NE1 w/ Tips or Ins/Outs of SW?

[maxsmom]

This is our first time flying SW. There will be 5 of us in all. Dh, Ds 2, MIL, FIL, and myself. We will have a carseat and stroller for our DS. Can we get our boarding passes online 24 hrs before or should we not do that? How do they do the seating? I know it's not assigned, but how do they let you board? What's the system? Can his stroller be gate checked and does it count in the luggage count? If so, then is it counted w/ the carry on or the other even if it's gate checked. We've flown Delta in the past and the stroller was gate checked and it didn't count as a carry on. Also, DS has a small suitcase w/ wheels. It's the size and shape of a backpack, but no straps. Can this go under his seat? I wasn't sure w/ the wheels, but they do have wheeled backpacks now. We wanted this to be his carry on w/ his toys and stuff. Thanks for all of your help!

 

[kaytieeldr]

This is our first time flying SW. There will be 5 of us in all. Dh, Ds 2, MIL, FIL, and myself. We will have a carseat and stroller for our DS. Can we get our boarding passes online 24 hrs before or should we not do that? Yes, you can check in online up to 24 hours in advance.
How do they do the seating? I know it's not assigned, but how do they let you board? What's the system? Boarding passes are issued by zone - about 1/3 are "A", 1/3 are "B" and 1/3 are "C". Passengers with "A" boarding passes board first, passengers with "B" board second,,, You may or may not be allowed to preboard depending greatly on how many parties on your flight are traveling with children under Southwest's cut-off age for preboards, but only you, your DH and your son - your in-laws will have to wait in line.
Can his stroller be gate checked and does it count in the luggage count? If so, then is it counted w/ the carry on or the other even if it's gate checked. We've flown Delta in the past and the stroller was gate checked and it didn't count as a carry on. Yes it can be gate-checked, please arrange with the Gate Agent while you're waiting for your plane, to speed up boarding. No, it does not count as a carry on
Also, DS has a small suitcase w/ wheels. It's the size and shape of a backpack, but no straps. Can this go under his seat? ).I wasn't sure w/ the wheels, but they do have wheeled backpacks now. We wanted this to be his carry on w/ his toys and stuff. Thanks for all of your help! Probably, but it has to fit ENTIRELY under the seat with no parts protruding into the area where your feet go (and no, it doesn't matter that his feet won't touch the floor)

 

[maxsmom]

So what's the best way to get an "A" boarding pass? To do it online right at 24 hrs? That can be done before we leave from home, but what about while we're at DIsney? Thanks again!

 

[NotUrsula]

If your DS will be sitting in his carseat for the flight, you will be always be allowed to preboard, but they reserve the right to limit you to one adult and the child if general preboarding for families is suspended.

If you check in early enough online you will get A boarding passes; they are first-come first-served. You can ask your resort's front desk staff to check you in for the return flight, or do it by phone if you have a web-enabled cell phone. (If you don't have access to a printer at the time you check in online, you can "reprint" the actual boarding pass at the airport; it will still have whatever letter you were originally assigned.)

 

[maxsmom]

DS will be in his carseat. I figured I'd rather have him in one on the plane and his own for the rentle then to have a bit more free on the plane and have to rent one that I'm sure is not as nice or good as the one we have.
Are their planes usually 3 to a row?