I really dislike flying with SWA due to their boarding process

[pens4821]

Just bought out tickets, and decided to just buy the EBCI. I didn't want to, but figured when we were spending 1200 whats another 125. This way we don't have to worry about checking in, but it seems as if there could be quite a few people on the plane before we even get on (not that I expected no one). Oh well, this way even if there are people on we're guaranteed to be able to sit together (even if it's the back of the plane).

 

[sam_gordon]

Oh well, this way even if there are people on we're guaranteed to be able to sit together (even if it's the back of the plane).

Sorry to break this to you, but you are NOT "guaranteed" to be able to sit together. I'd say the odds are extremely good, but it's not a certainty.

 

[SaintsManiac]

I checked in right at 24 hr just now and received B12,14,15. Makes no sense on the numbering, but we have a 5 year old, so will do family boarding.

 

[DisDadDVC]

I checked in right at 24 hr just now and received B12,14,15. Makes no sense on the numbering, but we have a 5 year old, so will do family boarding.

The numbering is that way because even though you are checked in as a group, you are still done one at a time. Multiple parties could be checking in at the same time, and they are processed in parallel. Therefore, it is likely that the first person from another party got checked in while it was processing your party.

 

[Jhondy210]

I don't mind SWA boarding process but I wish family boarding was done after all those who bought EB had boarded. I dislike when I buy EB and get a B position and then a bunch of big families (at the airport that I fly out of, they do not restrict how many people can get on the plane with the child) get on during family boarding, which makes it less likely that my family and I will get seats together even though we paid extra for a better chance to do that and those in family boarding did not.

 

[DisDadDVC]

I don't mind SWA boarding process but I wish family boarding was done after all those who bought EB had boarded. I dislike when I buy EB and get a B position and then a bunch of big families (at the airport that I fly out of, they do not restrict how many people can get on the plane with the child) get on during family boarding, which makes it less likely that my family and I will get seats together even though we paid extra for a better chance to do that and those in family boarding did not.

I agree. Problem is, it is really tough to implement this. You would have to:

Rework the A, B, C boarding. A boarding would have to be business select and A-listers. This would be way less than 60 per flight. B would have to be EB. Limit sales of EB to 60 people. Then board families after B. Then the huddled masses all board in C.

The 60+60+60 groups works well because that adds up to 180 people which is more than what a 737-800 will hold (175). You'd probably have to add a D group to handle the rest of the people.

Short version: It will never happen.

 

[DebbieB]

I flew PIT-MCO today, they allowed the entire family to board together, 6 and under, parents and siblings, but no "extended family". The family boarding line was as long as I've ever seen it. Some if the kids all looked older than 6. I had B22 and ended up in the second to last row, in the aisle seat, not the window I wanted. Very bumpy. Lesson learned - I will buy EBCI next time.

 

[goofy4tink]

I can not believe this thread is still active!! Man, SW boarding is a popular subject. I have to thank you all for such nice, friendly postings!!!

 

[Aurora0427]

Love SWA because their fares are always cheaper, they fly out of Hobby instead of Bush which saves us driving time and headaches to the airport, and I save $$$ on baggage fees.

Their boarding process is not my favorite, but we make it work. On our way home from Orlando in early November my husband and I boarded with our 4 year old. I did save a seat for my mom who was at the back of B. Not surprisingly, no one wanted to sit next to DD 4 and a lady who was 7 months pregnant. I for one am grateful SW allows seat saving. My mom kept DD entertained the entire trip while I tried not to throw up (still have morning sickness). Thanks SWA!

 

[maxiesmom]

Love SWA because their fares are always cheaper, they fly out of Hobby instead of Bush which saves us driving time and headaches to the airport, and I save $$$ on baggage fees.

Their boarding process is not my favorite, but we make it work. On our way home from Orlando in early November my husband and I boarded with our 4 year old. I did save a seat for my mom who was at the back of B. Not surprisingly, no one wanted to sit next to DD 4 and a lady who was 7 months pregnant. I for one am grateful SW allows seat saving. My mom kept DD entertained the entire trip while I tried not to throw up (still have morning sickness). Thanks SWA!

Honestly, posts like this make me a bit angry. If you want a good chance of your whole family sitting together, pay for EBCI. Southwest doesn't allow seat saving, you are lucky that no one tried to sit next to you. I guess making it work equals getting away with something.

 

[tabrizia]

For what it's worth - I just called SW to purchase EBCI for our return flight from Orlando, after checking in at exactly 24 hours for our flight out and receiving C group boarding passes. I explained to the SW agent that I was really nervous about the boarding process, as we have four kids (it's our first time flying SW and I am well aware of my error in not purchasing EBCI initially). At any rate, the agent told me that I should just board with dd4 during family boarding and save seats for the rest of my family. I'm fairly certain I won't be comfortable doing this, but I was pretty surprised that SW instructs passengers to do so.

I am actually doing EBCI for our return flight too so we don't have to worry about checking in at exactly 24 hours out, since we'll be enjoying Disney still at that point.

That being said I have not flown to or from Atlanta, but I do fly from BWI to ATL a lot with SouthWest. I fly solo with 3 children, 2 who are in the family boarding age range. They have never made my 8 year old board alone. So I always ends up with all 3 of my kids coming on with me. I figure when we go to Orlando if they only allow 1 to 1, that is still me with 1 kid, Husband with the other, and they still won't want the 8 year old boarding alone. In general the last few flights I have taken (we flew for Thanksgiving, so less then a week ago on our way home) they boarded the whole family and not one to one.

Nope..at least not on the last few flights I've been on. They only allow 1 parent with 1 under age child. Believe me a lot of families tried to argue about that. The line for pre-board was crazy and announcement was made about 1 to 1 boarding and people were turned away at pre-board and told the remaining family had to find their spot in line. These fights are full, full full and if every family was allowed their entire group to board then how can SW justify EBCI? Those people pay extra for an early boarding slot. Just because you're a family why the heck should they be allowed early boarding????

I just flew home on Tuesday from ATL on SouthWest, they allowed families to board together. I saw both Mom and Dad board with children when only one child was within the age range for family boarding. They also allowed my 8 year old to board with me and my other two without any issues, though I will admit that might have been because they didn't want to deal with an 8 year old boarding on his own without an adult around.

I do admit I haven't flow SW from Orlando anytime recently, I still have a month till our trip, but in general most of the time they allow full families to board with their children.

 

[Disneytam]

I don't mind SWA boarding process but I wish family boarding was done after all those who bought EB had boarded. I dislike when I buy EB and get a B position and then a bunch of big families (at the airport that I fly out of, they do not restrict how many people can get on the plane with the child) get on during family boarding, which makes it less likely that my family and I will get seats together even though we paid extra for a better chance to do that and those in family boarding did not.

I have to agree full heartedly with this! The airport we fly out of lets family's all board together doesn't seem to matter the children's age. Our early Feb. flight I purchased EB for three of us and had very early B's ( I think 2,4,5) but when they called for family boarding the masses boarded and we might as well of had the mid C's because there was less than 20 left to board with a full flight. We ended up with 2 middle seats and an aisle seat in the last rows. It's a short flight and the price is right so I keep flying Southwest (I also fly mostly with points) but for our upcoming Feb. trip I skipped the EB and saved the money for the flight down but paid for it for the flight home because I don't have to worry about checking in.

 

[Aurora0427]

Honestly, posts like this make me a bit angry. If you want a good chance of your whole family sitting together, pay for EBCI. Southwest doesn't allow seat saving, you are lucky that no one tried to sit next to you. I guess making it work equals getting away with something.

Oh get over yourself. Seriously. Actually, Southwest doesn't have a policy in regards to seat saving. So I didn't do anything wrong or break any rules or as you put it, get away with anything. I actually asked a flight attendant if I could save a seat for my mom and she said YES because I didn't want to break any rules, but I would've been fully prepared to give up that seat if someone had asked. So please take your misplaced anger and direct it at someone else.

Oh and in regards to the comments about family boarding, in Orlando they announced on the loudspeaker that immediate family could board with children 5 and under and they further explained that meant BOTH parents.

 

[Boopuff]

I still think the family boarding is at the discretion of whomever is at the gate. Our last fight out of Orlando the family boarding line extended out into the main isle. They made an announcement that the family boarding was One parent with a child UNDER 6. The gate attendant stopped large families and had one parent with older children get into the main boarding group. This was a TOTALLY full flight and they boarded families after the A and EB group.

 

[sam_gordon]

I agree. Problem is, it is really tough to implement this. You would have to:

Rework the A, B, C boarding. A boarding would have to be business select and A-listers. This would be way less than 60 per flight. B would have to be EB. Limit sales of EB to 60 people. Then board families after B. Then the huddled masses all board in C.

The 60+60+60 groups works well because that adds up to 180 people which is more than what a 737-800 will hold (175). You'd probably have to add a D group to handle the rest of the people.

Short version: It will never happen.

Actually, I don't think it would be that difficult. Surely the airline can indicate on the computer how many people purchased EBCI. Then you do family boarding after them. Sure, one flight that may be following B10, another one maybe after B50. If it's that important for you to sit with your travelling companions (whether they be young or old), shouldn't you pay for the "privilege"?

 

[DisDadDVC]

Actually, I don't think it would be that difficult. Surely the airline can indicate on the computer how many people purchased EBCI. Then you do family boarding after them. Sure, one flight that may be following B10, another one maybe after B50. If it's that important for you to sit with your travelling companions (whether they be young or old), shouldn't you pay for the "privilege"?

It would be too hard for them to stop "mid-group". The only way they can do family boarding is between boarding groups.

 

[Boopuff]

Much like they have the exit row restrictions maybe SW should have "family only" isles. Have the families board like everyone else and have so many rows 'reserved' for families with small kids. I know crazy talk! But wouldn't it be nice and fair. That's the main thing. SW has to be fair to those buying EB.

 

[sam_gordon]

It would be too hard for them to stop "mid-group". The only way they can do family boarding is between boarding groups.

Why? They know the last person to purchase EBCI is B15. They make an announcement before they start boarding that family boarding will happen after B15. They're watching the boarding passes as people enter the jetway. Once they take B15, they stop. They announce family boarding is starting. After family boarding is done, the next person to board is holding B16. I'm sorry, I don't see how that's "hard".

 

[kamik86]

Actually, I don't think it would be that difficult. Surely the airline can indicate on the computer how many people purchased EBCI. Then you do family boarding after them. Sure, one flight that may be following B10, another one maybe after B50. If it's that important for you to sit with your travelling companions (whether they be young or old), shouldn't you pay for the "privilege"?

The only issue with that would be that a few of the families legally HAVE to have at least two seats together. I'm not sure if there is a min age one but I know any kid that paid for a seat and is using a car seat must be sat at a window with a guardian in the seat next to them. So they have to let them board early enough for that to happen.

 

[kamik86]

My flight in Jan will be an interesting one it will be the first flight in years where I didn't have A list. I didn't travel for work enough this year to maintain it. However its a three hour flight and only two adults flying so if we are seperated its really not that big of a deal.

We bought EBCI on the way back, but that is because we are on a cruise so checking in at 24 hours would be a pain.