Traveling Southwest Airlines - Reporting Back

Well, I traveled Southwest yesterday. It was a bit chaotic at the gate area but everyone managed to get on the plane in pretty good time, despite the confusion. Even with additional Southwest staff present to assist, it was a little confusing and here's why:

• There are columns with numbers and some with the traditional A.B.C's. Those used to standing in line wanted to stand somewhere!
• We were told we didn't have to get in line. That was helpful. So, we didn't.
• When it was time to board it appeared the employees were not on the same page. Announcements were confusing.
• Once the A Group was called, we weren't sure where to go. There were signs for numbered groups pointing in two directions. So what happened was that the A Group just lined up.
• Staff didn't enforce the lining up in numerical order. So when group A 1-30 was called, we just filed onto the plane. I am sure that there were numbers 22-30 getting on in front of me. I was number 21!

All in all, it didn't matter who got on first. Numbers 1-30 in the A Group managed to get pretty much the seats they wanted. At least I did. I got my traditional window seat near the front of the plane! I wonder if Southwest will do away with the smaller numbered groups and just call 1-30 for boarding.... and on down the line? It would be easier.

Here's the Scoop Directly from Southwest Airlines.