Parents protest Southwest rule

Published: October 18, 2007

A week after Southwest Airlines started its policy that no longer allows families with small children to board first, passenger Shaun Dakin decided to go up against the company he has flown for 20 years.

Dakin, an Alexandria, Va., resident created StopSouthwestPreboard.com, a site for traveling parents who want Southwest Airlines to retract its new policy.

The group has a strong message for Southwest: "We are parents of toddlers. We fly. And we will take our business elsewhere.”

Dakin didn't expect there would ever come a day when he would stop using the airline that attracted his business with its low fares and fun atmosphere. But that day came Oct. 4 when Dakin arrived at the Southwest gate with his 3-year-old son only to find that he would have to wait to board.

Until recently, Southwest allowed families with children 4 years old and younger to board first. The company changed that procedure Oct. 2, allowing those families to board after passengers with "A” passes. Southwest said the change, along with some other boarding redesigns coming in November, will help the company get passengers on the plane faster.

Although Dakin's wait to board was only 10 minutes longer than usual, the father said he would rather pay more for a ticket if it means getting him and his toddler on the plane sooner.

Dakin's site links visitors to a petition started by another parent. As of Tuesday, the petition had nine signatures.

Southwest spokesman Chris Mainz said that is the exact opposite of the airline's feeling for its customers.

Families still get some preferential treatment under the new policy, which still allows them to board before passengers with "B” and "C” passes, Mainz said. He said the company has no plans to change the new policy.

Business Writer Ja'Rena Lunsford

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