There's an interesting process at the boarding gates.
A series of poles leading away from the gate, at about 10 foot intervals. They are labeled something like 1-5, 6-10, 11-15 etc.
Our boarding passes gave us sequence numbers B40 and B41.
When it's time to board, they call for Group A numbers 1-30. Those people line up in order down one side of the line of poles.Group A 31-60 line up on the other side. So while one group is boarding, the next group is assembling. Quite efficient.
A series of poles leading away from the gate, at about 10 foot intervals. They are labeled something like 1-5, 6-10, 11-15 etc.
Our boarding passes gave us sequence numbers B40 and B41.
When it's time to board, they call for Group A numbers 1-30. Those people line up in order down one side of the line of poles.Group A 31-60 line up on the other side. So while one group is boarding, the next group is assembling. Quite efficient.
Once onboard, passengers sit wherever they want. First in best dressed.
The crew is very friendly and very relaxed. I sat a couple of rows behind our exit rows, and watched the attendant do the safety briefing. Most airlines have the attendant brief the ABC side, and then repeat everything to the DEFs. And they ask if the passengers are ok with sitting there, given what they have just been told about egress. No protests, move on.
Not Southwest. She got the attention of both sides of the aisle, and told them she would require a yes or no from each of them. She did her talk, and then pointed to each passenger in turn. Yes, yes, yes, yes...Were you not listening, sir?...yes, yes, yes... It's fast, it's fun, and everybody knows that everybody in the exit row heard what they were told.
The safety PA is good too. I remember the last bit, where she was talking about the life-raft (not much need in the desert to Vegas!). She said if it doesn't inflate, then it's just not your day. Succinct.
They give out free drinks (coffee, coke, sprite etc) and sell heavier ones. They make a point of announcing that there are 3 hostess, each with 50-something passengers to serve, and only 46 minutes to do it. Then they come down with pad and eftpos machine to take our orders. No surprises, it's fast and efficient. Then they come back with a tray holding maybe 6-8 drinks, and they know exactly who they're for. The paid drinks first, then us. In no time, everybody had their drink, and then 2 hostess walked the length of the cabin carrying a large tray between then, handing out bags of nuts.
The whole service was done easily within the time-frame, and some even bought a second drink.
By the way, all of that was without those massive trolleys we are used to seeing rolling up and down the aisle, taking out wayward toes and ankles on the way. Impressive service.
The crew is very friendly and very relaxed. I sat a couple of rows behind our exit rows, and watched the attendant do the safety briefing. Most airlines have the attendant brief the ABC side, and then repeat everything to the DEFs. And they ask if the passengers are ok with sitting there, given what they have just been told about egress. No protests, move on.
Not Southwest. She got the attention of both sides of the aisle, and told them she would require a yes or no from each of them. She did her talk, and then pointed to each passenger in turn. Yes, yes, yes, yes...Were you not listening, sir?...yes, yes, yes... It's fast, it's fun, and everybody knows that everybody in the exit row heard what they were told.
The safety PA is good too. I remember the last bit, where she was talking about the life-raft (not much need in the desert to Vegas!). She said if it doesn't inflate, then it's just not your day. Succinct.
They give out free drinks (coffee, coke, sprite etc) and sell heavier ones. They make a point of announcing that there are 3 hostess, each with 50-something passengers to serve, and only 46 minutes to do it. Then they come down with pad and eftpos machine to take our orders. No surprises, it's fast and efficient. Then they come back with a tray holding maybe 6-8 drinks, and they know exactly who they're for. The paid drinks first, then us. In no time, everybody had their drink, and then 2 hostess walked the length of the cabin carrying a large tray between then, handing out bags of nuts.
The whole service was done easily within the time-frame, and some even bought a second drink.
By the way, all of that was without those massive trolleys we are used to seeing rolling up and down the aisle, taking out wayward toes and ankles on the way. Impressive service.
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