1st-time on SW what can I expect? Special needs and small children

[lpoeppelman]

This is our 1st time flying on Southwest.

I have two reservations:

#1: includes my Dad who will need a wheelchair and assistance while boarding (but no straight back chair) and my husband.

#2: includes my Mom who will need a wheelchair and assistance while boarding (but no straight back chair) and me

AND

My children ages 3, 6, 8, 12, and 15.




I am really not worried about the 15 year old. But I hate the thought of him or any of the other kids not boarding with me and my Mom. I don't care if the 12 or 15 year old sit near us but I obviously can't have my 3rd old or 6 yr old (mildy autistic) not next to me.

Any idea on what I can expect or possible scenarios you have encounted with small children and a wheelchair.

Thanks!

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

You can get a disabled pre boarding pass for your father and six year old. They will allow your other children to board with you also. It also helps to do online check in early.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

Call customer service now explaining the special needs. They can arrange pre boarding and seating needs.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Call customer service now explaining the special needs. They can arrange pre boarding and seating needs.

OP is flying Southwest. They don't assign seats. Pre-boarding is handled by gate agents.

OP, why not check out Southwest's website for more information?

http://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/unique-travel-needs/index-pol.html

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

?....... They will allow your other children to board with you also. It also helps to do online check in early.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

Only if her children are in her boarding group, or the gate agent allows it.

 

[Hopefully]

I wouldn't fly SW with these complex family needs. I would be flying on an airline where I can have more control.
This is a situation full of lots of stress with the possiblity of a really ugly outcome. JMHO

 

[Muhlenberg]

SW will allow anyone in a wheelchair to preboard. Go to the gate agent and get the blue sleeve for each wheelchair person. Each person in a wheelchair can have another member of the group board with them. There will be NO issue finding seats as you're preboarding. There could be people already on the plane if it's not originating in your airport, but there should be MANY seats left for you with many leftover.

I also think you should call SW and ask about the children. I'm pretty sure they're not going to let the 3 yo and the 6 yo fend for themselves. They may also tell you to talk to the gate agent about them as well.

And traveling with that group has earned you your angel wings. Enjoy your trip!

 

[mrsksomeday]

I wouldn't fly SW with these complex family needs. I would be flying on an airline where I can have more control.
This is a situation full of lots of stress with the possiblity of a really ugly outcome. JMHO

We only travel SW, my b/f uses a power wheelchair, we have never had any problems.

Definitely call SW and ask these questions, they will tell you the procedures. You need to have your reservation reflect that you are going to require wheelchairs at your destination.

After you go through security go to the gate check area , discuss your needs there, and confirm wheelchairs will be waiting at the other end. Have a fun trip!!

 

[lpoeppelman]

OP is flying Southwest. They don't assign seats. Pre-boarding is handled by gate agents.

OP, why not check out Southwest's website for more information?

http://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/unique-travel-needs/index-pol.html

I did. Thank you. I posted because I wanted to hear from people who have been through that, done that. Trying to get an idea on what to expect. It is a different combination... small kids, wheelchair(s) etc.

 

[lpoeppelman]

I wouldn't fly SW with these complex family needs. I would be flying on an airline where I can have more control.
This is a situation full of lots of stress with the possiblity of a really ugly outcome. JMHO

As I mentioned in my OP, we already have two reservations. It is a 300 dollar difference in fare for our dates with any other airline. So we had no choice. That is $1800 dollars. I just couldnt see spending that much money.

 

[lpoeppelman]

Thanks everyone!

 

[MaleficentRN]

I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest that you and your husband bring the two youngest with you when you board your parents. What's the worst that could happen? The gate agent says no? If they do (and I can't imagine that someone would be such a jerk) when boarding the parents sit as far back as you can seat them comfortably and you each sit in an aisle and window seat. No one is going to clamor to sit between two adults. Then when the kids board, seat the 6 and 3 year old with you and DH. If you check in at 24 hours, I bet the three oldest can all sit together in a row. Maybe not near you, but further back.
Other than that I would spring for EB. It's one less thing you have to stress about.

 

[clanmcculloch]

Talk to the gate agent when you arrive. Do this at every airport. The gate agents at one airport may do things differently than gate agents at other airports.

The two people with wheelchairs will be able to have an adult pre-board with them to help them. The 6 year old with autism will also qualify for pre-boarding along with you (mention the autism to the GA). The 3 year old will not be separated from you. So then it'll be a judgement call for the gate agent as to whether or not he allows the 8, 12, and 15 year olds to board with you or board in their boarding positions. Talk with the gate agent. My guess is that GAs aren't going to have an 8 year old board separate from the adults but the 12 and 15 year old it's possible. You could certainly ask to have everybody board together so that the older kids can help with the younger ones while the adults take care of those in the wheelchairs. I'd go over rules and possibilities with them just in case. It really is something they can handle. I'd put the 15 year old in charge of the 8 year if it does happen. They can handle it. Honest. Then again they may all be permitted to board with you. Talk to the GAs and prepare your kids for possible scenarios.

If you're nervous about the possibility of kids being without an adult for boarding, you could always have the 15 year old accompany one of the wheelchair bound adults and have the other adult stay with the kids to board. This would probably give you the least amount of anxiety if you get split up for boarding.

One trip where DD13 was in a wheelchair our home airport let us all pre-board together but leaving MCO the GA would only let one of us pre-board with her and the other had to go to his boarding position with our other DD. Like I said, it can vary by GA.

 

[jayhawk74]

Wheelchair passengers on Southwest automatically pre-board, no blue sleeve needed, and can have one passenger board with them. So the 12 and 15 year old can board with your Mom and Dad.
As a passenger with a special need your 6 year old can get a blue sleeve and you can preboard (along with your 3 year old ) with him.
Your DH and 8 year old will board with their group and will get the center seats next to your parents.