Confused About Southwest Boarding Position

[MommyJack]

This is my first time flying Southwest since they changed the boarding procedure. I just check in on our flight for tomorrow. I had two different reservation #'s so I did them one after another. The first I got A52,53, 54 & 55, and the second was B10.

The first thing I don't get is that everyone in my party has a different position. Does that mean my 6 and 10 year old have to stand by themselves in a different section? My MIL is on the second reservation and she got B10. I'm assuming that since there are only 60 positions in the A section, she'll be right behind us. Is that correct?

We make a stop in Baltimore on the way with no plane change, so my guess is that the plane won't be full when we board. I'm thinking it's likely that we will all be able to sit together.

Any thoughts?

 

[Minniemouse07]

Each person gets assigned a letter/number, so you are fine.

I have only done SW boarding in Philly and MCO so YMMV but basically they have posts (marked 1-20, 21-40, etc) in the boarding area that will guide you to where to stand. They will call each letter up at a time. Each person stands in order (you don't have to make your family stand in the order of their boarding passes though) and enters the plan that way.

You can easily board w/ your children and have one of them scope out a seat for your MIL who will board after you in the B group.

 

[sj24]

You will be the 52nd, 53rd, 54th and 55th people to board the airplane, after they board to A60 then families with children are allowed to board, then they start with B1-B60 then C1-C60, so it all depends on how many families with children there are.Keep in mind that the plane will be full leaving PVD and some people will be getting off at BWI, if grandma is separate from you on first half she can probably relocate during the switch. Maybe you can get lucky with nice people in PVD and can save seat for grandma so she can be with you seeing how you will need 2 rows anyways.

 

[Jestocost]

Your four passengers with the numbers in the A group will be standing together in line near the end of that group. If the plane isn't coming from anywhere else when you board then the only people who will be on ahead of you are medical preboards, unaccompanied minors and the passengers with lower A numbers.

You should have no problem finding seats together for your entire party in that scenario. I would have two of the A group sit in the aisle and window seats, and the other two sit in an aisle/center either behind or in front of those two, or across the aisle. When grandma gets on in the B group she can then take one of the open seats in those two rows; probably the middle.

It's possible you may have to go to the back half of the plane to find two empty rows next to each other, but when you stop in Baltimore you should be able to move up (if you want) after the passengers getting off there are gone and the FAs have done a count of the continuing passengers.

 

[DebbieB]

You should have no problem finding seats together for your entire party in that scenario. I would take have two of the A group sit in the aisle and window seats, and the other two sit in an aisle/center either behind or in front of those two, or across the aisle. When grandma gets on in the B group she can then take one of the open seats in those two rows; probably the middle.

It's possible you may have to go to the back half of the plane to find two empty rows next to each other, but when you stop in Baltimore you should be able to move up (if you want) after the passengers getting off there are gone and the FAs have done a count of the continuing passengers.

I agree with this strategy. When you get on, leave a middle seat open for grandma. No one getting on before B10 is going to want a middle seat between 2 strangers, especially if you go in the back half of the plane. You can switch positions once she's on if she wants the aisle or window.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

If you haven't already done so, check out Boarding School on SWA.

http://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/airport-experience/boarding-school/

When you line up, there are screens at your gate in groups of 5 that you will stand near to line up to board. Once on board, you can save a seat for Grandma with the B-10.

 

[TDC Nala]

No one is going to require that you stand apart from your children.

 

[goofy4tink]

When you line up, it will be one after the other....you will be together, all in the same line, except for mil...she will be off on her own. I would recommend having one adult take A52, then the two kids with 53 and 54, and the other adult taking A55. That way the kids will be inbetween you as you hand over boarding passes and enter the plane.
I would second the seat finding strategy already mentioned....a window, empty middle and an aisle seat and then either the row behind that with the window and middle taken or the row next to the first one..again aisle and middle seats taken.
You will most likely have to head to the rear of the plane, rear quarter of the plane, but you will find those seats that you need.
You are going to find that flying SW is really a good thing. I actually enjoy it...just wish they had entertainment systems like JB...that would make them close to perfect for me.

 

[TDC Nala]

As far as the entertainment system: I have an Ipod Touch 32 gb. I load it with movies. Presto, instant personal entertainment system. Also found out about getting one of those gorillapod tripods and using it as a stand for the Ipod so I don't have to hold it. Don't stick the Ipod to the top; bend the legs so it makes a little stand to hold the Ipod and set it on your tray table.

 

[goofy4tink]

As far as the entertainment system: I have an Ipod Touch 32 gb. I load it with movies. Presto, instant personal entertainment system. Also found out about getting one of those gorillapod tripods and using it as a stand for the Ipod so I don't have to hold it. Don't stick the Ipod to the top; bend the legs so it makes a little stand to hold the Ipod and set it on your tray table.

I guess I could do that with my netbook as well. Or perhaps it may be time to figure out the whole 'i'pod, pad, touch...whatever!!!