Is Early Bird Check In worth it on SW?

[goofy4tink]

Because the specifics weren't the way it's supposed to work. That's bothersome.

EBCI gets you checked in before those that have not bought EBCI...which should get you a lower boarding slot. But...if someone cancels their flight, that slot now goes back into the pool...so to speak. Sure, it would be nice if everyone got to move up a slot every time someone in front of them changed their flight, but that's not the way it works.
It would be best to buy EBCI only to be able to get checked in at the 36 hr window vs doing it yourself at the 24 hr window. People need to stop obsessing over who got a lower slot.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

.................People need to stop obsessing over who got a lower slot.

 

[DisneyElite4]

We will be flying for the first time with our DS 1 in December. We have purchased him a seat and we will be bringing his car seat on the plane. We also have EBCI for all three of us, however, we were planning on just my DH getting on first and setting up the car seat, while I let DS run around and burn off some steam, boarding after everyone else has gotten on board. He will be much more pleasant and more likely to nap if we do this, creating a better experience for all of those on the plane.

Is this frowned upon? He will not try to save the seat next to the seat that he is setting up the car seat in (for me), but I am assuming nobody will want that seat anyway. If it is frowned upon, I will board during EBCI with him, although I think we will be annoying a lot of people that way as well since we will have to stand in the aisle or in an empty row of seats while DH gets the car seat all set up. It's his first time doing it on airplane, so I don't imagine it will be quick. I was hoping the flight attendants would let him do this if we all purchased EBCI, but I understand if they won't. I am trying to make it an enjoyable flight for everyone.

 

[kaetra]

We will be flying for the first time with our DS 1 in December. We have purchased him a seat and we will be bringing his car seat on the plane. We also have EBCI for all three of us, however, we were planning on just my DH getting on first and setting up the car seat, while I let DS run around and burn off some steam, boarding after everyone else has gotten on board. He will be much more pleasant and more likely to nap if we do this, creating a better experience for all of those on the plane.

Is this frowned upon? He will not try to save the seat next to the seat that he is setting up the car seat in (for me), but I am assuming nobody will want that seat anyway. If it is frowned upon, I will board during EBCI with him, although I think we will be annoying a lot of people that way as well since we will have to stand in the aisle or in an empty row of seats while DH gets the car seat all set up. It's his first time doing it on airplane, so I don't imagine it will be quick. I was hoping the flight attendants would let him do this if we all purchased EBCI, but I understand if they won't. I am trying to make it an enjoyable flight for everyone.

I imagine it depends on the Flight Attendants you get, how cooperative they are willing to be. You could discuss it with the boarding attendants before boarding to see if they can help accommodate you, especially since you are paying full fare for a child that would likely qualify as a lap-child.

 

[ibob52]

We will be flying for the first time with our DS 1 in December. We have purchased him a seat and we will be bringing his car seat on the plane. We also have EBCI for all three of us, however, we were planning on just my DH getting on first and setting up the car seat, while I let DS run around and burn off some steam, boarding after everyone else has gotten on board. He will be much more pleasant and more likely to nap if we do this, creating a better experience for all of those on the plane.

Is this frowned upon? He will not try to save the seat next to the seat that he is setting up the car seat in (for me), but I am assuming nobody will want that seat anyway. If it is frowned upon, I will board during EBCI with him, although I think we will be annoying a lot of people that way as well since we will have to stand in the aisle or in an empty row of seats while DH gets the car seat all set up. It's his first time doing it on airplane, so I don't imagine it will be quick. I was hoping the flight attendants would let him do this if we all purchased EBCI, but I understand if they won't. I am trying to make it an enjoyable flight for everyone.

I would think the *car seat* in the middle seat ... might be a deterrent for many people to seat next to. The one chink in the *plan* would be the waiting *for all passengers* to board. At that point on very full flights ... only middle seats would be available and a non middle seat next to a car seat might be desirable. YMMV

 

[sam_gordon]

I would think the *car seat* in the middle seat ... might be a deterrent for many people to seat next to. The one chink in the *plan* would be the waiting *for all passengers* to board. At that point on very full flights ... only middle seats would be available and a non middle seat next to a car seat might be desirable. YMMV

FA may or may not allow a car seat in a middle seat... especially if the window seat is open.

 

[luvmy2babies]

EBCI has always been to me. I travel alone with 2 children. One of them is really young. Too young I thought to be separated from me, but I’ve read about some really young children being separated from their parents on flights. My older child has low-level anxiety so I’d rather not be separated from either of them. I probably wouldn’t have a big problem as we like the back of the plane and most people don’t, but I haven’t been willing to take the chance so far.

Even the one time I didn’t buy it for the outbound flight, I got it for the return flight because at the 24 hour mark we were going to be in one of the parks.

We will be flying for the first time with our DS 1 in December. We have purchased him a seat and we will be bringing his car seat on the plane. We also have EBCI for all three of us, however, we were planning on just my DH getting on first and setting up the car seat, while I let DS run around and burn off some steam, boarding after everyone else has gotten on board. He will be much more pleasant and more likely to nap if we do this, creating a better experience for all of those on the plane.

Is this frowned upon? He will not try to save the seat next to the seat that he is setting up the car seat in (for me), but I am assuming nobody will want that seat anyway. If it is frowned upon, I will board during EBCI with him, although I think we will be annoying a lot of people that way as well since we will have to stand in the aisle or in an empty row of seats while DH gets the car seat all set up. It's his first time doing it on airplane, so I don't imagine it will be quick. I was hoping the flight attendants would let him do this if we all purchased EBCI, but I understand if they won't. I am trying to make it an enjoyable flight for everyone.

The two times I carried my son’s car seat on, I was alone with both children so we all had to get on together. I put the car seat in the window, sat ds in the middle seat and my daughter sat down in the aisle seat. Once it was in, I put ds in it and I sat in the middle seat.

I can say it helped to be near the rear of the plane installing the seat. There is less traffic back there during the early boarding as most people getting on early like the front. Once when we flew, my daughter didn’t wait for me while I collapsed the stroller at the door and when a lady saw her alone told her to go ahead and sit down, she sat in row 8 and it was much more difficult getting the seat put in because a lot of people around us where sitting down.

The rule is that car seats go next to the window for safety.

 

[Gracie09]

We will be flying for the first time with our DS 1 in December. We have purchased him a seat and we will be bringing his car seat on the plane. We also have EBCI for all three of us, however, we were planning on just my DH getting on first and setting up the car seat, while I let DS run around and burn off some steam, boarding after everyone else has gotten on board. He will be much more pleasant and more likely to nap if we do this, creating a better experience for all of those on the plane. Is this frowned upon? He will not try to save the seat next to the seat that he is setting up the car seat in (for me), but I am assuming nobody will want that seat anyway. If it is frowned upon, I will board during EBCI with him, although I think we will be annoying a lot of people that way as well since we will have to stand in the aisle or in an empty row of seats while DH gets the car seat all set up. It's his first time doing it on airplane, so I don't imagine it will be quick. I was hoping the flight attendants would let him do this if we all purchased EBCI, but I understand if they won't. I am trying to make it an enjoyable flight for everyone.

What worked for us is dh goes and installs the seat (or you sometimes smaller hands work better. Also flip the buckle so it faces the seat back and practice in a car before hand. It's the same basic process). Then calls you on the cell phone and you then go and board. As long as you are after your assigned spot you can. Go take a few minutes to get settled get a drink/lollipop etc for the initial assent and few toys you can grab etc and before you know it you will be up in the air.

 

[ibob52]

FA may or may not allow a car seat in a middle seat... especially if the window seat is open.

The rule is that car seats go next to the window for safety.

Well that would be better ... car seat in window seat ... and have your DH sit in aisle seat

While he waits for you & child to board (middle seat/aisle seat arm rest up).

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I would think the *car seat* in the middle seat ... might be a deterrent for many people to seat next to. The one chink in the *plan* would be the waiting *for all passengers* to board. At that point on very full flights ... only middle seats would be available and a non middle seat next to a car seat might be desirable. YMMV

Car seats can't go in a middle seat, unless it is the middle seat in the middle section of a two aisle plane.

There is no problem having a parent board and install the car seat at the window while the other parent waits to board with the child. With a car seat at the window and Dad on the aisle, who would want to take that middle seat?

 

[goofy4tink]

Car seats can't go in a middle seat, unless it is the middle seat in the middle section of a two aisle plane.

There is no problem having a parent board and install the car seat at the window while the other parent waits to board with the child. With a car seat at the window and Dad on the aisle, who would want to take that middle seat?

This is exactly how it should go. But I would have dad head to the rear of the plane to get that car seat installed. Much less movement from others trying to find their seats at the same time. Then, you and your ds can just board and plop down. Being towards the rear of the plane also allows you plenty of time to get stuff together and organized when it's time to deplane. That will allow others, in front of you, to deplane without being held up. There is nothing more annoying than a family holding all the passengers behind them up as they try to get organized and their family out of the row and off the plane!!

 

[Nigel Channing]

Had a party of 4 in September without EBCI, full flights both ways, and got A boarding both there and back.

 

[Pipkin]

I have seen many people have 1 person in their party get the EB, then they board and save seats for their entire party.

The whole non-assigned seating is my only peeve about SW, love them otherwise. I hate the idea of kids being separated from their parents, or worse yet, me being stuck sitting next to someone else's kid that has no parental supervision.

I witnessed this on my most recent trip. Several did it and it is an annoyance. It is clearly obvious that the missing person with the purse on the seat is not in the lav. I agree, open boarding is the one big thing I don't like about SWA and if the price is close, I will stick to Delta for just that reason.

 

[TimeLady]

For me, Early Bird Check In has been worth it just for the peace of mind. One less thing I have to remember to do before my trip! Also, I am often at work (or driving to it) exactly 24 hours prior to my flight, so I wouldn't be able to manually check in early enough. If I was traveling alone, this would matter less, but last time I was handling arrangements for a group of six and this way we all got to sit together.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Please realize that the Flight Attendants MAY ask people to move so that an adult can sit with a small child. But it is nothing to be counted on, and they will not rearrange a bunch of people so that your whole family can sit together.

We were on a MCO-MSP flight today. Full flight. There were two families who got on board late, both with young kids. The FA came on and said that there were two young kids who HAD to sit by their parents and that they needed people to move around to make it happen. They did offer free adult beverages to the people who agreed to move, but they also said that the airplane wouldn't take off until these parents were seated by their children. I thought the whole situation was kinda interesting, because while the FAs weren't commanding anyone to move around to accommodate these families, they made it clear that not accommodating them wasn't a possibility if we all wanted to get to MSP.

 

[debster812]

I am flying SWA to Ft Myers in February with DS (16yo) and a friend of his. DS is a seasoned traveler, and at this point, would probably like to sit AWAY from me. His friend has flown only a handful of times, and we have a connection through BWI, so I bought EBCI for the three of us. The boys can decide if they want to sit in one row with the three of us, or if they'd like to be on their own.

To me, especially with a connection, the $12.50 for each of us is definitely worth it.

 

[goofy4tink]

We were on a MCO-MSP flight today. Full flight. There were two families who got on board late, both with young kids. The FA came on and said that there were two young kids who HAD to sit by their parents and that they needed people to move around to make it happen. They did offer free adult beverages to the people who agreed to move, but they also said that the airplane wouldn't take off until these parents were seated by their children. I thought the whole situation was kinda interesting, because while the FAs weren't commanding anyone to move around to accommodate these families, they made it clear that not accommodating them wasn't a possibility if we all wanted to get to MSP.

I've had this happen as well. But I have to wonder....if the vast majority of people on that plane are flying with a companion (spouse, partner, child) it's hard to understand why they need to split up. I pay for EBCI when flying with my dd, 20. I want to sit with her and chat with her..it's part of the fun of the trip. Yes, she is capable of sitting without me next to her. But, I paid for EBCI so that wouldn't be an option. I imagine that FAs, or at least the gate attendants, know if passengers are arriving on another flight and making a tight connection onto their flight. So, they could hold that number of seats in the rear of the plane just in case those people were late due to their flight's arrival. That is the only time I think people should be accommodated. If a family wants to amble around and take their time at the gate? Have to take their chances. Perhaps someone would move...but chances are it's going to be more than one person since that family is going to need more than one or two seats. Yes, I have moved..but that was when I was flying by myself.

 

[wallskm]

Do you guys think our family will be OK without EBCI? We are a family of 4 with 2 kids ages 2 and 4- we will be able to board after the A group. Our flight is only 2 hours and we are ok if we aren't all 4 together as long as we can at least have 1 adult and 1 child together. It doesn't look like our flight is a continuing flight so it should be an empty plane. Just kind of feel like we may spend $100 for the check in and it wouldn't make that much of a difference. We will online check in at 24 hours ahead in hopes of getting in the A group. We don't care what part of the plane we are in- just want to not have our kids sit alone!

 

[maxiesmom]

Do you guys think our family will be OK without EBCI? We are a family of 4 with 2 kids ages 2 and 4- we will be able to board after the A group. Our flight is only 2 hours and we are ok if we aren't all 4 together as long as we can at least have 1 adult and 1 child together. It doesn't look like our flight is a continuing flight so it should be an empty plane. Just kind of feel like we may spend $100 for the check in and it wouldn't make that much of a difference. We will online check in at 24 hours ahead in hopes of getting in the A group. We don't care what part of the plane we are in- just want to not have our kids sit alone!

It is really hard to know. There have been occasions where, when the flight has a lot of families flying, they don't do the Family Boarding at all. Hopefully if you head to the back of the plane you could still find at least 2 pairs of seats together. But there is no guarantee. And if you can't find seats together then you are left asking others to trade with you. How comfortable would you be doing that?

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Do you guys think our family will be OK without EBCI? We are a family of 4 with 2 kids ages 2 and 4- we will be able to board after the A group. Our flight is only 2 hours and we are ok if we aren't all 4 together as long as we can at least have 1 adult and 1 child together. It doesn't look like our flight is a continuing flight so it should be an empty plane. Just kind of feel like we may spend $100 for the check in and it wouldn't make that much of a difference. We will online check in at 24 hours ahead in hopes of getting in the A group. We don't care what part of the plane we are in- just want to not have our kids sit alone!

Yes, you will be fine without EBCI. Don't waste the money.