Flying Southwest Friday.

[katrina1122]

I haven't flown in 4 years...yeesh, that's a record for me.

Anyway, I did the earlybird checkin option, I've never had that before. How does that work?

Also, do we still need our travel size liquids in ziplock bags or can it just be a small clear zipup makeup case?

Oh, and can we bring cheese sticks, yogurt, etc thru security still?

I'm flying philly to denver.

 

[tjmw2727]

Early bird will check you in automatically at T36 instead of your having to do it at T24. At T24 though you can go online and see what boarding number you got.

Yes the restrictions on liquids are still in effect so you will need your liquids to be under 3.4oz and fit into a 1 quart ziplock bag - one bag per ticketed passenger. (3-1-1!)

You can bring food through security but again subject to the liquid and gel restrictions. So cheese yes, yogurt no, if it can't hold it's shape outside of the container then it has to be under the 3.4 oz in in the ziplock.

The best place for all the up to date info is really the TSA website -
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/index.shtm

Have a save and happy flight!

 

[LWQuestie]

With Early Bird checking, Southwest will check you in for the flight 36 hrs before flight time, assigning your boarding number before the folks who manually check in at the 24 hr mark. You can print the boarding passes at any time after the 24 hr mark. You can either print them at home, or print them at the airport (when checking baggage, or at a kiosk if you are not checking bags).

Liquid toiletries that are being carried onboard the aircraft should be in a clear plastic 1 quart ziptop bag, in sizes no larger than 100 ml (3.4 oz). I separate the solid toiletries in a zippered cosmetic bag and only have the liquids in the baggie. That 3-1-1 baggie must be removed from the carry-on luggage and set into a bin at the security checkpoint for scanning.

Non-liquid food can go through security. I would avoid yogurt unless it's a frozen Go-gurt stick.

 

[Missytara]

In addition to familiarizing yourself with the information above, also take time to review the information on your departing and arrival airport.

When traveling on holidays, especially during the winter months, massive delays occur and it is always good to look at traffic reports, weather reports, and get familiar with the layout of the airport, location of parking options, etc.

Don't leave it up to chance at the last minute.

 

[katrina1122]

Thanks everyone. I figured the same rules still applied. I'm actually very well traveled, it's just been a few years due to a major ankle surgery.

My mom worked for piedmont, then usair, then united while I was growing up, so I've flown more times than I can count. We used to fly to nyc to see the xmas decorations for the day or boston to hit the sites for the day. My sister flew to Hawaii to see a friend and had a layover in Chicago so my mom and I flew chicago and put her on her continuing flight and then went and saw the sears tower and flew home. We always flew standby so I know all about delays, bumping, overbooking etc. That part doesn't phase me.

My sister (9) and I (14) were trying to get home from seattle to dulles airport once and we couldn't get on any stand by flights, so after 3 days of trying my mom sent us to san fransico with plans of then getting on a flight to dulles but it was cancelled. We waited 6 hours for a flight to Chicago which was then going on to National, but it had engine problems in Chicago, so we waited 4 hours to fly to BWI. If I can handle that on my own, I can handle holiday delays, lol.

One time my friend and I went to the airport to fly to europe. 5 flights left within 10 mins of each other. We told my neighbor, a gate agent, to put us on whatever flight we could both get 1st class on. She shoved us thru the door with minutes to spare before it left and yelled to us down the causeway we were flying to Milan. What a trip that was, lol.

It's just me flying so dh is dropping me off, no need to park. I know philly and denver airports very well, just not via southwest. My flight is 6:05 am so the likelihood of delays and crowds is much less, but I'll still be there at 4am.

I have 1 carry one and one, maybe 2 suitcases to check. Denver is always super fast with baggage claim. Coming back to Philly we know to expect at least an hour to get it back, but it's usually closer to 2 , if it shows at all. I've had more luggage come in a day late at philly than anywhere else.

I was more concerned with the early bird checkin in and security. No yogurt, bummer. I have a thermal tote so I"ll throw some cheese sticks in i guess. That early in the morning the food stations arent' open yet for breakfast so I'll need something with protein.

So I don't have to pre-print the boarding pass since I'm checking luggage? I won't lose my early boarding spot?

Oh so excited

 

[vacationclub]

T
So I don't have to pre-print the boarding pass since I'm checking luggage? I won't lose my early boarding spot?

No, pre-printing your boarding pass has nothing to do with check in (on any airline) it's purely for your convenience. If you weren't checking any bags at all then pre-printing would allow you to avoid waiting in a line at the airport just for a piece of paper. But if you are checking luggage, you need to wait in line anyway.

The boarding spot is determined for you automatically...regardless of whether you printed your own boarding pass. Even without EBCI, there is still no connection between your boarding position and printing your own boarding pass....only the time that you check in is what matters.

FYI- I've never, I repeat, never ever put my little bag of liquids on the belt, in a tray or even taken it out of my bag. As long as it's clearly laying on top of my stuff in my bag as it goes through the x-ray, they don't seam to care. I've flown at least 30 round trips in the last 3 years.