Separated on SW flight?

[NotUrsula]

I should digress to begin a conversation on this. I will say if it is THAT stressful, then maybe another METHOD of transportation may be in order altogether. Courtesy would be to allow THOSE THAT PAID for EARLY BOARDING to do just that and BOARD EARLY !! I don't recall any policies or guidelines that allow FREE PARENTAL BOARDING FOR LESS STRESS.....omg....unbelieveable!!!

Ah, but if you purchased EBCI, you didn't pay for early BOARDING, you paid for early CHECK-IN. Always a good idea to pay attention to the fine print. If you want early BOARDING, then you need to pay the Upgraded Boarding fee (which is $30-40 per segment.) I'm honestly not trying to be snarky here. One of the things that SWA does best as a business is to keep expectations low and not promise what they cannot deliver, and they are not promising a premium boarding position in return for that EBCI charge. It's really not fair to accuse the airline of failing to deliver on that promise when it was actually never made.

I fly SWA very frequently with my family, and I never pay for EBCI, nor do I save seats, and I've never not been able to sit within arm's reach of my children. This board would make you think that EBCI is hugely popular, but it isn't, less than 20% of SWA's passengers actually buy it. Making a huge case out of the idea that you won't be able to sit with your party is a nice bit of fear-mongering, but SWA doesn't actually sell EBCI for that reason; they market it to those who want check-in to be automatic, who don't want to have to remember to do it themselves. A better shot at a seat in front of the plane is a bonus, but they are not promising that; what they are promising is that you will be automatically checked in for the flight ahead of those who check in manually.

Encouraging more people to purchase EBCI for a family party on the theory that it will ensure that they are seated together is not just disingenuous, it is also self-defeating. The higher the percentage of passengers who purchase it, the more likely it is that it won't be worth the cost. If you want a good seat in return for your EBCI expense, then you should be discouraging people from buying the option.

As to the reason for Family Boarding, the airline has no choice, and also no choice but to offer it at no extra charge. It has absolutely NOTHING to do with stress, and everything to do with emergency procedures. There are a number of seat positions where young children cannot sit, because of FAA safety rules regarding exit rows and proximity of oxygen masks. (You cannot, for instance, have two lap-carried children in a single-side seat row, because there is only one extra oxygen mask per row. You also cannot place a carseat in the row in front of an exit row.) In order to keep turnaround time short, SWA must get those young families aboard while there are still enough legal seating positions available for choosing, because if there are not, then the FA's will have to cajole (and perhaps even force) other passengers to switch seats. We all know how much passengers hate that, and how much time it takes to do without really making them furious.

 

[TamaraQT]

I am no longer a Southwest customer due to increased airfare from my airport in PHL. They are no longer the economical option for flights from PHL to MCO. However, as a former customer I always paid EBCI so I didn't have to babysit the 24 hour mark. Also, I NEVER thought it was fair for FAMILY boarding between A & B. Especially for those who paid EBCI and got a B position. I was always fortunate enough to get an A position so family boarding didn't BUMP me. EBCI or Early Boarding...whatever WAG THE DOG tatics they use and call it. Bottom line is the OP asked the best way to guarantee to sit together without having to pay for it and the question got answered. I guess it's frowned upon to EXPOSE true intentions.

 

[kaytieeldr]

This board would make you think that EBCI is hugely popular, but it isn't, less than 20% of SWA's passengers actually buy it.

So it might be safe to say, and I know it's not what this poster is saying, that the majority of SW passengers frequent this board.

As to the reason for Family Boarding, the airline has no choice, and also no choice but to offer it at no extra charge. It has absolutely NOTHING to do with stress, and everything to do with emergency procedures.

Still, it was the airline's decision to increase the Family Boarding age to six. They didn't correspondingly increase the Unaccompanied Minor age.

 

[TamaraQT]

This is the way Southwest does it. It's very clearly spelled out on their site that 1) Family boarding is between A and B and 2) You're not guaranteed an A pass with EBCI. We can debate the rightness or wrongness of the policy (I actually agree with you!) but if you're this worked up over it, maybe best to stop flying Southwest.

In the meantime, I will await the payment you are sending me to pay for my choice of airline since you have the AUDACITY to suggest I should no longer be a Southwest customer if I am unhappy with their policy....since it's my money I choose the carrier I want. And I have a RIGHT to voice my opinion on a policy. BTW I am NO LONGER a Southwest customer anyway since their fares are no longer competitive from my airport. Yes, I'd rather choose a seat and pay baggage fees since it gives me peace of mind. Unlike some, I am not looking for ways to AVOID or ways around it.

I also learned a long time ago that worrying about what other people are doing – and then getting angry about it – is a gargantuan amount of unnecessary stress in a world that's already stressful enough.

But YOU responded to ME so therefore YOU ARE WORRYING ABOUT what I am doing and the choices I make. You really don't want to start with me....BECAUSE you will learn EARLY.....If you can't FLY with the BIG GIRLS...stay off the broom. No pun intended!!

I'll await that reimbursement for my airfare.......I'm sure I'll wait forever but I just had to put it out there!!

 

[TJDisneymama]

I mainly fly SW because it's the least expensive, and I am too cheap to pay extra for the early check in. My DD is also a bit attached to me and I was a little concerned with how she might be if we were separated but guess what, she was fine. The first couple times a flight attendant called for volunteers to switch seats so she could sit with me. But after that, the seats were always close enough that she can see me (within a couple rows), and she was fine.
We have never been able to get 2 seats together (without someone switching), and I always check in RIGHT AT 24 hours. But, this is always a flight to Orlando, which maybe is a more popular destination for families, so if all the people who board first have 3-4-5+ people in their party, their won't be a lot of empty seats together left at the end. So maybe you'd have more luck on your flight. At any rate, if I 100% knew my child couldn't handle it, I would spring for the early check in.

 

[NotUrsula]

So it might be safe to say, and I know it's not what this poster is saying, that the majority of SW passengers frequent this board.

Still, it was the airline's decision to increase the Family Boarding age to six. They didn't correspondingly increase the Unaccompanied Minor age.

Like I said upthread, this is related to turn time, which is the #1 factor affecting SWA's bottom line. The faster they can turn the plane at the gate, the more flights they can put up in a day, and the more money they make. Every second that a plane spends on the ground it loses money.

So, why didn't they change the UAM age limit? Simple, UAM's don't affect turn time. They pre-board and they don't make a fuss. Parent passengers of young children who are not sitting with those children DO make a fuss, and often clog up the boarding process trying to persuade another passenger to switch seats. SWA tested this 2 years ago; they tried setting the age at 6, 8, and 11 in tests, and they had the FA's pay attention to the behavior of parents on board. What they found was that family boarding left too many B & C positions empty when it was at age 8 or 11, and also discovered that parents of kids of those ages didn't seem to often make extreme efforts to get seats switched, or hover in the aisle delaying the boarding process like they did for 6 year olds.

The UK's CAA (equivalent to the FAA) did some major live-body tests on the issue of contiguous seating of children a few years back. (They paid people to act as guinea pigs on vapor-filled planes to see what happened in the event of an emergency evacuation. What they found was used as the basis of the UK's rule that kids under age 12 must be seated within arm's length of an adult in the party. Were the kids panicking up to that age? Nope, but their parents were. What kept happening was that as the plane filled with "smoke", and the order to evacuate was given, parents consistently tried to go against the direction of flow in order to look for their kids. Meanwhile, the kids, accustomed to school fire drills, were already off the plane, because THEY followed the FA's orders to the letter, just like they are taught to do in school. I have absolutely no doubt that SWA's revised family-boarding age cutoff was strongly influenced by this study: by age 7, most American kids have been in school for 2 years, and they have learned the rules of what to do when an evacuation is called. Based on that evidence, it would seem that the new age cutoff is the best compromise to serve both emergency safety, and the airline's bottom line.

 

[mom18]

Geez! Didnt realize this was such a hot button issue!! Thanks for the responses!! Im still unsure on buying the EBCI, but I am leaning towards just buying for my son and husband! If my daughter and I can board and sit together, and the two of them together, then I think that will be fine!! Again, thank you for all your responses! I appreciate the help! (Btw, I have to change my tag down the bottom. Our trip is in October!)

I should digress to begin a conversation on this. I will say if it is THAT stressful, then maybe another METHOD of transportation may be in order altogether. Courtesy would be to allow THOSE THAT PAID for EARLY BOARDING to do just that and BOARD EARLY !! I don't recall any policies or guidelines that allow FREE PARENTAL BOARDING FOR LESS STRESS.....omg....unbelieveable!!!

Im not too stressed, it was just a question! I dont want my kids, myself, or other passangers to be stressed or put out! However, I do not make the rules. I dont know why they have FAMILY boarding, but my guess would be to put all passangers at ease. People want to enjoy their flight, not babysit someone elses kid. But, if you'd rather sit next to my 11 year old son, listen to him talk for the entire two and a half hour flight bc he has high anxiety, while yelling bc hes blocking his ears bc he is afraid of the loud noises from the jet engines bc he has SPD, while simultaneously bouncing around in his seat and the floor bc he has ADHD, because you'd rather we both pay for early bird check in and me still not get a seat near my son, be my guest! Less Stress for me for sure!

I fly SWA very frequently with my family, and I never pay for EBCI, nor do I save seats, and I've never not been able to sit within arm's reach of my children. This board would make you think that EBCI is hugely popular, but it isn't, less than 20% of SWA's passengers actually buy it. Making a huge case out of the idea that you won't be able to sit with your party is a nice bit of fear-mongering, but SWA doesn't actually sell EBCI for that reason; they market it to those who want check-in to be automatic, who don't want to have to remember to do it themselves. A better shot at a seat in front of the plane is a bonus, but they are not promising that; what they are promising is that you will be automatically checked in for the flight ahead of those who check in manually.

Encouraging more people to purchase EBCI for a family party on the theory that it will ensure that they are seated together is not just disingenuous, it is also self-defeating. The higher the percentage of passengers who purchase it, the more likely it is that it won't be worth the cost. If you want a good seat in return for your EBCI expense, then you should be discouraging people from buying the option.

Thank you! This makes total sense!

HIGH Anxiety issue....FEAR issue....says to BUY Early Bird Check-in for Peace of Mind. You are already causing yourself stress by worrying about it. On the day you arrive at the airport you are going to be worked up with concern if you can sit together or not. You can relieve all of the stress and anxiety by purchasing EBCI. Or take your chances and be sure to check-in at the 24 hour mark in an attempt to get a higher boarding position to increase your chances of having a good amount of seats to choose from. Have a FANTASTIC VACATiON !!!!!

Bottom line is the OP asked the best way to guarantee to sit together without having to pay for it and the question got answered. I guess it's frowned upon to EXPOSE true intentions.

The bottom line is if you have that many concerns then you shouldn't hesitate to pay for Early boarding. It's not fair to those who pay for early boarding when others get the same advantage without having to pay for it. Because technically that IS what you are asking. I really wish Southwest would STOP allowing FAMILY boarding without payment for it. It is not a courtesy if I have to pay $15 for a position in line and FAMILIES get a better choice of seats. They may as well start CHARGING FOR SEATS.

That actually is not what I was asking. I was asking if we will be separated from my children on the flight, or if I should PAY for the early boarding. I was unsure if there is actually a need for it. I am not trying to get something for free, nor do i need to board before anyone else, just want to see what our chances are of being separated. Depending on the input, I would pay for ECBI. If there were a fee for family boarding, I would have absolutely paid for it. Thank you for your input! We will have a fantastic vacation! you as well

 

[FCDub]

In the meantime, I will await the payment you are sending me to pay for my choice of airline since you have the AUDACITY to suggest I should no longer be a Southwest customer if I am unhappy with their policy....since it's my money I choose the carrier I want. And I have a RIGHT to voice my opinion on a policy. BTW I am NO LONGER a Southwest customer anyway since their fares are no longer competitive from my airport. Yes, I'd rather choose a seat and pay baggage fees since it gives me peace of mind. Unlike some, I am not looking for ways to AVOID or ways around it.



But YOU responded to ME so therefore YOU ARE WORRYING ABOUT what I am doing and the choices I make. You really don't want to start with me....BECAUSE you will learn EARLY.....If you can't FLY with the BIG GIRLS...stay off the broom. No pun intended!!

I'll await that reimbursement for my airfare.......I'm sure I'll wait forever but I just had to put it out there!!

Sorry, WHAT?

You seem very upset because the airline you previously flew doesn't do things exactly as you like them. And now you no longer fly with them. Great ... why do I apparently owe you money?

Also, YOU responded to MY very general comment about the situation.

Bye.

 

[Kaytie]

You can buy Early bird for yourself and one child board in the A group and each take a seat in a different row. When your husband and second child board your husband can sit next to child one and child two can sit next to you. We have done this in the past without any problems, sometimes it means moving closer to the back of the plane but we were together.

Not really a great suggestion, no matter how well-meaning.

I am no longer a Southwest customer due to increased airfare from my airport in PHL.

In the meantime, I will await the payment you are sending me to pay for my choice of airline since you have the AUDACITY to suggest I should no longer be a Southwest customer if I am unhappy with their policy.

Speaking of audacity...to claim one CHOSE TO cease patronizing a business due to the business's costs or pricing, then a mere 16 minutes later demand a stranger reimburse for previous fares based on misreading that stranger's statement...

 

[Tattylou]

I have a 7 and an 8 year old. Personally, I'd pay extra to be guaranteed seats with them. Then, I wouldn't have to worry about it. If it really is only $15 a seat extra then my peace of mind if worth an extra $60 to ensure my family of 4 and I are together.

 

[Kaytie]

because you'd rather we both pay for early bird check in and me still not get a seat near my son, be my guest! Less Stress for me for sure!

Again, departing from PVD at 5:30 AM going to TPA indicates but doesn't guarantee that you will find seats together. Especially if there isn't a Fall Break in RI or SE MA, and you board the plane with the expectation that adjacent seats will be more likely toward the back of the plane and move t g were accordingly (without stopping to question if specific seats are available or stow your carry on s far from your potential seats), there really isn't a need for the "fine, you sit with my SN child!" threat.

 

[AquamarineSteph]

This is why I don't think I would ever enjoy flying Southwest. Boarding sounds too confusing and too stressful. Having said that, I have loads of friends who LOVE flying with Southwest and are fiercely loyal to the brand.

OP - Good luck on boarding, and have a great trip!

 

[Westcoastwild]

I am no longer a Southwest customer due to increased airfare from my airport in PHL. They are no longer the economical option for flights from PHL to MCO. However, as a former customer I always paid EBCI so I didn't have to babysit the 24 hour mark. Also, I NEVER thought it was fair for FAMILY boarding between A & B. Especially for those who paid EBCI and got a B position. I was always fortunate enough to get an A position so family boarding didn't BUMP me. EBCI or Early Boarding...whatever WAG THE DOG tatics they use and call it. Bottom line is the OP asked the best way to guarantee to sit together without having to pay for it and the question got answered. I guess it's frowned upon to EXPOSE true intentions.

Does family boarding ever actually bump folks? I wouldn't think so.

Basically, the way I see it is that the OP- and anyone else who flies Southwest- has two options. Play seat lottery and prepare to get a separated from your party, or pay for early boarding. In the OP's case- I understand anxiety, but kids that age should not have to sit next to their parents unless they're special needs. They're old enough to be prepped for the idea that they may be a few rows away. It's one of those southwest complaints I don't get- if you're anxious about not sitting with your party, why fly southwest? Why fly in any situation without assigned seats?

 

[kamik86]

The trip isn't until September, I believe. It would still be helpful.

Oops I read it as "On monday morning" instead of "on a monday morning" So yeah buy EBCI...

 

[kamik86]

Does family boarding ever actually bump folks? I wouldn't think so.

Basically, the way I see it is that the OP- and anyone else who flies Southwest- has two options. Play seat lottery and prepare to get a separated from your party, or pay for early boarding. In the OP's case- I understand anxiety, but kids that age should not have to sit next to their parents unless they're special needs. They're old enough to be prepped for the idea that they may be a few rows away. It's one of those southwest complaints I don't get- if you're anxious about not sitting with your party, why fly southwest? Why fly in any situation without assigned seats?

No family boarding wouldn't bump anyone in the sense of off the plane, I assume the poster just meant back in boarding order. If you were in danger of being bumped you wouldn't actually even have a boarding position. They would haev given you a ticket that basically says to see the gate agent. I had this happen once with a business trip (got on fine and once I had a boarding position could board A list so was still ok for me)


My favorite place to board is actually very early Bs when I don't care where I sit (no tight connection to need to be at the front and off first) then all the little kids are seated before I pick my spot so I know they aren't behind me to kick the seat.

 

[disneyholic family]

and this thread reconfirms to me why i don't fly southwest..

 

[cruisin5]

EBCI is $15 / pp. Very much worth every penny if you have ANY angst about the seating on SW.

 

[disneyholic family]

EBCI is $15 / pp. Very much worth every penny if you have ANY angst about the seating on SW.

i prefer having one seat actually assigned to me....is that what EBCI means?

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

As to the reason for Family Boarding, the airline has no choice, and also no choice but to offer it at no extra charge. It has absolutely NOTHING to do with stress, and everything to do with emergency procedures. There are a number of seat positions where young children cannot sit, because of FAA safety rules regarding exit rows and proximity of oxygen masks. (You cannot, for instance, have two lap-carried children in a single-side seat row, because there is only one extra oxygen mask per row. You also cannot place a carseat in the row in front of an exit row.) In order to keep turnaround time short, SWA must get those young families aboard while there are still enough legal seating positions available for choosing, because if there are not, then the FA's will have to cajole (and perhaps even force) other passengers to switch seats. We all know how much passengers hate that, and how much time it takes to do without really making them furious.

Partially correct. There is no reason that the entire family should be allowed to board with the lap child/infant etc. So SW could allow ONE parent for each child under two or in a car seat and be in compliance with the regulations. (No the regulations don't say that your 5 year old has to sit with you!) I think that the compromise of allowing one or two parents with each child under 6 is fine. No if you and your parents, cousins and hangers on are coming along you don't ALL get family boarding with the one 3 year old and if you try to "save seats" you can easily find out that you are now left with just one parent next to the 3 year old as the rest of us ignore your rude behavior. Trust me, business travelers love to upset the "entitled seat savers LOL"

(And of course SW has NO planes with a "single-side seat row")

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

i prefer having one seat actually assigned to me....is that what EBCI means?

No! SW does not assign any seats. All EBCI does is check you in automatically before the 24 hour window which in theory means you are ahead of a lot of others who have not checked in for boarding priority.

And then there's the "risk factor". I used to fly out of BNA (Nashville) a lot. Those planes often came from other cities. You could have boarding pass A10 and discover all that was left was middle seats!