How to tell if you are on the 2nd leg of a Southwest flight?

[MomTo3PrincessesInNJ]

I'd be more inclined to pay for early boarding if the flight I was getting on already had people on it. Is there a way to know this before hand?

 

[NotUrsula]

The most straightforward and foolproof way is to call SW and ask.

However, if you want to try looking on your own, try using FlightAware.com on the same day of the week that you are planning to fly, and check for the arrivals into your city. You should see it on the chart if the flight number is not due to change at your airport's departure.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

I would guess that most times leaving after 10am would be coming in with people already on. so the early morning would be your best bet as being first on. they are not going to fly a plane to your airport just to pick up at your airport. I have seen planes with so few seats left that even early boards had just a few rows at back of plane. even A group did not get seats together