EBCI...2 adults...yes or no???

[kristenrice]

DH and I are flying SWA for the first time. We are used to airlines with assigned seating but we are not what I would call "frequent" travelers. Since it is just the two of us, we really don't care where we sit....front/back, aisle/middle/window...no real preference. We would prefer to sit near each other, but since we both rest, read or listen to the iPod, we don't really NEED to sit right next to each other.

Our flight is non-stop both ways (GRR-MCO and back) and it is only about 2.5 hours. I do plan on checking in right at the 24 hour mark for both legs. On the way down, we may have more carryons (running the 1/2 marathon so all of those necessities will be in the carryon) than checked bags so we will need overhead and underseat space. On the way home, I'll probably check everything except my purse so overhead space isn't as pertinent.

So, I guess the question is...If I don't buy EBCI and check in at the 24 hour mark, will we be able to 1) find two seats together anywhere? and 2) have room for at least one standard size carryon in the overhead bin?

TIA!

 

[CarolMN]

IMO, the answer to both your questions is yes.

We are also 2 adults and fairly often fly SWA to MCO. There seems to always be room in the overhead - probably because SWA allows 2 free checked bags so people don't feel incented to lug their big bags as carry-ons.

We do not buy EBCI for the trip down. We have never had an issue getting two seats together. If you check in at 24 hours, you shouldn't have trouble either, UNLESS your plane originates somewhere else and a lot of the passengers are continuing on to MCO. You can usually figure that out.

I always spring for EBCI for the return trip, even though I don't care if we end up sitting apart - I just do not want to be bothered remembering 24 hours prior to check in because I will probably be somewhere it isn't convenient to do so. That's worth the $25 to me. (I do not carry a smart phone along every where I go, LOL). Plus, I know the planes going home will be totally full of saavy SWA travelers who will check in exactly 24 hours ahead of time and I like to sit near the front if I can. This has always worked out for me with EBCI.

I didn't think I would like SWA, but I really, really do.

 

[suefly]

IMO not necessary.

Flew SWA last time for the first time. Was worried about it. 3 adults, didn't want to pay for the EBCI. It was fine. got seats together, near the back. Plenty of overhead bin space. Just book at 24 hour mark.

 

[PrincesCJM]

In the end, it's a personal decision. You will have to decide if it will be worth the extra money for the peace of mind. DH, DS (a lap infant) and I flew on Southwest in July. On the way down, I did not purchase EBCI but I did for the flight home. We actually got a better check-in placement for the way down, then on the way home. It wasn't a huge difference (A33 verses A58). I think that more people purchase it for flights home, so that they do not have to be right at a computer/phone at the 24 hour mark.

 

[Gracie09]

For two adults with no special setting needs, not worth it imo

 

[DVC-Don]

Depends on what I may be doing 24 hours before the flight.

 

[hsmamato2]

Nah,I wouldn't bother...you sound like my DH and I,we don't care too much,we both like to read and relax anyway,so we don't. On the trip home, we do for the above mentioned reasons,I don't want to forget to check in.....

 

[rszdtrvl]

If getting a good seat is important to you, yes. If you don't care where you sit, no.

That being said, after DH and I ended up in mid-B trying to check in 24 hours prior to our flight, we decided to factor the cost of EBCI into our airfare cost.

Now, we always get EBCI, to ensure we get the area of the plane we prefer.