??'s on printing boarding pass with SW Early Bird Checkin

[Jestocost]

And it's really more complicated that any of the posts reflect, as there are many possible variations. Here's a look at who could be on the plane in what order:

1) People who were flew in on the same plane from another airport and are continuing their flight on that plane.
2) Medical preboards and unaccompanied minors.
3) Business select passengers.
4) A-Listers who started their travel earlier in the day and are connecting to the flight.
5) A-Listers starting their flight at your airport (not entirely sure about where exactly all the A-Listers fit in)
6) Passengers who started their travel earlier in the day and are connecting to the flight who used EBCI.
7) Passengers starting their travel at your airport who used EBCI.
8) Passengers who started their travel earlier in the day and are connecting to the flight who checked in at 24 hours.
9) Passengers starting their travel at your airport who checked in at 24 hours.
10) Everybody else.

Not all of those factors will come into play on every flight, but on some flights all will. As you can see, even with EBCI there can be a lot of people in line or on the plane ahead of you.

 

[Lewisc]

Well, that's a heap of flying in a year...no wonder there aren't many people in that section. I would imagine that anyone who flies SW that often is doing so for business. That's a trip a month!!! Well, r/t anyway.

50 one way flights (or 70,000 Tier Qualifying points) gives you A-List Preferred status.

I agree A list fliers are likely to be business passengers. More likely to find them on flights to Chicago then Orlando.

It makes sense giving the lower numbered BPs to passengers who pay top dollar for their ticket (business select), who fly a lot (A-List) or are willing to pay a few dollars extra (EBCI). The old system of giving A1 to the quickest passenger who was able to get to a computer at T-24 didn't really make sense, from the perspective of the airline.

edited to add Jestcost gave a good summary. The BP number for EBCI passengers is partially based on what fare bucket you purchased. A few people are starting to get B BPs with EBCI. Checking in at T-24 no longer assures you of an "A" BP. Not only do you have a lot of passengers ahead of you but you also have a lot more passengers using devices like phones who are checking in at T-24.

 

[yrdlyprincess]

I just purchased my and DD (not DH and DS) EBCI our trip isnt for like 50 days... now I will have to remember to check in 36 for she & I. This should be fun. Actually remembering in the vaca should be better

 

[Jestocost]

I just purchased my and DD (not DH and DS) EBCI our trip isnt for like 50 days... now I will have to remember to check in 36 for she & I. This should be fun. Actually remembering in the vaca should be better

Just to clarify, you don't (and actually can't) do anything at 36 hours. SWA will check you in automatically at that time, but you can't see or print your boarding passes to know what your numbers are until 24 hours before your flight.

 

[Ro Z]

Thats why I always buy EBCI. I don't have to worry about checking in it is done for you.

 

[Zerosinthecloset]

As an A-lister, let me say the system sometimes hiccups. Though we're usually high up in the A16-25 area, sometimes there will be someone in front of us that just booked their flight the day before. We've had one flight where we were the first A-listers, but had A23/24, and no one was lined up in 16-22.And I'm not sure what happens when someone.....we've had to....cancels their flight the day before or the day of. That leaves opennings that may or maybe not get filled.

We're on our second year of A-list, and we don't fly for business. Just like to get out of town once a month or so. Should qualify for next year in early December.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

I wish I got credit for my flights...

 

[kaytieeldr]

Yeah. It must be tough not to get any flying benefits

 

[chuckm403]

Thank you all for this great information. I'm a first time SW flier and will be doing on-line check-in tomorrow AM for a Saturday flight. Purchased EB when we bought the tickets back in January. I don't fly very often and am always nervous about the check-in process. Feeling better now. Thanks again