How does SW work?-never used them before

[DisneyDude61]

I have never flown SW before, but had a travel voucher and booked 49.00 each way from Phl-Mco. It is just my husband and myself.
Are the planes 3 seats across or 2 seats and then 3 seats? How does check-in work? I know you get a boarding pass with A. B or C, but then what? If you have an A pass, do you just walk on the plane when it's your turn and sit down whereever you want? Are they really strict with carry-ons? ( we each take a 21 inch suitcase) Sorry for so many stupid questions, but I'm used to picking out my seats before I board.
Thanks

 

[jctwizzer]

The seating is 3 and 3. Boarding is by groups, A, B, C. Each group lines up in their respective line prior to boarding. Some get in line real early. Others wing it. Once on board, it's open seating----you can chose whatever available seat that appeals to you. Of course, the choices for the C group are more limited; which makes the A passes desirable Your best chance of getting an A pass is to use the check in procedure thru the SWA website---website checkin begins 24 hours prior to scheduled departure.

 

[Disneyof3]

What happens if all the seats are taken and we have kids. Will they make sure our kids are seated with us or do they not care??? It sounds to me that it's a take off from the boarding area to your seats? The reason I'm asking is I'm very nervous to fly and am more relaxed (with gravol) sitting beside a window. Can I book a window seat earlier and if so how do I do this?? Sorry so many questions. I'm also concerned more for my kids, they have never been on a plane and hate to have there first experience to be a disaster, also our flight isn't direct so how does that work also??? Thanks inadvanced.

 

[Gary M]

Before the "A's" are boarded they have a sometimes massive pre-boarding. The couple of times I flew SWA from IND to MCO the pre-boarders were about 1/2 of the plane. People at other airports say the pre-boarding isn't that large.

Some people line-up an hour before in the A, B and C corrals.

 

[salmoneous]

What happens if all the seats are taken and we have kids. Will they make sure our kids are seated with us or do they not care??? It sounds to me that it's a take off from the boarding area to your seats? The reason I'm asking is I'm very nervous to fly and am more relaxed (with gravol) sitting beside a window. Can I book a window seat earlier and if so how do I do this?? Sorry so many questions. I'm also concerned more for my kids, they have never been on a plane and hate to have there first experience to be a disaster, also our flight isn't direct so how does that work also??? Thanks inadvanced.

Yes, SW cares and no they won't make your kids sit by themselves. Worst case scenario they bribe people to switch seats with free drink coupons. But if you get your A pass, you don't need to worry about any of that, or your getting your window seat.

 

[disneyfan2]

What happens if all the seats are taken and we have kids. Will they make sure our kids are seated with us or do they not care??? It sounds to me that it's a take off from the boarding area to your seats? The reason I'm asking is I'm very nervous to fly and am more relaxed (with gravol) sitting beside a window. Can I book a window seat earlier and if so how do I do this?? Sorry so many questions. I'm also concerned more for my kids, they have never been on a plane and hate to have there first experience to be a disaster, also our flight isn't direct so how does that work also??? Thanks inadvanced.

If you have kids under 4 then you get to board first. Except only 1 adult with the kids, so other non parent adults cannot pre-board (so grandparents etc would have to go to the AB or C line) It would be nice to be able to pre-select your seats, but then you have on the flight!