Paid extra for SW Early Bird and got B15+

[FCDub]

?

The website says:

“An adult traveling with a child six years old or younger may board during Family Boarding, which occurs after the “A” group has boarded and before the “B” group begins boarding”

Now, as we all know, SW is inconsistent about enforcing their policies, but as written, the middle child should board with the other family members.

 

[tjmw2727]

The website says:

“An adult traveling with a child six years old or younger may board during Family Boarding, which occurs after the “A” group has boarded and before the “B” group begins boarding”

Now, as we all know, SW is inconsistent about enforcing their policies, but as written, the middle child should board with the other family members.

I fly monthly usually SWA and have never seen this enforced. The usual announcement is "immediate family only, no aunts grandparents or "new best friends" SWA doesn't want to separate families they just want an orderly boarding process.

In reality the entire family will be able to board together during family boarding.

 

[chicagoshannon]

I fly monthly usually SWA and have never seen this enforced. The usual announcement is "immediate family only, no aunts grandparents or "new best friends" SWA doesn't want to separate families they just want an orderly boarding process.

In reality the entire family will be able to board together during family boarding.

This is what I've experienced also. And I've also seen them not deny the grandparents boarding along much to my annoyance. They also do not require ID for the children so have no way of knowing if they're under 7. It's pretty much an honor system.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I think the thing is it's risky to give advice on something like this knowing the poster doesn't qualify.

The best thing to do is direct the poster to SWA's policy on Family Boarding.

I would sincerely be frustrated if someone online advised me something and I took their advice and something happened--can she Board with no issues? It's a possibility. Could the gate agent see the 9 year old and at least discern they are over 6 years of age and deny them usage of Family Boarding? It's a possbility. I'm just not personally into that risk. YMMV on that aspect though.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

The OP has a toddler, 13 & 17 year old. I’m not sure where 9 came from.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

The OP has a toddler, 13 & 17 year old. I’m not sure where 9 came from.

lol I don't know either TBH. I was responding based on another poster mentioning 9

I'll still keep my comment the same. In the spirit of the point best to just go with what the policy is as a general comment. In a specific comment to the OP even moreso if we include the accurate ages of 13 and 17 to just go with what the policy lists.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Sure, ok - whatever floats your boat.

I don't think that word means what you think it means. "First" and "before" aren't synonymous.

I would family board with the 9yo and the baby and let dh and older dd board together in their spots. There is no way they will deny the 9yo family boarding with you and make him board "alone". Then if you prefer the help of the 13yo with the baby the older kids can switch seats.

This situation appears to me to be lying.by omission.

 

[DebbieB]

This is what I've experienced also. And I've also seen them not deny the grandparents boarding along much to my annoyance. They also do not require ID for the children so have no way of knowing if they're under 7. It's pretty much an honor system.

I’ve seen them turn away grandparents at least twice, they had to go back to their actual boarding number.

 

[BnLToyBarn]

I really like Southwest since they're cheap, free bags, and actually fly direct to MCO from Rochester. Never tried doing the early bird though.

 

[disneyfan2kids]

I think the thing is it's risky to give advice on something like this knowing the poster doesn't qualify.

The best thing to do is direct the poster to SWA's policy on Family Boarding.

I would sincerely be frustrated if someone online advised me something and I took their advice and something happened--can she Board with no issues? It's a possibility. Could the gate agent see the 9 year old and at least discern they are over 6 years of age and deny them usage of Family Boarding? It's a possbility. I'm just not personally into that risk. YMMV on that aspect though.

My toddler is 4 .... not 9 LOL

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

My toddler is 4 .... not 9 LOL

Since when is a four year old a toddler?

 

[pixiedustedme]

Since when is a four year old a toddler?

This. Thank you.

 

[Lewisc]

It's amazing during family mid boarding how many parents "forget" how old their kids are.

Not sure if it was the OP but at least one EBCI customer will get something like B15 and a passenger who checked in at T-24 will have get B16.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

My toddler is 4 .... not 9 LOL

Don't quote me. I wasn't the one who mentioned 9 in the first place. Already explained the 9 part anyways...

 

[mrsstats]

Someone said it is the honor system and that is where the problem lies. People try to cheat the system by claiming a disability, saving seats, trying to include everyone in family boarding.

 

[tjmw2727]

It isn’t on the BP. So they would have to change the whole A- B - C system & revise it to preboard, business select, A listers, group A, anyone else with EBCI, family boarding then any other B & C. Or the agent could get an update on the computer for each flight saying how far EBCI went. Such as: EBCI goes to B5. So they let everyone board & stop it at B6 to do family boarding. Sounds like too much work & confusing for the public. I doubt they would actually do either of those things, but who knows.

Just finished cleaning out my carryon from last weekend and found my SWA Boarding Pass and EBCI is listed on my pass. Its on the left hand side under the flight information, Early Bird is in all caps and bold lettering.

OP is likely on her way to vacation but in that situation I would have approached the gate agent and in light of having a 4yo and purchasing EBCI politely ask for the entire family to board with family boarding.

ETA - EARLY BIRD is on the BP - this was a typo

 

[tjmw2727]

The OP has a toddler, 13 & 17 year old. I’m not sure where 9 came from.

That was me - sorry ! I looked at the OP's signature and had forgotten she said 13 & 17 in the first post! Looking at the signature I thought she had a baby a 9yo and a teen. I would not have suggested boarding with the 13yo - but imho a 9yo would be ok.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Just finished cleaning out my carryon from last weekend and found my SWA Boarding Pass and EBCI is listed on my pass. Its on the left hand side under the flight information, Early Board is in all caps and bold lettering.

OP is likely on her way to vacation but in that situation I would have approached the gate agent and in light of purchasing EBCI politely ask for the entire family to board with family boarding.

What does EBCI have to do with anything. It doesn't give you a pass on a written policy regarding Family Boarding.

Also EBCI is not early board. It's Early Bird Check In.

 

[tjmw2727]

What does EBCI have to do with anything. It doesn't give you a pass on a written policy regarding Family Boarding.

Also EBCI is not early board. It's Early Bird Check In.

I know what early bird is I use often. I replied to the post that said EB wasn't printed on the boarding pass, it is printed on the boarding pass.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I know what early board is I use very often. I replied to the post that said EB wasn't printed on the boarding pass, it is printed on the boarding pass.

And I was responding to this part of your post

in light of purchasing EBCI politely ask for the entire family to board with family boarding.

Again it's not Early Board, it's Early Bird Check In.

There's Pre-Boarding and that is different than Early Bird Check In.