Help understanding how Southwest will work - Gail/anyone?? [Archive] - The DIS Discussion Forums

momoftwins

02-05-2004, 03:40 PM

OK, we only fly once a year and this is nervewracking to try and figure out all this travel stuff.

Dh, myself, DD & DS (7yrs) all have individual reservation numbers. So am I to understand that at 12:01AM on the day of our flight, I can go online get our boarding passes for the PVD to MCO loop - AND at the same time will be given one of those A B or C numbers? Is this right? My only concern is that three of us end up with one code and the last one another - aack? How am I going to do this to make sure one of the kids is with one of us?

So, assuming what I just said is correct, what happens on the way home? We do not have a computer to bring to WDW. Will we just check in at the airport and get an A B or C code there? We have never flown with a stopover. Do your codes (the A B or C) get reassigned before you get on the second leg of your flight?

Will there be any other documents I will need to print to bring with me to the airport? I do love SWA, but I am just so inexperienced at flying.

Thanks and have a great night.

Lewisc

02-05-2004, 05:07 PM

I think Gail is in Disney.
If your party has different boarding groups (some A and some B) you will (generally) all be allowed to board in the lower group.

Internet check in is optional. You can either try to use a computer in your hotel or check in at the airport.

2infinityandbeyond

02-05-2004, 06:52 PM

I'm not 100% sure, but I think you can preboard and forego the A/B/C thing since you are traveling with a child.

Pinnie

02-06-2004, 06:13 AM

Her children are too old to pre-board.

From what I understand, you will NOT be able to get a boarding pass for you connection online. That you will have to get when you land at one of the SWA kiosks or at the gate.

If your flight is just a stopover and you are NOT making a connection, you will be able to stay on the aircraft.

pin

ZuZugal

02-06-2004, 09:22 AM

On our last trip, we arrived in plenty of time at the airport on our trip to Orlando to all receive A boarding passes. Then, we arrived at MCO for the flight home 3 hrs ahead of flight time, and all received C passes. This scared the heck out of me. (Our kids were 6 and 8 at the time.)
I begged and pleaded but they told me "most people will give up a seat when they see you have a child to sit by". Luckily, we found 2 pairs of 2 seats together in the very back of the plane. DH sat w/one chld and I w/the other. I just wonder if anyone would have given up their seat for me to be by my 6 year old. We will still fly SW, but I need to find a better way of assuring A boarding passes also.

cujochurch

02-06-2004, 03:46 PM

We will be traveling for the first time with kids (nieces). What is the age limit for preboarding? and does the whole group get to or just kid and one adult?

Jestocost

02-06-2004, 03:59 PM

Pre-boarding with kids is pretty much a thing of the past and it hasn't ever been available in Orlando (at least not on most airlines and not for a long time).

Erin12303

02-06-2004, 05:37 PM

If they choose to allow preboarding with children for your flight, the children need to be age 4 or younger.

I didn't check the SW site yet.....is the online check-in available at your specific airport?
If it is available, could you get the boarding pass for one adult, then both kids, and then the last adult? That way the worst case is a split but both children should be able to be with at least one adult.
Just a suggestion.
Good luck!

Kimberlyfamilyfv

02-06-2004, 05:52 PM

Make sure you are at the airport 2 hours in advance like they tell you to be. Start standing in line at least 45 minutes before they start checking in people.( Usually only one person in your party needs to stand in line until they start checking in) That way when they start passing out boarding numbers you will get the lowest number possible. This is your best chance to get all your seats together. in my own opinion.

The last time I flew southwest everyone with children under the age of 12 were place in the front half of the plane. And the people who did not were placed in the back.(of course given these limitations you do get to pick your own seat.) This may have changed or it just might have been done so by the flight crews preference. In any case this was my experience.

GAIL HAYDEN

02-06-2004, 06:28 PM

GAIL HAYDEN

02-06-2004, 06:30 PM

Originally posted by Kimberlyfamilyfv
Make sure you are at the airport 2 hours in advance like they tell you to be. Start standing in line at least 45 minutes before they start checking in people.( Usually only one person in your party needs to stand in line until they start checking in) That way when they start passing out boarding numbers you will get the lowest number possible. This is your best chance to get all your seats together. in my own opinion.

The last time I flew southwest everyone with children under the age of 12 were place in the front half of the plane. And the people who did not were placed in the back.(of course given these limitations you do get to pick your own seat.) This may have changed or it just might have been done so by the flight crews preference. In any case this was my experience.

You don't get a number you get a pass that reads "A", "B" or "C" and since it is open seating, you select where you want to sit.
I just got off the "flight from he**" with one kid that screamed from the minute he got on the plane until we landed when the little beast fell asleep. I have never flown SWA where they boarded the folks with kids in the front half and others in the rear.
Open seating means just that, open seating, get it and grab it.

GAIL HAYDEN

02-06-2004, 06:34 PM

Originally posted by Erin12303
If they choose to allow preboarding with children for your flight, the children need to be age 4 or younger.

I didn't check the SW site yet.....is the online check-in available at your specific airport?
If it is available, could you get the boarding pass for one adult, then both kids, and then the last adult? That way the worst case is a split but both children should be able to be with at least one adult.
Just a suggestion.
Good luck!

You cannot use this if more than one person is listed on the reservation. Apparently, you have to make separate reservations for all in your party and then check in for each one.
It is good for all legs of your flight on that day.

GAIL HAYDEN

02-06-2004, 06:38 PM

Originally posted by momoftwins
OK, we only fly once a year and this is nervewracking to try and figure out all this travel stuff.

Dh, myself, DD & DS (7yrs) all have individual reservation numbers. So am I to understand that at 12:01AM on the day of our flight, I can go online get our boarding passes for the PVD to MCO loop - AND at the same time will be given one of those A B or C numbers? Is this right? My only concern is that three of us end up with one code and the last one another - aack? How am I going to do this to make sure one of the kids is with one of us?

So, assuming what I just said is correct, what happens on the way home? We do not have a computer to bring to WDW. Will we just check in at the airport and get an A B or C code there? We have never flown with a stopover. Do your codes (the A B or C) get reassigned before you get on the second leg of your flight?

Will there be any other documents I will need to print to bring with me to the airport? I do love SWA, but I am just so inexperienced at flying.

Thanks and have a great night.

Hi,
From what I have read, you need individual reservations, meaning that you cannot have more than one listed on each reservation.
If you get all A's and one B, for example, you can save seats, and one adult can wait with "odd" pass. You can do this for both legs of your flight. If you choose not to use this option, you will have to check in on the second part of your trip.
Yes, you will need ID for your flight.

Erin12303

02-06-2004, 07:08 PM

QUOTE]You cannot use this if more than one person is listed on the reservation. Apparently, you have to make separate reservations for all in your party and then check in for each one.[/QUOTE]

The original post did state that they all have separate individual reservation numbers.
I think the order of collecting your boarding passes online is important.
If you surround the kids with two adults, at least one adult will be able to board with the kids if the letters change.

GAIL HAYDEN

02-06-2004, 07:22 PM

Originally posted by Erin12303
QUOTE]You cannot use this if more than one person is listed on the reservation. Apparently, you have to make separate reservations for all in your party and then check in for each one.

The original post did state that they all have separate individual reservation numbers.
I think the order of collecting your boarding passes online is important.
If you surround the kids with two adults, at least one adult will be able to board with the kids if the letters change. [/QUOTE]

Yes, I know the OP said she had individual reservation numbers, but, I also realize that other people will probably read the posts.
Just covering my bases.
All the info is on the website.

Erin12303

02-06-2004, 07:53 PM

Gail-
Gotcha-cool beans!
Erin

GAIL HAYDEN

02-06-2004, 08:02 PM

Originally posted by Erin12303
Gail-
Gotcha-cool beans!
Erin

Just wanted to add, all reservations have separate numbers but can be on the same page, that is when you cannot use the online checkin, IE: just got back, the reservation had one series of letters with Dee and I listed on the reservation, with different reservation numbers.

IE: HXBWSW is the "main 'number' ".
For Dee the number:526-2779591776-0
For me: 526-2779591775-6
As you can see, they are different numbers.
As such, you cannot use the online checkin.

Each person would have to have a number such as the "main number".

I sure do hope this made sense. :) It has been a long day.

maps

02-07-2004, 05:53 AM

i'm assuming since i have young kids and can preboard, then there is no advantage for me to check in online?

GAIL HAYDEN

02-07-2004, 08:53 AM

Originally posted by maps
i'm assuming since i have young kids and can preboard, then there is no advantage for me to check in online?

Even with young kids I would check in online, assuming you all have separate reservations, because they don't always preboard folks with kids 4 and under. If the pax all have small children, they will only preboard folks with special needs.

Pinnie

02-07-2004, 09:03 AM

I totally agree with Gail here. I hvae been on flights from MCO (Esp on a Sunday) where the gate agent has said that since most of the flight is full of families, there will be NO preboarding except for special needs.

I have also seen this at LAX on 2 occasions!

pin

TigerLilly's Mom

02-07-2004, 10:42 AM

Just wanted to add some info. that may or may not help some people. When I heard about the online check-in, I was disappointed. We always get to the airport at least 2 hours ahead of time to get A passes. Since I booked our tickets before this new online check-in was in practice, my children were both under my one reservaton (dh had another because he was traveling on an award).

I called and spoke to a lovely lady at Southwest (I have always had wonderful people to talk with at Southwest -I wish more companies would train their employees the same way), and asked if the people checking in online would get all the A passes or would they save some for people checking in at the airport. She told me they would start with A's and then go to B's ect. Basically meaning if a whole bunch of people checked in online, you could get to the airport four hours early and still get a C pass.

I very nicely asked if I could change my reservation to three separate reservations and she said I couldn't since I had booked at a discount rate. I asked very nicely again and she put me on hold for a while. When she came back, she said I could get three separate reservations because there were still some of the same discount rates available on that flight. So she gave me three separate reservation numbers. I gathered if the discounted rates were no longer available, she would not have been able to do this.

Just thought this might help someone in the same boat as me - sorry so wordy!!! LOL Also, just wanted to add again that this woman was super on the phone, really went out her way to be helpful and I would have been pleased even if she would not have been able to help me.

Now I just have to figure out how to check in online in Florida for the trip home without bringing a laptop and a printer!!

momoftwins

02-07-2004, 12:24 PM

SWA was nice enough to change my reservation in to 4 different reservations. I have the same problem. How to check in on-line at WDW.

Also, if we check in online from home on our trip down, are the documents that print the only thing we need to bring with us to the airport (other than our ID's)? Are these documents in place of those SECURITY DOCUMENTS I got an email about a long time ago? Do we still give the bags we want checked to the skycaps at the curb?

Thanks to anyone that helped.

TigerLilly's Mom

02-07-2004, 12:37 PM

I would personally bring all the documents you recieved from SW, just to be on the safe side. I think you would still be able to check in with the Skycab, but just let them know you don't need a boarding pass. You can also check in inside the airport if you want.

I'm really glad they are separating reservations for those that didn't have the opportunity to book separate before the new online check in went into effect.

dizneycc

02-07-2004, 01:11 PM

We always fly Southwest and I didn't even realize they have on-line check in. How does this work? What if you need to check in luggage? Thanks!!! CC

GAIL HAYDEN

02-07-2004, 02:32 PM

Originally posted by dizneycc
We always fly Southwest and I didn't even realize they have on-line check in. How does this work? What if you need to check in luggage? Thanks!!! CC

It is a brand new feature. You an check your luggage at the counter or with a skycap.
As to how it works, go to the site after 12:01 am on the day of your flight and put in your info. and print out the boarding pass.
http://www.southwestair.com/travel_center/retrieveCheckinDoc.html

GAIL HAYDEN

02-07-2004, 02:34 PM

maps

02-07-2004, 05:17 PM

since you people seem to be more knowledgeable about the new check in policy than swa, maybe you can help me.

i called swa and spoke to an extremely rude person. she said she had never heard of the check in policy. then she looked it up on their own website and said "oh i guess you're right"
puts me on hold and comes back and tells me that if i have luggage to check in that i can't use this feature---true or false?

second, my husband has an actual ticket vs an e ticket--can i still use the online check in for him? she didn't know.

lastly, i tried to get her to change my kids'reservations to separate ones. not only could she not do this, she couldn't even find their reservation. she said the confirmation # was wrong. then she told me the only way i could access the reservation was through the credit card i booked it through. she told me that # was invalid. finally i said, "can't you just look it up under their names?" apparantly not.
after an hour on hold with my credit card company, i got the confirmation number (which was correct). so in other words, without my confirmation # swa has no way to confirm my reservation with them?

i'm hoping to call back later and get another rep to talk to since maybe i just had bad luck with this one.
thanks for your help.

GAIL HAYDEN

02-07-2004, 05:37 PM

Originally posted by maps
since you people seem to be more knowledgeable about the new check in policy than swa, maybe you can help me.

i called swa and spoke to an extremely rude person. she said she had never heard of the check in policy. then she looked it up on their own website and said "oh i guess you're right"
puts me on hold and comes back and tells me that if i have luggage to check in that i can't use this feature---true or false?

second, my husband has an actual ticket vs an e ticket--can i still use the online check in for him? she didn't know.

lastly, i tried to get her to change my kids'reservations to separate ones. not only could she not do this, she couldn't even find their reservation. she said the confirmation # was wrong. then she told me the only way i could access the reservation was through the credit card i booked it through. she told me that # was invalid. finally i said, "can't you just look it up under their names?" apparantly not.
after an hour on hold with my credit card company, i got the confirmation number (which was correct). so in other words, without my confirmation # swa has no way to confirm my reservation with them?

i'm hoping to call back later and get another rep to talk to since maybe i just had bad luck with this one.
thanks for your help.

1. No, you can still check in on line and check your luggage with the skycap (remember to tip!! :) ) or at the counter.
2. You can access your reservation online, just type in the confirmation number.
3. You can only do online checkin with an eticket.
4. Reservations can be accessed by knowing your flight number.
They can check under the last name with this information. With thousands of flights everyday, it would be impossible to access the information without knowing your flight or reservation number. Check it online by accessing your reservation with the number you have at this location. http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/retrieveItinerary.html

Personally, I would have asked for a supervisor if the agent did not know about the online check in thing. They cannot know everything web related and often a supervisor will know more.

maps

02-07-2004, 06:41 PM

thanks so much for your help. i did call back and spoke to a very nice and extremely helpful person. she was able to change my reservations easily and gave me all the info i needed to know.
thanks again.

Fantasmic303

02-07-2004, 07:27 PM

I have a flight out to Las Vegas for May and would like to change my party to seperate tickets so we can access online. The price of our flight went up $20 so will they still change it for me or cant i do it due to change in fare?

GAIL HAYDEN

02-08-2004, 12:33 AM

Originally posted by Fantasmic303
I have a flight out to Las Vegas for May and would like to change my party to seperate tickets so we can access online. The price of our flight went up $20 so will they still change it for me or cant i do it due to change in fare?
Worse case, they will charge you the increase in fare, and you won't know this unless you ask.

GAIL HAYDEN

02-08-2004, 12:35 AM

Originally posted by maps
thanks so much for your help. i did call back and spoke to a very nice and extremely helpful person. she was able to change my reservations easily and gave me all the info i needed to know.
thanks again.

That is good news!!!! Most of the SWA agents are very nice, but, I can imagine what a headache this new "feature" is to them.

madge

02-08-2004, 07:55 AM

Originally posted by Jestocost
Pre-boarding with kids is pretty much a thing of the past and it hasn't ever been available in Orlando (at least not on most airlines and not for a long time).

I don't know if this has been addressed already....

we have always pre-boarded with our children (that are UNDER 5) on Southwest, originating from Louisville, Nashville, or Orlando. I have heard other airlines don't offer pre-boarding, but SWA does, at least out of those cities.

GAIL HAYDEN

02-08-2004, 09:47 AM

Originally posted by madge
I don't know if this has been addressed already....

we have always pre-boarded with our children (that are UNDER 5) on Southwest, originating from Louisville, Nashville, or Orlando. I have heard other airlines don't offer pre-boarding, but SWA does, at least out of those cities.

SWA does preboarding for children 4 and under. And, sometimes they don't preboard children if the flight has a lot of them.

madge

02-08-2004, 09:53 AM

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
SWA does preboarding for children 4 and under. And, sometimes they don't preboard children if the flight has a lot of them.

under 5....4 and under, LOL...same thing to me :teeth:

I am very thankful that on every SWA flight I have been on with my kids, we have been able to pre-board. It makes a big difference when you are trying to strap a car seat it.

GAIL HAYDEN

02-08-2004, 11:29 AM

Originally posted by madge
under 5....4 and under, LOL...same thing to me :teeth:

I am very thankful that on every SWA flight I have been on with my kids, we have been able to pre-board. It makes a big difference when you are trying to strap a car seat it.

It is the same thing, but, there are some that would get nuts if their kid was 5 years and one day. Four and under pretty much stops it. Dont know why, but, it does.

madge

02-08-2004, 12:05 PM

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
It is the same thing, but, there are some that would get nuts if their kid was 5 years and one day. Four and under pretty much stops it. Dont know why, but, it does.

I understand :)

after watching "Airline", I have a newfound respect for the SWA employees....especially when it comes to dealing with families.

Dizholic

02-08-2004, 12:29 PM

I have reservations with SWA in April to go to WDW. We have a laptop, so I don't think checking in will be a problem. What I can't figure out is how are we going to Print a boarding pass??? Has anyone figured that out yet? :earsgirl:

sjhlib

02-08-2004, 12:31 PM

I'm on hold right this minute w/SW - the agent I got is awesome and when I asked about the 4 hr thing, SHE offered the split res. #'s for everyone and is now working w/a supervisor to learn how to do it!
We had planned on heading out early that day to board, then go back later, but this just saved us a trip!! This board is wonderful! I'll bet the internet cafe will be mobbed at midnight on the last night w/all of us trying to get our return flight passes!Shhhhhhh!!!

Erin12303

02-08-2004, 12:38 PM

I called last night to ask about separate confirmation numbers. The agent was awesome---she put me on hold to get her supervisor. It took the two of them about 10 minutes, but I now have 6 separate confirmation numbers for our February trip.

DMRick

02-08-2004, 01:22 PM

Erin..I sent you a PM!

I too just called SW (poor them..we're all calling). The agent I got, told me that some a's, b's and c's will be at the check out desk, the kiosk and the online boarding passes. So you may get a c on line and an a in the kiosk. She couldnt' tell me if the first on line will get the A's or if it was random. Someone else was told the a's could all be taken on line. Can't wait til someone goes and finds out for sure LOL!
If we don't get an A for being the first on liners, then for us, there is no advantage. We wouldn't be able to get them for the trip home, since we don't bring a printer.
I'm also concerned about doing ressie's one at a time, and have the plane fill before I do the 5th persons ressie.
Doris

GAIL HAYDEN

02-08-2004, 04:19 PM

Originally posted by Dizholic
I have reservations with SWA in April to go to WDW. We have a laptop, so I don't think checking in will be a problem. What I can't figure out is how are we going to Print a boarding pass??? Has anyone figured that out yet? :earsgirl:

find someone with a printer? Like Kinkos.

NotUrsula

02-08-2004, 06:32 PM

Two things:

If you want to print a boarding pass and don't have a printer with you, bring a blank floppy or CD (both isn't a bad idea, actually.) When you pull up the boarding pass info, save the screen as a document in either an image program like your photo manager, or as a word processing document. If your hotel has a business center, they can probably print it off the floppy for you, otherwise, as Gail pointed out, someplace like Kinko's can do it. The more common the program you use, the more likely a public computer can handle printing it.

Also, regarding preboarding on SWA: if you are installing a carseat, you will *always* get to preboard at least one person on SWA, even if general preboarding for young children has been suspended for that particular flight. There are restrictions on where a carseat can be placed, so they have to go on first with open seating.

GAIL HAYDEN

02-08-2004, 06:48 PM

Originally posted by NotUrsula
Two things:

If you want to print a boarding pass and don't have a printer with you, bring a blank floppy or CD (both isn't a bad idea, actually.) When you pull up the boarding pass info, save the screen as a document in either an image program like your photo manager, or as a word processing document. If your hotel has a business center, they can probably print it off the floppy for you, otherwise, as Gail pointed out, someplace like Kinko's can do it. The more common the program you use, the more likely a public computer can handle printing it.

Also, regarding preboarding on SWA: if you are installing a carseat, you will *always* get to preboard at least one person on SWA, even if general preboarding for young children has been suspended for that particular flight. There are restrictions on where a carseat can be placed, so they have to go on first with open seating.

That is not entirely true, I have been there when they have not preboarded children and the parents, car seats and all board with the rest of the folks. the only preboards were those with special needs, and not one of them had a car seat.
since they are only banned from emergency exit row there are plenty of options available if they do not preboard.

How should a CRD be used?
Once onboard the aircraft, your CRD must be placed in a forward-facing seat that is not in an exit row. It is best to place the CRD in a window seat so it will not block access to the aircraft aisle. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for securing the CRD to the seat, fastening the aircraft seatbelt around the CRD as tightly as possible.

Padre Disney

02-09-2004, 08:56 AM

Gail,
Just wondering if you can clear something up for me. I just called SW and asked how early we should get to the airport if our group of 12 even had half a chance of getting a B boarding pass.
I thought I had read on the SW web site that people could show up 4 hours early to check luggage and get boarding passes. So we figured that since some people can print out passes at 12:01 we had better go at least 4 hours early. When I called SW to double check I was told that we could show up 4 hours to check luggage BUT we coud not get our boarding passes until 90 minutes before out flight. So who is correct the web site or the person on the phone? :confused:
Thanks

DMRick

02-09-2004, 09:40 AM

When I called SW to double check I was told that we could show up 4 hours to check luggage BUT we coud not get our boarding passes until 90 minutes before out flight.

It was that way at one time..however, we picked up our boarding passes over 2 hours early the last time. She said they changed it again when we asked how come we were getting them.

GAIL HAYDEN

02-09-2004, 10:33 AM

Originally posted by Padre Disney
Gail,
Just wondering if you can clear something up for me. I just called SW and asked how early we should get to the airport if our group of 12 even had half a chance of getting a B boarding pass.
I thought I had read on the SW web site that people could show up 4 hours early to check luggage and get boarding passes. So we figured that since some people can print out passes at 12:01 we had better go at least 4 hours early. When I called SW to double check I was told that we could show up 4 hours to check luggage BUT we coud not get our boarding passes until 90 minutes before out flight. So who is correct the web site or the person on the phone? :confused:
Thanks

the web site is correct. 90 minutes is the old time frame, this agent needs a refresher course. :)

Padre Disney

02-09-2004, 10:47 AM

Thank You
Guess we will show up extra early:D

GAIL HAYDEN

02-09-2004, 11:11 AM

Originally posted by Padre Disney
Thank You
Guess we will show up extra early:D

I have seen this happen a number of times, so, I will share here.
Frequently they do allow large groups to preboard. You might ask at the gate counter when you get there.

NotUrsula

02-09-2004, 11:41 AM

"...since they are only banned from emergency exit row there are plenty of options available if they do not preboard."

Gail, I know that's what's on SWA's website, but it's not the whole story. Carseats are also not allowed in the rows directly in front of the exit rows, because the seats in that row must be able to collapse forward to help egress in an emergency. Although that business about putting the seat in the window position sounds like it is just a suggestion, it isn't; FA's will enforce the positioning of the seat. (Unless you are using two carseats in the same row, in which case you can use the window AND the center seat.) In addition, use of a carseat means that one MUST get 2 contiguous seats, as per FAA regulations, a child in a carseat must have an accompanying adult sitting in the next seat. There have been occasions when we have made tight connections on SWA with our carseat, and other passengers have had to be moved to accomodate it. The FA's *really* don't like it when that happens. (And remember, the FAA requires that US carriers *must* allow an approved carseat to used onboard if the seat has been paid for and the carseat fits the aircraft seat.)

Requiring people who need to secure carseats to wait for general boarding *will* slow the boarding process, and we know how SWA feels about that. It is my experience that even when preboarding is suspended, if you bring the carseat to the gate agent's notice, you will be allowed to preboard ONE adult in order to secure it. Now, I've overheard people decline to do so if the whole family can't board together, (mostly in a snit b/c they want a large bloc of seats) but in all my flights, I've never seen SWA refuse to allow a person bearing a carseat to preboard. Once, at MDW, where the gate areas can be very crowded, I had to be physically defended by a ramp agent when a very self-important fellow passenger tried to insist that I (and my carseat) could not board first because he was first in line, and he had the spot staked out. I remember his words clearly, "that thing doesn't entitle her to cut in line." The ramp agent told him to step back and allow me through, that the carseat did indeed allow me to go ahead of him, because of the seat restrictions and the time needed to install it.

madge

02-09-2004, 12:05 PM

since they are only banned from emergency exit row there are plenty of options available if they do not preboard.

we had to move our car seat on the flight home because it wasn't forward facing. no one told my DH that he couldn't put it there, and didn't tell him it was wrong until AFTER we got our daughter strapped in and the plane was preparing to take off. The made us move her (understandable) as the plane is getting ready to taxi down the runway. we were assured that the pilot would slow down :rolleyes:

it wouldn't bother me if only one of us could preboard with the car seat, and save a seat next to it. that's less time for my daughter to be strapped in.

GAIL HAYDEN

02-09-2004, 12:08 PM

Gail, I know that's what's on SWA's website, but it's not the whole story. Carseats are also not allowed in the rows directly in front of the exit rows, because the seats in that row must be able to collapse forward to help egress in an emergency.

they don't recline, so, how can they collapse?

NotUrsula

02-09-2004, 12:25 PM

There is a hinge, but it has a ratchet stop to keep the seatback from going backward. An FA demonstrated it to me once, on a flight where I was one of about 10 passengers. If you put your full weight on one of those seatbacks from behind, it will fold forward. (She told me that you do have to make an effort to move it.) The point is to widen the path leading to the door. I was given to understand that it is sometimes really important to have that extra maneuvering room if you need to be able to put your shoulder into the door to get it open.

GAIL HAYDEN

02-09-2004, 12:34 PM

Originally posted by NotUrsula
There is a hinge, but it has a ratchet stop to keep the seatback from going backward. An FA demonstrated it to me once, on a flight where I was one of about 10 passengers. If you put your full weight on one of those seatbacks from behind, it will fold forward. (She told me that you do have to make an effort to move it.) The point is to widen the path leading to the door. I was given to understand that it is sometimes really important to have that extra maneuvering room if you need to be able to put your shoulder into the door to get it open.

thanks for the info.

Candice30

02-13-2004, 08:13 AM

1. i may have missed it on this thread but someone asked about getting a boarding pass group when they checked in online. so if i check in online, will i be given a boarding pass group at that time?

2. also, would you take the risk of getting separate boarding groups if you are traveling with only 1 adult? i am afraid that i will not be in the same group as the kids.

3. lastly, i have checked in online with airtran at the resort and couldn't print boarding passes. when i got to the airport, i just showed my confirmation from the online checkin and they printed them at the counter. does anyone know if this is an option with southwest?

thanks!

castlegazer

02-13-2004, 09:10 AM

Originally posted by momoftwins
SWA was nice enough to change my reservation in to 4 different reservations. I have the same problem. How to check in on-line at WDW.

Also, if we check in online from home on our trip down, are the documents that print the only thing we need to bring with us to the airport (other than our ID's)? Are these documents in place of those SECURITY DOCUMENTS I got an email about a long time ago? Do we still give the bags we want checked to the skycaps at the curb?

Thanks to anyone that helped.

I just want to check with you that you asked whether or not you could actually now do on-line check-in. I just called SWA this morning - got the loveliest lady - and was told that, while they could split my reservation into separate reservations for the four people I would not be able to use on-line check-in. As soon as a live agent touches your reservation you may not use on-line check-in any longer. So, I gather that even though you can split your party reservation into many reservations you will still not be able to use on-line check-in. You would need to cancel your full reservation and then re-book into single separate reservations to on-line by yourself in order to avail yourself of on-line check-in. Is this true? - she was very specific and clear about it to me.

NotUrsula

02-13-2004, 10:03 AM

"...would you take the risk of getting separate boarding groups if you are traveling with only 1 adult? i am afraid that i will not be in the same group as the kids."

This isn't a real issue, as it already was happening at the kiosks, even if you had multiple names in the party. I've had it happen that the first one or two names, alphabetically, on the ressie got "A" cards, and the remainder got "B". You can always get in the group behind the one you have, with no difficulty, so if you get an A and your kids get B, just get in the B line if they are not old enough to stand in the B line without you. (You'll be about 6 feet away while you're in line, they would only be out of your sight for about 5 minutes during the process of walking
onboard.)

This happens to us fairly frequently when we all travel together, and as my name is always first, I'm often separated. I just go in the A group and hold 2 seats, and DH & DS sit with me when they board. SWA does not care if you hold a couple of seats for real people, especially family; but they will not be happy with you
if you if you try to hold seats for passengers who don't exist (so as to keep an empty seat next to you for the flight.)

GAIL HAYDEN

02-13-2004, 10:33 AM

Originally posted by castlegazer
I just want to check with you that you asked whether or not you could actually now do on-line check-in. I just called SWA this morning - got the loveliest lady - and was told that, while they could split my reservation into separate reservations for the four people I would not be able to use on-line check-in. As soon as a live agent touches your reservation you may not use on-line check-in any longer. So, I gather that even though you can split your party reservation into many reservations you will still not be able to use on-line check-in. You would need to cancel your full reservation and then re-book into single separate reservations to on-line by yourself in order to avail yourself of on-line check-in. Is this true? - she was very specific and clear about it to me.

That sure is the first I have heard of this. People have been doing this since this option came out a few weeks ago.
I would call back and ask again.

GAIL HAYDEN

02-13-2004, 10:35 AM

Originally posted by Candice30
1. i may have missed it on this thread but someone asked about getting a boarding pass group when they checked in online. so if i check in online, will i be given a boarding pass group at that time?

2. also, would you take the risk of getting separate boarding groups if you are traveling with only 1 adult? i am afraid that i will not be in the same group as the kids.

3. lastly, i have checked in online with airtran at the resort and couldn't print boarding passes. when i got to the airport, i just showed my confirmation from the online checkin and they printed them at the counter. does anyone know if this is an option with southwest?

thanks!

Candice, how old are your children?