Should I pay EBCI with Southwest. Have 2 kids 6 and 9

[jcieutat]

We buy it every time. Where we live, this flight is always a Disney flight that is loaded with families and kids. I have seen several families have to be seated separately. For a vacation this expensive, whats another $100!

 

[Minnesota!]

We buy it, usually. Esp for the return.

My kids are getting older, older son doesn't care if he sits by us, so I might stop buying it all together soon..

TO THE PP BANKING ON IT FOR THE FLIGHT WITH THE 2 YEAR OLD NEXT WEEK: Orlando bound flights tend to be filled with families and as such, at times they cancel the family boarding. Just a heads up in case it happens to you.

 

[Trinity88]

We buy it too. Although we still sometimes have to board after families. And they do let the whole family on, not just a parent and a child. I've seen huge families board during family boarding (grandma, grandpa, teenages, etc) - as long as there is one kid under 4, the whole family waltzes on.

 

[Gracie09]

We buy it too. Although we still sometimes have to board after families. And they do let the whole family on, not just a parent and a child. I've seen huge families board during family boarding (grandma, grandpa, teenages, etc) - as long as there is one kid under 4, the whole family waltzes on.

It depends - sometimes they do, sometimes they only let one kid and one adult, sometimes they cancel it altogether.

 

[DebbieB]

We buy it too. Although we still sometimes have to board after families. And they do let the whole family on, not just a parent and a child. I've seen huge families board during family boarding (grandma, grandpa, teenages, etc) - as long as there is one kid under 4, the whole family waltzes on.

I've heard them make announcements saying parents and children only, not grandparents, aunts, etc. I've also seen them actually turn away grandparents when they tried to board with the family.

On the other hand, I was sitting behind a family at the gate who were concerned that they had C boarding. The mom said "I guess I should have got online early". They announced family boarding ages 4 and under. All of the sudden the dad said "we're a family, let's go". Meanwhile, the kids were probably 8 and 10. They got at the end of the family boarding line and were not stopped.

 

[goofy4tink]

I've heard them make announcements saying parents and children only, not grandparents, aunts, etc. I've also seen them actually turn away grandparents when they tried to board with the family.

On the other hand, I was sitting behind a family at the gate who were concerned that they had C boarding. The mom said "I guess I should have got online early". They announced family boarding ages 4 and under. All of the sudden the dad said "we're a family, let's go". Meanwhile, the kids were probably 8 and 10. They got at the end of the family boarding line and were not stopped.

I hate this. If there is going to be a 'rule' then there should be 100% compliance. Period. There was a time, at TF Green. My dd was probably 15 or so. Well, the gate attendant announced boarding for families that needed a bit of extra time to get settled. We stood and watched as about 6 families jumped up and boarded....only one family with a young child. All the other families had older kids....and no, none 'looked' like they needed any special treatment. My dd just stood there and laughed...saying it was so wonderful to see so many 'needy' families, teaching their children that they get to do whatever they want.

As far as SW goes, yes, they can, and do, limit who boards in the family boarding grouping. I've seen it countless times. I watch as entire families jump up, to board in between the A and B groups. Then, the disgruntlement when the gate attendant announces only the parents are allowed to board with the children...grandparents, aunts, uncles and others must board in their appointed slots. Man, those people were upset. One grandmother actually told the gate attendant that if they had known they weren't allowed to board with their family, they would have checked in earlier....and why weren't they notified? Seriously?

 

[nkereina]

We also buy it every time, both going and coming. We used to only buy it for the return portion, since we didn't want to worry about checking in on our last day. But we buy it going now too, because we've seen more people buying it than not. We've always been in the A's when we've purchased it but YMMV.

 

[Boopuff]

Last August when we flew SW the line for "family" boarding extended out into the main isle. The gate attendant made an announcement that "family' boarding was for one adult and one child under 5. This was repeated several times. Many families stood their ground in the line. When the priority people and A group was on the plane they repeated the family boarding announcement. Then they started boarding one adult and one child.. boy oh boy were there some angry family groups! One pushy family had about 8 members with only 1 small child. They argued with the gate attendant. Finally the attendant had to pull dad aside. I can only guess he was given direct instructions and finally sat down. turns out he must have been C group didn't see him board till the plane was really full!

 

[CaFeeney]

We never buy it, what I do is check in right at the 24 hour mark- I set a reminder in my phone and then checking in on the Southwest app really couldn't be easier. We have traveled to MCO from MHT 4 times this past year and we are usually in the high A to mid-B section. I just hate to pay an extra $100 for the potential of a bad seat. Totally your call but I really don't see the need for my family.

 

[Madzac]

Our trip this past summer I bought it for the return only and checked in right at 24 hours for the flight out. We had B52 on...very late Bs! We ended up boarding me and 4 yr old in family boarding and the other kids and dad later. We did end up near each othet. The way home I had bought ebci and we were mid As. Much less stressful! Even though my older kids would survive if split up we are on vacation and want to sit together especially if God forbid there was ever an emergency. If we fly SW again I will buy EB.

 

[waattmore]

Here's the problem with not buying EBCI. With so many people now paying for EBCI, those checking in at the 24 hr mark are getting pushed further and further back in the boarding process. There are EBCI people getting mid-B slots! Aggravating when family boarding happens before some who paid extra for EBCI.
So, just being online right at the 24 window opening might not get you a slot you're expecting.

I agree with this. Most Disney travellers with kiddos will probably do ECBI so you may be further back in the B's than you think if you just shoot to check in 24 hours before.

 

[nkereina]

We never buy it, what I do is check in right at the 24 hour mark- I set a reminder in my phone and then checking in on the Southwest app really couldn't be easier. We have traveled to MCO from MHT 4 times this past year and we are usually in the high A to mid-B section. I just hate to pay an extra $100 for the potential of a bad seat. Totally your call but I really don't see the need for my family.

This strategy will only work well for certain flights/airports. If you have a layover at all, especially at a hub like BWI, your run the risk of getting onto a plane that has carryover passengers. That means you have to contend with folks already on the plane AND people boarding in front of you. If you have EBCI, it will at least put you in front of the 24 hour check-ins. So, really that extra $100 is the only way to give yourself a chance at avoiding a bad seat.

 

[leebee]

We never buy EBCI for the flight TO Orlando but always buy it going home. We fly from either Portland, ME or Boston (rarely Manchester, NH). I make sure I am online about 10 minutes before the 24 hour mark so I know everything's ready to go, so I can "check-in" right at the 24 hour point. The worst boarding position we've ever had was B12. I always figure, there are 180 seats on the plane. 60 of those are middle seats, and the rest are "desirable" seats (aisle or window). When I am traveling with one other person, I am pretty confident that I'll get one desirable seat and one middle, which is what we'd want. When traveling with 2 other people, we head towards the back. The first person takes the window, the second takes the aisle. Most people happily leave the middle seat- who wants to choose that- so it's always been available for our 3rd party member.

Coming home from Orlando, I usually buy EBCI for all as I don't want to have to waste park time so I can be at the hotel/online at the 24 hour mark. (no smartphone, no tablet, so need a laptop/desktop to check in).

 

[pooh4evr]

We always buy it, we flew home yesterday, there were many families split up later in the boarding process. 1 asked my DH to move, he was sitting with 2 of our kids, so they could have 2 aisle seats together- umm no. Sorry we paid to be checked in so we could have a better chance at sitting together.

 

[gwynne]

We always buy it, we flew home yesterday, there were many families split up later in the boarding process. 1 asked my DH to move, he was sitting with 2 of our kids, so they could have 2 aisle seats together- umm no. Sorry we paid to be checked in so we could have a better chance at sitting together.

And that is the point. If someone doesn't want to pay, that's their choice, but taking pot luck is kinda part of the deal.
People who were proactive and purchased EBCI did it to board earlier and sit with friend or family. I think it's sort of unreasonable to expect them to move.

 

[Jhondy210]

I'm flying with my mom in about a month on SW and we are both adults but I paid for EBCI. I can tell you right now if some family asks me or my mom to move so they can sit with their child my answer will be no. I'm not saying no to be rude but, even though we are both adults, I paid extra for a better chance that the two of us will sit together. I purposely did this because while Idc who I sit by my mom is afraid of flying so it will be easier for her to have me next to her and not some stranger. So, when I fly, I'm not moving so you can sit with your young child. I also don't drink so no amount of "free" alcohol from SW will get me to change my mind.

I also pay for EBCI when my husband and I fly. Again we are both adults but we are both so busy with work that when we are on vacation I want to spend every minute I can with him because I know after vacation we will go back to not getting to see each other as often as we would like. So, again I'm not moving for a child whose parent chose not to buy EBCI.

That being said, if you sit your child next to me, I will be nice to your child and help them with their drink or electronics if need be but my focus and my priority is going to be on my mom and my husband.

 

[maxiesmom]

I'm flying with my mom in about a month on SW and we are both adults but I paid for EBCI. I can tell you right now if some family asks me or my mom to move so they can sit with their child my answer will be no. I'm not saying no to be rude but, even though we are both adults, I paid extra for a better chance that the two of us will sit together. I purposely did this because while Idc who I sit by my mom is afraid of flying so it will be easier for her to have me next to her and not some stranger. So, when I fly, I'm not moving so you can sit with your young child. I also don't drink so no amount of "free" alcohol from SW will get me to change my mind.

I also pay for EBCI when my husband and I fly. Again we are both adults but we are both so busy with work that when we are on vacation I want to spend every minute I can with him because I know after vacation we will go back to not getting to see each other as often as we would like. So, again I'm not moving for a child whose parent chose not to buy EBCI.

That being said, if you sit your child next to me, I will be nice to your child and help them with their drink or electronics if need be but my focus and my priority is going to be on my mom and my husband.

I just flew Southwest and paid for EBCI even though it was me and my 24 year old nephew. I like spending time with him, hence our trips together. I'm sorry, but I wouldn't move either.

 

[Meeko5]

Just the stress of not knowing what the boarding situation will be is enough to make me wish I had bought EBCI for all of us, lap child or not.

Hindsight, right? Sigh.

 

[maciec]

Always buy it both ways. Why chance it? Doesn't make sense to me

 

[holbie18]

I did not read the responses. I have kids the same age. I do not purchase EBCI for everyone, I just buy it for myself. You can do this after you make your initial reservation - just add it for one person. Husband waits with the kids. I then go on and get four seats together for all of us. If you go to the back of the plane you can generally get seats together.