a Southwest bummer

[valeriemouse]

Grr, I just checked in for my Southwest flight, on the EXACT minute it was open, annnnnd got seats in the B30's. Awful. I don't even understand how that happens.

So what are the chances my family of 3 will be sitting together? We are all adults, do we have any shot?

Also, my plane has a layover where we don't have to switch planes. Are passengers allowed to move their seats when people leave the plane?

So bummed this morning. Thanks for any advice!

 

[formill]

We pay for the early bird check in and I guess more and more people do.........so that is how it happens!

 

[valeriemouse]

I got early bird for the way home. I had no idea how popular it is - I get early bird because I don't have a smartphone or internet access. I guess I know now!

 

[jcieutat]

I got a second bummer for you. I booked our flights the day Southwest opened up the fares for the rest of the year. A week later, they had a sale and our flights dropped over $300. I got a credit which I wont use! I wonder if I can use the credit towards early bird check in?

 

[goofy4tink]

You shouldn't have any issue finding three seats together. I have watched those in the mid-B group find seats together many times. It's those in the C group that have an issue.
You should be fine. And you should also be able to change seats when others leave the plane.

 

[valeriemouse]

Thanks for your input guys. I usually check in right at 24 hours and am somewhere in the A group, so this is new territory for me.

I so hate when fares drop after I purchase. That has happened to me before. There was $105 of my money floating somewhere in Southwest land after I rebooked and couldn't use the money in time.

I am undecided if we will go right to the back to try to find seats together, or take the first seats we come upon when we board the plane.

I am going to try to spend my day not being bummed about this. Besides, I have too much packing to do to sit and wallow, haha.

 

[francie57]

I have to agree with others, I think the early bird check-in is causing this. We flew SW home last weekend (first time on SW) and we used the early bird check-in and when we went to RAC in the morning and got our boarding passes we were A19 and 20. Love not having to worry about being on a computer or phone at the 24 hour mark. We are flying SW in Aug. both ways and for me it is worth the extra $40 each way (4 of us) to not have to worry about being on a computer at the 24 hr. mark.

 

[Planogirl]

Not having to check in ahead of time is why I bought the early bird too. I've never gotten it before but if I understand it right, this is done automatically prior to most of the others, correct?

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Besdies the Early Bird Check In, your flight may be a connecting flight for others, where they got their boarding passes when they checked in for their originating flight so they got earlier boarding passes.

With B boarding passes, you should be able to find an empty row towards the back of the plane.

During your layover, after the flight attendants make a count of remaining passengers, you will be allowed to change where you are sitting. But it will be quick, because SWA turns and burns to get out on time.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Not having to check in ahead of time is why I bought the early bird too. I've never gotten it before but if I understand it right, this is done automatically prior to most of the others, correct?

Yes, SWA will check you in 36 hours before your flight. You can then, at 24 hours or anytime after, print your boarding pass.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Yes, SWA will check you in 36 hours before your flight. You can then, at 24 hours or anytime after, print your boarding pass.

How about the return flight?, of course I am easily confused!

This is out first time with SW and we brought the early check in, both ways

Thanks for the help!

AKK

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

The process is the same.

 

[msheriffm]

I did not buy early bird check in but now that I have read this post realize I better get it for our return flight. On the way we have a layover so at least can move together at that point if we don't get seats together. We are a family of 4 but we are just as happy to sit in 2's.
I am so glad you posted this so I have a chance to take care of our trip.
happy travels to all

 

[Cinderumbrella]

I bought EBCI for our June flights and I still got B1&2 for our flight down!! And it was an early AM flight, originating from my airport. We found seats together, easily, in the middle of the plane.

 

[msheriffm]

I just bought the EBCI for our return flight. I feel so much better because I have been a little worried about our seats. We are flying coast to coast with a change of plane on the way home so the flights are long. We have a short flight and then a layover on the way there so we will be able to get seats for the long portion once people change planes. I am saving the $40 that directions.
I am just soooo glad I read your post or I would have never thought about the difficulty of checking in on the way back at the 24 hour point. I know we would have ended up with c boarding passes.
We only fly once every year or two so forget all these little details. This is our first trip to WDW and are very excited. We leave two weeks from today!

 

[Echo queen]

You shouldn't have any issue finding three seats together. I have watched those in the mid-B group find seats together many times. It's those in the C group that have an issue.
You should be fine. And you should also be able to change seats when others leave the plane.

The above has been my experience as well.

 

[valeriemouse]

Thanks so much guys! I knew I could count in the Dis for info!

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

The process is the same.

I was more thinking about how the print out the boarding passes?

Coming off a Fantasy cruise

AKK

 

[debrapagliasotti]

We always purchase EBCI when we fly SW. Love it.

 

[Tara]

I was more thinking about how the print out the boarding passes?

Coming off a Fantasy cruise

AKK

You can print your boarding passes at kiosks at the airport.