Southwest - "Airport Checkin Required" for 2 of my 4 kids???

[PurpleTurtle]

Hi there - Just did online checkin on SW airlines for tomorrow's flight and was not able to check in 2 of my 4 kids. It shows "Airport Checkin Required" for these two. They are 10 and 5 years old. The other two that I was able to check in are 7 and 5. We all have the same fare, no special pricing etc. Anyone have an experience like this? I've never had problems checking us in online before. DH called SW and they said they couldn't tell us anything other than "you can go to the airport now and check them in". They said they're not able to look up what the specific problem is with our checkin.

Ack!

 

[kevgraub]

Hi there - Just did online checkin on SW airlines for tomorrow's flight and was not able to check in 2 of my 4 kids. It shows "Airport Checkin Required" for these two. They are 10 and 5 years old. The other two that I was able to check in are 7 and 5. We all have the same fare, no special pricing etc. Anyone have an experience like this? I've never had problems checking us in online before. DH called SW and they said they couldn't tell us anything other than "you can go to the airport now and check them in". They said they're not able to look up what the specific problem is with our checkin.

Ack!

My guess is that their names are the same, or very similar, to someone on the government watch list.

This is one of the things that will hopefully be fixed the new requirements from TSA go into effect (you know, the whole "middle name not matching" drama we witnessed). In the future, you will be able to list their middle names and dates of birth, which will hopefully keep them from being flagged by having the same name as someone on the list.

 

[CarolA]

The TSA probably thinks your kids are TERRORISTS!

Thousands Standing Around.... pretending to protect us... LOL!

 

[kevgraub]

The TSA probably thinks your kids are TERRORISTS!

Thousands Standing Around.... pretending to protect us... LOL!

More likely, the kids have the same names as someone else the TSA thinks are terrorists, and since current booking policies only collect first and last names to compare to the list - there is no way to tell them apart.

 

[dacky041208]

More likely, the kids have the same names as someone else the TSA thinks are terrorists, and since current booking policies only collect first and last names to compare to the list - there is no way to tell them apart.

My friend thinks that calling and adding your middle initial/name will help you be able to check in online, do you think that would help? (last year I had to check in at the airport as well)

 

[PurpleTurtle]

Well, I called SW (even though DH already did) and the woman I talked to said that just like security picks out random people, online checkin for boarding passes does the same thing. They randomly pick out people to have to check in at the airport rather than online. Seems strange that 2 of the 6 of use were picked, though. Hmmmmmm.......

I keep imagining them trying to strip search my 10yo dd and my DH flipping his lid.

 

[dacky041208]

Well, I called SW (even though DH already did) and the woman I talked to said that just like security picks out random people, online checkin for boarding passes does the same thing. They randomly pick out people to have to check in at the airport rather than online. Seems strange that 2 of the 6 of use were picked, though. Hmmmmmm.......

I keep imagining them trying to strip search my 10yo dd and my DH flipping his lid.

Yeah, they told me the same thing last year. I come from a family of Martin's though, all of us have fairly-very common names, and I think that has more to do with it.

 

[NUHuskies#1]

Ive had this happen to one of my boys before but we have flown many times since. I think once it gets reviewed (when you check in) and the travel party is confirmed and ids are checked it does not become an issue for further travel. The previous posters are correct- your children's names are probably similar to a name on government watch list. With my son, I was told that his name and age are similar to a name on a watch list for a parental kidnapping.

 

[debster812]

Well, I called SW (even though DH already did) and the woman I talked to said that just like security picks out random people, online checkin for boarding passes does the same thing. They randomly pick out people to have to check in at the airport rather than online. Seems strange that 2 of the 6 of use were picked, though. Hmmmmmm.......

I keep imagining them trying to strip search my 10yo dd and my DH flipping his lid.

Why would your DH flip his lid? It's really NOT a big deal. My DS is 12, and has been flying fairly regularly since he was 5. From the time he was 7 until he was about 11, he was flagged for additional security on a fairly regular basis. His backpack was handsearched, and he was wanded. When he was really young (7 and 8) the TSA agents would even give him treats after they were done, for him being such a good sport.

I'd leave yourselves a little more extra time to get through security, but it's really not a big deal at all.

 

[Kira G.]

This happened to my daughter a couple of years ago - she was 8 I think. No big deal - it's a random thing. The TSA people we ran into (we were flying out of Tampa) thought it was as ridiculous as we did, but handled it very professionally. She had to check in at the airport, and then go through a special security line. It was handled very well, and was not a problem. Don't stress over it! No strip search!

She did get a "C" boarding pass while the rest of us had "A"s (this was under SW's old system). I just hung back and boarded with her, while my husband and other 3 kids boarded earlier and saved us seats. Again, no biggie.

Have a great trip!

 

[PurpleTurtle]

Why would your DH flip his lid? It's really NOT a big deal.

Ha! I was really just joking. I said that I was imagining her being STRIP SEARCHED. I guess that's where my control freak head goes. I imagine the worst possible scenario. Just trying to find the humor in all of this so that I can sleep tonight.

 

[debster812]

Ha! I was really just joking. I said that I was imagining her being STRIP SEARCHED. I guess that's where my control freak head goes. I imagine the worst possible scenario. Just trying to find the humor in all of this so that I can sleep tonight.

GOOD! Because, honestly, it's really, really not a big deal. Like Kira G, the TSA folks we've encountered every time this has happened have been professional, courteous, and incredulous that it was a young child who was flagged.

It will be fine, really it will.

 

[locodemickey]

My daughter is also on this "terrorist" list. When they see her (she's three), they just check us in. Now I put her middle name on the reservation as well - we'll see if that fixes it. We go to WDW in 27 days

 

[dcherry]

Am I missing something? If someone in your party cannot check-in online doesn't that mean you'll have to wait on line at the airport??? This seems like it is a big deal to me. The whole point of checking in online for me is so I can avoid the long check-in lines.

 

[Lewisc]

Join whatever frequent flier program your airline sponsors, even if you know you won't accumulate enough miles to qualify for a free flight. The methodology that's used to select passengers for special screening is a secret but there is anecdotal evidence that, at least under some circumstances, a RR number on your reservation reduces the odds.

 

[seashoreCM]

With at least twice as many family members not randomly selected for secondary screening, it is no really big deal on Southwest. The non-selected can take window-aisle seats and the chances of a stranger's taking the middle are very small. In this specific situation you have no obligation to swap your window or aisle seat with a stranger to be less intrusive on that person seeing that you have another seat elsewhere in the plane to trade (where another family member was relegated to)

 

[Cmbar]

This happened to my daughter a couple of years ago - she was 8 I think. No big deal - it's a random thing. The TSA people we ran into (we were flying out of Tampa) thought it was as ridiculous as we did, but handled it very professionally. She had to check in at the airport, and then go through a special security line. It was handled very well, and was not a problem. Don't stress over it! No strip search!

She did get a "C" boarding pass while the rest of us had "A"s (this was under SW's old system). I just hung back and boarded with her, while my husband and other 3 kids boarded earlier and saved us seats. Again, no biggie.

Have a great trip!

This is exactly what we did. My DD and I got flagged and my DH and DS did not. We had to go in a different line and I was a little stressed, but mostly because the kid that got picked was my high anxiety kid and she cried. But they were very nice to her (she was 7). We also got a C pass and my DH and DS just saved us seats on the plane. It really wasn't that big of deal, just more a of pain.

 

[Cmbar]

Join whatever frequent flier program your airline sponsors, even if you know you won't accumulate enough miles to qualify for a free flight. The methodology that's used to select passengers for special screening is a secret but there is anecdotal evidence that, at least under some circumstances, a RR number on your reservation reduces the odds.

Am I missing something? If someone in your party cannot check-in online doesn't that mean you'll have to wait on line at the airport??? This seems like it is a big deal to me. The whole point of checking in online for me is so I can avoid the long check-in lines.

Don't you have to check luggage? That is when you check in. What does it matter if it is one of you or not. Now if you do everything by bringing a carry on and walk right back to the gate when you get to the airport I can understand, but we can't go to WDW with just carry ons But I would also think there is a check in line just for those who aren't checking luggage. Just ask the SW attendant at the check in line.

And the reason we check in online is to get a A boarding pass!

 

[dcherry]

This is exactly what we did. My DD and I got flagged and my DH and DS did not. We had to go in a different line and I was a little stressed, but mostly because the kid that got picked was my high anxiety kid and she cried. But they were very nice to her (she was 7). We also got a C pass and my DH and DS just saved us seats on the plane. It really wasn't that big of deal, just more a of pain.

But didn't you have to wait in the regular check-in line at the airport??? The seat thing wouldn't be a big deal to me but some of those check-in lines at the airport are more than a major headache. THAT is what I would have a problem with. So now, if I'm not checking luggage i have to wait in the horrendous line anyway? Sorry they need a better system.

 

[dcherry]

Don't you have to check luggage? That is when you check in. What does it matter if it is one of you or not. Now if you do everything by bringing a carry on and walk right back to the gate when you get to the airport I can understand, but we can't go to WDW with just carry ons But I would also think there is a check in line just for those who aren't checking luggage. Just ask the SW attendant at the check in line.

And the reason we check in online is to get a A boarding pass!

Nope, no luggage to check. I am a master packer I've never seen a check-in line for those without luggage to check.