New Southwest Online Checkin

[lawgs]

it would seem if you are "eligible for pre board", you should not even consider printing out your boarding pass earlier, since once you get to the airport it does not matter what "boarding group" you are in A B or C, you as a "pre board" are actually in a "different" class and board before any of the other groups

in addition to gail's "special needs" grouping, there are also those with "special needs" of "working" the system so they get on "first" even though there is nothing requiring the pre board process for them ( have seen this more and more lately )

 

[DVC-Don]

I currently have 2 confirmations for Rapid Rewards RT to SNA (going to Disneyland in a couple of months) and 1 confirmation that is for 2 others in my party. So at this point I could go online prior to the flight and print only 2 boarding passes for the RR tickets, right? The other confirmation is a fully refundable ticket (all that was available). I'm thinking I should cancel the paid ticket and rebook these 2 people individually so I can print the boarding passes from home. Sound right?

 

[lawgs]

RR probably have to be the ticketless kind in order to use the "internet" printing of boarding passes, although am not sure about the status of RR type tickets under this new scheme ( that is did not see anything on the web site about this particular twist just that the "boarding pass" has to be for a single confirmation not multiple )

 

[Pinnie]

I was wondering about the RR online check in, too.

I am flying alone next week from DTW to MCO on a PAPER RR ticket that was issued last April. I could NOT even make my resevations for it online, I had to call it in. For me it doesn't matter what group I am in at my origin point, since I will be stopping at MDW and BNA and not getting off the plane and can easily change seats at MDW. My return is from MCO to MDW and then on to DTW.

I am just going to take my chances and check in at DTW in person and see what happens and what group I get. Like I said, I can always change seats when we land at MDW.

pin

 

[dizneycc]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by dizneycc
I'm getting more confused with each post. Here's my question...How does it work if you need to check luggage?
Can you still print your boarding ticket at 12:01am and then go to the airport and check your luggage that day???

CC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Yes, you can still check your luggage at the counter or with the skycap (remember to tip them. )quote:

Thanks Gail!

After I posted this, I called Southwest. They confirmed that you can still print your boarding pass at home and then go to the counter and check your luggage.

I am so grateful for DIS! I even get emails from Southwest, and I still didn't know about this. I made our individual ressies yesterday for DH and I. I can't wait to see how this works out. For me, it will be great. I'm one of those people who force DH to get to the airport wayyyyy to early to make sure we get in the A line. This is going to help alot.

Of course printing the boarding pass for the return trip might be a little more difficult. But we usually go to a Kinko's just down the road from Crossroads to check email, so I guess we can do it there. Maybe the new Shades of Green will have internet access. Anyone know that?

Thanks!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by lawgs
it would seem if you are "eligible for pre board", you should not even consider printing out your boarding pass earlier, since once you get to the airport it does not matter what "boarding group" you are in A B or C, you as a "pre board" are actually in a "different" class and board before any of the other groups

in addition to gail's "special needs" grouping, there are also those with "special needs" of "working" the system so they get on "first" even though there is nothing requiring the pre board process for them ( have seen this more and more lately )

I have seen that more and more also. Sometimes it seems half the plane has "special needs" of "working" the system.
I recently completed a survey sent by SWA and they asked for suggestions. One of the suggestions was that they crack down on this preboarding "scam" and REALLY crack down on the carry ons.

 

[Pinnie]

Gayle,

You have hit the nail on the head. I do think that they need to crack down on the carryons BIG TIME! I swear some people carry half of their worldly possessions on a plane.

CHECK IT!!!!!

pin

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Pinnie
Gayle,

You have hit the nail on the head. I do think that they need to crack down on the carryons BIG TIME! I swear some people carry half of their worldly possessions on a plane.

CHECK IT!!!!!

pin

Not only does it hold up boarding and deplaning, it really can clog up security. I say this after spending 45 minutes in the security cattle call Friday. I am not sure what part of one carry on and one personal item people don't get.

 

[justhat]

Really, even those who adhere to the 1 carryon, 1 personal item, they have the largest carry-ons in the world. Some pieces are really about the same size as my checked luggage. I understand it's lots easier to get your bag and walk away when you arrive, but it takes up all the overhead space for everyone else and is a pain when they drag it through the aisle and hit everyone on the way to their seats. On our last flight back from Orlando, we had a bulkhead seat and by the time we were allowed to board, all the overhead bins were full from extra-large carryons, yet we had no seat in front of us to store the 2 carry-ons we had between us both, so we had to separate the bags, with one being in the back of the plane!

 

[DMRick]

We are booking a seat for our daughter on the phone since we can't get the infant fare online,

SW has a special price for infant? Do you know what that price is?

 

[Daisimae]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
I am not sure what part of one carry on and one personal item people don't get.

Personally, I can tell you that I understand one personal item and one carry-on very well, but I am also a woman who travels, sometimes alone, with a laptop, which is uncheckable and a purse which is definetely uncheckable. My overnight bag is filled with personal items, (a change of clothes in case my large checked bag is lost etc.), and other vauleable things that shouldn't be checked. This equals three bags.

I've managed to solve the problem by turning my travel purse into a small sling along the lines of a fanny pack. Since I am wearing this on my person and it doesn't need to be stowed anywhere I haven't had any problems getting on to the plane and I can still bring my small laptop case, (under seat, and overnight bag, (overhead bin), on the plane with me.

The issue isn't always speed. I always check my large bag. People may be using a larger carry-on to consolidate a laptop, or other uncheckable electronic item and the items they would usually carry-on a plane. I know I will be looking for a larger laptop bag since we will take our extremely uncheckable camcorder to WDW, along with it's accessories and blank VHS-C tapes. DH already has his own personal and carry-on items to carry on when we go to WDW this year. The camcorder bag would be an fifth bag between the two of us, thus unallowable.

Just a look at another facet of this issue.

 

[CarolAnnC]

I have a couple of the paper type Rapid Rewards tickets. I know I have to call in to make the ressies in order to use these, but will I be able to print out the boarding pass from home on day of departure? Thankx for any help!

 

[justhat]

DMRick, we booked on US Airways and their infant fare was 1/2 the price of the lowest discounted fare, plus tax. So for our trip, it was $97.70 for her and $176.70 for me. We called SW to ask about their infant fares, since their website claims to have them, and it was the same as the internet fare for an adult. They did say it was fully refundable, unlike the internet adult fare, though.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by DMRick
SW has a special price for infant? Do you know what that price is?

For infant fares you have to call SWA. Also, it usually is more expensive than the internet only fares.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Daisimae
Personally, I can tell you that I understand one personal item and one carry-on very well, but I am also a woman who travels, sometimes alone, with a laptop, which is uncheckable and a purse which is definetely uncheckable. My overnight bag is filled with personal items, (a change of clothes in case my large checked bag is lost etc.), and other vauleable things that shouldn't be checked. This equals three bags.

I've managed to solve the problem by turning my travel purse into a small sling along the lines of a fanny pack. Since I am wearing this on my person and it doesn't need to be stowed anywhere I haven't had any problems getting on to the plane and I can still bring my small laptop case, (under seat, and overnight bag, (overhead bin), on the plane with me.

The issue isn't always speed. I always check my large bag. People may be using a larger carry-on to consolidate a laptop, or other uncheckable electronic item and the items they would usually carry-on a plane. I know I will be looking for a larger laptop bag since we will take our extremely uncheckable camcorder to WDW, along with it's accessories and blank VHS-C tapes. DH already has his own personal and carry-on items to carry on when we go to WDW this year. The camcorder bag would be an fifth bag between the two of us, thus unallowable.

Just a look at another facet of this issue.

I guess Dee and I are lucky. I have my fanny pack, which, btw, counts as a purse/personal item and one small carry on, which holds our camera equipment, valuables and whatevers. If we take the laptop, it is a small rolling bag and that holds our jackets(in the winter months), computer and accessories. Well under the limit and easily stored under the seat.
I also travel alone from time to time and mange to stay within the limits imposed by the airlines/FAA/TSA.

It was indeed another facet to look at, but, certainly not within the "rules" imposed.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by CarolAnnK
I have a couple of the paper type Rapid Rewards tickets. I know I have to call in to make the ressies in order to use these, but will I be able to print out the boarding pass from home on day of departure? Thankx for any help!

I would call and ask, the details are pretty sketchy on the site.

 

[DMRick]

For infant fares you have to call SWA.

We've flown many an infant on SW..I never knew they had less expensive prices for them. Sometimes the flights have been made via phone, and they never offered us a lower than adult price : (

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by DMRick
We've flown many an infant on SW..I never knew they had less expensive prices for them. Sometimes the flights have been made via phone, and they never offered us a lower than adult price : (

It is one of those cases that you have to ask, don't wait to be offered.

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
It is one of those cases that you have to ask, don't wait to be offered.

-------------------------------------

What age does SW consider "infant"? When my granddaughter was 2 I called to ask and was told there were no infant fares. The only thing that had was "lap babies" - meaning if you held the baby on your lap, there was no charge at all..

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by C.Ann
-------------------------------------

What age does SW consider "infant"? When my granddaughter was 2 I called to ask and was told there were no infant fares. The only thing that had was "lap babies" - meaning if you held the baby on your lap, there was no charge at all..

From SWA:

Southwest Airlines Policy on Children as Passengers

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Infants and Children
One child over 14 days and under two (2) years of age, not occupying a seat, may be carried free with a Customer paying the applicable adult fare. Affordable Infant Fares are also available that enable a Customer to reserve a seat for an infant and use his/her FAA approved car seat. A birth certificate is required to validate age of all infants under age two. A medical release for travel is required for any infant under 14 days old. Accompanied children ages two through 11 will be charged the applicable Child's Fare for the flight (does not apply to unaccompanied children ages five through 11).