Southwest Family Boarding--Did Age Change?

[mom2AidanAndEli]

I used medical preboard once, in a wheel chair with a broken leg. They wheeled me to the bottom of the jetway, and I got to hop into the front row. They made sure I understood when they landed they wanted me out first, so they could get the wheel chair out of the jetway and out of the way of departing passengers.

In my case, having me wait until everyone else got off would have been fine, considering I was stopping there, and didn't have a connecting flight. Also, I had to check my small bag, as there was no way I was getting anything into the overhead. So I would be waiting at baggage claim anyway. But if one did have a connecting flight, once they limp to their waiting wheel chair, it does take longer to get them to their next gate than if they could walk.

Well, you could say the same for the people stuck waiting behind the person limping to their wheelchair. What if they have a connecting flight that they could still make, but are stuck waiting behind someone else who's taking a long time to get settled and get wheeled out of the way?

Not saying you at all, but many people seem to use these services to their advantage when it suits them and take advantage of the system. Like the people previously who used medical boarding and then said they could help with the emergency exits. Can't have it both ways! If you have a real medical issue that prevents you from boarding with other passengers, you probably wouldn't mind waiting until others depart so you have an easier time getting off the plane. I would think it would be a whole lot easier with a clear plane than with everyone trying to get stuff from overhead bins, corral kids in the aisle, etc. etc. But many want to be first on, first off, because it's convenient for them, not worrying about anyone else!

 

[branv]

As we prepare to take our will-be-2y2m old for his first trip and flight in November, I find is between a rock and a hard place on the what is a rule, what is courtesy, and what courtesy is actually more courtesy than what others consider courtesy... yep, as confused as it sounds.

In other words, so many conflicting opinions out there: Entire Families should pay for EB, only one parent should board with a child during family boarding, carseats are best but stop blocking the aisles to install it, don't save seats but let your child run off steam before boarding, parents need to control their children but it's rude to expect to sit together. I'm just... confused.

My initial plan was to have DH alone get EB. He would hopefully board in A, and carry on the carseat since it would take a bit to install. I would let DS run off some steam in the terminal/change his diaper one last time, and then board at the last minute while DH held our seats (three seats together, again, one with a carseat in it). My theory was that this wouldn't chafe anyone unless they really really wanted to sit in a row with a toddler! We wouldn't really care how far back we were seated, just hope to sit together.

But I keep reading how rude it is to save seats. How it's unethical to buy EB for one person for this purpose (which I absolutely get, but this felt more like common sense). And no way should or could DH board in family boarding with just a carseat. Yet, I should wait to board with my toddler to spare the plane from his restlessness.

I generally have a pathological need to follow the rules and not inconvenience other people. But it feels like I can't win the polite game. Apart from flying another airline. None of which apart from SW fly direct to MCO from here. Sigh...

 

[goofy4tink]

I used medical preboard once, in a wheel chair with a broken leg. They wheeled me to the bottom of the jetway, and I got to hop into the front row. They made sure I understood when they landed they wanted me out first, so they could get the wheel chair out of the jetway and out of the way of departing passengers.

In my case, having me wait until everyone else got off would have been fine, considering I was stopping there, and didn't have a connecting flight. Also, I had to check my small bag, as there was no way I was getting anything into the overhead. So I would be waiting at baggage claim anyway. But if one did have a connecting flight, once they limp to their waiting wheel chair, it does take longer to get them to their next gate than if they could walk.

Passengers like you tend to pose no problem. It's those that are 'working the system', so to speak. I know that when I flew home from Florida with my step-mother, they had her board early, and get off early. She has sight issues. I think she tends to work the system a bit as well...I mean seriously, she drives!!! Yes, it has to be sunny out but still!!

As we prepare to take our will-be-2y2m old for his first trip and flight in November, I find is between a rock and a hard place on the what is a rule, what is courtesy, and what courtesy is actually more courtesy than what others consider courtesy... yep, as confused as it sounds.

In other words, so many conflicting opinions out there: Entire Families should pay for EB, only one parent should board with a child during family boarding, carseats are best but stop blocking the aisles to install it, don't save seats but let your child run off steam before boarding, parents need to control their children but it's rude to expect to sit together. I'm just... confused.

My initial plan was to have DH alone get EB. He would hopefully board in A, and carry on the carseat since it would take a bit to install. I would let DS run off some steam in the terminal/change his diaper one last time, and then board at the last minute while DH held our seats (three seats together, again, one with a carseat in it). My theory was that this wouldn't chafe anyone unless they really really wanted to sit in a row with a toddler! We wouldn't really care how far back we were seated, just hope to sit together.

But I keep reading how rude it is to save seats. How it's unethical to buy EB for one person for this purpose (which I absolutely get, but this felt more like common sense). And no way should or could DH board in family boarding with just a carseat. Yet, I should wait to board with my toddler to spare the plane from his restlessness.

I generally have a pathological need to follow the rules and not inconvenience other people. But it feels like I can't win the polite game. Apart from flying another airline. None of which apart from SW fly direct to MCO from here. Sigh...

I doubt you'll find anyone that will have an issue with how you want to handle boarding!!! No one, not one person, is going to have an issue with your dh boarding with EBCI to install the car seat, while you wait until the last minute to board. Most of us here have no issue with saving those seats, all in one row. And you're right, no one is going to want to sit in that middle seat!!! Nope, not one person. It's those people, traveling in larger groups, that have 2 or 3 people in the group buy EBCI, and then proceed to board and save seats in multiple rows. Or those that grab the aisle and window seats, hoping that no one takes that middle seat!! I've seen large family groups board doing that....they took up about 5 rows, 2 people per row so they could spread out. Well, imagine their surprise when the FAs announced it was a full flight and there were no empty seats!!!! Man, it was really entertaining to see them all now shuffle around trying to be seated together so they didn't have strangers in between their seats!!!

It's really common sense with some common courtesy thrown in.

 

[cw21726]

So A52 was with EBCI? I can only imagine what I'm going to have without it!! I always book it for the way home, but hate spending the extra money on the way down when I know I can check in at exactly 24 hours. But almost seems like you have to now! Ugh....

You also have to remember that EBCI reservations that close to the actual flight will be further back in the line. If you booked EBCI the day the flight opened for reservations, a position under A20 would not be unheard of.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

It is nice to use family boarding on Southwest, but every airline I've flown has allowed families with infants and toddlers to board after first class and business....

Not anymore. Many airlines no longer pre-board families with children.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

........

My initial plan was to have DH alone get EB. He would hopefully board in A, and carry on the carseat since it would take a bit to install. I would let DS run off some steam in the terminal/change his diaper one last time, and then board at the last minute while DH held our seats (three seats together, again, one with a carseat in it). My theory was that this wouldn't chafe anyone unless they really really wanted to sit in a row with a toddler! We wouldn't really care how far back we were seated, just hope to sit together.

....

This plan is fine. Don't worry about what you have seen posted here. No one will want to sit in a row with a car seat unless it's the last seat on the plane and they have no other choice.

 

[goofy4tink]

The GA announced family boarding, for kids 4 and under, and their 'guardian'.
Still appears that getting on, and off, a plane is rocket science.
Yes. I'm cranky.

 

[Baklava]

My initial plan was to have DH alone get EB. He would hopefully board in A, and carry on the carseat since it would take a bit to install. I would let DS run off some steam in the terminal/change his diaper one last time, and then board at the last minute while DH held our seats (three seats together, again, one with a carseat in it). My theory was that this wouldn't chafe anyone unless they really really wanted to sit in a row with a toddler! We wouldn't really care how far back we were seated, just hope to sit together.

It is unlikely that anyone would want that seat, but they'd be allowed to take it if for some reason the middle seat between a kid in a carseat and her dad was super appealing to them. I'm betting on that form of seat saving working pretty well.

 

[Disneytam]

On our last trip with a family of three we purchased the EBCI and had B1,B2 and B3. Thought we were fine but when they asked for family boarding almost everyone jumped up and boarded! It was crazy. We boarded and did get a row of three in the next to the last row. We love the price of SW but I would guess half of the children that boarded were closer to teen agers then four year olds. Will really think about spending the extra money for the early boarding since a lot of family's will be on the flight with us and we can survive a couple hours apart if needed.

 

[Ennazus8810]

I agree for the trip to Orlando, but my advice is to buy EBCI for the return trip. Often for the return trip, there are many families who will board between the A & B groups and that will reduce your chances of finding seats together. That's especially true if your flight has an intermediate stop or continues on after you get off. Plus, if you gt EBCI for the return trip, you don't have to worry about where you might be exactly at the 24 hour mark as SWA will automatically check you in at the 36 hour mark. That can be a big bonus for you last day.

Thanks for the heads up! We have a direct flight from PIT/MCO and from MCO/PIT, so I am sure 95% will be families, even though we are going right after school starts.

 

[DisDadDVC]

You also have to remember that EBCI reservations that close to the actual flight will be further back in the line. If you booked EBCI the day the flight opened for reservations, a position under A20 would not be unheard of.

Keep in mind that any A-List members will get boarding positions ahead of EBCI.

 

[goofy4tink]

Keep in mind that any A-List members will get boarding positions ahead of EBCI.

So true! A1-15 are not available to those with EBCI, unless they have paid business or full fare. So that leaves 16-60 in the A group.

 

[supersnoop]

Thanks for the heads up! We have a direct flight from PIT/MCO and from MCO/PIT, so I am sure 95% will be families, even though we are going right after school starts.

Just be aware, "direct" is not the same as "non-stop."

 

[pooh4evr]

can we still pay at the gate to upgrade to the first boarding positions?

 

[DebbieB]

can we still pay at the gate to upgrade to the first boarding positions?

If they are available. $40 for A1-A15.

 

[Ennazus8810]

Just be aware, "direct" is not the same as "non-stop."

Yeah, I meant nonstop. My brain gets ahead of itself all the time.

 

[jodiariel]

I am flying with my 2 year old twins (in car seats) by myself on a 7:30 am flight from BDL-MCO. Should I buy the Early boarding for the 3 of us or wait and hope that with the family boarding I can get 3 seats together?

 

[spartankid34]

I am flying with my 2 year old twins (in car seats) by myself on a 7:30 am flight from BDL-MCO. Should I buy the Early boarding for the 3 of us or wait and hope that with the family boarding I can get 3 seats together?

If you have the extra to purchase EBCI, it definitely could be an idea for you to do. BUT the last time I flew Southwest in May, I had a B35+B36 boarding number after family boarding, and was able to find many empty rows available mid-back of the plane. I think you would be okay in family boarding!

 

[DebbieB]

I am flying with my 2 year old twins (in car seats) by myself on a 7:30 am flight from BDL-MCO. Should I buy the Early boarding for the 3 of us or wait and hope that with the family boarding I can get 3 seats together?

I think you will have to get 3 seats together. I don't think they would allow 2 year olds in car seats by themselves. How are you going to carry the car seats and the kids? You may want to talk to the gate agent about early boarding.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I am flying with my 2 year old twins (in car seats) by myself on a 7:30 am flight from BDL-MCO. Should I buy the Early boarding for the 3 of us or wait and hope that with the family boarding I can get 3 seats together?

Do you need the car seats for your trip? If not, you should consider using the airplane seat belts only or rent Cares harnesses. I cannot imagine how you will handle two car seats and two 2 year olds by yourself.

BTW, EBCI is not early boarding.