I took Will to the airport yesterday morning. He flew Southwest. I am a total fan of Southwest after the extremely accommodating treatment we received!
Will wanted to take his lacrosse stick with him so that he could practice while visiting his grandma and grandpa (meaning, he wants grandpa to throw lacrosse balls at him while he tries to deflect or catch them with the stick). I was willing to send it provided it didn't cost too much.
Several security guards saw us walk by with the stick and informed us that it would have to be checked, that it was considered 'a weapon' and could not be carried on. I knew that Delta had a $50 fee each way for such things, so I was discouraged.
However, the lady at the SW counter said, no problem! She tagged it, stuck it in a huge bag, and had us check it with his suitcase FOR FREE! Southwest allows 2 checked bags and treated the stick as the second checked bag. THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT !!! The other airlines could take lessons in customer relations from Southwest!
Will has never flown alone before. In fact, he has no memories of flying commercially at all. He was too young to remember it the last time we flew. It is simply cheaper to drive with a family. That was before 9/11 and the new restrictions, of course.
I was concerned about Will finding his way to the gate and knowing what to do once he got there. Again, there was no problem! The kind lady behind the counter gave me a non-passenger escort pass to go with him to the gate.
That's another thing, at 13, Delta would have charged us an ADDITIONAL $200 because he was an 'unaccompanied minor'! That is more that the original ticket cost! Southwest does not charge fees for unaccompanied minors, and considers 13 old enough to take care of itself. For some kids that might be scary. Not for Will. He has a good head on his shoulders. He really didn't need me to escort him, I just wanted to be there for my own sake. He is my youngest, after all!
All the way around, it was a pleasant experience for me and a fun one for him.
Now he is in Washington State with his grandparents, sailing, playing, and eating to his heart's content.
Will wanted to take his lacrosse stick with him so that he could practice while visiting his grandma and grandpa (meaning, he wants grandpa to throw lacrosse balls at him while he tries to deflect or catch them with the stick). I was willing to send it provided it didn't cost too much.
Several security guards saw us walk by with the stick and informed us that it would have to be checked, that it was considered 'a weapon' and could not be carried on. I knew that Delta had a $50 fee each way for such things, so I was discouraged.
However, the lady at the SW counter said, no problem! She tagged it, stuck it in a huge bag, and had us check it with his suitcase FOR FREE! Southwest allows 2 checked bags and treated the stick as the second checked bag. THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT !!! The other airlines could take lessons in customer relations from Southwest!
Will has never flown alone before. In fact, he has no memories of flying commercially at all. He was too young to remember it the last time we flew. It is simply cheaper to drive with a family. That was before 9/11 and the new restrictions, of course.
I was concerned about Will finding his way to the gate and knowing what to do once he got there. Again, there was no problem! The kind lady behind the counter gave me a non-passenger escort pass to go with him to the gate.
That's another thing, at 13, Delta would have charged us an ADDITIONAL $200 because he was an 'unaccompanied minor'! That is more that the original ticket cost! Southwest does not charge fees for unaccompanied minors, and considers 13 old enough to take care of itself. For some kids that might be scary. Not for Will. He has a good head on his shoulders. He really didn't need me to escort him, I just wanted to be there for my own sake. He is my youngest, after all!
All the way around, it was a pleasant experience for me and a fun one for him.
Now he is in Washington State with his grandparents, sailing, playing, and eating to his heart's content.
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