Do I need to buy EBCI with Southwest & 9 year old?

[StuckinPA]

I'll be flying out of PHL at 7am Oct. 5 for our trip to the world. I don't like the idea of being separated from my son, 9, on the flight, but don't want to spend unnecessary money. Any thoughts as to if I need to purchase EBCI or if I'll be okay checking in at the 24 hour mark?

Thanks!

 

[gonnago]

I have been doing alot of research on these boards about southwest because it is the first time flying with them and also first time flying with a child (2 yrs old) and let me tell you this has definately been a hot topic.So to sum up what I have read if you do not want to chance having to sit apart from your son then yes it would be better to purchase EBCI. I also have an early flight out of pittsburgh at 6:35 am and was wondering the same thing seeing how it is the first flight out so no one will be on board(connecting)already and I was wondering about family boarding(children 4 and under I believe) that my DD and DGS could do to assure they are not separated,if I have to sit away from them that would not be a problem, but am worried about our flight home(purchased flights as one-ways) so I will probably purchase EBCI for our return flight. Sorry I have no experience with this as to help you but wanted to give you a heads up that ALOT of people will tell you that they would pay any amount of money as to not chance the possibility of having to be separated from their children.

I hope you get the information you are looking for and I hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[ktate82]

I have been doing alot of research on these boards about southwest because it is the first time flying with them and also first time flying with a child (2 yrs old) and let me tell you this has definately been a hot topic.So to sum up what I have read if you do not want to chance having to sit apart from your son then yes it would be better to purchase EBCI. I also have an early flight out of pittsburgh at 6:35 am and was wondering the same thing seeing how it is the first flight out so no one will be on board(connecting)already and I was wondering about family boarding(children 4 and under I believe) that my DD and DGS could do to assure they are not separated,if I have to sit away from them that would not be a problem, but am worried about our flight home(purchased flights as one-ways) so I will probably purchase EBCI for our return flight. Sorry I have no experience with this as to help you but wanted to give you a heads up that ALOT of people will tell you that they would pay any amount of money as to not chance the possibility of having to be separated from their children.

I hope you get the information you are looking for and I hope you have a wonderful trip!

That is pretty much sums it up. It's $25 each way for two of you. If you want to take the chance of finding two seats together, you can save the money. Most of the time we have never had any issues finding seats together, but we fly out of Indy, Louisville, or St. Louis and are prepared to sit apart if we need to. On our last flight down, I did see a mother and son (son was teenage) that had received a C boarding group and couldn't find seats together. Granted they could have sat one right in front of the other, but she wanted people to move so they could not only sit together but also have a window seat. They ended up one right in front of the other on the aisle. The only way to guarantee you will get a higher boarding number is to buy EBCI, otherwise it's a gamble.

 

[Mkrop]

If I wanted to be assured that I would sit with my child I would purchase the EBCI for the trip down and back. It is my responsibility alone if I want to sit with them, I am not going to rely on others (like my DH always seems to get asked) to move. I also purchase for the trip home so we dont have to be bothered checking in at the 24 hr mark while in a park.

You may luck out with the first flight of the day, but I am not a gambling girl so I would buy the EBCI

 

[Lynne G]

I fly out of PHL with my 2 kids, and we also have a 7 am flight, but in August. I never had a problem on the way down, I just log in 24 hours before. Sometimes we have to go back further in the plane to get the 3 seats. On the way back, I always pay for it now, as I am lazy and don't want to stop vacation to log in 24 hours before. I have done it in the past though, logging in on my phone while sitting waiting for a Shamu show. For my extra money, I'd rather not be even on my phone ready to log in for the way home nowadays.

With 2, unless you are way in the end of the line, and willing to go to the back of the plane, you should be ok. For peace of mind, and you can swing the extra money, I'd at least do it on the way back.

We have flown SW many times out of PHL.

 

[mickeynut1]

I'll be flying out of PHL at 7am Oct. 5 for our trip to the world. I don't like the idea of being separated from my son, 9, on the flight, but don't want to spend unnecessary money. Any thoughts as to if I need to purchase EBCI or if I'll be okay checking in at the 24 hour mark?

Thanks!

It's a personal decision, IMO, whether or not to purchase EBCI. With that said, I always buy it for our family of 4. It does add a little to the overall cost, but I like not having to check in right at the 24 hour mark, especially for our return flight home. If you don't buy it, just make sure you check in right at the 24 hour mark as the sooner you check in, the better chance you have of a decent boarding position. Good luck.

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

I had the same dilemma, I went over and over and over trying to decide to spend the money to buy Early Bird Check-In or just try to be online exactly at the 24hr mark to check-in, I decided that it was not a risk I was willing to take. I like to think that most people are decent and would move seats to allow you to sit with your child, but I have read some horror stories where people refused to move.

I would honestly get the EBCI, its a whole lot of piece of mind.

 

[StuckinPA]

Thanks everyone. I think I'm going to save the worries and just purchase EBCI.

 

[DebbieB]

I had the same dilemma, I went over and over and over trying to decide to spend the money to buy Early Bird Check-In or just try to be online exactly at the 24hr mark to check-in, I decided that it was not a risk I was willing to take. I like to think that most people are decent and would move seats to allow you to sit with your child, but I have read some horror stories where people refused to move.

I would honestly get the EBCI, its a whole lot of piece of mind.

Horror stories? Maybe they paid for EBCI, maybe they are sitting with their family, maybe they made sure they checked in at 24 hours. No one should have to move for someone who didn't take these measures.

 

[Spunky946]

I've checked in right at 24 hours on the first am flight out of pittsburgh and got early b and got seats together.

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

Horror stories? Maybe they paid for EBCI, maybe they are sitting with their family, maybe they made sure they checked in at 24 hours. No one should have to move for someone who didn't take these measures.

Whoa whoa... I actually advised the OP to get the EBCI, I never said anyone had to give up their seat... I just said I had read some crazy stories... literally where people got into screaming matches and the pilots had to hold up planes and the like. Im not interested in a debate nor suggested that anyone give up their seat. I just advised her to buy the EBCI to minimize the risk of being separated from her son in the event there aren't seats available.

 

[Gracie09]

Whoa whoa... I actually advised the OP to get the EBCI, I never said anyone had to give up their seat... I just said I had read some crazy stories... literally where people got into screaming matches and the pilots had to hold up planes and the like. Im not interested in a debate nor suggested that anyone give up their seat. I just advised her to buy the EBCI to minimize the risk of being separated from her son in the event there aren't seats available.

I think the issue is you said most decent people would move to allow a child and parent to sit together implying that someone who wouldn't move is not decent when in actuality you have no idea why they chose the seat they chose and why they won't move.

 

[tjmw2727]

I'll be flying out of PHL at 7am Oct. 5 for our trip to the world. I don't like the idea of being separated from my son, 9, on the flight, but don't want to spend unnecessary money. Any thoughts as to if I need to purchase EBCI or if I'll be okay checking in at the 24 hour mark?

Thanks!

I think of it this way -

For me since I "need" to sit with my family then I consider the money it costs to purchase EBCI "necessary" rather than an extra cost.

I also pay to choose seats on other airlines and keep on top of those assignments.

If you really don't want to spend the $ then do some more research as to your "odds". Watch the video on boarding school at the SWA website.

Check to see if your flight is a continuation of another flight in which case there will be passengers onboard already. Also if your flight the 2nd leg of a connecting flight those folks will be checked 24 (or 36) hours prior to their first flight putting them ahead of you as well. On the other hand if your flight is the first flight of the day, originating at your airport then your chances are much better!

 

[funcinderella]

In this situation, I would not expect other people to move. There is a reason people pay the extra for the EBCI. I personally would take the gamble to save the extra money; but knowing full well that we may end up separated, and being perfectly okay with that. I would chalk it up to eh, I lost that one! But, my kids are 13. I would probably still be ok with a 9 yr old. When my kids were smaller, I would never even fly southwest because of the potential of not having seats together.

 

[leebee]

I don't buy EBCI for our flight TO our destination. We are the originating airport, so there won't already be people on the flight. It's usually just 2 of us flying, and I figure if I check in right at the 24 hour point, our boarding assignments will be high enough that there should be an aisle or window seat available somewhere on the plane, and more than likely the middle seat next to it will also be vacant. I actually do the same thing when there are 3 of us flying. I have never had to sit apart from at least one of my traveling companions… usually DD and I sit together, and if the 3rd seat wasn't' available, DH would sit nearby.

My sister buys EBCI but never for everyone. If there are two of them, she'll get one EBCI and then do 24 hour check-in for the other person. If there are 3 traveling, she'll do 2 EBCI and one 24 hour check-in. Believe me, nobody wants that middle seat, and it's always, always been available for her party member. SHe has two DDs who are now 14 and 16 so no longer a big deal but she always did this when they were little and never had a problem. She's never been one to worry these things too much, and experience made it easier.

I always buy EBCI for the return flight, because I don't want to have to leave a theme park to check in for the flight. If DH is with us, he always wants to just check himself in whenever, to save money, banking on the seat between DD and me being vacant. It always is. Once again, nobody wants to sit in that middle seat. Having said/done that, it is a risk if it's important for 3 of you to sit together; just be aware of that.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

Best to purchase. My friend was separated from her 10 year old. My kids are teens and they were a few rows back from me but not a big deal as they are older. If you want to be sure purchase it. Also others that have paid will not be forgiving to a mom that did not want to pay and won't move for you . I've heard that on the boards.

 

[2DisPrincesses]

My sister buys EBCI but never for everyone. If there are two of them, she'll get one EBCI and then do 24 hour check-in for the other person. If there are 3 traveling, she'll do 2 EBCI and one 24 hour check-in. Believe me, nobody wants that middle seat, and it's always, always been available for her party member. SHe has two DDs who are now 14 and 16 so no longer a big deal but she always did this when they were little and never had a problem. She's never been one to worry these things too much, and experience made it easier.

QUOTE]

This is exactly what I just did. My DH will get an aisle, My DD will get a window, and I'm taking a chance that no one will sit in the middle before my other DD boards. We will check-in right at 24 hours so I find it hard to believe that someone will really want that middle seat.

 

[Lewisc]

I'll be flying out of PHL at 7am Oct. 5 for our trip to the world. I don't like the idea of being separated from my son, 9, on the flight, but don't want to spend unnecessary money. Any thoughts as to if I need to purchase EBCI or if I'll be okay checking in at the 24 hour mark?

Thanks!

You've already made your decision. For the benefit of others reading this thread...a 7am flight won't have any connecting or continuing passengers. Connecting passengers are able to get their BPs 2-3 hours before your 24 hour window opens. Continuing passengers are already on the plane. You'd be fine checking in at T24. I'd go for EBCI if there is a chance you'll sleep past 7a. The first passenger who checks in at T24 will generally get a BP one number higher then the EBCI passenger who got the highest number.

I like to think that most people are decent and would move seats to allow you to sit with your child, but I have read some horror stories where people refused to move.

I have the opposite opinion. I'd hope most people are decent and won't ask, let alone expect, any passenger to move so they can sit next to a 9 year old child. Southwest generally offers famlies mid-boarding. Passengers who want to sit next to a child too old to qualify for family mid-boarding, who want to sit next to a spouse or other companion need to either pay for EBCI or accept the possibility of being split.

I'd hope people would be decent and move so one parent can sit next to a young child. I'm thinking of a family who arrives at the gate late, due to a late arriving flight, and is flying with a toddler. Neither a low BP number nor family mid-boarding will help a family who arrives at the gate after most of the plane has boarded.

 

[paults]

Thanks everyone. I think I'm going to save the worries and just purchase EBCI.

we go 3 times a yr from PHL to MCO and never got EBCI for the 2 of us. We do get it coming home. If you check in at 24 hrs it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Pooh2]

Horror stories? Maybe they paid for EBCI, maybe they are sitting with their family, maybe they made sure they checked in at 24 hours. No one should have to move for someone who didn't take these measures.

Agreed.
If it's important to you to sit together, pay the extra.
Please do not ask people to move after they likely did pay the extra.