KIRO NEWSRADIO OPINION

‘It’s a setup. It’s a trap’: Gee Scott calls out Southwest Airlines’ after seating policy change

Feb 1, 2026, 5:00 AM

One of Southwest Airlines’ more favorable policies was recently thrown out, ending its long-standing perk of allowing passengers to select their own seats ahead of a flight.

Gee Scott, co-host of “The Gee and Ursula Show” on KIRO Newsradio, found the policy change to be a trap, with the company essentially pulling the rug out from under its customers, and potentially adding excessive fees to give back what passengers once loved.

“You don’t see the bait and switch coming up?” Gee asked. “‘Oh, we want to pick our own seats.’ OK, you don’t want to do the group A, group B thing, cool. We have something special for you, increased prices. It’s a setup. It’s a trap.”

After KIRO producer Paul Holden explained that a past survey showed 80% of participants wanted to choose their own seats on Southwest Airlines, he claimed the airline has taken a step back.

“Now they’re just like the rest of them. You board with your boarding group, and you enjoy the classic experience of, ‘Hey, I paid more, so I get to get on the plane faster than you and have more leg room,'” KIRO producer Paul Holden said.

“I’m not sure that’s going to work out for Southwest Airlines, and I would love to hear from folks who use it much more than I do,” Ursula responded. “The times I’ve gone, I thought that it was one of the more appealing things about it.”

Watch the full discussion in the video above.

Listen to Gee and Ursula on “The Gee and Ursula Show” weekday mornings from 9 am to 12 pm on KIRO Newsradio.

Gee and Ursula Show

KIRO Newsradio Opinion

jimothy mariners...

Jake Skorheim and Spike O'Neill Show

‘If they’re going to do Jimothy, do it right’: Jake and Spike critique Mariners’ representation of viral raccoon

Jimothy, the oddly shaped raccoon who has become a Seattle celebrity, made his big-league debut over the weekend.

13 hours ago

...

Gee Scott and Ursula Reutin Show

‘Look at the full picture’: Gee and Ursula weigh in as 2 former Democratic governors slam WA’s spending

Two ex-Democratic governors express concerns over WA's budget discipline and spending practices in Olympia.

15 hours ago

Idaho murder netflix show...

Gee Scott and Ursula Reutin Show

‘Profiting off others’ misery’: Ursula on the dark side of true crime ahead of Netflix’s Idaho murders docuseries

Explore the ethics of true crime in Netflix's Idaho murder documentary releasing this July, featuring the tragic student case.

19 hours ago

bac flight test seattle...

Gee Scott and Ursula Reutin Show

‘It’s well-intentioned’: Hosts debate requiring BAC tests before boarding a flight

Explore the discussion on requiring BAC tests before flights post a lawsuit against Southwest Airlines for alleged assault.

21 hours ago

the odyssey 70mm seattle...

Jake Skorheim and Spike O'Neill Show

Where to see ‘The Odyssey’ in 70mm near Seattle, and why it matters

Only 25 theaters in the U.S. can show movies in the IMAX 70mm film format. Here are your best options to view "The Odyssey" in Washington.

21 hours ago

washington budget democratic governors...

Charlie Harger

Harger: Washington’s budget went from $33 billion to $80 billion. Two former Democratic governors claim Olympia has lost the thread

Between Gary Locke and Christine Gregoire, they've balanced more budgets than anyone currently working in Olympia, and they know what one looks like when it's heading somewhere bad.

23 hours ago

‘It’s a setup. It’s a trap’: Gee Scott calls out Southwest Airlines’ after seating policy change