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The "unassigned seating" thing is a little amusing since IME SouthWest actually has like 7 levels of "special" (at least it feels like that) before general seating is allowed.

I probably wouldn't change it (the special priorities) given the choice, but it is mildly annoying when it feels like you're waiting in line for an extra 10 or 15 minutes because you're not pregnant, a veteran, a VIP, etc.

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Southwest has 1 (one) pre boarding phase - the vast majority of passengers in that phase are physically handicapped and need extra time to board. I fly southwest frequently (a-list) and have never seen it any other way - you get a blue sleeve, you pre-board. If not, you get in line with your group.

If they occasionally let a veteran or pregnant woman in that line who cares?

I do know that families with small children often board between the A and B groups. Which is nice, because families often want or need to sit together, but it still makes having an A ticket special.

Maybe it depends on airport. I've definitely never seen a "blue sleeve". And I've definitely heard veteran pre-board called out at Love Field.

Either way, like I said, I probably wouldn't change it. It has no real impact on where I sit. It's just the whole making a slow, inconvenient, annoying process just that much slower, more annoying.

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