Southwest boarding question

[Carrieannew]

Hey everyone-

On 9-6-06 I will be going with my daughter and my best friend and her kids. Now we will be buying the tickets all together. Her kids are 4 and 5 and my daughter is 8. We really want to all be sitting together. How will this work with preboarding. Will they get to board and my daughter and I will need to wait till whichever boarding pass we get? Or would they allow us all to board together? Its not the end of the world if we get seperated but it would be easier if we all stayed together. thanks!!!

 

[DJNOWICK]

Since you are a group traveling together with a kid under 5 you can probably all preboard but if they don't let you do that then those that do preboard can save seats for the rest of you.

Jackie

 

[ducklite]

When preboarding is allowed--and it isn't always--it's for the underaged child and their immediate family only. Not the traveling party. No aunts, uncles, gramma's, friends, etc.

So you will need to wait and board with everyone else. best bet is to get "A" passes and ahve her find a row towards the back of the plane and hope no one gets to the row on the other side of the aisle before you do.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

Since you are a group traveling together with a kid under 5 you can probably all preboard but if they don't let you do that then those that do preboard can save seats for the rest of you.

Jackie

Seat saving isn't allowed. You can tell someone that more of your party will be joining you and you'd like to hold those seats for them, but you can't "save" them. Anyone can take any open seat on SW. The only unoccupied seats that can't be taken are those with the blue SW issues reserved signs.

Anne

 

[ktink]

You can always get on southwest.com after 12 midnight and get your boarding passes. If you don't have a printer they can print them out for you once you get to the airport. We did this and got an A boarding pass.

As someone said it is normally the immediate family that gets to board. We've never had an issue w/ that but I like to have my A boarding pass just in case.

 

[Carrieannew]

Thank you everyone. I did figure we would get A boarding pass's and also try the preboarding but we will see. No biggie.

 

[DJNOWICK]

Seat saving isn't allowed. You can tell someone that more of your party will be joining you and you'd like to hold those seats for them, but you can't "save" them. Anyone can take any open seat on SW. The only unoccupied seats that can't be taken are those with the blue SW issues reserved signs.

Anne

It may not be technically allowed per SWA's rules, but it happens all the time. I have rarely seen anyone turn down a gracious "My neices and sister are flying with us and we're all trying to sit together..." comment. Doesn't mean it never happens <as people line up to post their situations in which it's happened to them or they've seen it >

My $0.02 is to toss a sweater on the seat across/next to/infront of you and see what happens.

YMMV, Jackie

 

[ducklite]

It may not be technically allowed per SWA's rules, but it happens all the time. I have rarely seen anyone turn down a gracious "My neices and sister are flying with us and we're all trying to sit together..." comment. Doesn't mean it never happens <as people line up to post their situations in which it's happened to them or they've seen it >

My $0.02 is to toss a sweater on the seat across/next to/infront of you and see what happens.

YMMV, Jackie

Let's put it this way, if I got on with my family and there was a sweater drapped across a seat, I would assume it had been left by the person who had been on an earlier flight and toss it into the overhead.

And if you told me you were saving the seats, I'd tell you that you "thought" you were saving the seats.

Anne

 

[Lewisc]

You can generally save the seat next to you, particularly a middle seat, without upsetting other passengers. It's similar to saving a seat in a movie theater for a spouse that's getting popcorn.

What you really can't do is have each pre-board sit in a different row and each passenger try to save the other two seats in that row. In that case two passengers are likely to take the two open seats and the FA will tell you that they can do that.

 

[DJNOWICK]

Let's put it this way, if I got on with my family and there was a sweater drapped across a seat, I would assume it had been left by the person who had been on an earlier flight and toss it into the overhead.

And if you told me you were saving the seats, I'd tell you that you "thought" you were saving the seats.

Anne

I wouldn't assume that - they are pretty good at cleaning out the airplane in between flights.

And if I ASKED if someone minded not sitting in seat X and Y because I was part of a larger party who was boarding imminently and they said no, I'd probably think to myself that they should untwist their panties a bit, and then I'd try and move to other seats because a) I'd like to try and keep my party together, b) I'm on vacation and don't feel the need to deal with people wound a bit too tight and c) if I couldn't move, oh well -- I'll see the rest of my party in 2 hours. If my neices are fussy because my sister-in-law doesn't have enough help with them, I'm sure you'd be the first person complaining to the flight attendant about the loud babies a few rows up.

Jackie

 

[Lewisc]

I wouldn't assume that - they are pretty good at cleaning out the airplane in between flights.

Actually that's exactly what the FA tell passengers when sweaters are draped over open rows to save seats. First they ask people to take their sweaters since seats can't be saved. When/if there isn't any action the FA says the sweater must have been left by a passenger from the previous flight and says the sweater will be taken to lost and found. Usually the rude passenger will speak up.

Again most people agree it's OK to save one seat but not an entire empty row or even multiple passengers from the same family each trying to save two seats.

 

[salmoneous]

If you are going to board separately (with preboards and A passes) and try to "save" seats, just sit in the back and people probably won't care. It takes a while for those seats to fill.

 

[NotUrsula]

My $0.02 is to toss a sweater on the seat across/next to/infront of you and see what happens.

The FA's really HATE it when people try to use "stuff" to save seats, and if the stuff is in an otherwise unoccupied row, they will pick it up and put it in the lost and found (out on the jetway) without asking. Of course, you can tell them it is yours in order to get it back, but it's gonna be embarassing and cost you a scolding. Anytime that an FA has to get involved in a seat-saving dispute, you will lose the seat, because they cannot officially condone the practice.

The art of successfully seat-saving on SWA requires being open about what you are doing, not being piggy, and being prepared to graciously concede if someone wants the seat. Don't try to save at all in the first 8 rows or so, or in an exit row, because those seats are prime, and people WILL insist on taking them. As a general rule, you want to get well behind the wings if you want to save a middle and a window, and saving more than two seats is deeply frowned upon. You save by sitting in the aisle seat of the row you are saving in, and explaining what you are doing to anyone who asks. Be specific, as in, "I'd like to hold these for my children's grandparents if possible." If the person moves on, you're good, but if they say, "we want two seats and this is the last pair with any bin space" then you smile and get your knees out of the way. (Huffing, sighing, eye-rolling, etc., is useless and creates an uncomfortable climate of resentment -- resist the temptation.)

 

[ducklite]

I wouldn't assume that - they are pretty good at cleaning out the airplane in between flights.

Almost every SW flight I've taken has been a flight with a stop where some people got off and others remained on--in that case they don't clean the cabin.

And if I ASKED if someone minded not sitting in seat X and Y because I was part of a larger party who was boarding imminently

"ASKED" being the keyword. If someone asked nicely and there were other seats together with a window/middle combo, of course I'd take those. But if you "told" me you were saving them, I'd laugh as I was sitting down in them.

Of course if they were the last two aisle/middle seats on the plane, I'd tell you nicely that unfortunately there weren't other suitable seats for us.

Anne

 

[SamIAm21]

Your best bet at sitting together is to tell the pre-boarding party to head as far back into the plane as possible. Doesn't have to be the last last row, but the farther back they are, the better the chance that when the A-borders get on, the front seats will get taken up and the rear seats will remain open. Just think of it this way, it's a quicker trip to the lavatory if necessary.

 

[dudspizza]

The FA's really HATE it when people try to use "stuff" to save seats, and if the stuff is in an otherwise unoccupied row, they will pick it up and put it in the lost and found (out on the jetway) without asking. Of course, you can tell them it is yours in order to get it back, but it's gonna be embarassing and cost you a scolding. Anytime that an FA has to get involved in a seat-saving dispute, you will lose the seat, because they cannot officially condone the practice.

The art of successfully seat-saving on SWA requires being open about what you are doing, not being piggy, and being prepared to graciously concede if someone wants the seat. Don't try to save at all in the first 8 rows or so, or in an exit row, because those seats are prime, and people WILL insist on taking them. As a general rule, you want to get well behind the wings if you want to save a middle and a window, and saving more than two seats is deeply frowned upon. You save by sitting in the aisle seat of the row you are saving in, and explaining what you are doing to anyone who asks. Be specific, as in, "I'd like to hold these for my children's grandparents if possible." If the person moves on, you're good, but if they say, "we want two seats and this is the last pair with any bin space" then you smile and get your knees out of the way. (Huffing, sighing, eye-rolling, etc., is useless and creates an uncomfortable climate of resentment -- resist the temptation.)

Very well stated.

I'm sure you'd be the first person complaining to the flight attendant about the loud babies a few rows up.

Jackie

Babies? You are referring to 4 and 5 year olds as babies? Children at that age should have been taught by now how to act in public and mom should make sure that they have enough to do. There is no excuse for screaming 4 and 5 year olds on a plane with maybe the exception of severe ear pain or sickness.

Your best bet at sitting together is to tell the pre-boarding party to head as far back into the plane as possible. Doesn't have to be the last last row, but the farther back they are, the better the chance that when the A-borders get on, the front seats will get taken up and the rear seats will remain open. Just think of it this way, it's a quicker trip to the lavatory if necessary.

Got advice.

Duds

 

[DJNOWICK]

Of course, you can tell them it is yours in order to get it back, but it's gonna be embarassing and cost you a scolding.

I'd hardly be embarrassed! "I'm sorry, my SIL is on her way down the jetway with 3 yo twins who are too antsy to preboard; we were trying to sit together. Is there a way we can do that?" The answer is either yes or no - no harm in asking, and why on earth would I be embarassed??

Anytime that an FA has to get involved in a seat-saving dispute, you will lose the seat, because they cannot officially condone the practice.

Again - missing something...where is the dispute? If I try and ask and am told no, I either move or deal with splitting up my party. Why are we all assuming that the seat-saver is inherently rude and incapable of being told "I'm sorry, this is a full flight and we can't accommodate your request right now." <or whatever>

Almost every SW flight I've taken has been a flight with a stop where some people got off and others remained on--in that case they don't clean the cabin.

Good point - they don't. They usually get a count of who is leaving and who is just getting off to stretch their leg=s (if the layover is long enough) so the strategy of "the sweater was left by a pervious passenger" is more of a face-saving way for everyone to deal with the seat saving. My SWA flights are generally n/s so I don't often encounter this -- I forgot that many people do.

"ASKED" being the keyword. If someone asked nicely and there were other seats together with a window/middle combo, of course I'd take those. But if you "told" me you were saving them, I'd laugh as I was sitting down in them. Of course if they were the last two aisle/middle seats on the plane, I'd tell you nicely that unfortunately there weren't other suitable seats for us.

Yes, that's why it is in ALL CAPS - for emphasis. Not being a rude person, I generally do not demand things of other people nor to I "intrude" on them without their permission. ASKING often gets you what you want or need; DEMANDING or TELLING rarely does.

All that said, I have experienced way more times than not random acts of kindness on airplanes - people willingly and unasked for giving up their seats and separating themselves so that mom and dad with young kids can travel together, for example. No one should ever expect such graciousness, but it sure is nice when it occurs.

My $0.02 is still try and save your friends seats; be polite about it and realize it's not your right. You will more likely than not get lucky and run into helpful rather than unhelpful people. Get the A boarding card and sit towards the back to increase your chances.

Honestly, we pick apart the dumbest things on the DIS.

Jackie

 

[DJNOWICK]

Babies? You are referring to 4 and 5 year olds as babies? Children at that age should have been taught by now how to act in public and mom should make sure that they have enough to do. There is no excuse for screaming 4 and 5 year olds on a plane with maybe the exception of severe ear pain or sickness.

Duds

No, sorry. I extrapolated from the OP's example and wasn't at all clear about it. Many times I have seen families (and I have employed this strategy with my own kids, too) preboard the dad or mom, while the other parent and the kids wait a bit; preboard kids can get really antsy on the plane so it's sometimes better to let them board with everyone else while mom or dad gets seats, settles all the bags, etc. I was thinking of those instances.

Jackie

 

[tjmw2727]

No, sorry. I extrapolated from the OP's example and wasn't at all clear about it. Many times I have seen families (and I have employed this strategy with my own kids, too) preboard the dad or mom, while the other parent and the kids wait a bit; preboard kids can get really antsy on the plane so it's sometimes better to let them board with everyone else while mom or dad gets seats, settles all the bags, etc. I was thinking of those instances.

Jackie

While this stragegy is helpful on legacy airlines I wouldn't do it or recommend it on SWA because of the seating arrangement and quicker boarding process. IMHO far better to preboard if you have a child (children) under 4 or use your A pass for older children and just get the seats you want/need without the hassle of trying to save them. Get the kids settled with something to do, its only going to be an extra 15 or so minutes so just plan for it as if it were part of the flight. Also in my experience on SWA if the child under 4 isn't preboarding nobody in the party will be allowed to.

In the OP's case I would try and keep each family together and if you can get close to each other consider that a bonus. Only the immediate family with the child under 4 will be allowed to pre-board. As others have said the further toward the back of the aircraft they sit the better the chances that you will be close. Especially if you have an A boarding pass and are toward the front of the A boarding line.

TJ

 

[NotUrsula]

I'd hardly be embarrassed! "I'm sorry, my SIL is on her way down the jetway with 3 yo twins who are too antsy to preboard; we were trying to sit together. Is there a way we can do that?" The answer is either yes or no - no harm in asking, and why on earth would I be embarassed??

If you want to know that, then you ask the FA before you take a seat, and the answer you will get is, "Seat-saving isn't allowed, but if you sit in the back you'll have a better chance of getting seats together." FA's generally don't give yes or no answers to questions like those; from experience she knows that a curt "no" will usually cause a passenger to be resentful or argue the point. They briefly explain why you can or cannot do what you want to do. Also, in the case of that particular question, she will point out that getting the family seated contiguously was the reason for letting you preboard, that if you chose not to do so, they cannot guarantee that your seats will all be together.

The sweater thing annoys FA's, and they will not hesitate to make an example of you to other passengers who might be thinking of trying it. When that happens the sweater-owner usually ends up embarassed, because other passengers laugh. The FA will pick up the sweater and head off the plane with it. You would have to stop her, as in, "Excuse me, that's mine." The FA will know full well why you put it where you did, so while she will return it, she will probably (rather loudly) tell you something like, "Next time, please keep your belongings in your own seat space. This is a full flight."