A question for SW flyers

[Densgirl]

When you get your A boarding pass, where do you choose to sit on the plane? Or do you like having an A pass just to insure sitting next to your travel companion? I haven't flown in a while and never with SW so I'm curious what you consider the benefit of having an A boarding ticket. TIA.

 

[goofyforlife]

When your going to DW it's like this......

Half the plane or at least it seems that way, will preboard with children under 4.

So the A,B,C people board after the initial rush...It's worth it to have an "A" pass.

Another reason I like an "A" pass in that I don't feel as much motion problems when I sit forward of the wings.....

 

[Lewisc]

When you get your A boarding pass, where do you choose to sit on the plane? Or do you like having an A pass just to insure sitting next to your travel companion? I haven't flown in a while and never with SW so I'm curious what you consider the benefit of having an A boarding ticket. TIA.

Pre-boards and continuing passengers get to chose their seats even before the "A"s board. An "A" BP allows famlies to sit together and gives single travelers a good chance of avoiding a middle seat. It also avoids having to line up early. The last "A" to board will usually get a decent seat but the last "B" to board may not.

 

[Densgirl]

There is just 2 in our party so isn't someone inevitebly(meaning me ) going to get an middle seat. Are thier planes 6 seats across with a split 3 and 3 on each side? Sorry but it has been a very long time since I last flew.

 

[gw_lit]

Yes, Southwest's 737s are 3-3 seating.

 

[Densgirl]

Thanks, I'm just trying to picture it in my head. Or just trying to obsess over the little that is left before we leave.

 

[Pinnie]

DH and I try to get an A boarding pass to get us the Exit Row seats. Preboarding pax are NOT allowed in the Exit Rows. One a couple of flights DH and I managed to snag an Exit Row seat when we were in front of the B line because so many A's had kids under 15!

pinnie

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

I'm a little concerned about flying Southwest to/from Orlando. I keep imagining a HUGE line of preboards, and us standing almost alone in the A/B/C lines. Is this how it really goes?

 

[Pinnie]

I'm a little concerned about flying Southwest to/from Orlando. I keep imagining a HUGE line of preboards, and us standing almost alone in the A/B/C lines. Is this how it really goes?

I have been on a few SWA flights out of MCO where preboarding of families with children under the age of 5 was suspended because there were so many. They did allow preboarding of the handicapped and those parents who had to install carseats for purchased seats.

I have also seen people with C boarding passes get in the preboard line and the gate agent ask the child how old he/she was. When the child said "5" it was back to the C corral for the family!!!!

pinnie

 

[Densgirl]

Thanks for all the great information. We will definitely be able to get an A pass by checking in online. Do the emergency exit seats have storage space in the seat in front of it?

 

[TDC Nala]

I am usually traveling by myself and I don't care who I sit with, but I like a window seat so I don't have to move my computer if someone else in the row has to get up. As has been said, on Orlando flights it seems that about half the passengers preboard, so an A pass is a good thing. I also rarely check luggage and it helps checking in online so that I don't have to stop at the ticket counters at all.

 

[MrsMud]

Pre-boards and continuing passengers get to chose their seats even before the "A"s board. An "A" BP allows famlies to sit together and gives single travelers a good chance of avoiding a middle seat. It also avoids having to line up early. The last "A" to board will usually get a decent seat but the last "B" to board may not.

By continuing passengers, do you mean those who are on a connecting flight? I am flying a connecting flight for the first time next week, and really am not sure how it works as far as seating. I will check in online 24 hours prior to the first flight, do I have to wait 3 hours to check in for the second leg, or can I do both at once? Or do we get to preboard for the second flight (probably wishful thinking)

 

[RichieGraciemom]

I will have one child under 4 and one just turning five. we will all be able to board together as a family or will my husband have to wait with the five year old. I hope to get the A boarding pass, but not fretting over it. I think we will have a full plane as it is the beginning of jersey week and the flight looks sold out. Thanks for your help in advance.

 

[gw_lit]

By continuing passengers, do you mean those who are on a connecting flight? I am flying a connecting flight for the first time next week, and really am not sure how it works as far as seating. I will check in online 24 hours prior to the first flight, do I have to wait 3 hours to check in for the second leg, or can I do both at once? Or do we get to preboard for the second flight (probably wishful thinking)

Continuing passengers are those that are staying on the plane when it arrives at your location. For example, I can fly from Houston to Tampa with a stop in New Orleans (this was pre-Katrina). I don't have to change planes and just stay on board when we land in New Orleans. If you're getting on in New Orleans there may be 30 or more people already on the plane, even if your the first one to board in the A group.

When you check-in online you can get boarding passes for your first flight and your connecting flight. You don't get to pre-board for your connection, but you'll already have your boarding pass.

 

[MrsMud]

Thanks, gw

 

[CarolA]

I'm a little concerned about flying Southwest to/from Orlando. I keep imagining a HUGE line of preboards, and us standing almost alone in the A/B/C lines. Is this how it really goes?

I rarely find it's that bad. Normally going there are just a few and coming back was not that much worse and I was flying to Nashville which is basically a SW hub. I have never seen half the plane pre-board. The most was about 15 people. that looks like a lot, but it is a plane that seats 200...With an A 99% of the time I get an Aisle seat and I do NOT stand in line. Once they start boarding and get near the end of the As I join the line and get on.

 

[mrsstats]

QUOTE]Preboarding pax are NOT allowed in the Exit Rows.[/QUOTE]

This is not always true. We were on a flight where an elderly "disabled" man got on as a preboard. My DB who wanted to sit in the exit row and could not get it asked the flight attendant how a person with a "disability" could sit in the emergency exit and she said they were not allowed to discriminate and if they said they could handle the situation, then they were allowed to have the seat.

 

[inkkognito]

Over the past month or so, they have started enforced the "No pre-boarders in the exit row" very strictly. They even make a very clear and specific announcement about it before the pre-board starts.
Barb

 

[Pinnie]

Over the past month or so, they have started enforced the "No pre-boarders in the exit row" very strictly. They even make a very clear and specific announcement about it before the pre-board starts.
Barb

Yep!!! I even read it here somewhere that while the seats may belong to the airline, the EXIT row belongs to the FAA!!!

Last month I witnessed an elderly woman and her DS being told firmly to MOVE out of the EXIT row because it was their determination she could NOT fulfill the duties in case of an emergency!

pinnie