Southwest Family Boarding--Did Age Change?

[charmed59]

First time SW flyer with kids...
DS just turned 4, DD turned 8 today.
Are we all able to board together during family boarding, or can only 1 of us with DS?

One adult, one 4yr and one 8yr old? I'd assume they'll let you all on with family boarding. If "us" includes a second adult it would be at the discretion of the gate agent, so maybe, maybe not.

 

[FlyingBelle]

"Us" includes 2 adults and 2 kids. One child is 4.

 

[KJMAX1]

We are a party of ten. 7 of those are kids. I'm hoping they will let my oldest son board with me, so that he can help me with the carseats, and that my husband can stay with our special needs daughter to board. We've already prepped our kids to be in groups of two when they board, and board with your buddy. I cant imagine adults not moving, but I guess there are those that wont. I cant imagine sitting next to someone elses kids for hours and hours. Id rather a parent babysit them, and not me.

 

[Allison]

I don't babysit them. I take out my Ipad and my headphones and keep myself occupied.

 

[n2mm]

I don't babysit them. I take out my Ipad and my headphones and keep myself occupied.

Me too!! If I pay for Early Bird Boarding, I won't be moving. We all have the same opportunity to purchase it. I just returned from a trip last weekend. It was me and my husband and our 3 granddaughters, 10, 10, and 8. I purchased EB for all 5 of us. We all got A boarding positions. I know there was no guarantee that I would get an A, but better than doing it at 24 hours out. It was worth the money for peace of mind. We flew home Jetblue, so it wasn't an issue there.

 

[KJMAX1]

Well if you don't want to move that's fine by me. Wont be an issue if they aren't by me.

 

[maxiesmom]

We are a party of ten. 7 of those are kids. I'm hoping they will let my oldest son board with me, so that he can help me with the carseats, and that my husband can stay with our special needs daughter to board. We've already prepped our kids to be in groups of two when they board, and board with your buddy. I cant imagine adults not moving, but I guess there are those that wont. I cant imagine sitting next to someone elses kids for hours and hours. Id rather a parent babysit them, and not me.

I can't imagine parents not paying for Early Bird Check In, to give their family the best possible chance of sitting together.

 

[goofy4tink]

Okay....this is getting silly. If you have a child that is 4 or younger, your whole 'immediate' family will most likely be able to board together...most likely. Now, if you consider dad, mom, a 15 y/o, 8 y/o, 4 y/o, gram, gramps, uncle tim and aunt sue to be immediate family, you are going to be unhappy. Parents and their children are considered immediate family. Everyone else is on their own.
When flying SW it's a good idea to understand how boarding works. If you don't want to take a chance that your family may not be able to sit together, you may want to do one of several things....
1. pay for EBCI and hope you get slots in the A group..otherwise the family groups could prevent larger families from getting seats together.
2. fly a different airline, that you can choose your seats when booking. But, be aware, seats can be changed due to equipment changes or combination of two flights.

 

[n2mm]

Well if you don't want to move that's fine by me. Wont be an issue if they aren't by me.

Not a problem for us. We have had many kids sit next to my husband on flights. The last time I think the little guy was about 6 years old. My husband did help him open his soda because he couldn't do it. He was a very well behaved little guy. No one ever checked on him the entire time on the flight.

 

[Disneylover99]

Just flew out of Buffalo to MCO on SW this weekend. Family boarding was announced for immediate family members with a child four and under. But there were only two families in line.

We had EBCI, but observed lots of seat savers.

 

[KJMAX1]

With groups of ten you cannot buy the preboarding thing. This is MY first time on SW. I prefer other airlines. However, my husband chose this as he has gift certificates to use before they expire. So when you say you can't imagine why on earth someone wouldnt but a preboarding ticket, well that's why, we cant. It's not like I enjoy some epic vacation tainted by a mad dash for seats. Good grief. I just can't imagine adults who would want to be responsible for my child in the event airmasks drop or something else. Furthermore I wouldn't want to be accused of something either being next to someone else child by themselves. I cant imagine people not checking the entire flight on their kid.

I called SW and talked to the agents and both of them said one adult per child under 5 can board. So that's two of us, plus two small kids. I told them about this thread as well and she assured me most people in general wouldn't want to sit by kids, to which I thanked her. My kids are so well behaved that each flight we are always complimented on it. However, that in part is because my husband and I are diligent in making sure their comfort needs are met and that they are being mindful of those around them. I certainly hope they are able to handle themselves alone, but more over I hope the adults mind their own selves as well.

 

[KJMAX1]

Actually my husband and I talked and I think the best way to handle this is if we don't get seats together, we will put as many of our kids together and we will just go sit elsewhere on the plane.

 

[Gracie09]

Actually my husband and I talked and I think the best way to handle this is if we don't get seats together, we will put as many of our kids together and we will just go sit elsewhere on the plane.

You do realize saying stuff like this does not make you more sympathic especially to parents who wouldn't by group tickets or use gift certificates to save money if it wouldn't allow them to sit next to their kids. Your kids are your responsibility and sometimes that responsibility means you pay more money for things. We don't fly sw with our kids even if it's cheaper because I like to know I can choose seats next to them and I check the seats every day when we get close to make sure they are still together (last minute equipment changes etc). That is my responsibility as a parent.

 

[gwynne]

Actually my husband and I talked and I think the best way to handle this is if we don't get seats together, we will put as many of our kids together and we will just go sit elsewhere on the plane.

Most of us have become immune to these kinds of threats. Kinda unpleasant...and totally unnecessary.

With groups of ten you cannot buy the preboarding thing. This is MY first time on SW. I prefer other airlines. However, my husband chose this as he has gift certificates to use before they expire. So when you say you can't imagine why on earth someone wouldnt but a preboarding ticket, well that's why, we cant. It's not like I enjoy some epic vacation tainted by a mad dash for seats. Good grief. I just can't imagine adults who would want to be responsible for my child in the event airmasks drop or something else. Furthermore I wouldn't want to be accused of something either being next to someone else child by themselves. I cant imagine people not checking the entire flight on their kid.

I called SW and talked to the agents and both of them said one adult per child under 5 can board. So that's two of us, plus two small kids. I told them about this thread as well and she assured me most people in general wouldn't want to sit by kids, to which I thanked her. My kids are so well behaved that each flight we are always complimented on it. However, that in part is because my husband and I are diligent in making sure their comfort needs are met and that they are being mindful of those around them. I certainly hope they are able to handle themselves alone, but more over I hope the adults mind their own selves as well.

Comments like the ones above (in boldface) are offensive. Period.
These types of views are why we (and many other passengers) have learned it's best to grab a seat, take out a book, and ignore anything and everything going on around them. In our case, we buy Early Birds, so we select our preferred area and settle in.

If parents are this "concerned" they should seriously consider buying early birds. We all have choices when we make purchasing decisions. I realize that's not possible for OP, as a group cheaper seat deal was the option they chose.

Not sure about the info the SW Agent gave you about people moving. Some do, some won't. Dividing up the kids with the adults might assist with seating.

 

[goofy4tink]

With groups of ten you cannot buy the preboarding thing. This is MY first time on SW. I prefer other airlines. However, my husband chose this as he has gift certificates to use before they expire. So when you say you can't imagine why on earth someone wouldnt but a preboarding ticket, well that's why, we cant. It's not like I enjoy some epic vacation tainted by a mad dash for seats. Good grief. I just can't imagine adults who would want to be responsible for my child in the event airmasks drop or something else. Furthermore I wouldn't want to be accused of something either being next to someone else child by themselves. I cant imagine people not checking the entire flight on their kid.

I called SW and talked to the agents and both of them said one adult per child under 5 can board. So that's two of us, plus two small kids. I told them about this thread as well and she assured me most people in general wouldn't want to sit by kids, to which I thanked her. My kids are so well behaved that each flight we are always complimented on it. However, that in part is because my husband and I are diligent in making sure their comfort needs are met and that they are being mindful of those around them. I certainly hope they are able to handle themselves alone, but more over I hope the adults mind their own selves as well.

I hope you realize that what you were told on the phone can be vastly different than what you find to be done at the gate. Every single flight I have taken on SW, in recent years, right up to last month, the family boarding announcement has said 'children 4 and under', 5 was never mentioned! It is seldom just one adult, one child...haven't seen that either. Larger groups can always split into smaller groups.....shouldn't be an issue buying EBCI then. Although I'm just not sure why a large group can't buy it. And it's not a 'preboarding thing', it's early bird checkin. Gets you a better boarding spot vs those that didn't pay for it, and gets you checked in, automatically, 36 hrs prior to departure vs you checking yourself (and your group) in at the 24 hr window.
Do I want to sit with someone else's child? Nope. But, if I have purchased EBCI, and found the seat I want/need, I am more than likely not going to switch seats with someone. I have offered in the past...it's all about a particular situation.

Actually my husband and I talked and I think the best way to handle this is if we don't get seats together, we will put as many of our kids together and we will just go sit elsewhere on the plane.

This is what my brother and sister-in-law did the entire time my nephews were growing up and traveling with them. My brother would get two seats in first class, while the boys were back in economy! And God forbid either one of them acted up or were a nuisance. This is a military family...woe be unto those boys if they behaved badly!!! And yes, mom went back and checked in with them several times during each flight. But, it really wasn't needed. The boys knew what was expected of them.
Each family has to do what works for them. But, that doesn't mean they get to make the assumption that others will give up seats in order to make it better for someone else's family! Yes, most times someone will move. But I've been on a lot of flights lately where it took quite awhile before anyone offered.

 

[kamik86]

"Us" includes 2 adults and 2 kids. One child is 4.

To address your concern specifically.

99% of the time a family of four with one child that qualifies will mean you all board with family boarding. You could however get the one gate agent that exactly follows the rules or a time where there are 20 kids 4 and under and they may limit it because you could send dad and your younger one and board with the older child with your numbers without leaving any children alone. (SW doesn't want a child alone at the gate under 12, if a child is unaccompanied they preboard them and an attendant takes them right to boarding)

However even in that worst case if you check in at 24 hours the only way I can even imagine you getting to the point of boarding so late that you don't at least get a middle seat in sight of your other childs middle seat is if your late to the gate and board after everyone else is already on the plane.

 

[Disneylover99]

Yes, most times someone will move. But I've been on a lot of flights lately where it took quite awhile before anyone offered.

My experience with this is that no one offers, until SW steps in and offers free drinks to the person who will move.

 

[jnjhuddle]

Wow. Looks like Southwest's policy with lack of a seat assignment causes rioting in normally civilized people reminiscent of the Baltimore riots. lol. Come on people. The sense of entitlement and lack of respect I'm reading on this thread from "both sides of the fence" is quite disturbing. I normally fly Spirit air, another low cost carrier that does manage to assign seats before check in (I'm a family of 6 and dont normally pay extra to pick a seat ahead of time) and low and behold, the computer somehow manages to generate boarding passes with us all seated together!
I'm flying Southwest in November for our trip down because I was able to get a better price and I've grown a pimple just reading this thread. I'm kinda praying that most of the people on this thread with their fists up and clubs in hand aren't on my flight!!

 

[hsmamato2]

reading this thread and flying IRL are two completely different things..... seriously there is usually very little drama surrounding SWA flights.... what little there is,is....little. seatsavers? yeah,unless the plane is 100% full I don't worry about things... people cutting in line? unless it's 50 people I just don't care that much. Too many 'families' in family boarding with a bunch of old kids? yeah,that annoys me a bit, but I tend to forget about it easily....I get a seat,I read my book,I relax for a bit. Seriously all the drama here is 99.9 never seen.....as in extremely rare FWIW I always buy EBCI for my return flights b/c I am too busy on vacation to think about checking in. Otherwise it's all good. (well, let's not get started on oversize carryons lol)

 

[Julylady]

I just happened on this thread today and it reminded me of something that happened on our SW flight in July. We had purchased EBCI and had A 19-22. A young lady (18-22ish?) stood directly in front of me. I noted as she handed her boarding pass to the gate agent that her boarding number was C30. The agent saw it too and stopped. He looked at her and told her to go ahead. She took a seat very close to the front of the plane. Do people do this very often? Was something else going on? It was at the start of our vacation and I didn't think about it again until today reading this thread.