Flying Southwest with a LAP baby-

[tobin04]

Did you need their birth certificate? We just flew US Airways a few weeks ago, and they didn't ask for anything, but I just read on another website that Southwest gave someone a hard time with a 4 month old Lap baby, and almost made them buy a seat for her! So, have you needed a birth certificate on Southwest? I'm just not sure where my little one's birth certificate is! We leave a week from today!

 

[ancestry]

Technically you are supposed to provide a birth certificate for any lap baby. Your exception with US Airways was an exception not the rule. If your baby is an infant it is possible that they didn't check because it was obvious that the child is under 2 but if your child is older, toddler aged, they will check.

 

[threeiscrazy]

The rules may have changed, but we always flew with a birth certificate or a shot record. I'd call SW to check.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

You should be able to get a BC from your local health dept. Ususally it cost $14 cash. They will issue it to you during your visit to the health dept. Call them first.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

YES! I have read several stories of SW refusing free flights for kids without this and the parents ALWAYS claim "you can easily tell she/he is under two" and that includes infants in arms!

 

[DisneyOHFan]

Here are the guidelines:

http://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/family/baby-on-board-pol.html

A birth certificate is required to validate the age of all infants under age two.

 

[tobin04]

I just found her bc! Thanks for the info-I had already read that on SW's website, but in all our years of flying (my older daughter is 7!), I've never been asked for a birth certificate!

Now-it SAYS a copy-so does that mean I can make a copy rather than bringing the original one??

If you choose to travel with your infant on your lap (at no additional charge) the infant will not need a boarding pass; however, you will need to obtain a Boarding Verification Document (BVD) for the infant. The BVD will allow the infant to board the aircraft. BVDs are available at the Southwest Airlines ticket counter on the day of travel. In order to complete your BVD, the Customer Service Agent will need to verify that your infant has not reached his/her second birthday, so be sure to bring along a copy of your infant's birth certificate.

 

[kaytieeldr]

You should call Southwest and ask them what qualifies as a copy.

 

[Jestocost]

And, FWIW, it's not a SWA requirement. All of the airlines are supposed to confirm that a child flying as a lap baby is eligible and can be fined for non compliance if they don't. Some, like SWA, are very diligent in requiring proof of age, while others are less consistent.

 

[dudspizza]

And, FWIW, it's not a SWA requirement. All of the airlines are supposed to confirm that a child flying as a lap baby is eligible and can be fined for non compliance if they don't. Some, like SWA, are very diligent in requiring proof of age, while others are less consistent.

Good post. I was going to say the same thing. So many times people post SW does this, or Airtran does that, but they are simply following rules or else they "could" be fined.....

Duds

 

[Lewisc]

Too many parents "forgot" their kids age. It's easier to have the GA ask to see proof of age for every lap baby rather then trying to decide which ones look too old. Avoids a parent complaining. You didn't ask to see a copy of that kids birth certificate and my child looks younger.

 

[tobin04]

I agree with you guys and have no problem with them asking for proof. I was just in a panic looking for the darn birth certificate! I made a copy of it, and it's now in my wallet, ready to be checked! I'm glad someone mentioned it!

 

[locolala]

I took along a copy of my DD's shot record, since that has her birthdate on it, and it was just fine. The lady I spoke to on the phone while making the reservation told me that either a BC, shot record, or other proof of age from the gov't or her doctor was sufficient.

 

[Jestocost]

Too many parents "forgot" their kids age. It's easier to have the GA ask to see proof of age for every lap baby rather then trying to decide which ones look too old. Avoids a parent complaining. You didn't ask to see a copy of that kids birth certificate and my child looks younger.

I'm pretty sure the check needs to be done at the ticket counter, not by the GA, as the lap baby needs a security document to get through TSA and to the gate.

 

[Lewisc]

I'm pretty sure the check needs to be done at the ticket counter, not by the GA, as the lap baby needs a security document to get through TSA and to the gate.

Good point.

Some bars and many sports arenas check the ID of any customer ordering an adult beverage, even customers who are in their 60's. It's easier to check everyone then ask an employee to have to debate a customer.

 

[Buzz's Buddy]

I'm pretty sure the check needs to be done at the ticket counter, not by the GA, as the lap baby needs a security document to get through TSA and to the gate.

Unless this has changed in the last 2+ years, there is no security document. Every time we flew with DS as a lap child, they simply wrote on my wife's boarding pass. I don't remember exactly what it was, one time we got to the TSA checkpoint and they had forgotten to add it. I ran back to the counter and the person simply wrote "plus lap child" or something similar. He never had his own boarding pass or other security document.

 

[snugglepeas]

I flew Jetblue, southwest and Delta all with a lapbaby and southwest was the only airline that required me to show my daughters birth Cert. and she was only 10 months at the time, well under the 2 year mark, I flew with my daughter on jetblue at 22 months and was never asked for her birth cert.

 

[goofy4tink]

Unless this has changed in the last 2+ years, there is no security document. Every time we flew with DS as a lap child, they simply wrote on my wife's boarding pass. I don't remember exactly what it was, one time we got to the TSA checkpoint and they had forgotten to add it. I ran back to the counter and the person simply wrote "plus lap child" or something similar. He never had his own boarding pass or other security document.

Ah, but it is something. And because you didn't have it listed, you had to go back and get it.


Here's the thing....if you have a question about anythinig this specific, you really need to contact the airline. Why? Well, how are you going to feel when you get to that counter and you are given different info? Are you going to then say...'Well, everyone on the DIS boards told me otherwise. I don't see why you are saying something different!!''? That is not going to fly.

Of course, you can always get conflicting info from someone you call and then at the counter. But, it's better to be overprepared.

 

[Jestocost]

Unless this has changed in the last 2+ years, there is no security document. Every time we flew with DS as a lap child, they simply wrote on my wife's boarding pass. I don't remember exactly what it was, one time we got to the TSA checkpoint and they had forgotten to add it. I ran back to the counter and the person simply wrote "plus lap child" or something similar. He never had his own boarding pass or other security document.

So even if it's not a separate document you did have to have something done prior to going through security and that "something" should have included the airline personnel verifying your child's age and eligibility to fly as a lap baby.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

When you make a reservation on SWA and are flying with a lap infant, you must call SWA to put your child on the reservation. You will not be able to check-in online. When you check in at the ticketing desk, you will be asked to show the baby's birth certificate and the baby gets a boarding pass. You can register your baby in advance as well, see SWA's website for details.