A few more SW questions (that haven't been asked)

[dizziedupbaby0127]

So I actually searched all 16 pages of this thread but couldn't find anywhere these were asked.

we are flying sw next aug with our daughter who will 1.5 at the time

1-With family boarding will both parents be able to board or will they only allow one to board with the baby and the second one will have to wait until their group is called?

2- When checking luggage (i assume yes) but everyone checking bags has to be present at the counter with their ID's correct? I wonder because having a 1.5 year old in a stroller would be a pain to cart through the luggage line. I would prefer to sit with the baby and let DH go through the line, but we will have luggage to check under my name too. Any ideas?

Thanks for the help!

 

[Petraman]

So I actually searched all 16 pages of this thread but couldn't find anywhere these were asked.

we are flying sw next aug with our daughter who will 1.5 at the time

1-With family boarding will both parents be able to board or will they only allow one to board with the baby and the second one will have to wait until their group is called?
You can all board together at family boarding time
2- When checking luggage (i assume yes) but everyone checking bags has to be present at the counter with their ID's correct? I wonder because having a 1.5 year old in a stroller would be a pain to cart through the luggage line. I would prefer to sit with the baby and let DH go through the line, but we will have luggage to check under my name too. Any ideas?
For security reasons, you all must be present with ID to check in.

Thanks for the help!

It would be simpler to just check you bags at a skycab outside if your airport offers them. Much quicker with no line...

 

[dizziedupbaby0127]

It would be simpler to just check you bags at a skycab outside if your airport offers them. Much quicker with no line...

Thanks for the answers. While I agree about the skycap, 2 things, one I know this is an extra charge, and we are trying to save any $ we can. and two we have flown from ALB (albany) before with SW and looked to use the skycap but there wasnt one. I know they are supposed to have one at ALB but I dont know if it was a time of day or time of year thing, so I wouldnt want to rely on that.

 

[runnergrl]

honestly, it's Albany, a very small airport (hey, it's all relative). The waiting in the line really won't be too bad at all, especially if you get their early. And, YMMV, but I have NEVER had a full flight out of Albany, even going to Disney, so I wouldn't worry too much.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Nanajo1]

1-With family boarding will both parents be able to board or will they only allow one to board with the baby and the second one will have to wait until their group is called?!

Families are boarded together according to their group. If you hold an "A" you will board after the medical and children flying alone. If you hold a "B" you will board right after all the As and so forth. Families no longer all board ahead of everyone. They are just first in their grouping. So it is important to get an early boarding pass. You and your DH can board together..

 

[Petraman]

Families are boarded together according to their group. If you hold an "A" you will board after the medical and children flying alone. If you hold a "B" you will board right after all the As and so forth. Families no longer all board ahead of everyone. They are just first in their grouping. So it is important to get an early boarding pass. You and your DH can board together..

Wow, when did this change happen? We flew in March and families were still boarding in front of everybody...

 

[Petraman]

Here is a direct quote from SW Checkin Procedure FAQ

"An adult traveling with a child four years old or younger will board between the “A” and “B” boarding groups. If you have an “A” boarding pass, please feel free to board with that boarding group. With an all-jet fleet outfitted with comfortable, leather seats, our families with small children are easily accommodated together."

So it sounds like now, if you have a child (age4-under), you board only after the "A" group has boarded. That does make sense, since people who pay extra for the early checkin would board with "A" and paid to get the very best shot at seats.

Important to note that people with kids all board between A and B, not with their respective boarding section. Also, their offical statement did say "an adult traveling with child..." not all adults. Maybe they would make only one parent load with child, although I personally doubt they would. Best thing would be to call SW direct and verify.

 

[DebbieB]

Wow, when did this change happen? We flew in March and families were still boarding in front of everybody...

It happened at least 3 or 4 years ago on Southwest (other airlines still allow family boarding before everyone else). On Southwest, the only people allowed to board before anyone else are those needing special assistance (handicapped).

Here is a direct quote from SW Checkin Procedure FAQ

"An adult traveling with a child four years old or younger will board between the “A” and “B” boarding groups. If you have an “A” boarding pass, please feel free to board with that boarding group. With an all-jet fleet outfitted with comfortable, leather seats, our families with small children are easily accommodated together."

So it sounds like now, if you have a child (age4-under), you board only after the "A" group has boarded. That does make sense, since people who pay extra for the early checkin would board with "A" and paid to get the very best shot at seats.

Important to note that people with kids all board between A and B, not with their respective boarding section. Also, their offical statement did say "an adult traveling with child..." not all adults. Maybe they would make only one parent load with child, although I personally doubt they would. Best thing would be to call SW direct and verify.

If you have an A pass, you board with the A's. If you have a child 4 or under, if you have a B or C, you can board after A. They usually allow the parents & siblings to board with the family boarding but not grandparents, aunts, etc.

 

[Petraman]

It happened at least 3 or 4 years ago on Southwest (other airlines still allow family boarding before everyone else). On Southwest, the only people allowed to board before anyone else are those needing special assistance (handicapped).

Hmmm... theymust have just been being nice in March then. They definitely let a family board first, but they were being kind of a pain. They were trying to board 8-9 people (grandma, grandpa, etc). They let mom & dad board with child and others had to wait.

If you have an A pass, you board with the A's. If you have a child 4 or under, if you have a B or C, you can board after A. They usually allow the parents & siblings to board with the family boarding but not grandparents, aunts, etc.

I figured it went without saying if you have an A pass, then of course, you board with the A group.... sorry if that confused anyone

 

[Tara]

honestly, it's Albany, a very small airport (hey, it's all relative). The waiting in the line really won't be too bad at all, especially if you get their early. And, YMMV, but I have NEVER had a full flight out of Albany, even going to Disney, so I wouldn't worry too much.

Enjoy your trip!

I fly out of Albany at least 2x per month and I cannot remember the last time I was on a flight that wasn't full or practically full.

OP - you can always stand to the side of the line and then join your DH when he gets to the counter to check bags. There's no need to wind your way through the queue with the stroller.

Also, my experience is that the curbside check-in is rarely staffed. The check-in line is hit-or-miss - there are some times during the day when the line is really long!

 

[dizziedupbaby0127]

I fly out of Albany at least 2x per month and I cannot remember the last time I was on a flight that wasn't full or practically full.

OP - you can always stand to the side of the line and then join your DH when he gets to the counter to check bags. There's no need to wind your way through the queue with the stroller.

Also, my experience is that the curbside check-in is rarely staffed. The check-in line is hit-or-miss - there are some times during the day when the line is really long!

Thanks for the info, this had been my expirence also, full flight, no skyscap and long check-in/baggage lines! I just wasn't sure if it was the norm or we just hit it on a bad day! I thought about the joining DH, i was just afraid of people getting mad thinking I was Cutting in line!

Here is a direct quote from SW Checkin Procedure FAQ

"An adult traveling with a child four years old or younger will board between the “A” and “B” boarding groups. If you have an “A” boarding pass, please feel free to board with that boarding group. With an all-jet fleet outfitted with comfortable, leather seats, our families with small children are easily accommodated together."

So it sounds like now, if you have a child (age4-under), you board only after the "A" group has boarded. That does make sense, since people who pay extra for the early checkin would board with "A" and paid to get the very best shot at seats.

Important to note that people with kids all board between A and B, not with their respective boarding section. Also, their offical statement did say "an adult traveling with child..." not all adults. Maybe they would make only one parent load with child, although I personally doubt they would. Best thing would be to call SW direct and verify.

I saw this on their site and it was the "An adult " wording that threw me off, the word "AN" to me would imply one. As far as calling SW, i might, but I fear that it might be one of those things that each flight crew is left to their own discrestion.

Its not really that either of these are a problem, but I like to plan things so they go smoothly and having both of us adults board with the baby would make things easier to set up and get situated.

 

[ancestry]

You should also be aware that sometimes Southwest forgoes family boarding if the flight is predominately families as it often is with destinations to or from Orlando.

There have been several reports here on the boards where families discovered at the gate that on a specific flight that Southwest was not going to offer the family boarding because it would apply to most of the people on the flight. If you search the boards you should be able to find these reports/comments.

I'm not saying that it is going to happen on your flight but you should be aware that it is a possibility and not unheard of.

 

[Petraman]

...I saw this on their site and it was the "An adult " wording that threw me off, the word "AN" to me would imply one. As far as calling SW, i might, but I fear that it might be one of those things that each flight crew is left to their own discretion.

I think you hit the nail on the head. I have seen them let mom&dad on with child all the time... but how could you force a gate agent to do it if they say only one can go?

One thing I do know for sure... whether you all get on at once or one has to wait another1-2 minutes, it won't affect the joy of your trip if you don't let it

Hope you have a Magical Trip!

 

[DebbieB]

I think you hit the nail on the head. I have seen them let mom&dad on with child all the time... but how could you force a gate agent to do it if they say only one can go?

One thing I do know for sure... whether you all get on at once or one has to wait another1-2 minutes, it won't affect the joy of your trip if you don't let it

Hope you have a Magical Trip!

The issue really isn't the wait time, it's getting seats together. In my experience, people save seats for later boarding family members and SW doesn't do anything about it. Many people are only getting the EBCI for one or two family members and have them save seats for the rest so it may get to the point where SW starts enforcing no saving of seats.

 

[Petraman]

The issue really isn't the wait time, it's getting seats together. In my experience, people save seats for later boarding family members and SW doesn't do anything about it. Many people are only getting the EBCI for one or two family members and have them save seats for the rest so it may get to the point where SW starts enforcing no saving of seats.

That is a very good point. I have definitely seen that issue cause a problem with people saving seats.
The fact still remains that no matter what any of us say in this thread, it will still possibly be different depending on the gate agent's own perception of the rules....

 

[dizziedupbaby0127]

ancestry: you just made a very good point I never thought!

I should say, I always intended on checking-in online 24hr out, I normally do but even doing so we have gotten a B38 (or something close) upper B's and I would gladly accept any advantage to being able to get a seat with the baby between DH and I.

Maybe If they only let one of us go it should be me! I would think others might be more simpathetic to a mom with a baby about saving a seat for my hubby!

 

[pooch]

check in at 24 hrs. If you get A's, you're all set. If you get anything lower, you'll more than likely board between A & B. If DH can't get on with you, head toward the back of the plane (it lands first!). Put your daughter by the window & sit in the aisle seat. No one is going to take the middle seat between you! If anyone asks, politely say its for the little sweetheart's daddy!!

Don't stress about this. People make such a big deal about SW seating. It really isn't hard or cutthroat. DD and I always head right for the back and we've never actually had anyone else sit in our row!

 

[DebbieB]

ancestry: you just made a very good point I never thought!

I should say, I always intended on checking-in online 24hr out, I normally do but even doing so we have gotten a B38 (or something close) upper B's and I would gladly accept any advantage to being able to get a seat with the baby between DH and I.

Maybe If they only let one of us go it should be me! I would think others might be more simpathetic to a mom with a baby about saving a seat for my hubby!

Seats are 3 x 3, if they did only allow 1 parent (which they usually don't), I doubt anyone would fight for the seat between you and your baby!

What I'm talking about is people who buy 1 or 2 EBCI's and then save several other seats. Or 2 people who board as disabled and save the first 2 rows. I've seen that happen.

 

[dizziedupbaby0127]

check in at 24 hrs. If you get A's, you're all set. If you get anything lower, you'll more than likely board between A & B. If DH can't get on with you, head toward the back of the plane (it lands first!). Put your daughter by the window & sit in the aisle seat. No one is going to take the middle seat between you! If anyone asks, politely say its for the little sweetheart's daddy!!

Don't stress about this. People make such a big deal about SW seating. It really isn't hard or cutthroat. DD and I always head right for the back and we've never actually had anyone else sit in our row!

Thats a very good point, it would be very weird for a stranger to walkup and sit between a mom and baby, unless it was the last seat left and if they say anything I'll just say "she bites!"

Seats are 3 x 3, if they did only allow 1 parent (which they usually don't), I doubt anyone would fight for the seat between you and your baby!

What I'm talking about is people who buy 1 or 2 EBCI's and then save several other seats. Or 2 people who board as disabled and save the first 2 rows. I've seen that happen.

I agree with that! It happens way too often! I am always polite and curtious to those in need of additional assistance but there is a point where they are just taking advantage of others. (this seems to be a big issue with busses at the World!) I can't imagine anyone needs more then one or two people to assist them ( I would make extra exceptions for children).

I should say in reguards to the above statement, we are actually a party of 9 all flying together, we don't expect to sit together or even near eachother. The only issue of concern is myself, DH and the baby! All the others are adults and if they are lucky to seat together they do if not who cares!