HELP! SW, BWI, and connecting flights

[MrsMud]

Okay, all of a sudden I am getting nervous. We are flying Southwest to MCO in Oct. and this is our first time NOT having a nonstop flight. I really need someone to walk me through the process. We are flying ISP into BWI and then have 75 minutes before BWI to MCO. I have lots of questions.
First, I have never been in the BWI airport, can anyone tell me about it? Is it big? Crowded? Difficult to navigate?
Next, will we have enough time in between flights to check in? To grab a bite to eat? Do we have to get our baggage or does the airline just switch all the baggage from one plane to the other? Are SW arriving and departing flights in the same area?
If I print our boarding passes online that morning, will they only be for the first leg of the trip? Can I print passes for both legs ahead of time? If not, even if I get A passes for the first half, do we have any chance of sitting together for the second half?
As you can tell, I am totally ignorant about flying connecting flights. I am the type of person who likes to know ahead of time exactly what I need to do, step by step. PLEASE HELP!

 

[dlrhine]

We always fly out of BWI on Southwest to MCO. We do that trip about 4 times a year. All of southwest is in the same area, you shouldn't have to travel far between gates. In that area are magazine stands and food stands etc. so no reason to go out of that arean, which means you don't have to go back through security. SW will transfer your luggage for you. So don't worry about that, the only thing you'd have to get is if you gate check a stroller. BWI is a big airport, but you won't see much of it being SW is all together.

 

[MrsMud]

Thank you! I feel better now about the airport situation. Another dumb question, when we get off the first flight, do we just go right to the gate for the next flight and check in there? In the past I have always used the kiosks to check in. Thanks.

 

[Tara]

Thank you! I feel better now about the airport situation. Another dumb question, when we get off the first flight, do we just go right to the gate for the next flight and check in there? In the past I have always used the kiosks to check in. Thanks.

Unless you didn't get a boarding pass for your connecting flight, you don't need to check in for your connection. You just need to show up and board the plane when your group is called.

Here's a map of the upper terminal -- the A/B (yellow) terminal is where your Southwest flights will arrive and depart -- lots of dining and shopping options there.

Oops - edited to add link.
http://www.bwiairport.com/customer_assistance/upper_level_terminal_map/

 

[MrsMud]

Thank you so much! I guess it was nothing to worry about in the first place. Now that I have an idea what I'm doing, I can't wait!

 

[Madhatter266]

Over the past few months SW has opened their new terminals at BWI and it is extremely nice. Several new eateries have opened and you will like it.

 

[Rpsemont]

First, I have never been in the BWI airport, can anyone tell me about it? Is it big? Crowded? Difficult to navigate?

We have flown on connecting flights many times, and always had plenty of time. In June, I booked DH through there with an "illegal" connection - only 35 minutes between flights and he had no problem. They have recently remodeled the SWA area and it's very nice. We flew through a couple times when it was under construction and it was still pretty easy to navigate.

Next, will we have enough time in between flights to check in?

You shouldn't really need to check in, you can print both boarding passes that morning. If, for some reason you don't, there are SWA electronic kiosks that when you arrive in BWI, just put in a credit card, and you can print your boarding pass. If you use the CC you used to purchase the tickets, I believe you can print for all travellers.

To grab a bite to eat?

Lots of places to eat. the new concourse is lovely with lots of options.

Do we have to get our baggage or does the airline just switch all the baggage from one plane to the other?

If you ticket is for Islip to MCO, they will check it all the way through for you. If, for any reason, you purchase one ticket Islip to BWi and have a separate ticket (confirmation #) for BWI - MCO, you will have to collect your bags and recheck them. I've never had to do this, So I can't comment.

Are SW arriving and departing flights in the same area?

As you can see from the map, there's concourse A and B. If you fly in at the far end of B and have to go to the far end of A, it could be a 5-10 minute walk.

If I print our boarding passes online that morning, will they only be for the first leg of the trip? Can I print passes for both legs ahead of time?

YOu should be able to do this.
I would not worry a bit.

 

[MrsMud]

Thanks so much for everyone's replies! My mind is at ease now. I'm actually looking forward to seeing the new concourse at BWI. Although the entire trip is much longer than flying nonstop, I'm looking at it as an adventure (I always tell my kids when we are doing something new that "It's an adventure")!
Thanks again