Southwest airlines check-in?

[suzct]

We are leaving tomorrow and flying on Southwest for the first time. I am a little uncomfortable without the seat assignments. It will be DH, me, DD6 and DS4. I think I read where I can check-in from home 24 hours before and get a good boarding #? Is that true? Also, is there a way to do the same coming home? We will have a laptop, but no printer for boarding passes.
Thanks

 

[angiejg]

Don't worry! We just did this last week and it was so easy. I was flying home without DH. I had my kids, DS5 and DD10. You should go online 24 hours ahead then you should end up in the "A" group. If you have kids age 4 or younger though you get to get on then too automatically I think. It explains that on the southwest website I think. Anyway, before we left DH went to the resort lobby and printed the boarding passes for me (24 hours ahead) with no problem. I was very worried that we wouldn't get a good seat, but we had our choice and my kids loved that. Southwest has been our best flying experience so far. They gave the kids coloring packs, lots of pretzels and peanuts, and lots of friendly attention. Good luck!

Angie

 

[RyJMom]

For the return flight go ahead and check in on line 24 hrs ahead. You can print the pass when you get to the airport.

 

[design_mom]

If you use your laptop to check in 24 hrs. in advance, you can print your boarding pass at the Southwest check-in desk at the airport. (When you check in your bags it will ask you if you need to reprint your boarding pass.)

 

[PrincessPoohsMom]

As others have pointed out, checking in online at the 24 hour mark is the best way to go (I've always ended up in the "A" group doing this) and you don't have to print out your boarding passes when you check in. I check my parents in all the time when they're coming home from cruises, and they just print the boarding passes at the airport when they check their luggage.

If something happens and you're late checking in, or unable to do so, and end up with "B" or "C" group passes, don't stress about not getting seats together. On Southwest all passengers holding "A" group passes board first (whether traveling with small children or not). Then families with young children (4 or younger) holding "B" or "C" group passes can board. The boarding policy is explained in detail on Southwest's website: here.

It would be an incredible event that all four of you would be in totally separate seats widely scattered throughout the plane. Don't stress about it, just check in 24 hours prior and you'll be in great shape.

Have a great trip!

 

[MRYPPNS]

I fly Southwest. For your return trip check-in you can ask the front desk at your hotel to do it for you and print the boarding passes. I've done that twice at disney resorts and had no problems. I got the feeling that they do it all the time.
If you haven't done it yet, go to the southwest website. Click on quick tutorial from the PPM's link above. I'm on there email list and when they updated the boarding procedure they had a great little movie to watch that explained it all. Southwest only flys big airplanes so don't worry about not sitting together.