Separated on SW flight?

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

What you quote is clear to me, and it can be verified by searching the Southwest website. The person you quote cant be responsible for what a reader infers.



Southwest.com is clear that if a passenger with a disability needs assistance from a caregiver for/during/following preboarding, the companion may also preboard.

Yeah you misunderstood my comments. Honestly at this point it's not worth rehashing and going on about it especially with adding in other posters into the mix so we'll just agree to disagree and move on.

 

[nkereina]

Southwest knows that families who board as part of family boarding will be able to sit together 99.9% of the time. Maybe even 100% of the time. They allow family boarding for this purpose and if they weren't confident that families couldn't sit together boarding between A group and B group, then I assume they'd either do away with family boarding or move it to the beginning of the boarding process. But they haven't had to do that. The A group is only 60 people max, plus a handful of pre-boards, which means the middle to back of the plane is fairly empty for those boarding during family boarding. So, any family that's eligible and doesn't pay for EBCI shouldn't have an issue during family boarding.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Southwest knows that families who board as part of family boarding will be able to sit together 99.9% of the time. Maybe even 100% of the time. They allow family boarding for this purpose and if they weren't confident that families couldn't sit together boarding between A group and B group, then I assume they'd either do away with family boarding or move it to the beginning of the boarding process. But they haven't had to do that. The A group is only 60 people max, plus a handful of pre-boards, which means the middle to back of the plane is fairly empty for those boarding during family boarding. So, any family that's eligible and doesn't pay for EBCI shouldn't have an issue during family boarding.

Family boarding applies only to children age 6 or under, and SW sometimes restricts family boarding to one parent with the child aged 6 or under. The OP is concerned about sitting with her 11 year old. In that case, it would be prudent to go ahead and purchase EBCI to ensure the 11 year old can sit with a parent.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Southwest knows that families who board as part of family boarding will be able to sit together 99.9% of the time. Maybe even 100% of the time. They allow family boarding for this purpose and if they weren't confident that families couldn't sit together boarding between A group and B group, then I assume they'd either do away with family boarding or move it to the beginning of the boarding process. But they haven't had to do that. The A group is only 60 people max, plus a handful of pre-boards, which means the middle to back of the plane is fairly empty for those boarding during family boarding. So, any family that's eligible and doesn't pay for EBCI shouldn't have an issue during family boarding.

this was not the case on one trip, plane was over half full when plane landed at our airport with very few getting off. was an almost full plane when leaving. boarding only went to like B20 with no family boarding. there were very few open rows when group A started boarding

 

[hsmamato2]

Threads like these.... seems like a hot button issue all right! Listen, these threads,and real life experience,are usually not at all alike. I've flown SWA for years now,like 5-10 times a year.and almost never had an issue with boarding, a,b,or whatever,or finding seats somewhere near my family. Everyone in line is always polite, yes, there are a few seat savers, and I've never gotten anything lower than a b-50's....and still had no problems. I could worry more about other travelers' behaviors I guess, But I'm just happy to have a seat(Never not had one lol) and to get where I'm going,which SWA does,and for great prices! OP, you'll be fine. nothing to worry over-esp.if you buy your husband and son ebci- I buy ebci only when I know I won;t be able to easily check in at 24 hrs,like last week when we were on a cruise at 24 hrs. out.

 

[nkereina]

Family boarding applies only to children age 6 or under, and SW sometimes restricts family boarding to one parent with the child aged 6 or under. The OP is concerned about sitting with her 11 year old. In that case, it would be prudent to go ahead and purchase EBCI to ensure the 11 year old can sit with a parent.

Yes, that is why I said *eligible* families should have no issue when family boarding is present. And I was speaking in generalities relative to family boarding, since the discussion went there. Not necessarily about the OP's situation specifically. I do agree that for a family NOT eligible for family boarding that it's in their best interest to purchase EBCI.

this was not the case on one trip, plane was over half full when plane landed at our airport with very few getting off. was an almost full plane when leaving. boarding only went to like B20 with no family boarding. there were very few open rows when group A started boarding

The situation you describe is when there are carry overs from the originating flight continuing onto another destination, which I did not consider so you are right. We fly out of Buffalo, which is not a SWA hub, so we never have passengers onboard when we get on a plane. I imagine this happens most frequently at connecting airports for SWA.

 

[scrapquitler]

this! And know that sometimes, if you are on a flight that has a LOT Of kids on it, they might skip family boarding and not do it at all. I've been on several flights from Hartford to Orlando that this has been the case.

In your situation, OP, I'd spring for the money for the EBCI. And if you decide not to do that, prep your kids for sitting with only one parent. One parent sit with one child, and the other parent with the other child, and head ALL THE WAY TO THE BACK OF THE PLANE. Even if you have a high b/low c, you shouldn't have any problem at all finding 2 and 2 near the back.