Boarding a Southwest flight.

[icarus]

If we get "A" bording passes, do we still need to be at the loading area extra early? I'm not talking about the time we need to check-in and go throuh security, but the time at the loading gate. I'm picturing folks with the same "A" passes or even not "A" passes haninging around, and pushing through a line that really isn't a single file line to board.

. . . or does having the "A" pass give us a bit more time, knowing that as long as we get there before the plane boards, that if we are in the back of the "A" group we will at least be able to get on within the "A" window.

Is there any real order to the system, or does having the "A", "B", "C" designation for boarding still bring about chaos and rudeness?

(we are flying from T.F. Green if anyone is familiar with the procedure's there)

Thanks.

 

[CarolA]

If I get an A I sit in the gate area until boarding begins and then get in the end of line and get on.

I see people camped out for hours but I really have NO clue why!

The gate agent will not let anyone but A board so don't worry about B and C getting there. The C folks do tend to camp out!

 

[Jestocost]

As of early November, however, SW will be changing their boarding process theoretically eliminating the need to line up at all. There are plenty of threads on that and the SW press release is here.

 

[icarus]

As of early November, however, SW will be changing their boarding process theoretically eliminating the need to line up at all. There are plenty of threads on that and the SW press release is here.

Thank you. I have seen this information, but it does not affect us as we are flying out this Sunday. I am just trying to get a feel for the vibe at the gate with the current guidelines in place.

 

[MEM]

Thank you. I have seen this information, but it does not affect us as we are flying out this Sunday. I am just trying to get a feel for the vibe at the gate with the current guidelines in place.

I fly out of TF Green all the time and the REAL problem (as I see it) is that SW allows entire families to pre-board, even if that family includes only one child under 4. I saw teenagers, grandmas, grandpas, etc. I counted 20 people in the pre-board line as I sat on the floor in the "A" line with DD11. There were four college students ahead of me and a huge line behind me.

Having said all of that, unless you are really fussy about where you sit or have a large group that wants to sit together, you probably will not have to camp out.

I am looking forward to the new policy for our trip in December.

 

[Jestocost]

I fly out of TF Green all the time and the REAL problem (as I see it) is that SW allows entire families to pre-board, even if that family includes only one child under 4. I saw teenagers, grandmas, grandpas, etc. I counted 20 people in the pre-board line as I sat on the floor in the "A" line with DD11. There were four college students ahead of me and a huge line behind me.

Having said all of that, unless you are really fussy about where you sit or have a large group that wants to sit together, you probably will not have to camp out.

I am looking forward to the new policy for our trip in December.

That issue should be addressed starting tomorrow (Oct. 2), when all SWA flights are supposed to switch to boarding families with children AFTER the A group boards.

 

[vacation dreamer]

If I get an A I sit in the gate area until boarding begins and then get in the end of line and get on.

I see people camped out for hours but I really have NO clue why!

The gate agent will not let anyone but A board so don't worry about B and C getting there. The C folks do tend to camp out!

usually you will see me and my group sitting in line because there are no seats left

 

[tjmw2727]

So far we have been lucky enough to get A BP's every time we have flown SWA (about 4 rt's). We usually head to the gate area and get seats where we talk, read etc. My dd is a nervous flyer and even still we usually don't get into line until the A line begins to grow. Occasionally, if I notice the PB line is large we will line up a little earlier but never first as all we want is seats together anywhere.

TJ