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Post by elaine on Apr 24, 2017 1:11:23 GMT
We flew for the first time in 10 years with my boys this morning. Dh and I were a bit apprehensive, as our younger son is now quite obviously intellectually disabled. And since he is the tallest member of our family now, and is prone to loud meltdowns when stressed, we just didn't know how it would go. First, since dh is TSA Pre, we all were cleared to go through TSA Pre security, which is much easier in terms of crowding and not needing to take off shoes, etc. Second, as we were checking our bags with Southwest, the agent after interacting with us and our son for a few minutes said, "I'm going to go ahead and give you Pre-Boarding so your son can find a good seat on the plane without rushing. "  As we were waiting for the plane, my son became more and more anxious as to whether they were going to serve on peanuts on the plane. He really wanted them, but we told him they might not have them because some people are allergic. He asked both of the gate agents, and then all the flight attendants on the plane. He couldn't quite believe anyone and was anxious until it was time for drinks and peanuts! He was so excited, he did a bit of flapping. The flight attendants were so nice and patient with him. And then, after they were done serving the plane, one of them came by and gave him a whole bag of peanut snack bags! We have enough bags of peanuts to last the whole cruise, flight home, and a week afterwards! My son was so happy. And therefore my dh and I were happy too. Thank you Southwest for making what could have been a long challenging day into a happy family memory instead. |
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Apr 24, 2017 1:23:08 GMT
That's great to hear. I think there are probably lots of stories like that out there. We just hear the bad ones.
Last year, I took my mama and her two best friends on a week-long cruise. We flew JetBlue to Ft Lauderdale and back. I had all three ladies in wheelchairs in the airport. The airline and the TSA staff were fabulous. I can't say enough about all the help I got along the way. They could not have made anything easier for me had we chartered a private plane. Actually, the cruise line was the same. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
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Post by elaine on Apr 24, 2017 1:49:33 GMT
That's great to hear. I think there are probably lots of stories like that out there. We just hear the bad ones. Last year, I took my mama and her two best friends on a week-long cruise. We flew JetBlue to Ft Lauderdale and back. I had all three ladies in wheelchairs in the airport. The airline and the TSA staff were fabulous. I can't say enough about all the help I got along the way. They could not have made anything easier for me had we chartered a private plane. Actually, the cruise line was the same. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I agree that there are a lot of good stories we just don't hear about. I am simply so appreciative of all the help we got today. I am glad that you too had a wonderful travel experience with your mom and her friends! I love cruising and can't wait to get on the ship tomorrow. |
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Post by anniefb on Apr 24, 2017 1:54:16 GMT
That's great to hear. And I agree that people are much more likely to share a bad experience than a good one. That's I try and recommend places that do give good service.
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Post by originalvanillabean on Apr 24, 2017 2:08:47 GMT
That's awesome! and so nice to hear after all the other stories lately! Enjoy your trip  |
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mvavw
Full Member
Posts: 344
Jun 25, 2014 20:21:43 GMT
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Post by mvavw on Apr 24, 2017 2:13:21 GMT
My 97 year old grandmother flew Jet Blue just before Easter. She mixed up her departure time and arrived at the airport late. They put her on the next flight to a nearby airport (of her choice) with no additional charge and calmed her down and told her not to worry about anything. They took excellent care of her and she was smiling about the experience by the time I saw her. They made what could have been a very horrible experience for her (her caregiver had left her by that point, so she was alone) into a slight bump in the road that she got through with no more than a few tears and a lot of understanding by those around her.
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Belle
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by Belle on Apr 24, 2017 2:13:41 GMT
Love hearing stories like this! Way to go Southwest! Glad things went smoothly for your family!
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GiantsFan
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,308
Site Supporter
Jun 27, 2014 14:44:56 GMT
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Post by GiantsFan on Apr 24, 2017 2:14:28 GMT
That's great elaine . I've always had good experiences with Southwest. Maybe you should keep a few bags of the peanuts for the plane trip home - just in case they don't serve them on that flight. Enjoy your trip. |
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Post by padresfan619 on Apr 24, 2017 2:16:11 GMT
I fly Southwest any chance I get, the staff is truly incredible. When I have had a bad experience it is because of a fellow passenger, not a staff member. You should post this on their Facebook page or send an email with details of your flight (flight number, confirmation number) so those involved can be recognized.
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Post by mom on Apr 24, 2017 2:16:57 GMT
I love this so much!  |
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Post by mom on Apr 24, 2017 2:17:58 GMT
I fly Southeest any chance I get, the staff is truly incredible. When I have had a bad experience it is because of a fellow passenger, not a staff member. Y ou should post this on their Facebook page or send an email with details of your flight (flight number, confirmation number) so those involved can be recognized.Definately! |
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scrappinwithoutpeas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,940
Location: Northern Virginia
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Post by scrappinwithoutpeas on Apr 24, 2017 2:19:06 GMT
Very nice service! I hope you'll share your great experience with Southwest as well, they probably don't get as much positive feedback as negative.
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Post by ntsf on Apr 24, 2017 2:42:29 GMT
just a heads up.. my dh has tsa pre.. and he walks currently with two walking sticks and can only weight bear 50 % on one leg. he arrived at tsa.. and they didn't have an "approved cane or crutches".. so he couldn't walk through scanner.. they would not let him use his own equipment and then a pat down search that was totally intrusive and grabbed his crotch 4 times!! he was so mad and there wasn't anything he could do...
so psa... tsa pre check doesn't always help you . he had been taken to the gate in a wheelchair.. on way back, the tsa. let him through without walking cause he was in a wheel chair..( airport provided)...
so glad your family had a good experience.. it doesn't take much to make it good.. and it helps all of us out!!!
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Post by Eddie-n-Harley on Apr 24, 2017 3:03:03 GMT
That's great elaine . I've always had good experiences with Southwest. Maybe you should keep a few bags of the peanuts for the plane trip home - just in case they don't serve them on that flight. Enjoy your trip. Except that, if they don't serve peanuts on the flight, it may be because they have that flight set up to be peanut free, so while it's a good idea to save a few extras, be sure that you can actually open them and won't be contaminating a clean space. Glad you had a good flight, elaine. Enjoy your vacation. |
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Post by jamielynn on Apr 24, 2017 3:03:54 GMT
That's really great!
I too have tons of great experiences. Using family lines with extra hands and help while flying with a little one; the clear explainations of checking breast milk, help with car seats on planes ... this list goes on for me too.
The flight crew was so kind to my toddler flying nonstop to Hawaii. They had endless healthy fruit and treats available but always asked me first before offering to my elated child. (I'll disclaim here that was in first class where there are endless healthy snacks out for everyone but they kept coming to check on us with fruit in hand for my little ect).
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tanya2
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1604
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Post by tanya2 on Apr 24, 2017 3:09:39 GMT
thats so awesome!!
we've flown southwest a few times & always had good experiences. But my favourite is Westjet. We were flying them once on my ds' 18th birthday, and due to a repair that needed to be made our flight home was delayed by several hours - which meant he was missing the party his friends were throwing for his birthday! I mentioned this to one of the attendants & she had the entire plane sing him happy birthday & she bought him a birthday beer (we were flying out of AB & the legal age there is 18)
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Post by frenchie on Apr 24, 2017 4:25:12 GMT
I fly Southwest any chance I get, the staff is truly incredible. When I have had a bad experience it is because of a fellow passenger, not a staff member. You should post this on their Facebook page or send an email with details of your flight (flight number, confirmation number) so those involved can be recognized. Yes! The letter will go into their personnel files. So happy that you all had a wonderful experience! |
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melissa
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by melissa on Apr 24, 2017 4:46:08 GMT
That's Southwest for ya'!
We preferentially fly Southwest. Used to be JetBlue, but now it's Southwest unless we can't get a flight.
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melissa
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,912
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Post by melissa on Apr 24, 2017 4:48:18 GMT
Oh and I echo sending them a letter or email
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Post by hollymolly on Apr 24, 2017 4:56:39 GMT
elaine that warms my heart! I had good experiences today too. I was scheduled Little Rock to Dallas at 6 am, then on to San Francisco, arriving a little before noon, for my work week in Oakland. When I landed at DFW and turned my phone back on, I had a message that my flight to SFO had been cancelled. I was automatically rebooked to fly to Phoenix at 4:30 pm (it was only 8 am when I landed) and then after a 3 hour layover fly to San Jose, landing at 10:15. If you figure time to get luggage and rental car, then the drive from San Jose to Oakland, I'd be checking in to my hotel around midnight. Keep in mind that I left my house at 4:30 am Central, so that would put me at over 21 hours of travel, and I still have to be at work the next morning. I called American and they couldn't do any better over the phone, but suggested I talk directly to a gate agent in Dallas. There were two, one appeared to be in training, and they very patiently and creatively worked to get me to Oakland at the earliest possible time. They put me on the next flight to Phoenix, with a connection to Monterey landing at 3:30. Even with two + hours of driving, I'd still be in my room much, much earlier. I didn't have enough time to request an upgrade, or even change my seat on the DFW to PHX flight. When I got to Phoenix, I tried to request an upgrade on my AA app but it wouldn't work. I asked the gate agent there and she looked into it, then instead of putting me on the waiting list she just handed me a new ticket for a really good seat in first class. When I landed in Monterey, I learned that my luggage had gone to San Francisco. Popping into a major airport just to pick up luggage sounded like something I did not want to do, but it was surprisingly easy and hassle-free. The luggage staff were friendly and super quick. The whole thing from parking to leaving took about 30 minutes, half of what I expected. And everyone, across the board, was pleasant and competent all day long. Could have been a sucky day, but it turned out not so bad. Plus the wildflowers are in bloom and that drive from Monterey was worth everything that happened today.
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PrettyInPeank
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,691
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Post by PrettyInPeank on Apr 24, 2017 4:59:26 GMT
I <3 Southwest. Never had an issue unlike other airlines; only great experiences!
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Post by cmpeter on Apr 24, 2017 6:30:55 GMT
That's awesome and so nice to hear!
We flew with my special needs nephew (7) two weeks ago. We made an appointment with TSA Cares. They were so helpful. When we arrived at the airport the TSA assigned an agent to us who walked our group to the front of the line. Helped get us all through security and to the gate. My nephew would not have been able to wait in the line.
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Post by elaine on Apr 24, 2017 11:26:00 GMT
I fly Southwest any chance I get, the staff is truly incredible. When I have had a bad experience it is because of a fellow passenger, not a staff member. You should post this on their Facebook page or send an email with details of your flight (flight number, confirmation number) so those involved can be recognized. Great idea! I will do this. |
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Post by Tammiem2pnc1 on Apr 24, 2017 11:40:39 GMT
We love Southwest. I am a little partial as my BIL is a pilot for them, but we've also had great experiences flying with them. Our youngest is Autistic and they made sure we could board early so he could get the seat he wanted, knowing that would make his experience flying a positive one.
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Post by mikklynn on Apr 24, 2017 12:21:44 GMT
DH uses a wheelchair when we travel. I have to say every airport has been wonderful about accommodating him. The bonus is they take him to the front of the security line. We are TSA-pre, so it goes super fast.
He uses crutches to board the plane and every flight attendant has been wonderful about finding a spot for the crutches. In fact, I think he's starting to enjoy the attention!
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Post by Merge on Apr 24, 2017 12:24:10 GMT
We flew for the first time in 10 years with my boys this morning. Dh and I were a bit apprehensive, as our younger son is now quite obviously intellectually disabled. And since he is the tallest member of our family now, and is prone to loud meltdowns when stressed, we just didn't know how it would go. First, since dh is TSA Pre, we all were cleared to go through TSA Pre security, which is much easier in terms of crowding and not needing to take off shoes, etc. Second, as we were checking our bags with Southwest, the agent after interacting with us and our son for a few minutes said, "I'm going to go ahead and give you Pre-Boarding so your son can find a good seat on the plane without rushing. " As we were waiting for the plane, my son became more and more anxious as to whether they were going to serve on peanuts on the plane. He really wanted them, but we told him they might not have them because some people are allergic. He asked both of the gate agents, and then all the flight attendants on the plane. He couldn't quite believe anyone and was anxious until it was time for drinks and peanuts! He was so excited, he did a bit of flapping. The flight attendants were so nice and patient with him. And then, after they were done serving the plane, one of them came by and gave him a whole bag of peanut snack bags! We have enough bags of peanuts to last the whole cruise, flight home, and a week afterwards! My son was so happy. And therefore my dh and I were happy too. Thank you Southwest for making what could have been a long challenging day into a happy family memory instead. That is wonderful. I'd be happy to have my coat thrown at me fifty times if they'll keep doing stuff like that. |
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Post by melanell on Apr 24, 2017 13:01:13 GMT
That's such a great experience! I'm happy for all of you and appreciative that you took the time to share a good story with us. They're always nice to hear. |
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christinec68
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,159
Location: New York, NY
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Post by christinec68 on Apr 24, 2017 13:28:05 GMT
I am glad you had such a great experience!!
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tduby1
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Post by tduby1 on Apr 24, 2017 14:56:54 GMT
This was back in 07. We went to Disney with our 3 kids and my parents. The kids were 8,7 and 5 at the time. After clearing security and getting settled in our terminal DH realized somewhere along the line he had lost our truck keys for when we got back to the airport. He had either left them in the rental car or set them down when we were checking luggage. We explained the situation with the gate attendants and between all of us adults- gate attendants included- the decision was made that we would leave the kids with my parents and the two of us would split up, him going back to the rental car (as it was the longest distance)and me the luggage check in to look for them, running the entire way, there and back.
Originally we had gotten through security very quickly so did not expect that to be a problem. So off we went. The keys were neither place. (My brother ended up having to drive the 2.5 hours to the airport to bring us our spare set).
Anyway, DH arrived back at the security check point and the line was extremely long. He started explaining to people in line what had happened, that our plane was about to take of and our kids would have neither parent on the plane, and that although they had their grandparents it would be traumatic. Every single person in that line told him to go ahead of them. Just one after another, till he was at the front of the line. So incredible.
In the meantime, the kids were hysterical, refusing to board the plane without us. And my mom and dad were overwhelmed. The gate attendants took some time to talk the kids, calm them down, reassure them that they would do their best to make sure they had at least one parent on the plane, if the kids would board. And they did. They allowed DH to board once he arrived, even though boarding was complete- they had held off closing the doors as long as they could hoping one of us would make it back.. They then asked DH if I had a phone and when he said no they asked him for a phone to give to me (my dad's- something my parents and DH hadn't thought about).
I ended up standing in the entire security check out line and arrived at the gate just after they closed the doors. I was hysterical because my kids were on that plane and I had no idea DH had made it back. The gate attendants told me everything was ok. Dh was on the plane, gave me the phone, and told me to call into the plane to talk to the kids and reassure them I was ok and would meet them in Atlanta. They had already booked me a new flight at no extra cost, that would have me meeting them in Atlanta and flying the rest of the way with them.
And as if they wasn't enough. They asked if I had any money to go get something eat while I waited for the next flight. I didn't so one of them gave me $20, which I tried to decline but they would not let me.
They were amazing. And I have never forgotten it. They absolutely understood how scary it was for my kids to be on that plane without either parent, and how they would not understand that everything would work out. They absolutely understood how heartbreaking it was for me to see that plane taxi away with my kids, even though I knew it was only for a few hours. They understood that the situation was making everyone even more emotional than necessary and they did everything they could to make it better.
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Post by mom on Apr 24, 2017 15:21:13 GMT
That's Southwest for ya'! We preferentially fly Southwest. Used to be JetBlue, but now it's Southwest unless we can't get a flight. We prefer Southwest as well. The prices are always better, don't have to pay for suitcases and well, the service is almost always awesome! |
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