[jerlam]

Missed the big negative of Southwest open seating, which is where one early-boarding member of a group will "reserve" seats around them, irritating other early-boarding passengers, Southwest FAs, and Southwest's bottom line.

But it will soon be academic as open seating will be gone by next year.

[_tqr3]

How do you "reserve" seats for others? Put a handkerchief on them?

[PNewling]

I've only flow Southwest a couple times, but that is basically it. Usually someone comes in and places items on the other two seats in a row.

They're not actually reserving them, they're just trying to cause enough of a fuss that no one wants to deal with that they will get their way.

Edit: You could be strong-willed enough to spar with them on it, but it is so draining most opt to just not engage.