Ok, got my "A" boarding pass for SW... now what???

[NJDisneymom]

Stayed up till midnight and got my A boarding passes. My understanding was they don't assign seats even once you get to the airport, correct?? DH finds this hard to believe, he says they HAVE to assign seats at some point.

So, can anyone give it to me step by step from this point. We do have luggage to check so we still have to wait on the lines at the airport, right?? And then once we make our way over to the gate we need to check in again??

 

[Tinkaroo]

You're right, SW will never assign you a seat. Once you get your bags checked at the airport (try to do curbside to avoid those long ticket counter lines!), go straight to the gate. At all SWA departure gates I've ever been to, there will be three different "sections" - A, B, C. A line will typically begin forming as much as an hour ahead of your flight in each section. Thus, since you're group A, get in line (whenever you feel appropriate - depends on your family's size, and where you want to sit on the plane - you are the 1st group on) where section A is located, and once they begin boarding, they'll take your boarding pass, and away you go!

Once you get on the plane, you just grab a seat wherever you like. It's a bit like a cattle car, but at least it's cheap, and it'll get you there!

 

[hulkcoaster]

If you have your boarding pass in hand than you can check your luggage curbside and go straight to the gate. SW does not assign seats, the A boarding pass you have says "open seating". "A" boarding passes are good to get becuase you are the first group to board and get your pick of seats.

 

[disneyldwjr]

You are the first group to board AFTER the preboards. That line can be VERY long. Ergo, there are 4 boarding gates, they just don't mark the preboard line.
There is a very nice description of boarding on the website.
http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/checkin.html

 

[Melrosgirl]

Going to Orlando? The preboard line will be filled with people getting on the plane before you. I flew southwest last week. Got a C boarding pass, but because I have an infant, I was first on the plane. LOVED IT. Normally I hate southwest b/c I feel stressed trying to get an A pass, so my family can sit together. This time, with an infant, I took my time and never stressed, lol.

Bothers me that SW doesn't assign seats, but they are a good airline. They know how to run a business unlike their competition.

 

[disneyfor3]

You should be able to preboard since you have a 2 year old.

 

[goodferry]

Is the pre-boarding for people with children under five used on flights to Orlando? I know with USAir, on most flights families with young children board first, but because there are so many families with young children flying to Orlando, they do not use this practice on those flights.

 

[paslea_pooh]

How do you obtain a Boarding Pass "A"? I'm considering driving... We aren't going until Nov. but I'm getting nervous with all the "stuff" you have to do if you fly Southwest Airlines.... My daughter will be 5 in November can we board first? Does your whole family board (7) of us total. Or do you just board with the small child? See, I'm nervous?

thanks

 

[RichNKatHolly]

YIKES! I was considering Southwest, but with 3 kids how can I be certain we will sit together??? That makes me nervous. I like assigned seats.

 

[Bowen9475]

We have 3 young children and have been able to preboard so we always have sat together. That being said, we flew once with Grandma and once with Auntie and they were not able to board with us. We were able to save a seat so they could sit with us. Who wants to sit next to a parents and a young child, other that another family member.

 

[Tinkaroo]

I've never noticed any preboarding procedures before with SW, but I've only flown them within the state of Texas - never on longer haul flights. Is this something unique just to their MCO route, or is this something that is standard? Anyone know?

I was considering seeing what rate I could get through them for our late Nov. trip, but since I don't have kids, I'm not sure how keen I'll be on being one of the last people onto the plane without an assigned seat!

 

[Melrosgirl]

Preboarding is supposedly for families with kids 4 and under (I'm pretty sure that's right.).

 

[susieeQ]

just curious...does that preboarding thing work for the entire family traveling together...Example, mom,dad, child(3) and Grandma and grandpa with 10 year old twins. Can they all pre-board?

 

[Melrosgirl]

I think so, Susieeq.

 

[Pinnie]

just curious...does that preboarding thing work for the entire family traveling together...Example, mom,dad, child(3) and Grandma and grandpa with 10 year old twins. Can they all pre-board?

The answer to this question is, "It Depends". I fly SWA 10 - 12 times a year and I have seen them suspend preboarding families if there are a lot of them boarding. Chances are that you will be able to preboard mom, dad, and child under 3 and the twins (if they are yours) Grandma and Grandpa will have to go to the appropriate "corral" and board with their group. Lately, I have seen more gate agents really cracking down on "extended family preboards"

pinnie

 

[barbarabee]

You should call the airport you are departing from to see what their policy is. Sacramento has suspended preboards to Orlando for families specifically due to this problem. But I've seen it done at other airports...so, yeah, it depends. They also no longer allow preboards for people with disabilities unless they need assistance getting on/off the plane, or they require a special seat.

 

[disneyldwjr]

just curious...does that preboarding thing work for the entire family traveling together...Example, mom,dad, child(3) and Grandma and grandpa with 10 year old twins. Can they all pre-board?

No, it is for the parents and sibs of the family. Grandma and grandpa wait in line. In some cases just one parent can board with the child, the rest wait in line. Really, how many people does it take to handle a 3 year old?

 

[RichNKatHolly]

Really, how many people does it take to handle a 3 year old?

LOL - depends on the 3 yr old!

I just always feel safer when my family sits together. We have 2 children and my sister with us and I would feel terrible if she had to sit alone. She is 15 but still I think she would feel funny on her own. I'd miss her too. The airplane ride is supposed to by part of the fun for kids. I'm sure the airline does it's best to keep families together right?