Southwest boarding advice

[goofy4tink]

I almost responded to you earlier but didn't because I feel like I am one of the few people who agrees with you about moving seats and wanted to avoid the drama that would ensue. But I feel badly that you feel badly now. Having nothing to do with whether or not you paid for your ticket or not, I think most people in the real world would happily move to allow a parent and small child to sit together. Most people don't care that much about one dumb seat to force a 2 year old to sit with a stranger on principal. Most people aren't so self-centered and thoughtless to look at a mother who is trying to seat her family and say "Too bad! I was here first!" And anyone who cares that much about getting their precious seat shouldn't fly SWA. There are people with actual special concerns and most of them are seated first (wheel chairs, etc). Everyone else may have a preference or an ideal situation but in life we compromise for others all the time. There are some small things we can do that mean very little to us but a lot to someone else and most people appreciate the value in that.

When I fly alone, I never have a problem moving to accommodate a family. I don't care what seat or row I'm in because the whole plane gets there at the same time. When I fly with my family, we go as far back as needed to get the whole row and then try to find a kind-looking person to offer the window seat to rather than have some creepy person next to my child. I never ever buy EBCI and have never had a problem finding seats for my family.

I hope you have a great trip and I feel confident that there are more compassionate people in the real world who would be happy to help you if you need to move a seats to be with your children.

And this is my point....this mentality works both ways. There are a lot of families flying to Orlando.....more than to any other destination. So, with that thought in mind, it's safe to assume that the vast majority of people on a flight bound for MCO are going to be families....all that want to be seated together. So....for those boarding at the end of the boarding process, it's going to be difficult to get a bunch of seats together. Sure you may be able to snag 2 here and 2 somewhere else. But, on a full flight, it may be almost impossible. And those that are relied upon to give up seats and move so as to enable a family to sit together??? They are probably part of a family group as well. Yes, there may very well be some solo travelers. But, you aren't likely to get 2 or 3 rows of solo travelers who will all change seats with a family!!! And those that chose the window or aisle seats are going to want to keep them...they are not going to happily move into a middle seat in order for someone else to get seated with their group.
I'm sorry if that sounds harsh, but one person's needs are not more important than someone else's.

And paying for EBCI?? Yes, more and more people are now doing this. But it doesn't make it useless. Those not paying for EBCI are going to get positions in the late B group and the C group. I don't buy EBCI for 'better seats'...I buy it so I don't have to worry about being online at the 24 hr window. Seldom buy it for my flight to MCO, but always for my flight home. Just makes things easier for me.

 

[LilyWDW]

I'm sorry if that sounds harsh, but one person's needs are not more important than someone else's.

And this is what it comes down to. No one person on the flight is more important then anyone else. If person A pays for their seat, then that is their seat. No one else should expect them to move. Why? Because person B is no more important then person A or any more deserving then person A.

On top of that, what has happened to personal responsibility? It seems to have flown out the window. It is the job of the person to do what they can to get what they need and not expect others to do it for them. Need to be seated with your child? Then take steps to make it so BEFORE the day of the flight and BEFORE you have to hope others will move for you. That is personal responsibility. That is your (general you) job as a parent. It is no one elses job on that plane to be sure you sit next to the person you want to be near, child or otherwise.

Also, you don't know me. You have no idea why I am in the seat I am in or why I picked that seat. You don't know if there is a reason. So looking at me with scorn? That just makes you look bad. You don't deserve an explanation as to why I won't move, especially with that attitude.

 

[Princess on the Run]

And this is what it comes down to. No one person on the flight is more important then anyone else. If person A pays for their seat, then that is their seat. No one else should expect them to move. Why? Because person B is no more important then person A or any more deserving then person A.

The beauty of SWA is that no one paid for any particular seat. So it isn't your seat any more than it's someone else's. Paying for EBCI doesn't guarantee you a specific seat or seats together or anything other than *a* seat on the plane just the same as everyone else.

Also, you don't know me. You have no idea why I am in the seat I am in or why I picked that seat. You don't know if there is a reason. So looking at me with scorn? That just makes you look bad. You don't deserve an explanation as to why I won't move, especially with that attitude.

I don't need or want an explanation from anyone and I've never asked for one. I am free to think those people are jerks and move on with my life. It isn't a big enough deal to me to stop and find out WHY you refused a simple request. It isn't like someone would ask a person who is also flying with family to move, or someone who clearly needs a bulkhead seat. I don't care what anyone's reason is, honestly. I have never asked anyone to move for me because I've never needed to. But I have been asked to move before and I have seen others asked. I rarely see anyone cause a stink about it. I think there are more good people in this world than bad so I just don't care if a few people feel they are entitled. The rest don't so the system works. Keep your seat if it makes you feel better.

 

[Princess on the Run]

And paying for EBCI?? Yes, more and more people are now doing this. But it doesn't make it useless. Those not paying for EBCI are going to get positions in the late B group and the C group. I don't buy EBCI for 'better seats'...I buy it so I don't have to worry about being online at the 24 hr window. Seldom buy it for my flight to MCO, but always for my flight home. Just makes things easier for me.

This is true. Sometimes it's helpful if you know you won't be able to check in on your own. So isn't useless in those situations. I check in from my phone, so I don't think about that but if I couldn't do that, I might buy EBCI for the return trip for that reason alone.

I just think a lot of people assume paying for EBCI entitles them to an A boarding and an awesome seat. But if most of the flight bought EBCI, someone's getting those C boarding positions. Or if it's a continuing flight with a lot of people on it. And those people paid the same $10 as everyone else, but then people are going to assume they are slackers and don't deserve courtesy if they find themselves in a bind over seats. With the way SWA works, you could truly do everything within your power to try and take "personal responsibility" for yourself and still end up in a pinch. Or, you could be lucky and just have it work out. There's no guarantees.

 

[gwynne]

This is true. Sometimes it's helpful if you know you won't be able to check in on your own. So isn't useless in those situations. I check in from my phone, so I don't think about that but if I couldn't do that, I might buy EBCI for the return trip for that reason alone.

I just think a lot of people assume paying for EBCI entitles them to an A boarding and an awesome seat. But if most of the flight bought EBCI, someone's getting those C boarding positions. Or if it's a continuing flight with a lot of people on it. And those people paid the same $10 as everyone else, but then people are going to assume they are slackers and don't deserve courtesy if they find themselves in a bind over seats. With the way SWA works, you could truly do everything within your power to try and take "personal responsibility" for yourself and still end up in a pinch. Or, you could be lucky and just have it work out. There's no guarantees.

It's "possible" to end up with a C boarding position with EBCI, but not likely. I like to be proactive, that means (for me) EBCI when I fly Southwest. It gets me a reasonably good boarding position, and I don't have to drop whatever I'm doing and check in at an exact certain time. If it doesn't work out ( and it always has for me in the past), then I'll deal with it. Basically, I'd rather put the odds strongly in my favor.

 

[tjmw2727]

This is true. Sometimes it's helpful if you know you won't be able to check in on your own. So isn't useless in those situations. I check in from my phone, so I don't think about that but if I couldn't do that, I might buy EBCI for the return trip for that reason alone.

I just think a lot of people assume paying for EBCI entitles them to an A boarding and an awesome seat. But if most of the flight bought EBCI, someone's getting those C boarding positions. Or if it's a continuing flight with a lot of people on it. And those people paid the same $10 as everyone else, but then people are going to assume they are slackers and don't deserve courtesy if they find themselves in a bind over seats. With the way SWA works, you could truly do everything within your power to try and take "personal responsibility" for yourself and still end up in a pinch. Or, you could be lucky and just have it work out. There's no guarantees.

Good points - but since I have kids that are to old for family boarding and I do want to sit with them I pay the EBCI. I just mentally add the $10 to the fare cost as one more thing I can do to increase my odds is to get checked in at T36 instead of T24. We get to the gate early and line up on time. I also prepare all of us for the possibity of sitting apart on any airline - stuff happens.

IMHO if your willing to take a chance and check in at T24 then you need to be prepared for the possibilities associated with that decision including sitting apart from a child not young enough for family boarding.

In case your slacker reference is referring to my earlier post - I don't asume everyone who boards the plane late is a slacker! I do admit to a poorly worded vent at the end of my post and I tried to clarify in a later post.

 

[dawnball]

I also noticed A 1-14 were empty and was told were held for business customers. But there those boarding numbers sat, empty as we were lining up.

That's "business select" which is a fare class, not necessarily people who are traveling on business. It means you can buy a last-minute ticket and still be guaranteed to board in the first 15 seats. It also gets you an expedited check-in and security line, an alcoholic beverage, and extra rapid rewards credit. And it's fully refundable.

 

[ZoeBell]

I don't know, to me it is kind of jerky to not pay the additional fees needed to ensure your family can sit together, and expect others to move to accommodate you.

At any rate, that doesn't apply to the OP at all as she doesn't yet have any seats on any plane. She is taking a huge chance flying non-rev with children. They will need to be lucky indeed to get on the same plane, let alone get seats together.

Paying the extra money isn't a guarantee of sitting together. It's giving you a better chance maybe of it happening. But not a guarantee. You aren't buying a seat.

I love SW and fly with them every chance I get. But I think the $10 extra is almost like a scam. Because they really aren't guaranteeing you anything except a chance at maybe getting a better number in line.

 

[jayhawk74]

What is WN?

Every airline in the world has a 2 letter code assigned to it. Some codes make sense, such as AA=American, DL=Delta, and UA=United. Some codes don't make sense, such as WN=Southwest, B6=JetBlue, and NK=Spirit.

 

[jayhawk74]

But I think the $10 extra is almost like a scam. Because they really aren't guaranteeing you anything except a chance at maybe getting a better number in line.

All SWA ever guaranteed is that they would check you in 36 hours before your flight so you wouldn't have to remember to do it yourself 24 hour before your flight. Checking in at least 12 hours earlier does give you a better boarding number because not only are you ahead of those originating on your flight but you are also ahead of any non-EBCI connecting passengers.

 

[Princess on the Run]

I love SW and fly with them every chance I get. But I think the $10 extra is almost like a scam. Because they really aren't guaranteeing you anything except a chance at maybe getting a better number in line.

Agreed on both!

 

[tjmw2727]

What you are purchasing with EBIC is automatic check in at T36 - 12 hours ahead of when you can check in yourself. This is very clear on the website and it does put you ahead in line; before the passengers who choose not to pay for it as well as connecting passengers. I think scam is a bit harsh in this situation as it is clearly explained on the website.

Paying the extra money isn't a guarantee of sitting together. It's giving you a better chance maybe of it happening. But not a guarantee. You aren't buying a seat.

I love SW and fly with them every chance I get. But I think the $10 extra is almost like a scam. Because they really aren't guaranteeing you anything except a chance at maybe getting a better number in line.

 

[clanmcculloch]

There are people with actual special concerns and most of them are seated first (wheel chairs, etc). Everyone else may have a preference or an ideal situation but in life we compromise for others all the time. There are some small things we can do that mean very little to us but a lot to someone else and most people appreciate the value in that.

Nope. Not true. Most of us who have very specific needs meet those needs through personal responsibility, not pre-boarding. I HAVE to sit with my kids because one is autistic and I have to be by her in order to make sure that any potential meltdowns are nipped in the bud before they can really begin and because my other one gets really bad ear pain and I'm the only one who can get her earplanes (special ear plugs that help when flying) in correctly and when they're not enough I'm the one who helps her through her coping strategies. I pay for EBCI for all 4 of us. My kids are 12 and 14 (will be 15 when we fly next). Looking at them, you'd think there should be no problem with them sitting by themselves. If both are having problems at the same time then I like knowing my DH is right there to help with my DD with the ear problems (she prefers me but understands when I have to pass her off to her dad for support because of her sister). It never seems to fail that they both start having problems at the same time. I think seeing my younger DD in pain triggers anxiety in my older DD.

So, how does the need of a parent travelling with a toddler outweight my need? From everything you've said, you'd classify me as a jerk for not switching places with a parent of a toddler when asked. Meanwhile, I paid extra to ensure that our boarding positions are as low as I can get them.

Frankly, I would not fly with a non-rev ticket with my kids. Sure it would be nice to fly for free, but the personal cost is too high for me. I need to know that my family will sit together. Everybody has choices. Personal responsibility means owning those choices and living with the consequences of them.

 

[ZoeBell]

I should have added scam for lack of a better word. But the sentiment still stands. I've paid the $10 and ended up with a B. and not B1 either. If half the plane paid the $10 we all couldn't have A seating and we all couldn't have 1st pick of seats.

 

[tjmw2727]

I should have added scam for lack of a better word. But the sentiment still stands. I've paid the $10 and ended up with a B. and not B1 either. If half the plane paid the $10 we all couldn't have A seating and we all couldn't have 1st pick of seats.

FWIW - The lowest number you can get is A17 as 1-16 are held back for passengers who pay for business select fares and A listers. No place on the SW website does it say anything about EBCI getting you an A pass or choice seats.

Sure - if you qualify for family boarding then maybe buying EBCI for the chance at getting A17-60 isn't worth the $10.00 for that family. Since I have older kids it is well worth it becuase for me a low B with EBCI is still better than what I would have gotten if I had checked in at T24.

 

[NotUrsula]

Standard SWA advice doesn't apply in this thread for two reasons: her non-rev status and her destination. The first is FAR more critical than the second, but both are bad news.

The non-rev issue is the big deal. MCO is hands-down THE most difficult US domestic destination for obtaining multiple non-rev seats on a single flight. The odds of getting all 3 of the needed seats on one flight are very low indeed, and the odds of any of those seats being contiguous are lower still. This makes non-rev a well-nigh impossible option for travel with young children into MCO. (Not to mention the issue of getting home again -- if there are weather-related cancellations it could take days of waiting in the airport to get the needed return seats.)

The OP might have better luck if she can try for a non-stop into TPA instead, as TPA flights tend to have fewer families on board (they are still popular with families, but not usually as packed with them as the MCO routes.

As for EBCI being a scam, not really -- on most routes it gives you a very good likelihood of getting an A pass. The problem here, again, is that it is MCO. SWA sells far more EBCI spots on the MCO routes than on any others in their route map, and it is exactly because of the presence of so many children on these flights.

 

[tjmw2727]

Standard SWA advice doesn't apply in this thread for two reasons: her non-rev status and her destination. The first is FAR more critical than the second, but both are bad news.

The non-rev issue is the big deal. MCO is hands-down THE most difficult US domestic destination for obtaining multiple non-rev seats on a single flight. The odds of getting all 3 of the needed seats on one flight are very low indeed, and the odds of any of those seats being contiguous are lower still. This makes non-rev a well-nigh impossible option for travel with young children into MCO. (Not to mention the issue of getting home again -- if there are weather-related cancellations it could take days of waiting in the airport to get the needed return seats.)

The OP might have better luck if she can try for a non-stop into TPA instead, as TPA flights tend to have fewer families on board (they are still popular with families, but not usually as packed with them as the MCO routes.

As for EBCI being a scam, not really -- on most routes it gives you a very good likelihood of getting an A pass. The problem here, again, is that it is MCO. SWA sells far more EBCI spots on the MCO routes than on any others in their route map, and it is exactly because of the presence of so many children on these flights.

Well said ....

Just to clarify the OP has purchased tickets and is wondering if they want to purchase EBCI with a lap child and a 5yo.

Post #35 is the non rev traveler traveling with a 6yo and a 2yo so EBCI isn't even an option IFAIK.

 

[lugnut33]

Correct. Paying for EBCI doesn't give you a guarantee of anything. And the more people who pay for it, the less it's worth.

I think that most people would move for a family, just like most people hold a door for someone behind them, or an elevator, or let a person with 1 item go ahead of them at the grocery store. Are we required to do these things? Of course not. But it's the decent thing to do and I feel like there are more decent people than jerks in this world.

You come walking on a bus and I'll give you my seat, but I sure as heck am not doing it on an airplane unless I get another aisle seat in return. No way could I be squished in a middle seat. I would hate it for me and the other people.

We are flying down on Dec. 22 and returning Jan. 1, which are going to be super heavy travel days. I bought the EBCI the same day the seats came available. I'm not taking a chance on getting stuck in a middle seat. Also, I do not have to try and check-in on line while at the parks. To me it's a total of $80 well spent.

 

[goofy4tink]

Just to add in my 2cents. The $10 charge isn't really picking a specific seat. Even with paying it you aren't guaranteed anything. Once I booked the day SW put the schedule out and paid the extra $10 on the day I bought my ticket. I ended up with B seating. I also noticed A 1-14 were empty and was told were held for business customers. But there those boarding numbers sat, empty as we were lining up.

I'd move for a family as I'd hope if I needed it a kind soul would do the same for me.

A1-15 is for those paying full fare...completely refundable fares. I have flown in A1, 2, and 3 before. Very nice, but I paid dearly for it...about $400 pp, r/t, for a flight that might have cost me $200 if I had booked a wanna getaway fare. But, I needed to have a refundable fare. And if those spots aren't sold, they stay empty since someone could buy one 10 mins prior to boarding, theoretically anyway.

Paying the extra money isn't a guarantee of sitting together. It's giving you a better chance maybe of it happening. But not a guarantee. You aren't buying a seat.

I love SW and fly with them every chance I get. But I think the $10 extra is almost like a scam. Because they really aren't guaranteeing you anything except a chance at maybe getting a better number in line.

However, my fare, that I paid for, does buy me a seat. And if I sit my behind in it, that is now, my seat. That addtl $10, for EBCI? It is exactly what it says it is...early bird checkin. Does it get you a better seat? No, but it does get you a better boarding position. And sure, if half the plane buys it, then 49% of the fliers may very well have a better boarding position than you do...depends on when you purchased EBCI and what others paid for their airfare who are also buying EBCI. It's all about how much you spent to fly.
And you most certainly are getting a better spot in line. The other half of the plane should, theoretically, be behind you in line...even if you are the last person in line with EBCI.


If anyone wants the best chance of sitting with the others in their party, they need to either book with an airline that allows you to choose your seats prior to gate arrival, or you need to buy EBCI and hope that you get a low position...in the A group. Yes, other airlines can, and do, change your seat selections. But it doesn't happen all that frequently. You really shouldn't depend on the goodwill of strangers. Yes, most people are happy to move. I have offered to move on occasion. But I was flying by myself, so didn't really care where I sat as long as I was in a window seat!!!
You have no way of knowing why someone wouldn't change seats with you. As I said, it is seldom just one or two people. I have seen a family of 4 trying to be seated together...after boarding in the late C group. There were people around the cabin who said fine, but they weren't all close together, much less next to each other. If you get a row of three seats, and two of those seats are a couple, with a stranger in one seat, well....doesn't take much to understand that there is no way to accommodate a family of four that way.....and that was the issue.

Or the flight I was on, with my dd, flying out of Providence on SW...to Orlando. It was before the current boarding system was in place..you pretty much just went to the open chute and stood there. Once the A row was filled, the B chute was open, and then the C. And you stood there, waiting, for up to two hours, depending on how early you got there. I used to like to get there early since there was a wall in the A area that you could lean against if you were one of the first 10 or so people. So, my dd and I would switch places so the other one could use the bathroom or get a drink. So....we watched a woman walking around with her adorable little boy...probably around 5 or 6. They kept walking past our gate area, killing time, for about an hour or so. They had no other people with them that I could see. So, boarding time comes and my dd and I board the plane. The A group boarded, then the Bs. Then the C group got on...most of them found at least two seats together. There were maybe 5 or 6 that got on last and weren't able to find seating together. Okay. Then, along comes that same woman and her son!!! Lugging bags that were barely carryon size..they actually looked well over the allowable sizing. They walked around, up and down, looking for two seats together. They put their bags in the far rear of the plane...pretty much over the last row of seats. They weren't able to find two seats together...there were possibly 5 empty seats on the plane but they were middle seats. And they weren't very close to each other.
Well, the woman was not happy..you could hear her 'discussing' the situation with the FA. The FA came over the PA asking for someone to change their seats. Well I doubt anyone wanted to give up their aisle or window seat to sit in a middle seat. So no one offered. The FA waited a few minutes and said, and I quote...'People, this mother and her child need seats together. This plane will not move from the gate until they are seated together.' Man, that annoyed me. It meant that someone, or two people perhaps, who had been standing there, in line for well over an hour, and closer to 90 mins, now had to give up seats to a mother who didn't feel the need to stand in line!!!

And before someone comes along to tell me that the boy may have had issues??? Mom could have gone to the gate and explained that prior to boarding time, and then most likely have been allowed to preboard, with those with 4 and under kids!!!

And yes, a couple gave up their seats together and went off and sat apart. Sure it was only a 3 hr flight but still...it rankled a bit.

 

[anonymousegirl]

Every airline in the world has a 2 letter code assigned to it. Some codes make sense, such as AA=American, DL=Delta, and UA=United. Some codes don't make sense, such as WN=Southwest, B6=JetBlue, and NK=Spirit.

Southwest is WN because when it began there was still a Northwest Airlines with the code NW. With so many airlines, the easy codes like AA for American were gone so the powers that be decided to reverse Northwest's NW for Southwest. Why they couldn't use SW is beyond me--maybe there once was an airline using it? Swiss Airlines is LX not SW by the way.