ASD and Pre-Boarding on Southwest?

[summerrluvv]

Do they allow pre-boarding for families that have a child with PDD-NOS traveling with them? What kind of documentation is needed? A letter from the doctor? Thanks

 

[AJKMOM]

I just walked up to the counter near the boarding gate and said "This is my son Kevin, he is autistic and can't be seated alone." They gave me a pass to go after the A's, and before the B's. We got a row of 3 seats and waited for DH.

You can try to get a boarding pass 24 hours in advance on SW, where you get a letter. If you get an A, you will be ahead of the rest.

PS. we had computer issues at the MK, which is why we ended up in the lower B's. Otherwise I wouldn't have worried about it.

 

[KateMW]

I would call Southwest and see what they say. I know you can pay for early boarding now, not sure how much it is though. There's a whole thread on the transportation board about it. Also, if you check in 24hrs before you leave, you'll get an A pass for the most part.

 

[summerrluvv]

I just walked up to the counter near the boarding gate and said "This is my son Kevin, he is autistic and can't be seated alone." They gave me a pass to go after the A's, and before the B's. We got a row of 3 seats and waited for DH.

You can try to get a boarding pass 24 hours in advance on SW, where you get a letter. If you get an A, you will be ahead of the rest.

PS. we had computer issues at the MK, which is why we ended up in the lower B's. Otherwise I wouldn't have worried about it.

So it isn't any different than their boarding with children policy of letting them board after A is done. Thanks!

I'm not really concerned about the flight going to MCO, just the on coming back where I will have no means to check in online 24 hours prior to. I'd rather not have to pay $10 for each of us, but I might not have a choice.

 

[AJKMOM]

So it isn't any different than their boarding with children policy of letting them board after A is done. Thanks!

I'm not really concerned about the flight going to MCO, just the on coming back where I will have no means to check in online 24 hours prior to. I'd rather not have to pay $10 for each of us, but I might not have a choice.

If you are anywhere on the property of WDW, you can get a Guest Services CM to print the passes. We have gotten them at the MK twice, and the last time we were at BLT and couldn't get the printer to work, so I had to run to the first floor of the contemporary to get them.

The concierge desk at SSR can print them for you.

 

[summerrluvv]

Oh good, I didn't know that, thanks!

 

[darthspud]

when I flew down a few weeks ago with a friend of mine we had her parents check us into our flight back home (it was a sunday flight so 6pm on saturday we could check in) then we went to guest services to pick up our boarding passes... that only works at pop century i think though cause only at the Pop can you get your boarding passes for southwest.. any other airline is available at every other hotel

 

[bookwormde]

For SW you typically request a disability preboard from the customer service counter in the concourse. It is self-declaration so you do not need any documentation. You will board first along with the rest of the passengers with disabilities. I always let the flight attendants know that my son is Aspergers so they can accommodate him within the protection that are in place under FAA regulations. The SW crews are great and we have never had an issue.

Boarding first givse the extra time to get settled before the “crowds” arrive. As with most autism spectrum families we pre brief our son and bring fidgets, electronics and other areas a special interest plus some hearing protection in case the noise becomes an issue. We generally sit near the back of the airplane.

Your immediate family will be able to board with your child.

bookwormde

 

[AJKMOM]

For SW you typically request a disability preboard from the customer service counter in the concourse. It is self-declaration so you do not need any documentation. You will board first along with the rest of the passengers with disabilities. I always let the flight attendants know that my son is Aspergers so they can accommodate him within the protection that are in place under FAA regulations. The SW crews are great and we have never had an issue.

Boarding first givse the extra time to get settled before the “crowds” arrive. As with most autism spectrum families we pre brief our son and bring fidgets, electronics and other areas a special interest plus some hearing protection in case the noise becomes an issue. We generally sit near the back of the airplane.

Your immediate family will be able to board with your child.

bookwormde

This is not what happened to us in November. My son and I were allowed to board after all the A's went on, then my husband came in the spot that was on his boarding pass. They specifically said only one person could go with my son. Not sure why your experience was different, but it was.

 

[bookwormde]

AJMOM,

What you recieved was family boarding, to receve disabillity boarding you have to get one of the blue "disability" boarding cards.

bookwormde

 

[summerrluvv]

AJMOM,

What you recieved was family boarding, to receve disabillity boarding you have to get one of the blue "disability" boarding cards.

bookwormde

Thank you...very helpful

 

[bookwormde]

Oh be ware, if you go to DTD (next to SSR) there is a lego store, plan on a couple of hours and lots of $ before you get out of there.

bookwormde

 

[summerrluvv]

Oh be ware, if you go to DTD (next to SSR) there is a lego store, plan on a couple of hours and lots of $ before you get out of there.

bookwormde

Oh yes...every trip we have went there! I'm actually wanting to get DD the Supermarket set, so I'm hoping they have it!!

 

[PatsMom]

Just as an FYI, if you are concerned about getting A passes, as others have mentioned you can have someone at home check you in. Or you can go to any guest services location and ask them to do it.

There is no need to print your boarding passes before you get to the airport. When you arrive at the airport, you just go to any Southwest kiosk (which you will have to do if you are checking bags anyhow) and select the option to re-print your boarding passes.

If it is just you and one child you will have no problems sitting together even if you are B passes. You are just more likely to be near the back of the plane.

The biggest advantage a disability pre-board would give you is that you can choose a seat near the front so you will be able to exit the plane quickly after landing. The drawback is that pre-boarding means you are on the plane for quite a while before takeoff which increases the amount of time you have to amuse your child in a confined space. Only you know what is best for your situation.

 

[seashoreCM]

So it isn't any different than their boarding with children policy of letting them board after A is done. .

But their regular boarding with children policy might not encompass the age of the child in question.

 

[KPeveler]

with disability preboards, generally only one person can accompany the person with the disability. if this is an issue, talk to the person at the counter. i know some people with autistic children who need to see both parents get on the plane at the same time. others have children with different/multiple disabilities where they need two people to get the child/person with a disability settled. Just ask for what you need, and they generally will work with you.

for example, it takes me 60-90 seconds to get my chair settled at the bottom of the jetway, and get into a seat. i ask them to hold other preboards (they always load me first since i have my own chair which they need to get under the plane) who are walking, since i NEED that 60-90 seconds to get onto the plane. if they send the others down, i am going to be blocking the entrance to the plane and several people with special needs are standing on a cold incline waiting to get on. it is better for them to wait in the nice warm terminal in a seat!

they never argue with me when i ask for this, and so it all works out!

just ask for what you need, and if they say no, then ask for a supervisor, and they are usually helpful.