Well folks there MUST be some element of truth to this considering there was an E-line or CBS about this a few months back correct? I'm pretty sure I remember reading something about it. Maybe it was an email sent to me but I did read something. To think that someone would expect ANOTHER carrier to honor YOUR carriers boarding priority is insane. That's almost like saying a K-mart employee should DEMAND their discount at Target. MORONS....pure nitwits.
The incident is true and we will have to wait and see if this current rumor is true.
SOUTHWEST (SWA) RECIPROCAL CABIN SEAT AGREEMENT REMINDER
It has been brought to the Union’s attention there may be some confusion with the procedure regarding the Reciprocal Cabin Seat agreement with Southwest Airlines. This confusion has apparently caused several incidents between US Airways Flight Attendants and SWA Customer service agents in the SWA gate areas.
As with all of the other agreements, travel on SWA is on a "FIRST COME FIRST SERVED" basis. Seniority is not a factor in determining boarding priority. Furthermore, the SWA agreement only allows exemption from the "one bag plus one personal item rule" if a Flight Attendant is in uniform.
The Reciprocal Cabin Seat agreements are not set in stone. The agreements are not contracts between the two carriers. They are agreements that were entered into upon mutual consent between two carriers. In other words, they don’t have to remain in effect if one or both carriers decide to discontinue their participation.
The Union and the Company both worked very hard to secure these agreements. These agreements will provide a very tangible benefit for our members who commute and for those who are traveling for pleasure. I would be remiss if I did not take this opportunity to remind everyone to be courteous and follow each carrier’s respective procedure. I would be further remiss if I did not remind everyone that each carrier has the right to their own policies and procedures and can and, in one case, already has denied boarding US Airways Flight Attendants. Each carrier has their own airline to run and will not sacrifice their operation to sort out boarding disputes among US Airways Flight Attendants.
As with any new procedure, there exists a learning curve. If you experience a problem with another carrier participating in the reciprocal cabin seat agreements the proper channel to address the problem would be to contact your supervisor or your local AFA office.
http://www.afausairways.org/Eline/aug28_07.htm