A Southwest tutorial, please?

[LtlTee]

Ok, we are flying Southwest in June out of Philadelphia. We usually fly US Air (or Spirit out of Atlantic City, but their fares recently have been outrageous!), but I couldn't pass up the $49 fare. I never tried Southwest in the past because frankly, the whole A, B, C pass thing and not being able to pick my seats stressed me out. So now I'm stressin' a little.
So, step by step:

1. 24 hours I can check in online. Do I understand this correctly in that I should do this as soon as my 24 hour window allows in order to get the better A boarding pass? Can I still do curbside check in?

2. Once at the airport, do I have to stand in line the whole time at the gate? How early do people arrive? Does everyone in my party have to stand in line the whole time?

3. Will it be hard to get 5 seats together? (Me, my husband, 16 year old daughter, 10 year old son, and 6 year old daughter.) We dont have to all necessarily sit together, although I would like to have at least the 6 year old sit with my husband and me. She talks enough for 3 people, and I wouldn't want to do that to an unsuspecting stranger!

Anything I'm missing?

Thanks!

 

[Nennie]

I fly PHL/MCO on SW all the time. You'll be fine! You will have to sit 3 and 2, b/c the seats are only 3 across, but you can probably get seats across the aisle from each other.

Yes, check in online at the 24 hour mark to get the A passes. You can still do curbside check in for your luggage. Get to the gate an hour early, and have a seat close to the A line. There will be a few people who choose to stand in line for an hour, just laugh at them! LOL!

We usually sit, relax, but keep a watchful eye on the crowd. Once a few of the people who have been sitting start heading over to the line, get on up and get in line, b/c now 90% of the people sitting are going to all head to the line as well. Generally, this flow of everyone getting up from their seats happens either when 1) The gate attendant gets on the microphone and starts making announcements, or 2) the plane pulls up to the gate.

As long as you have A passes, you will alll be able to sit together. Just head towards the back of the plane until you find 2 empty rows of seats across from each other. We are usually between 20th and 30th in the A line, and usually end up in row 17 or so (only b/c we are bypassing empty seats until we get an empty row).

Have a great trip!!! Once you fly SW, you'll be hooked!!

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

I actually LIKE the lack of seat assignments. Face it, on most airlines the front seats are held back only for full fare and platinum-status frequent flyers so you're going to be over the wing or further back anyway with your seat assignments. With Southwest you have to make an effort to check-in 24-hours ahead to get that A-pass but if you do and you get in line fairly early then you're up front. The hardest part (sometimes) is checking-in early for your return flight since you're at your destination city and may not have computer access. But many hotels have a computer station to accomplish this. If you wait for airport check-in you could end up with the dreaded C-passes.

BobK/Orlando

 

[ss0414]

My kids and I rarely fly any airline but Southwest....At BWI, whether right or wrong, most people just put a piece of luggage in the line when they arrive at the gate and then sit close to it....then, when the line starts forming, everyone just stands by their luggage. I'm talking inches away, not leaving your luggage as described in security issues.
Also, I set my computer and cell-phone for a reminder about 5 minutes before I'm supposed to print my boarding passes...it has saved me from forgetting many times!!!
Lastly, I never use Magical Express, so I don't know if you can use it with SW at Disney, if you don't use ME, the front desk can print your Boarding Pass 24 hours prior to your flight. You have to give them your Confirmation Number and ID. This way, you don't have to wait until you get the airport.
Have a great trip!

 

[pooch]

the front desk can print your boarding passes 24 hrs prior to your departure. You will, however, have to bring your luggage to the bus and check it in at the airport on the return trip, not really a big deal! And remember to tip the bus driver, who will load and unload you luggage, as you would a skycap!

 

[LtlTee]

Thank you all so much -- I feel so much more informed now!

I actually only booked SW for our flight from Philadelphia to Ft. Lauderdale. We are scheduled for a cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale. After returning to port, we're renting a car and driving to WDW. We'll be at WDW for four days and then flying home US Air. (SW had no good deals for our flight home, so I booked US air for the same price that I could have booked SW home.) I feel like we're covering every mode of transportation!

In the past, I have been able to get my boarding passes for US Air printed at the Wilderness Lodge and Boardwalk. We just have to schlep our own bags, but it's not such a big deal if you already have your boarding passes printed.

 

[HappyHappy]

There used to be a time difference for 24 hour check-in for those of us on the East coast (vs SW Central time). Somebody told me that this is no longer the cae. Does anyone know? Thanks in advance.

 

[riaesq]

I have not had a time difference at all. I had an 8-ish flight, stood at the desk 24 hours prior with the desk person trying to check in starting about 5 minutes before 8-ish (just in case) and at the 8-ish point exactly, got in.

Hope that makes sense!

 

[Marshay]

Are there priority boardings for those who have small children?

We will have a 2 year old child with stroller, car seat, etc. Will we have an opportunity to board prior to those w/o small children?

Just wondering, since last time we flew United it took us about 5 minutes to figure out the car seat, diaper bag, toys, etc for our DD.

Thanks!

 

[allyphoe]

Yes. Southwest boards wheelchair passengers first, then passengers with children under 5. You don't have to have an A boarding pass to be in either of those pre-board groups.

One thing you might want to watch out for is that Southwest turns planes *fast*. We went for a last-minute potty break 15 minutes before flight time, to a bathroom <100 yards from the gate. When we left the gate area, there was no plane there. DD had barely sat on the toilet when they paged us with the "get yourself to the gate or be left" page. Needless to say, she couldn't produce, and I ended up just tossing her into the stroller with her underwear around her ankles and running.

We got back to the gate to see the last folks in line just stepping onto the jetway. Asked the gate attendant what was up, because we thought we had another 15 minutes. "Oh, I was just trying to get everyone on a little faster." And of course, we then sat on the ground for 15 minutes, because it wasn't our turn to take off yet.

So if you want to pre-board, make the potty break ~30 minutes before flight time.

 

[Marshay]

Yes. Southwest boards wheelchair passengers first, then passengers with children under 5. You don't have to have an A boarding pass to be in either of those pre-board groups.

One thing you might want to watch out for is that Southwest turns planes *fast*. We went for a last-minute potty break 15 minutes before flight time, to a bathroom <100 yards from the gate. When we left the gate area, there was no plane there. DD had barely sat on the toilet when they paged us with the "get yourself to the gate or be left" page. Needless to say, she couldn't produce, and I ended up just tossing her into the stroller with her underwear around her ankles and running.

We got back to the gate to see the last folks in line just stepping onto the jetway. Asked the gate attendant what was up, because we thought we had another 15 minutes. "Oh, I was just trying to get everyone on a little faster." And of course, we then sat on the ground for 15 minutes, because it wasn't our turn to take off yet.

So if you want to pre-board, make the potty break ~30 minutes before flight time.

thanks for the warning!

 

[lovealldisney]

My family and I are booked with Southwest, there are four of us. My hubby will be with my son and I with my daughter. The kids really want to get a window seat what are my chances of getting them with an A pass? Thanks!

 

[ss0414]

My oldest daughter, 19, partners with my 7 yr old daughter, and I with my 8 year old son...we have flown SW 8 times since December 06 and never not rec'd a window seat! It is easier when you can split into two groups...as a matter of fact, we have always sat one isle apart. I hope you have the same luck! (Even sat together once when I forgot to get boarding passes early and had "B" passes!)
Have a great trip.

 

[lovealldisney]

My oldest daughter, 19, partners with my 7 yr old daughter, and I with my 8 year old son...we have flown SW 8 times since December 06 and never not rec'd a window seat! It is easier when you can split into two groups...as a matter of fact, we have always sat one isle apart. I hope you have the same luck! (Even sat together once when I forgot to get boarding passes early and had "B" passes!)
Have a great trip.

Good to know! My hubby and I will spit up with the kids. It doesn't matter where we sit as long as we are close to each other. Here's hoping for a window seat!!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

My family and I are booked with Southwest, there are four of us. My hubby will be with my son and I with my daughter. The kids really want to get a window seat what are my chances of getting them with an A pass? Thanks!

Unless you are among the last folks to board, you should be able to get a window seat...and even then - you might well be able ask someone to swap with you.

Most people like aisle seats, and sitting in the front of the plane. The seats in the back are the last to fill, so until the flight is nearly full there are often whole rows open back there.

 

[5boyz]

I am in the same boat as ltltee...I have a 10yr ds and 7yr dd who also talks enough for 3 or more people and I dont' want to do that to someone either, I have never flown with SW and am flying from Buffalo so this is great info THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!