Southwest Airlines and medical pre-boarding

[kat_balou]

(I didn't know whether to ask this question here or on Transportation.)

How does this work? We have never flown SW before. My ds is developmentally disabled/MR and my dr. is in the process of getting a letter for us stating such and the request for pre-boarding.

Does this mean I shouldn't do the on-line check-in but need to go to the check-in at the airport to show the letter and request pre-boarding? Should we plan on this taking extra time? Or do I need to call the airlines in advance and let them know?

Our flight is scheduled to leave at 7:05 a.m. so what time do you think they will start pre-boarding?

Thank you for your help.

 

[scroot]

The advantage of checking in online with Southwest is that you can get in the first boarding group. Since you will need to preboard you are going to have to talk to an agent and your boarding pass number will not be a factor. If you get your boarding pass online and don't have any luggage to check you can bypass the ticket counter line and head straight for security (who will check everyone's boarding passes) and talk to the gate agent about preboard. If you have luggage to check then you can talk to the ticket agent about preboard and get your boarding passes right then as number won't matter. So unless you really want to spend the extra time checking in online--you don't need to.

 

[SueM in MN]

Here's a link to Southwest's page about travel for people with disabilities.
You can show a letter from your doctor, but the airline can't require a letter in order to provide you with assistance. Don't be surprised if they they don't want to look at it if you do present it.