Help! It's been awhile...

[leahjade]

since we flew SWA. Do we go on the day before to get assigned seats? If so then what's the ABC boarding about? Also, do we just check our bags as we normally would for Magical Express or do we go somewhere different?

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

since we flew SWA. Do we go on the day before to get assigned seats? If so then what's the ABC boarding about? Also, do we just check our bags as we normally would for Magical Express or do we go somewhere different?

http://www.southwest.com/help/boardingschool/

http://www.southwest.com/flight/early-bird-retrieve-reservation.html


For ME flying to FL, just put the luggage tags provided on your checked luggage and it will be retrieved from the plane and delivered to your room.
It usually takes a while for them to get there so anything you will need before then, should be in your carry on.
When you get off the plane you head to ME, signs everywhere, and you will be led to proper bus.

Going home, SW is just starting to become a participating airline to be able to check your bags at the resorts. Ask on the resorts board if yours is participating. I have a few times but don't usually stay onsite so they could better answer your questions.

 

[DebbieB]

since we flew SWA. Do we go on the day before to get assigned seats? If so then what's the ABC boarding about? Also, do we just check our bags as we normally would for Magical Express or do we go somewhere different?

Southwest does not assign seats, it's open seating when you board.

Your boarding pass will contain a letter and number. The first people to board are those who need special assistance. After that, it goes by letter and number. The people who booked business price seats get A1 to 15. Then A16 to 60 board, then family boarding for those with children 4 or under, then B1 to 60, then C1 to the rest of the seats. Boarding letter and number are assigned when you check-in. You can check-in online 24 hours before your flight time. SW recently started a new program where you pay $10 per ticket (one way) and get your assignment automatically 36 hours before your flight time.

Magical Express works the same as other airlines, just put the yellow tags on your luggage.

 

[leahjade]

so we won't have assigned seats then?

 

[Zerosinthecloset]

There are no assigned seats on Southwest. You checkin at the 24 hour mark to establish your place in line. A16-60, B1-60, and C1-whatever. Those that choose to purchase EBCI will have their place in line established 36 hours ahead, but can only print boarding passes at the 24 hour mark.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

so we won't have assigned seats then?

No. What is assigned is your boarding position, what # you are in line. Once on the plane, you can sit in any open seat and there is no saving of seats though some do try. Some succeed, some don't.

 

[Zerosinthecloset]

Southwest does not assign seats, it's open seating when you board.

Your boarding pass will contain a letter and number. The first people to board are those who need special assistance. After that, it goes by letter and number. The people who booked business price seats get A1 to 15. Then A16 to 60 board, then family boarding for those with children 4 or under, then B1 to 60, then C1 to the rest of the seats. Boarding letter and number are assigned when you check-in. You can check-in online 24 hours before your flight time. SW recently started a new program where you pay $10 per ticket (one way) and get your assignment automatically 36 hours before check-in.
Magical Express works the same as other airlines, just put the yellow tags on your luggage.

I'm sure you meant to say 36 hours before flight time.

 

[ScrappinGran]

Thank you for posting this LeahJade as I came to this forum to ask the very same thing! I am sooo stressing about seating! We are a party of 7, My Dh & I (the grandparents), my daughter, son-in-law, and 3 grandkids. Of course we all want to sit together. Dh & I will be at work 24 hours prior, so my daughter will do the 24 hr. check in thing. All I have is a printed piece of paper from my TA with my ticket info on it. I assume this is what we use for the online check in. Do we print boarding passes after the online check in? Or before that, and how? from that one piece of paper? So new ot this..I know I sound dumb. I just like to get all my ducks in a row, and this is all new for me.
My son-in-law's first name is also spelled wrong on the paper, my TA called Southwest when we immediately noticed it when I purchased back in April, so I hope that won't be a problem either. Can you tell I am nervouse about flying Southwest?

 

[DebbieB]

I'm sure you meant to say 36 hours before flight time.

You're right, I'll correct it.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Thank you for posting this LeahJade as I came to this forum to ask the very same thing! I am sooo stressing about seating! We are a party of 7, My Dh & I (the grandparents), my daughter, son-in-law, and 3 grandkids. Of course we all want to sit together. Dh & I will be at work 24 hours prior, so my daughter will do the 24 hr. check in thing. All I have is a printed piece of paper from my TA with my ticket info on it. I assume this is what we use for the online check in. Do we print boarding passes after the online check in? Or before that, and how? from that one piece of paper? So new ot this..I know I sound dumb. I just like to get all my ducks in a row, and this is all new for me.
My son-in-law's first name is also spelled wrong on the paper, my TA called Southwest when we immediately noticed it when I purchased back in April, so I hope that won't be a problem either. Can you tell I am nervouse about flying Southwest?

1. No need to be nervous. All will be fine.

2. You need to check to see that the correction was definitely made for your SIL's name. That's really important.

3. All SW planes are 3x3 so you should have an idea of how you'd like to sit, assuming that configuration is available, and a plan B just in case it isn't. Each row is 6 across so all 7 can't sit 'together'. Near, but not together.

4. If you're all on the same reservation, all that's needed to check in is the confirmation # (combo of 6 letters/numbers) and 1 passenger's name. From that you can check everyone in on that reservation. Once checked in, it will display a printer-friendly boarding pass that clearly states each passenger's boarding #. (combo of letter and number, like bingo)

5. First, medical preboarding takes place, while those with A boarding passes line up in numerical order. Feel free to ask others standing around you so you know where to stand along the line.
Once half the A line exits the gate onto the plane, they'll start lining up B pass people. Family boarding, those with children 4 and under, get to board between As and Bs. Even if your GCs are under 4, you can't all board with them. It's generally for child and parents, not Grandmas, uncles, cousins, etc. Then Bs board, then Cs.

4. If your flights were bought from southwest.com's regular website, you can check in online. If your whole vacay was a package through "Southwest Vacations" including, hotel, car, etc. you can't check in online, unless this was recently changed. Your TA would be able to tell you that info.

5. You could allay many worries by buying Early Bird Check In, which secures your boarding position before general public can check in. $10 pp but don't have to buy for whole group, can buy for any # of ppl in your reservation.

 

[Zerosinthecloset]

4. If your flights were bought from southwest.com's regular website, you can check in online. If your whole vacay was a package through "Southwest Vacations" including, hotel, car, etc. you can't check in online, unless this was recently changed. Your TA would be able to tell you that info.


I believe you can now check in online with a Southwest Vacations package. They changed it sometime in the past year or so.

Regarding checking in, If everyone is under one confirmation number, when you go to check in online, it will ask you for the confirmation number and name of a booked person. It will then list all persons on that reservation...you select each person and click check in. You can print out your boarding passes then, or wait until you get to the airport if you are going to be checking luggage.

 

[ScrappinGran]

Thank you, ruadusneyfan2, and Zerosinthecloset for your clarifications. Ruadisneyfan2, re: Early Bird Check-in, What did you mean by I'd only have to pay the 10.00 not for all people in the party? How many would I have to buy for? My AAA TA did the tickets for me. I will be calling SW to verify that they have the correct spelling of my son-in-law's name, that way no worries that day. Thanks for all your help.