AirTran / Southwest

[JayhawkFans]

Just found a flight out a day sooner than we had originally booked so we can start our vacation a day earlier.

According to the SW agent, we can switch our flight to the previous day and still not loose the funds we paid for EBCI.

My concern in doing so is now this flight is a split flight with SW/AirTran. I'm worried about how our 11 year old would react if we get split up on the flight from Chicago/Midway to Orlando. We have a 1 hr and 45 minute layover in Chicago where we could try to negotiate for seats together .. but I'm afraid we will be at the mercy of our fellow passengers.

What would you do? Take your chances or leave it as is. This would be on a Sunday in September .. no clue if that's a heavy travel day from Chicago/Midway to Orlando or not. It's an evening flight to arrive Orlando at 10:30 p.m.

 

[dudspizza]

Just found a flight out a day sooner than we had originally booked so we can start our vacation a day earlier.

According to the SW agent, we can switch our flight to the previous day and still not loose the funds we paid for EBCI.

My concern in doing so is now this flight is a split flight with SW/AirTran. I'm worried about how our 11 year old would react if we get split up on the flight from Chicago/Midway to Orlando. We have a 1 hr and 45 minute layover in Chicago where we could try to negotiate for seats together .. but I'm afraid we will be at the mercy of our fellow passengers.

What would you do? Take your chances or leave it as is. This would be on a Sunday in September .. no clue if that's a heavy travel day from Chicago/Midway to Orlando or not. It's an evening flight to arrive Orlando at 10:30 p.m.

I take the chances if the extra day is important. Your daughter is 11, not 2, so would survive if needed. You have the chances to be placed together AND the flight is the second flight on the leg, so you would be checked in more than 24 hours before that flight, so I would hope the chances at sitting together would be a bit better.....

 

[jillianml]

I fly with my kids a lot 2yr old and a 14 yr old I would not feel comfortable flying unless I know they are seated with me.Obviously the 2 yr old would have to be but my 14 yr old daughter would be so uncomfortable without me and god forbid you have a rough flight you would want your kids by your side.Good luck!

 

[SwimChicSQ]

Ask your child would they be ok if it happened, let that be your guide.

I've been the kid on the plane not next to a parent most of my life ( military brat) and I know that it all depends on the kid. I have no issue with the kids I work with having them be on the plane and not next to me but I know that other kids are just freaked out when not near mom. So it all depends on the kiddo.

 

[pooh4evr]

you will be on the same plane heading to the same place- I am thinking we will be separated from our kids 12, 10 and 6 when we fly out in Oct- hopefully not but we are preparing to be. Each will have a bag with their DS, or DVD player and oldest has a Nook- along with snacks, coloring books, they should be OK. Hopefully it will be OK for you and you will be next to each other- but don't freak her out ahead of time.

 

[leebee]

My concern in doing so is now this flight is a split flight with SW/AirTran. I'm worried about how our 11 year old would react if we get split up on the flight from Chicago/Midway to Orlando. We have a 1 hr and 45 minute layover in Chicago where we could try to negotiate for seats together .. but I'm afraid we will be at the mercy of our fellow passengers.

Is the AirTran leg the second leg of the trip? You can ask to be reseated as soon as you check in at the airport at the beginning of your trip. We just flew PWM-BWI-DAY, with the BWI-DAY leg on AT. We checked in with SW at PWM and asked if they'd reseat us on the AT leg, and they did. It gives you a little bit of a jump on reseating over those who are starting their trip with the AT leg.