Southwest Blue Sleeve - Pre board question/experience

[Anjelica]

My brother is traveling with us this upcoming October to Florida. He uses a wheelchair to get around as he lost his right leg a few years ago. Its my understanding he will get a blue sleeve to preboard.

I was wondering how many family members are allowed to preboard with him? There are 4 of us that are traveling with him (2 adults and 2 children - 10 and 6 at time of travel). I need to figure out how many EBCI's to purchase (I usually purchase EBCI's for all four of us).

 

[anonymousegirl]

I often see one adult allowed to go with the preboard to aid in seating. But it is really up to the gate agent as to whether he/she will allow additional family members to board at that same time.

 

[gritzel4]

The rule is one person to assist in the pre-boarding and the rest of the travel party waits for their boarding. However, I would not be surprised if SW lets all of you board at the same time since the children are 10 & 6 and should not be expected to wait in the gate area unsupervised! Just ask the gate agents and mention the ages of the children.

 

[kamik86]

I'm not sure I'm positive of what your situation is... Total including the individual in the wheel chair do you have

2 Adults and 2 children, in which case you will all probably board together. - no EBCIs would be my recommendation

or

3 adults and 2 children where they can reasonably expect the adult in the wheelchair to board with one other adult and the 3rd adult to watch the children and board with them? - recommend 3 EBCIs if you always get them.

 

[dudspizza]

The rule is one person to assist in the pre-boarding and the rest of the travel party waits for their boarding. However, I would not be surprised if SW lets all of you board at the same time since the children are 10 & 6 and should not be expected to wait in the gate area unsupervised! Just ask the gate agents and mention the ages of the children.

OP said 4 of them traveling with him, so I am reading that as 2 adults and 2 kids. 1 adult could board with the brother with the other adult and 2 kids wait for their boarding number to be called.......

That said, I did see what looked like an entire family board with 1 person who had a blue sleeve just last week, so it really is up to the gate agent.

Typically, those folks take up the front seats, but by rule they are not allowed to take exit row seats since they are medical pre-boards.....

Duds

 

[Anjelica]

I'm not sure I'm positive of what your situation is... Total including the individual in the wheel chair do you have

2 Adults and 2 children, in which case you will all probably board together. - no EBCIs would be my recommendation

or

3 adults and 2 children where they can reasonably expect the adult in the wheelchair to board with one other adult and the 3rd adult to watch the children and board with them? - recommend 3 EBCIs if you always get them.

In addition to my brother its 2 adults and 2 children (Husband, myself and our kids).

 

[gmeh1]

The rule is one person to assist in the pre-boarding and the rest of the travel party waits for their boarding. However, I would not be surprised if SW lets all of you board at the same time since the children are 10 & 6 and should not be expected to wait in the gate area unsupervised! Just ask the gate agents and mention the ages of the children.

There are 5 people traveling, the kids would not be unattended. They are pretty strict about this.

 

[clanmcculloch]

I't really depends on the airport and gate agent. Our family of 4 has been able to board together but we've also been told only one person with the individual who needed assistance. I'd plan for only one adult boarding with your brother and the other adult staying with the kids and boarding in your boarding positions.

 

[goofy4tink]

The rule is one person to assist in the pre-boarding and the rest of the travel party waits for their boarding. However, I would not be surprised if SW lets all of you board at the same time since the children are 10 & 6 and should not be expected to wait in the gate area unsupervised! Just ask the gate agents and mention the ages of the children.

Not sure why the kids would be unattended. If mom goes on to help her brother, then dad can stay and board with the kids. Not an issue.

Officially, one person is allowed to board with the medical preboard, to help them get situated. All others in the group are supposed to board in their boarding group.
BUT....SW gate attendents can change that if they wish to. I've seen smallish family groups allowed to board with a medical preboard, while larger groups had to send one person with the med preboard, while the rest waited their turn.
Be prepared to have one adult stay behind with the kids. That way, you'll be all set for the worst case scenario!

 

[Anjelica]

Thanks for the quick responses - I will buy 3 EBCI's based on the comments.

Thanks again!!!

 

[jayhawk74]

One thing to know, passengers in a wheel chair do not get a blue sleeve since the wheel chair itself is basically the blue sleeve. Also those in wheelchairs are the first to board, even before any blue sleeves.

 

[gritzel4]

Not sure why the kids would be unattended. If mom goes on to help her brother, then dad can stay and board with the kids. Not an issue.

Officially, one person is allowed to board with the medical preboard, to help them get situated. All others in the group are supposed to board in their boarding group.
BUT....SW gate attendents can change that if they wish to. I've seen smallish family groups allowed to board with a medical preboard, while larger groups had to send one person with the med preboard, while the rest waited their turn.
Be prepared to have one adult stay behind with the kids. That way, you'll be all set for the worst case scenario!

Sorry - my bad - not enough coffee when I read the OP!