So you want to glide for a dollar on Southwest, but you’re tired of sitting in the middle seat, at the encourage of the plane, smelling the restroom sanitizer spray? Yes, THE SECRET isn’t some law of attraction, it’s getting a well-behaved seat on an “open-seating” flight. After flying on gazillions of Southwest planes, touring as a corporate comedienne, I’ve figured it out! Here are ways to raise the odds that you’ll accept a decent seat too.
IF THE PLANE ISN’T COMPLETELY stout AND YOU’RE IN THE “A” OR “B” LINE. . . you of course want to find in a row where the middle seat stays empty!
Sit in rows 5 through 8. According to my unscientific research of watching people-patterns (no lab rats eager), I’ve noticed a people-pattern. Passengers tend to acquire up the front couple rows first, THEN, starting with about row 5, if they peek a person sitting in that row they head to the serve, searching for a better seat! I HYPOTHESIZE (like a scientist) that they can’t gawk the benefit until about row 9, and then it’s too slack to do that salmon swimming upstream recede, so they’re stuck. Park it in rows 5-8, where one person is already sitting, and there’s a really, really honorable chance that the middle seat will discontinue vacant. BONUS TIP. . .I’ve even noticed (ahem, studied) that people have up the LEFT side (as you’re walking down the aisle) first; so you should sit on the moral side.
Sit in a row that already has one person in it. If you sit in an empty row, there’s the chance that TWO people traveling together will sit next to you.
Sit in a row with one person in it. . .where the overhead bin is fleshy. Most people have a carryon the size of Kansas, with all sorts of considerable toothpaste that they have to sit come. So if the bin is rotund, they’ll preserve going! You of course checked your luggage, so you’re a free agent to sit underneath the bin-filled seats. If you have a carry-on, originate certain you sit in a seat where your bag fills the bin up. This is a kindly time to have a bag the size of Kansas.
IF ALL THAT’S LEFT ARE CENTER SEATS BECAUSE YOU’RE A “C” PERSON. . . you quiet might avoid the “C is for Center seat” fate.
ogle for people who match, with an empty middle seat in-between them. Twin Budweiser T-shirts or the same Harley tattoo means they’re probably traveling together. Eureka! originate to sit in THAT middle seat, because, guess what? One of ‘em will go over to be arrive their honey, and you’ll secure an aisle or window even though you’re a “C” person. luminous!
Sit unhurried the exit row. If you’ve got a short (like 30 tiny) flight to a hub city like Phoenix, and you’re not changing planes, but rather going on to an even longer flight, sit in the row unhurried the exit row, even if it’s the center seat. Chances are the exit row people will exit at the hub and you can depart up. BONUS TIP. . . Don’t wait for the flight attendant to let you go. Do it while everyone is getting off the plane (unbiased produce positive you’re seated for their headcount!) . And NEVER sit in the row in front of the exit row . . . those seats don’t recline.
IF THE PLANE IS DEFINITELY GOING TO BE paunchy. . . you can tranquil have a decent trot.
Hand seize your partner. You’re gonna be stuck with potluck if you aren’t proactive and effect eye-contact with dapper people. Lure them in with a expeditiously smile and demonstrate them that you’ve got a book, which is the universal proceed imprint for “I won’t bother you with my chatter.” Of course YOU account for “spruce”. . I’m titanic, so I’m looking for petite people who stare like they bathed. BONUS TIP. . .As you’re waiting in line, memorize the first person in the “C” line. When the “C” leader starts through, you’ll know it’s time to fetch serious with your “near hither” looks.
BONUS, BONUS TIPS. . .
A bag on the seat does not mean someone is sitting there. Ask, ask, ask because that person is being indecent, shameful, grievous. They could be trying to hog a whole row by pretending the seats are fleshy.
slip for the exit row. If you’re one of the first people in the “A” line, check out the exit row immediately upon boarding. Many, many people only contemplate to sit up front, and forget about the immense leg-room in those seats. I’ve gotten the exit row being 20th or later in line!
Check in 24 hours in near. Even if you’re in a hotel and can’t print the boarding pass, you can check in, and then print the exact pass at the airport. (FYI if you print your boarding pass on your printer, peer at the number at the left hand bottom. That number is the number you checked in at – I’m #1 lots of times!)
grasp the first flight out in the morning. Because the plane is there, it’s not coming from somewhere else, so you have a better chance of an on-time flight. AND no one is sitting in the prime seats, like the exit row, from an earlier flight.
Of course a friend of mine who was split up from her son, got to switch seats by handing him a barf bag and telling him (loudly) to “exhaust this when you derive sick.” The person next to him switched seats with her. Hey, utilize what you got! Here’s to more comfortable disappear. . .for a buck!
