How bad is B on SouthWest??

[jeepgirl30]

I'm so upset, I got up early so I could be at work early to do my southwest checkin at EXACTLY 24 hrs.

I used reward points for my DD9 and DH so they each had their own confirmation numbers. I paid for DS7 and my ticket so we had one confirmation for both of us.

I opened 3 windows and had all the information filled out and hit the check in button at the exact time. Doesn't work!!! DH's reverted to DDs and I got an error for son and mine.

So now we are A37 (DD) B12 for DH and B17 and B18 for DS and I.

DH is a very nervous flier. He has to be medicated to board. If we get split he will FREAK.

I called SW and the lady just said too bad have the A stay back.

What do you think? Will we still get seated together? We were planning on doing 2 and 2. Should I go on in my DDs spot and hold the seats for the other 3?

 

[maurene]

Those positions are still pretty good and you should be able to get seats together - just further back in the plane.

 

[msmama]

The general rule of thumb I've heard is: A you can sit Anywhere, B for Back and C for Center seats.

I don't know how that's changed now that you can pay for earlier boarding, but especially if you're doing 2 and 2 I think you'll be fine.

 

[tripplanner2]

Last summer we also wound up in B. It was fine. They actually (at least as of August 2009) save the first half of A for handicapped fliers so I think the first number you can get is A30. We had no idea and I had signed in and had our confirmations at 2 minutes after our flight time. Could not figure out until the next day why we were so far back. I think we were like 5th or 6th row this time instead of the usual 1st or 2nd we had been in the past. Like the previous poster said, you will still be together just a bit further back in the plane.

 

[LWatson]

B isnt bad at all. Esp in the earlier Bs. Your Daughter w/ A37 can board w/ you all if you want her to wait too, or she can at least put her bag down and fumble around until your DH can get on. Then at least she and DH can be together. Then you and DS can find a spot together. You may not all be right next to each other, but you can at least try to get 2&2 together.

 

[3princesses+aprince]

I've always had As, but from what I can see is the only passengers that have a problem with seating are last ones to be boarding, like the end of the C group. You'll be fine with Bs.

 

[Mrs. Charming]

B isn't bad at all.


Ooops I typed D.... I don't even think there is a D! LOL

 

[crashbb]

Last summer we also wound up in B. It was fine. They actually (at least as of August 2009) save the first half of A for handicapped fliers so I think the first number you can get is A30. We had no idea and I had signed in and had our confirmations at 2 minutes after our flight time. Could not figure out until the next day why we were so far back. I think we were like 5th or 6th row this time instead of the usual 1st or 2nd we had been in the past. Like the previous poster said, you will still be together just a bit further back in the plane.

Not true at all. You can definitely get lower than A30.

A1 to A16 are saved for business select (and, I think, some RR elite types). A17-A30 are for normal boarding. Actually, A16 may be for normal boarders. Since there are not often 16 business select people, someone with an A17 boarding pass, may actually be the 2nd or 3rd person to board.

People needing pre-boarding due to disability board before any of the A boarders - they don't need to get a normal numbered boarding pass.

 

[bumbershoot]

Not true at all. You can definitely get lower than A30.

A1 to A16 are saved for business select (and, I think, some RR elite types). A17-A30 are for normal boarding. Actually, A16 may be for normal boarders. Since there are not often 16 business select people, someone with an A17 boarding pass, may actually be the 2nd or 3rd person to board.

People needing pre-boarding due to disability board before any of the A boarders - they don't need to get a normal numbered boarding pass.

Yep.



OP I'm sure you will be fine.

 

[EKW]

I don't think you'll have any problem.

We're usually in the B group because I just won't pay more for the perk of boarding earlier. We've never had trouble finding a row of 3, even when we've been in the second half of the B group.

That said, I don't think you'd have any problem at all if you want to go on as the A seat.

The only thing I think is unfair about this "new" system Southwest is using is that if there's a baby in a group the whole danged group gets to board after the A's. I think there should be a limit...only the parents and siblings of the baby. When we flew to John Wayne last summer there was a group that had probably 15 people in it...one baby. They all had low B's, but got to board after the A's.

Even after all the A's, the groups with babies, and the first of the B's, the back 1/3 of the plane was empty when we got on!

(I was glad to not be sitting next to them anyway, as even tho it was a 6:45 a.m. flight some of them drank nonstop and were loud and obnoxious...way drunk before we got to CA. By dumb luck, we flew back with the same group, and got a repeat performance, including one drunk dumb chick in their group who refused to sit down. )

 

[SGMCO]

Last year we had the last "Cs" and had to take what was left.
which is usally the back row. It still wasn't that bad, at least I had a seat.
A are first to board and get top pick in seat location, then B, then C.
There is still pretty good seat choices for B, you should be able to seat
together.

 

[Goofy4]

If DD (or whomever has the A pass) heads towards the back and takes an aisle seat, the mid-B's will likely have no problem filling in around her. The center seat at least will almost certainly remain open then for you and DH. So, yes, take DD's pass and head for the back.

I was B60 last week on a full plane and there were still pairs open in the back.

 

[Manda]

I've flown as a party of 2 several times with B passes (and later than yours) and have never had a problem keeping the two of us together. I've flown twice with C passes and groups of 3 and on a full plane and we were still basically together - 2 on one side of aisle in the center/aisle and one on the aisle seat across (but, of course, next to the lavatory, LOL). No worries. We are usually a party of 3 and almost always fly with free tickets, so have multiple confirmation numbers. We still always end up together on the plane. If you were C, you might worry a little... but B isn't bad, I promise...

 

[tripplanner2]

Not true at all. You can definitely get lower than A30.

A1 to A16 are saved for business select (and, I think, some RR elite types). A17-A30 are for normal boarding. Actually, A16 may be for normal boarders. Since there are not often 16 business select people, someone with an A17 boarding pass, may actually be the 2nd or 3rd person to board.

People needing pre-boarding due to disability board before any of the A boarders - they don't need to get a normal numbered boarding pass.

Sorry if I got the number wrong but I knew the first few seats were saved and even though you get a higher number there are not as many people ahead of you as you may think. The concept is the same though!

 

[wildfan1473]

We just flew last month on SW. The outbound trip I paid for EB check-in because it was just me and DS8 and DS5, and I wanted no part of having to split up. We got A boarding, and sat in the 2nd row. Coming back, DH was with us so we winged it for boarding - on our first flight, we had mid-B (around 20 or so, and the entire back 1/3 of the plane was empty. Our second leg we had B 40-somethings, and the 3 boys were relegated to the last row with me in the row front of them. It wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be.

You may want to check to see if you can board with your DD who has A boarding - the worst they can say is no.

 

[Magalex]

I'm so upset, I got up early so I could be at work early to do my southwest checkin at EXACTLY 24 hrs.

I used reward points for my DD9 and DH so they each had their own confirmation numbers. I paid for DS7 and my ticket so we had one confirmation for both of us.

I opened 3 windows and had all the information filled out and hit the check in button at the exact time. Doesn't work!!! DH's reverted to DDs and I got an error for son and mine.

So now we are A37 (DD) B12 for DH and B17 and B18 for DS and I.

DH is a very nervous flier. He has to be medicated to board. If we get split he will FREAK.

I called SW and the lady just said too bad have the A stay back.

What do you think? Will we still get seated together? We were planning on doing 2 and 2. Should I go on in my DDs spot and hold the seats for the other 3?

Another DISer from Pittsburgh!

We flew SW last June 2009. You need not to worry. Remember you are flying out of PIT. Not one of the major cities which SW flies out of. I was so nervous but it was so easy. We loved SW. No stress.

 

[minniejack]

Another DISer from Pittsburgh!

We flew SW last June 2009. You need not to worry. Remember you are flying out of PIT. Not one of the major cities which SW flies out of. I was so nervous but it was so easy. We loved SW. No stress.

thank you for that reassurance, we'll be flying out of Pitt, too and I've never flown southwest. Kinda worried.

 

[brymolmom]

I say - expect the best but prepare for the worst. Make sure to talk about 'what if' for splitting up. But MORE THAN LIKELY you will be fine.

I would send dd in with the A's and a bag - have her grab an aisle seat in the very back of the plane and put her bag on the seat next to her. Chances are - at least 3 of you will be able to take her aisle when you get on.

I flew SW last month and we had a very short lay-over so I was petrified they would already be boarded by the time we got there. Even tho we had A boarding passes - if they're already boarded we would be out of luck. So I talked with ds7 and dd6 about 'what if' we were split up. I mentioned that Mommy would probably be right behind them in the middle seat and how they would just read their book on the way up and then Mommy would give them something else over the seat.

It worked out fine for us and likely will for you too - but DEFINITELY talk about it just in case. It is not guaranteed. Luckily you don't have anyone really young so at most it'll be a disappointment/inconvenience but everyone will be fine.

 

[Schmeck]

What do you think? Will we still get seated together? We were planning on doing 2 and 2. Should I go on in my DDs spot and hold the seats for the other 3?

They won't let you hold seats - especially 3 of them! That's the whole purpose of the boarding numbers - you go in when your number is called.

Hopefully you will get at least two seats together - put the kids next to each other, and get as close as you can. Have an extra dose of Hubby's meds handy, (I hate to fly too, meds are great!) and have him take it as prescribed/as needed.

Wishing you a great, uneventful, sitting close together flight!