By KERA's Rachael Dunlap
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-639642.mp3
Dallas, TX – KERA Host: Southwest representative Raam Rodriguez says the company's policy of open seating is here to stay, but other changes were made based on customer feedback.
Raam Rodriguez, Southwest Airlines Representative: We're making changes to the boarding process, saying goodbye to the perceived cattle call and eliminating the need for customers to camp out in their boarding line at the gate. Now you can simply sit, relax, do some work and we will call you up and line you up in whatever boarding group and number you are assigned.
KERA hose: Passengers will be assigned a boarding group as well as a number. Once boarding groups are called, passengers will line up according to their number and board in that order.
Passengers do still get to pick their own seats.
Rodriguez says the Love Field changes were preceded by positive customer feedback from a trial run in San Antonio. Similar changes will spread through the Southwest system early in November.