New to flying--plz explain swa boarding passes?

[2xcited4wrds]

I've been reading some different threads that refer to the boarding passes by "A", "B", "C". What does that mean? We are a family of 5 flying out of Nashville (3 kids-10, 9, 5) We plan on arriving 1 1/2 hours prior to 9am flight out to MCO. Do you think this is ample time? Of course we will have lots of luggage to check so I didn't know if printing boarding passes out after midnite would make a difference or not. Thanks for any input!

We leave in 2 weeks!!!!

 

[antmaril]

If you have an "A" Boarding Pass, you can board the aircraft first and pick a seat. The only people to board before you are families with children under 4 and the handicapped. "B" Boarding Passes board next and so on. I have been able to get "A" Boarding Passes every time I've flown SW. If you print off your boarding passes just after midnight you will probably get "A" passes. I have been able to get "A" passes by getting to the airport about two hours before flight time. I usually get in the "A" line about 1/2 hour before the plane will board. This way you are at the front of the "A" line and you get to pick whatever seat you want. This has worked for me many times.

It's really a very simple process.

 

[CarolA]

I fly out of Nashville all the time. As far as I can tell, printing boarding passes at home is not really going gangbusters here. Most of us don't print them in advance.

Your biggest issue is that a LOT of the Orlando flights actually originate someplace else. SO the plane goes from Chicago to Nashville to Orlando. You do want an A pass in that case since the earlier passengers don't have to get off if they are going on to Orlando.

Nashville is easy to navigate and security should be quick.

 

[Pinnie]

FYI, yesterday we arrived at MCO 2.5 hours before our SWA flight and DH and I were in the B group when we checked in with the Skycap. He told us we missed the A group by 19.

Keep in mind that while you may be in the A group in Nashville, there may already be a half full plane when you board because SWA uses BNA as a hub for the south!

pin

 

[brumley5]

........."Keep in mind that while you may be in the A group in Nashville, there may already be a half full plane when you board because SWA uses BNA as a hub for the south!..................."


I learned this too when I came out from CA to Orlando but we had to switch planes in New Orleans. My daughter and I got "A" boarding passes for the New Orleans leg (which I thought hooray!) so I didn't bother waiting in the A line but found out when we got on board that it was already full of passengers!
My daughter and I had to sit separately. (Not really a problem this time, just across the aisle).
The best thing to do with your "A" , "B", or "C" boarding pass is to stand immediately at the front of that letter's line, no matter how long before your plane takes off, espcially if you are boarding a through flight. That way even if there are others already on board, you'll be in front of the 30 other people who also have the same letter boarding passes as you and therefore better chances to sit with your family.

....."Of course we will have lots of luggage to check so I didn't know if printing boarding passes out after midnite would make a difference or not............"

It won't matter how much luggage you have as it's not related to the boarding passes. You'll still have to check your bags in BUT you'd have your boarding passes already taken care of if you printed them out already. I want A boarding passes so I'll try for them ahead of time & if I get them that would be one big worry taken off of my shoulders! (Not that I wouldn't arrive at the airport at the recommended time) just that knowing what passes we have is a relief. I've also been to the airport in plenty of time only to see all the A's taken before we got to the counter

Good luck! Tammy