shut down the plane and hear MANY deplaning customers laugh at my jokes and say how much they enjoyed the flight because of me. I think I even heard him laugh a time or two. That felt really, really good.
Okay, that’s enough from me & my soapbox. Hoping all these new changes return us to the record profitability we all deserve.
Stay happy & hydrated.
Quite the opposite.
19 out of 20 FAs are nice people and great to work with.
It’s that 1/20 that could falsely accuse you of something and ruin your career/life with zero repercussions.
If I’m flying with you and interact, it’s genuine.
Pre-Covid hang outs as a crew?!
Hard No. Not worth the risks.
It strikes me as a sad state of affairs when FAs crack a joke and I back out of the conversation. I don’t mean to be rude, but I’m not risking my career/family/etc. Especially after the last TWU556 leadership went on a mission to attack my work group.
Not your fault, not mine.
just the world we live in, sadly.
01-29-2026 | 04:05 PM
#237
At your mom's house
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 3,719
Likes: 486
From: cpt 737
Nope, the loads are really like that right now. I read an article about why that is recently. Basically, the high season is longer and more intense and the low periods are shorter and dryer.
Late January is typically pretty low. This year, January is the lowest block month of the year despite Feb being shorter. I am on a trip and the long legs have been packed and the shorter ones almost empty. There's a reason they picked this week to introduce assigned seating.
Late January is typically pretty low. This year, January is the lowest block month of the year despite Feb being shorter. I am on a trip and the long legs have been packed and the shorter ones almost empty. There's a reason they picked this week to introduce assigned seating.
Easy fix tho if that happens. Switch to JS and take a seat.
might be a new jingle
01-29-2026 | 04:16 PM
#238
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 4,590
Likes: 434
01-30-2026 | 05:14 AM
#239
Line Holder
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,130
Likes: 103
From: 737 FO
Man, you think you’re doing an excellent job at work only to get on here and be told you’re nothing more than a sentient soda machine, awful at customer service, and my mere presence brings y’all endless frustration. Ouch.
I’m a FA, but I like checking out this forum because, honestly, y’all have the best gossip and news about what’s going on. I care deeply about this company & my coworkers. I know what it’s like to work an office job in a dying Rust Belt city and only make $38,000 a year. I’ve been in the industry since March 2020 (great time to make a career transition btw!) and I fly 150-180 a month. According to my investment calculator, if SWA is still around a decade from now, I’ll be a millionaire by my mid 40s. To give you perspective on my background, my parents are retiring exclusively on social security. To say that I’m grateful for everything this job has given me would be the understatement of a lifetime. Southwest hasn’t helped me climb the economic ladder, it’s put me on an economic elevator in a high rise.
A HOU Captain and I chatted at the bar a couple weeks ago for about an hour about how much we love what we do, what I try to do for our customers, and how Captains like him - communicative, caring, and just plain happy - make my job even better. I’m an A flyer, and I really do care about y’all. If you’ve heard the phrase “You need anything? I like my pilots happy and hydrated” you know exactly who I am. The displacement situation, which I only learned about because of these forums, has me so mad for y’all, especially the Denver guys and gals. Living in a base while being forced to commute to another is cruel.
…more good stuff
Stay happy & hydrated.
I’m a FA, but I like checking out this forum because, honestly, y’all have the best gossip and news about what’s going on. I care deeply about this company & my coworkers. I know what it’s like to work an office job in a dying Rust Belt city and only make $38,000 a year. I’ve been in the industry since March 2020 (great time to make a career transition btw!) and I fly 150-180 a month. According to my investment calculator, if SWA is still around a decade from now, I’ll be a millionaire by my mid 40s. To give you perspective on my background, my parents are retiring exclusively on social security. To say that I’m grateful for everything this job has given me would be the understatement of a lifetime. Southwest hasn’t helped me climb the economic ladder, it’s put me on an economic elevator in a high rise.
A HOU Captain and I chatted at the bar a couple weeks ago for about an hour about how much we love what we do, what I try to do for our customers, and how Captains like him - communicative, caring, and just plain happy - make my job even better. I’m an A flyer, and I really do care about y’all. If you’ve heard the phrase “You need anything? I like my pilots happy and hydrated” you know exactly who I am. The displacement situation, which I only learned about because of these forums, has me so mad for y’all, especially the Denver guys and gals. Living in a base while being forced to commute to another is cruel.
…more good stuff
Stay happy & hydrated.
This guy needs to be VP of in flight. Seriously.
My post was made in jest. There are cliches about every group and I’m not naive enough to think the 63 year old thrice-divorced captain at the bar in new balances trying to pick up the 26 year old flight attendant doesn’t raise any eyebrows on the other side of the cabin door or the 25 year old FO who is absolutely doing his best to grow the creepiest wispiest mustache he can because his dad never taught him to shave isn’t getting roasted back there.
The FAs who show up, look professional, and do their jobs well are fantastic to fly with and it’s definitely appreciated. The 25% who harangue our passengers, look like an unkempt mob, claim light chop is moderate turbulence, never want to serve yet somehow stir up drama while simultaneously playing on their phone for a transcon give the entire group a bad name. Most people here want what’s best for our passengers which is where the frustration comes from when you find someone who doesn’t care at all.
I’m sorry for the NTAC captains you’ve had to deal with. It’s embarrassing. On the front side of the cockpit door, you’ll *usually* find two people who want to get off the gate on time or early, find a smooth ride, make a friendly PA or two, and get the airplane down in the touchdown zone with a nice landing. It annoys me when I can’t make those things happen for our passengers and fellow employees, especially the nice landing part. Good thing there’s always another leg to attempt to be better. Taking pride in what we do is a hallmark of professionalism and it’s good to see that in other employees.
I really do appreciate the effort from
those who show up and put in the work. Thanks for checking on us up front. That happens less and less often, but it’s always appreciated.
Last edited by Zard; 01-30-2026 at 05:25 AM.
01-30-2026 | 06:56 AM
#240
At your mom's house
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 3,719
Likes: 486
From: cpt 737
Just flew with the new system and I was lucky enough to be able to talk to a CSA training SUP who gave me the low down.
Basically when they clear the seats the system will give you a seat. I got 1B. Then if there are other seats open that you would prefer the CSA can assign you that seat. Switched to 3C with the whole row open.
This took about 10 sec for her to do. Not hard. Super easy dont let them tell you they can't. If they can't its because they're lazy, hate pilots, or incompetent. Harsh words but I've been scwed many times by this type of CSA.
If you sign up for JS you can take a seat after boarding is done. FA will tell.you what seats are open via her iPad and then they relay that info to CSA or ops.
also FA can move a pax if needed. Same procedure.
no one can upgrade at the gate so if the seat is open it's open. Maybe that will chamge as I see SW leaving money on the table there.
This was easy but I can see it being a S show if no one knows what they're doing etc
Basically when they clear the seats the system will give you a seat. I got 1B. Then if there are other seats open that you would prefer the CSA can assign you that seat. Switched to 3C with the whole row open.
This took about 10 sec for her to do. Not hard. Super easy dont let them tell you they can't. If they can't its because they're lazy, hate pilots, or incompetent. Harsh words but I've been scwed many times by this type of CSA.
If you sign up for JS you can take a seat after boarding is done. FA will tell.you what seats are open via her iPad and then they relay that info to CSA or ops.
also FA can move a pax if needed. Same procedure.
no one can upgrade at the gate so if the seat is open it's open. Maybe that will chamge as I see SW leaving money on the table there.
This was easy but I can see it being a S show if no one knows what they're doing etc
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