Southwest boarding question

[brios86]

So I checked in today from my iphone bc I was driving to work at my 24 hr mark. Now I see that I have A36, DH has A47 and DS3 has A56. Obviously my son cannot board a lone so he has to board with one of us, but will they let him board with me? Or will the make someone wait and board late with him? In the end I guess its not that big of a deal I'm just curious if anyone has encountered this before. I am sure it will work it self out tomorrow.

[Candy30]

It shouldn't be a big deal! He can board with you or your husband. They were not sticklers about that. I think the numbers are like A1-A35 and then A36-A60. So either way I am sure they will not make a big deal about it. We traveled with my elderly Mom and Her number was a few behind us and she boarded with us. I think your only concern might have been if he was in B1 or so and even then I don't think it would be a problem. If your nervous about it I would just let them know at the boarding gate and you should be fine. I love SW!

[disneyfaninaz]

They do board in order from 1-60 for both A and B groups. However, as a minor, your son will be able to board with you or your DH out of order.

[Jestocost]

Originally Posted by disneyfaninaz

They do board in order from 1-60 for both A and B groups. However, as a minor, your son will be able to board with you or your DH out of order.

Well, maybe or maybe not. It's entirely up to the discretion of the gate agent and it would not be unheard of for them to say the parent should board later with the child, not vice versa. In fact, I personally wouldn't expect them to allow me to board early with my child and would just line up with them in the later position.

To set reasonable expectations, I would prepare for the worst and hope for the best. And in this case the worst is not even a little bit bad, as anyone boarding in the As should have no problem sitting together.

[gchockeymom]

You shouldn't have a problem. We had the same thing happen to us a few months ago and I boarded first with my son and then my hubby and other son boarded at thier correct numbers and we all sat together. Southwest is really good about making sure they can put families together if it's at all possible.

[PoohBear]

We have had this situation on a couple of trips and they told us that everyone in the family should board with the family member with the lowest number. Hope this helps.

[rgf207]

Originally Posted by Jestocost

Well, maybe or maybe not. It's entirely up to the discretion of the gate agent and it would not be unheard of for them to say the parent should board later with the child, not vice versa. In fact, I personally wouldn't expect them to allow me to board early with my child and would just line up with them in the later position.

To set reasonable expectations, I would prepare for the worst and hope for the best. And in this case the worst is not even a little bit bad, as anyone boarding in the As should have no problem sitting together.

This would be true if the OP's son was 10 or 11 but he's 3. There won't be a problem with him boarding with the OP or the OP's DH

[bumbershoot]

One time DS and I were separated by one number. Pretend it was 22 and 24.

I chose to get in line at 24, but when #23 realized that one of us was #22, she insisted that we both get in front of her.

It was lovely of her and I took her up on it, but I would have been quite happy going back to the further away number; felt it was the polite thing to do.

[Jestocost]

Originally Posted by rgf207

This would be true if the OP's son was 10 or 11 but he's 3. There won't be a problem with him boarding with the OP or the OP's DH

OK. Just want to make sure the OP doesn't get mad at me if they get the grumpy gate agent or the crazy passenger in spot A37 or A48 throws a fit. I expect it all will work out, but I hate to give any advice in these situations that promises there will be no problems.

[PoohBear]

Originally Posted by Jestocost

OK. Just want to make sure the OP doesn't get mad at me if they get the grumpy gate agent or the crazy passenger in spot A37 or A48 throws a fit. I expect it all will work out, but I hate to give any advice in these situations that promises there will be no problems.

And this does happen. Once we had pre-boarding because our one year old was handicapped. Because my husband needed to put his car seat in place while I took care of our son. The whole family (me, DH and 3 sons) had to line up to pre-board. Actually we checked with the agent at the gate and she understood completely until.....B26 and B27 started freaking out. They started screaming that our older kids could hold the baby and the bags. And I should go to the back of the line. They created such a scene the gate agent was unable to control them. She asked if I'd mind taking my place in line. No problem, I was A4. They got worse. They wanted me in back of the line. I did just for the sake of peace (I was not worried about where I was going to sit). Unfortunately, the baby had a fit when he got on the plane without me and broke out of his brace. The older kids were scared because they could not control him. Take off was delayed by a couple of minutes because we had to get his brace back on and it took time to get him situated in the seat (hence the pre-boarding) and he cried in pain the whole flight home. I hope B26 and B27 were satisfied. So, yes I guess OP should be prepared for B26 and B27.

[Bernini98]

If all else fails..does it really matter, first one claims the seats for all three...at least you're in "A"

[Candy30]

Originally Posted by PoohBear

And this does happen. Once we had pre-boarding because our one year old was handicapped. Because my husband needed to put his car seat in place while I took care of our son. The whole family (me, DH and 3 sons) had to line up to pre-board. Actually we checked with the agent at the gate and she understood completely until.....B26 and B27 started freaking out. They started screaming that our older kids could hold the baby and the bags. And I should go to the back of the line. They created such a scene the gate agent was unable to control them. She asked if I'd mind taking my place in line. No problem, I was A4. They got worse. They wanted me in back of the line. I did just for the sake of peace (I was not worried about where I was going to sit). Unfortunately, the baby had a fit when he got on the plane without me and broke out of his brace. The older kids were scared because they could not control him. Take off was delayed by a couple of minutes because we had to get his brace back on and it took time to get him situated in the seat (hence the pre-boarding) and he cried in pain the whole flight home. I hope B26 and B27 were satisfied. So, yes I guess OP should be prepared for B26 and B27.

On our way back to Pittsburgh a woman was about to make a big deal about her number. She kept asking my Mom what number was she. I finally told her none of your business. I asked her what was her number and she was behind all of us. I then told her that and she was just livid. It doesn't matter we were in A for goodness sake. Poohbear you were very sweet and accomodating. I would have gone off! But that's just me.

[seashoreCM]

[QUOTEdeleted

[seashoreCM]

Originally Posted by PoohBear

we had to get his brace back on ... and he cried in pain the whole flight home..

You might not have been careful enough. Walking to the back of the line for ballyhoo is no excuse for compromising on this.

Originally Posted by Candy30

On our way back to Pittsburgh a woman was about to make a big deal about her number. She kept asking my Mom what number was she. I finally told her none of your business. .

You must show your number to anyone who asks but the one who wishes to move ahead or who asks first must show his first.

Originally Posted by brios86

I have A36, DH has A47 and DS3 has A56. Obviously my son cannot board a lone so he has to board with one of us.

The farmer takes the wife, the wife takes the child, hi ho the derry oh, start off by having the kid stand quietly beside you at A36, although if DH is stronger he can put the kid on his shoulders at A47.

[dburg30]

Either have your husband line up in your sons position with him (A57) or being that close to A60, wait for family boarding between A and B (it's only 3 spots after A57 anyway) and board then. No reason to give anyone a reason to get their panties in a bunch by 'sneaking' him up to your husbands position, just drop back to his. A's still wont have an issue getting seated together. And IF for some reason you have someone that wants to sit in a row you picked, your DH and son will still be together. Or you can all just give up the A's and board between A and B..