booked flight half SW half AT

[britfish]

One leg of the flight we just booked is Southwest and the second leg is Air Tran. Will this be a luggage nightmare? It is on our way to MCO so I really don't want to arrive without luggage and we are checking 2 bags. Also, do I need to pay the extra money to get a seating assignment on Air Tran?

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Did you check Southwest's website? Seat selection and luggage policy is clearly explained for both airlines.

 

[britfish]

I am asking how the baggage transfer works between the two airlines. Will they most likely be able to switch out luggage from one "carrier" to another in an hour?
I was also looking for some personal experiences on booking seats vs not booking seats

 

[ToddyLu]

AT should seat the plane like every other carrier (I am not a frequent flyer of of planes so take this for what it is worth). For our SW flights out of New Orleans we always get Early Bird Check in. We usually leave on a Friday and those flights really fill up. AT does not offer Early bird so I would think you would get a seat assignment. So for SW we find the EBCI gives us a great opportunity to get on the plane first, have a chance to position our carry ons and get the seat we want. We think that is worth the extra $12.50 to get the EBCI. Usually our SW flights are full.

Baggage is up to the airline. I would fill more secure about that transfer if I had more than an hour.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Yes with AT you will need to pay for seat assignment or they will pick for you

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

An hour is plenty of time for a luggage transfer.

There are many, many threads already about seat assignments on AirTran flights purchased through Southwest. Do a search of this forum; you'll find a lot of information.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

AT should seat the plane like every other carrier (I am not a frequent flyer of of planes so take this for what it is worth).....

I'm not sure what you mean. All airlines have their own policies regarding seat assignments and boarding order. Some board front to back, some outside in, some by zone, etc.

 

[macraven]

I am asking how the baggage transfer works between the two airlines. Will they most likely be able to switch out luggage from one "carrier" to another in an hour?
I was also looking for some personal experiences on booking seats vs not booking seats

i'm doing the same thing.
my connecting flight is 42 minutes between the two.

i have no worries (now) about the luggage being moved to the other carrier.
the airline has repeatedly told me each time i have called to ask about it that there will be no issues with the luggage.

my past SW flights have been fine with not doing the EBCI.
we are two adults and have always been able to find a seat we are good with.
if we don't sit together, not an issue for me since i won't have to sit in the middle seat.........

 

[jayhawk74]

Transferring bags between SWA and AirTran is not a problem as the bags for both airlines are handled by Southwest employees. So the rampers (the employees who handle the bags) treat an AirTran flight as if it is a Southwest flight. FYI the only employees now working for AirTran are the Pilots, Flight Attendants, and Dispatchers (and they will all be Southwest on Jan 1st 2015).