Just did something I have never done!!

[luulu1999]

The St Louis airport is about as user-friendly as they come, especially for southwest because it has its own terminal. You'll go to the ticket counter to the right when you walk in to print your boarding passes (if you haven't already done so) and check your bags. You'll need to have a credit card and drivers license handy, the cc is to swipe in the machine to pull up your itinerary but no charge unless you exceed bag limits. They will take your checked bags and then security is immediately to the left, the line is always short. Once you get through security there are lots of food and drink options around the gates. There is a starbucks but it is before you go through security so if thats your pick youll need to allow time to finish your coffee before you go through the security line. We were there last time at 6am and had a bagel place or burger king as our options. The gates are all in a straight row and easy to find, as the whole terminal is open and airy. There is free WiFi and the seats all have outlets built into them, so if you're like me and would rather be on the early side, the kids can use their devices.

oh my gosh thank you for the info!! Our flight out is at 9 so I am def planning on being there super early!! Im thinking/hoping prob around 6 lol im trying to decide about parking now it looks like prob lot D, we were going to drive up the night before and stay but since we arent leaving til 9 i think we will just get up early and drive the 2 and a half hrs!

 

[Vincent405]

First off, awesome news luulu. Have fun! Second, I fly Southwest all the time. Some people are put off by the "cattle call" but after years of flying, I feel the benefits of flying SW far outweigh that one negative (best customer service, not only for an airline but for any business). You don't get assigned seating, you get a number according to the time you checked in. B17 basically means you'll be the 77th person to board the flight and find a seat, after they'be loaded A1-A60. A1-A15 is for people who've bought the early bird. I'm not sure if this is still accurate, but I believe families with small children are let onto the plane right after the early birds, specifically so they aren't separated. Yes, it's crucial to call exactly 24 hours ahead on the dot, and even doing that doesn't guarantee you a good seat. For some reason, my wife is a pro at it and can always get us in the area of A1-A30.

A1-A15 is for people who bought "Business Select". These tickets cost more, but you are in the first 15 to board, after any people with pre boarding status-those that need a little longer to board and may need a wheelchair. BUT, many flights are connecting flights, or continuation flights out of St. Louis. This means that there may already be people on board even when position A1 boards, people who were on the plane when it landed and are continuing on the same plane to its next destination. Paying for Early Bird gets you a better boarding position, depending on how full the flight is, usually in the later A's. Family boarding takes place after all the A's have boarded. They usually say families with small children, 5 and younger I think. Once you find your seat-step OUT of the aisle so others can go by you and board (pet peeve).

There is usually at least 22-25 rows on the plane, so that's 40+ opportunities that you can find an empty row.

 

[SA-TX]

Thanks Vincent. I wasn't sure what the A1-A15 tickets were called as I've never bought either early bird or business select.

 

[Vincent405]

Thanks Vincent. I wasn't sure what the A1-A15 tickets were called as I've never bought either early bird or business select.

Sure thing. I usually buy business select when I travel for work, I am tall and can then grab an exit row with more leg room.

 

[Bobsmom]

Laz is correct, early bird does not guarantee an "A" position. A1-15 are only guaranteed if you pay for Business Select seats. Early bird will check you in automatically, though, so no worrying about missing the 24 hour mark: it's all taken care of for you! Your boarding position, then, will depend on how many other people on your flight paid for either business select or early bird. Let's say there are no Business select passengers and 30 people paid for early bird. That means you will get a boarding position somewhere in the first 30 spots. Now, let's say 15 people bought Business Select and 45 paid for early bird. That means you will get a boarding position somewhere between spot 16 and 60. Still good choices.

Family boarding is for those traveling with children 6 and under, and boards in between the A and B groups, so if you are in the "A" group it wouldn't do you any good anyway.

Here is a helpful video on how Southwest has you line up to board the plane.

 

[luulu1999]

Sure thing. I usually buy business select when I travel for work, I am tall and can then grab an exit row with more leg room.

you will prob think I am dumb for asking this but is there usually 4 seats in a row or just 3

 

[luulu1999]

And my kids are to old for the family boarding that is why I did early bird!! They are 7 & 8

 

[sherilaine]

I had never flown on an airline where you do not have your assigned seat prior to boarding and I have flown a lot for both business and pleasure but I live in Canada so we don't use Southwest. But I think for you, this is not an issue since you have never flown before, you do not have to unlearn the way most airlines assign seating and board an aircraft. Have fun - flying is great and your kids are at a great age to begin learning how to fly. My only advice is to bring some items to entertain the kids during the flight - sometimes having new stuff to play with can make the flight go smoother - of course most of us all have electronics where movies/shows or games can keep younger travelers entertained. The other issue is to familiarize yourself on what can be taken through security and onto the aircraft - your airline should provide this information on their website. That way you do not try to take something in your carry on that you may have to toss away. Giving yourself lots of time is the best thing you can do - which sounds like you are already doing.

 

[Bobsmom]

oh my gosh thank you for the info!! Our flight out is at 9 so I am def planning on being there super early!! Im thinking/hoping prob around 6 lol im trying to decide about parking now it looks like prob lot D, we were going to drive up the night before and stay but since we arent leaving til 9 i think we will just get up early and drive the 2 and a half hrs!

I get peace of mind staying the night before if we have a flight before noon, we are coming from Columbia and you never know what might happen on 70. I usually get a cheap hotwire hotel in the airport area, or if I have hilton points I'll stay at the airport hilton because it's a pretty cheap points redemption and they have a park and fly deal with a shuttle.

On the size planes that fly out of STL you're looking at 3 across, usually a 737.

 

[sherilaine]

you will prob think I am dumb for asking this but is there usually 4 seats in a row or just 3

Most have 3 - but you can go onto the seatguru website and you can plug in your airline and flight number and you can see the seat configuration of the aircraft you will be flying.

 

[Vincent405]

you will prob think I am dumb for asking this but is there usually 4 seats in a row or just 3

Not dumb at all. There are 3 seats per row on each side of the plane. So, each row has a set of 3 seats across from each other. Most Southwest flights have free wifi. It is limited as to what you can access but for full access it only costs $8 for normal internet type access.