Question about Southwest Boarding

[clh2]

SW is new to the Milwaukee area, and I have not flown them before. One of my coworkers is flying SW later this week - and she is not familiar with the boarding process. I only know that you need to get boarding passes at the 24 hour mark, and then you get grouped into A,B and C's.

I'll also suggest that she get a return-trip boarding pass at the hotel- again at the 24 hour mark.

What else can I tell her to help her out?

Thanks so much!

 

[mamaLori05]

I never realized it was different. From wisconsin too! We are planning on using them in the fall. Subbing to see what you do.

 

[Justsyd2]

She can sign on to the SW website before her flight, pay ten dollars, and get into the A group if there's availability. That's what I do. Otherwise, she'll be assigned a group online or at the gate. That's all she has to do.

 

[mamaLori05]

What are the differences between the A, B, and C group. What is the $10 charge for?

 

[summerrluvv]

The $10 is their new money making ploy. It allows you to check in prior to 24 hours before and get a better spot "in line", hopefully an A pass. If you don't purchase this option, you can check in online at the earliest 24 hours before. I checked in exactly 24 hours before and got A on the way down. A & B (we were split) on the way back. But we pre-boarded due to my son's disability so it really didn't matter.

 

[paysensmom]

Do families still get to board right after the A group?

 

[Poohbug]

We just flew Southwest for the first time. Out of MKE also. I was a little nervous about it because we are a family of five and wanted to sit relatively close to each other.

It was easy. I did get a boarding number 24 hrs ahead-we ended up getting A-36 and on. For the return trip I forgot to check in at the 24 hr mark. When I did remember I ended up with A-60 and the rest of the group had B-1 and on. Still no problems getting seats altogether.

If you have a child under 4 you can board between the A and B group-no matter what number you have.

If you want to pay an extra $10 you can get the early bird pass. ($10 per ticket/per leg) They will assign you a boarding number before the 24 hr. mark. You are not guaranteed the A group but your chances are good. We did not need this but if you are extremely nervous it is an option. Some people buy it for the return trip only so they don't have to worry about checking in on their vacation.

They have numbers 1-60 set up at the gate and everyone lines up according to their number. Boarding was quick and easy. Once you get on the plane you sit wherever you want.

Disney hotels and guest services will print boarding passes for you. Many other hotels will also-just ask.

All in all we had a good experience with Southwest and being able to check bags when you have a family is wonderful.

 

[WEDWDW]

The only negative about flying SW to WDW is that,so far,only Pop Century and the All-Star Resort are participating with SW in the Resort Airline Check-in program.

 

[summerrluvv]

FYI, you don't even need to print the boarding passes, you just need to be able to check in online. They will print your passes when you check your bags. I did it from my phone while we were at WDW.

 

[mamaLori05]

so am I reading this correct. There is no assigned seating? We are a family of 4, with dd 4 and ds2. They wouldn't split us up would they? They would at least keep one adult with one child right? Someone said people with younger children board after group A. Are there pleanty of seats left after group A so that you could still easily find at least 2 seats together? I don't really care where we sit, but I do want to keep us somewhat together. Now I'm nervous. I didn't realize that was the case.

 

[SOnotLayuh]

Right, there is no assigned seating. It's really not that big of a deal, though. If your family wants to sit together and you're unlucky enough to be at the end of the boarding section C then a flight attendant will help you find people to switch around. I have always flown SW (once on AT, never ever again) and have never had any trouble sitting with DH or my family. I absolutely love SW!

 

[torinsmom]

I did the early check in for my flight Friday, mainly because I have a tight connection and hope to get near the front to avoid the bottleneck when the plane lands. I also did early check in for the first leg of my return flight. Anyone know if check in for the second leg of a flight is something you have to do separately?

Anyone know what you need when you check in? Seems like I needed the credit card I booked with last trip, but I don't have the one I booked with this time. I lost that card and they issued me new one(new numbers) Will that be a problem?

 

[dreamalittledream]

FYI, you don't even need to print the boarding passes, you just need to be able to check in online. They will print your passes when you check your bags. I did it from my phone while we were at WDW.

at the Holidays, my parents were having trouble getting online right at the 24 hour mark so I checked them in on my blackberry. Very easy. we went on the site later when it was working and printed the boarding passes.

 

[mamaLori05]

Thanks everyone! Sounds like it is no big deal, feel much better now. Glad I ran into this thread though. I had no idea Southwest was any different, that would have been a bit of a shock when we showed up had I not seen this.

 

[pamjb]

Here is a link to SW's site

http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/checkin.html

and I love their "Boarding School"

http://www.southwest.com/help/boardingschool/index.html

 

[pamjb]

I did the early check in for my flight Friday, mainly because I have a tight connection and hope to get near the front to avoid the bottleneck when the plane lands. I also did early check in for the first leg of my return flight. Anyone know if check in for the second leg of a flight is something you have to do separately?

Anyone know what you need when you check in? Seems like I needed the credit card I booked with last trip, but I don't have the one I booked with this time. I lost that card and they issued me new one(new numbers) Will that be a problem?

All you need is your confirmation number and your name. That's it!

 

[benolathe]

Thanks everyone! Sounds like it is no big deal, feel much better now. Glad I ran into this thread though. I had no idea Southwest was any different, that would have been a bit of a shock when we showed up had I not seen this.

Yep, the unassigned seats are really not a big deal at all. Everyone just gets on the plane, sits down somewhere, and you all fly off to your destination. lol You should not have any problems.

 

[IndianaPrincess]

Yep, the unassigned seats are really not a big deal at all. Everyone just gets on the plane, sits down somewhere, and you all fly off to your destination. lol You should not have any problems.

I agree! Also when the family boarding happens, I'd say half the rows in the plane are still completely empty.