Need advice from SW "regulars"

[Uncleromulus]

Always flew Airtran (mainly so we knew where were sitting) but lately flights to Orlando on Airtran are almost non-existent. So we now will fly SW.

I priced the "Business select" fare and no way I am paying that much for a 1 hour and 55 minute flight!!

So we booked the "regular" fare and added the "early Bird" check in feature.

What exactly does that get me?? I see that we can print the boarding pass 24 hours in advance, but what about actually getting on the plane, finding 2 seats together, and having space for one carry on?? I really don't want to push, shove and fight for a seat---

Any and all advice to this SW newbie appreciated!!

And we fly out of baltimore BWI---

 

[mb187143]

Always flew Airtran (mainly so we knew where were sitting) but lately flights to Orlando on Airtran are almost non-existent. So we now will fly SW. I priced the "Business select" fare and no way I am paying that much for a 1 hour and 55 minute flight!! So we booked the "regular" fare and added the "early Bird" check in feature. What exactly does that get me?? I see that we can print the boarding pass 24 hours in advance, but what about actually getting on the plane, finding 2 seats together, and having space for one carry on?? I really don't want to push, shove and fight for a seat--- Any and all advice to this SW newbie appreciated!! And we fly out of baltimore BWI---

Early bird check in gets you checked in to your flight 36 hours before departure. That, officially, is all it gets you. It can lead to an A boarding pass, but it might not depending on how many others purchased it and whether it's a connecting flight, where people could already be on the plane. It does get you a better boarding number than those who did not purchase EBCI.

I've had boarding passes in the A an B group with EBCI, and have never had a difficult time finding a good seat, and DH and I have never been separated, even if it means heading toward the back of the plane. I've been flying SW for years and have never been pushed or shoved or not had room for my carry on - I have however had that experience in USAir out of my home airport - PHL- almost every time I fly with them.

 

[ChgoMusicGirl]

I agree with PP. I have never pushed and shoved, nor had trouble finding seats together on SW. We did have an interesting situation with someone having one person in their party of 20 pay for EB and try to put sheets of paper with names on them in 20 seats to save for people without EB. The flight attendants took care of that, though. My DH, who flies SW for work all the time, just picked up the papers and handed them back to the guy and sat down. That made the guy very angry, but the FA backed DH up and said that there was no saving seats on SW!
We were on an oversold flight from Chicago and there was still plenty of room in the overhead bins. We had EB and were in the A group, but I know my sister has had EB and been in the B group. She still was able to find 3 seats together without an issue.
So I have a feeling you will be fine and maybe even come to love SW! I know we do!

 

[ChgoMusicGirl]

Forgot to add that the best part of EB is that you don't have to remember to check in! It's all done automatically and at the 24 hour mark you will be able to see your boarding pass.

 

[rwdavis2]

Since SW does not charge for checked bags carry on space is not as much of an issue has airlines that do charge. We always buy the cheapest SW fare and usually do EBCI. The only thing I think you get with the highest priced fares is a full refund rather than a credit if you cancel.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Forgot to add that the best part of EB is that you don't have to remember to check in! It's all done automatically and at the 24 hour mark you will be able to see your boarding pass.

They will actually send it to my e-mail so I can print it off?

Or do I have to look it up and then print it??

And that's when I learn if I am an "A" boarder or not???

 

[mb187143]

They will actually send it to my e-mail so I can print it off? Or do I have to look it up and then print it?? And that's when I learn if I am an "A" boarder or not???

No, they will not email it. At any point after the 24 hour mark you can go to the SW website and put in your conf # and then check the "check in" box (which seems odd but that's just what the box says). You can view/print your BPs from there. You can wait to print your bp until you get to the airport if you want to. That is when you will get your boarding group number.

 

[amomma23]

No, they will not email it. At any point after the 24 hour mark you can go to the SW website and put in your conf # and then check the "check in" box (which seems odd but that's just what the box says). You can view/print your BPs from there. You can wait to print your bp until you get to the airport if you want to. That is when you will get your boarding group number.

If you have a smartphone, you can also download the SW app. You can use it to "check-in" and view your boarding pass on your phone with no need to print.

 

[Uncleromulus]

I think I'm getting it--

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

They will actually send it to my e-mail so I can print it off?

Or do I have to look it up and then print it??

And that's when I learn if I am an "A" boarder or not???

Why not go to the source - Southwest's website? The whole process is clearly explained there:

https://www.southwest.com/html/travel-experience/boarding-your-flight/

 

[LisaS]

I really don't want to push, shove and fight for a seat

I've never seen any pushing and shoving when boarding a SW flight. In fact it's the most orderly boarding process of any airline I've ever flown. Every passenger is assigned a boarding position when they check in for the flight (or are checked in automatically at 36 hours out if they are a Business Select customer, an A-List passenger or they purchased EBCI). There are 60 positions in the A group (A1-A60), 60 positions in the B group (B1-B60), and however many they need in the C group to fill the plane. The gate agent will call up each group in turn and you line up in numerical order. There is a numbered post for each group of five passengers so that you know where to stand when your group is lining up to board. There is a helpful video on the boarding process at the link just posted by lost*in*cyberspace.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Why not go to the source - Southwest's website? The whole process is clearly explained there:

https://www.southwest.com/html/travel-experience/boarding-your-flight/

Sometimes the "printed" process and the actual process is decidedly different--I wanted real experience!!

 

[Uncleromulus]

I've never seen any pushing and shoving when boarding a SW flight. In fact it's the most orderly boarding process of any airline I've ever flown. Every passenger is assigned a boarding position when they check in for the flight (or are checked in automatically at 36 hours out if they are a Business Select customer, an A-List passenger or they purchased EBCI). There are 60 positions in the A group (A1-A60), 60 positions in the B group (B1-B60), and however many they need in the C group to fill the plane. The gate agent will call up each group in turn and you line up in numerical order. There is a numbered post for each group of five passengers so that you know where to stand when your group is lining up to board. There is a helpful video on the boarding process at the link just posted by lost*in*cyberspace.

Some years back another airline (and I don't remember which) that actually sold assigned seats ran a commercial on TV about "another " (ie SW) airlines boarding process. Showed the agent saying "all aboard" and then a mob stampede to be first on the plane.

It always stuck in the back of my mind---

 

[DebbieB]

Always flew Airtran (mainly so we knew where were sitting) but lately flights to Orlando on Airtran are almost non-existent. So we now will fly SW.

FYI - AirTran's last flight is 12/28/14, they will be completely merged with SW.

The problem you could run into at BWI is it is a hub airport, the plane could be half full with continuing passengers when you board. For example, I flew PIT-BWI-MCO last year. They announced there were 41 continuing passengers. After the others got off and they did a head count, we could move to any seat. Then they started boarding the BWI passengers.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Some years back another airline (and I don't remember which) that actually sold assigned seats ran a commercial on TV about "another " (ie SW) airlines boarding process. Showed the agent saying "all aboard" and then a mob stampede to be first on the plane.

It always stuck in the back of my mind---

They've changed the process. I can't remember the specifics, but it used to be more of a cattle call...the earlier you arrived at the gate, the better boarding position you'd have because you'd line up for boarding immediately (someone correct me if I'm wrong...I think I only flew on SW twice under the old system, and that was 7 or so years ago). Now, you're assigned a boarding number at checkin, and they have stanchions up in the gate areas where you line up in a neat line in order based on your boarding number.

 

[LisaS]

And just so you are aware, there are two other boarding groups in the mix. The pre-boarders (unattended minors and people with a disability) will be the first to board. They are followed by the A group. In between the A group and the B group they will board families with children under four years of age. Some people who purchase EBCI end up in the B group and despite having paid extra for earlier boarding, they still have to wait until after family boarding is done.

 

[davale4]

FYI - AirTran's last flight is 12/28/14, they will be completely merged with SW.

The problem you could run into at BWI is it is a hub airport, the plane could be half full with continuing passengers when you board. For example, I flew PIT-BWI-MCO last year. They announced there were 41 continuing passengers. After the others got off and they did a head count, we could move to any seat. Then they started boarding the BWI passengers.

We are flying in August and this is what has me worried. We did purchase EB for all four of us, but if it is a connecting flight, I'm afraid of being separated from my six year old and he is on the autism spectrum. My daughter is older, and though she wouldn't want to sit by herself, she would be OK. We are flying BDL-MCO on the second flight in the AM.

 

[Mkrop]

We are flying in August and this is what has me worried. We did purchase EB for all four of us, but if it is a connecting flight, I'm afraid of being separated from my six year old and he is on the autism spectrum. My daughter is older, and though she wouldn't want to sit by herself, she would be OK. We are flying BDL-MCO on the second flight in the AM.

If you purchased EBCI, I think you will be fine. Just head to the back of the plane. We have gotten beginning Bs and still had plenty of places to sit, even with the connecting people staying on.

 

[mdinme]

we've flown SW every trip MHT to MCO and back (3 hr). After using eb a few times we stopped doing it, there really is no benefit unless you'd rather be in row 6 than row 9. Be prepared 24 hrs in advance to get you passes and you'll get row 10-12 no problem.

Save your money. You'll sit together no problem.

 

[Disneylvr]

We are flying in August and this is what has me worried. We did purchase EB for all four of us, but if it is a connecting flight, I'm afraid of being separated from my six year old and he is on the autism spectrum. My daughter is older, and though she wouldn't want to sit by herself, she would be OK. We are flying BDL-MCO on the second flight in the AM.

My daughter is on the autism spectrum and she qualifies for pre-boarding. I board before the A group with her. However they will only allow one adult to pre-board with the disabled passenger.