Southwest boarding question

[TTomlinson]

I'm flying SW with my 4 boys ages 6, 8, 11 and 14 in mid-May for our MAW trip to Florida. I'm really hoping that they will let us preboard together. I'm worried about only boarding with my youngest (who is the wish child and disabled) and expecting the other three to be on their own until they board. I can just imagine some petty sibling BS turning into a nightmare while I'm already on the plane! lol I'm thinking since I'll be the only adult they won't split us... we will see!

 

[bookwormde]

I really do not think there will be an issue with you all boarding at once, but when you go to get your preboard card talk to the SW agent to get clearification, that way if the gate agent has a concern you can reference your prior conversation. SW is almost allways very good with handling families with children with disabilites, just by their "nature" (happier than most airline employees).

bookwormde

 

[alwaysmom]

I just returned from Florida for a quick trip to get my 81 yr old mother settled with friends. Couldn't get a direct flight, so a friend and I joined her. She pre-boarded (wheelchair) and we had no problem both boarding with her at both points. Southwest never even questioned us. We didn't expect this and had gotten A boarding for the friend.

The order they did boarding was...

Wheelchair
Elite, Early Check-in A 1-30
A 31-50
Families with young children, not in the A group.
B groups
C groups

All our flights were full. On our return (friend & I) we had A 45 & A 46. Many empty rows from mid to back.

TTomlinson - Do make sure you check in right at the 24hr mark if you didn't get the Early check in, do the children first, then you and youngest, just in case. Line up with your youngest child for pre-boarding and have the other children join you. If you want you can say something, but I wouldn't. Chances are the won't separate your family but if they do your other children will be on before your even settled.

 

[pnutallergymom]

If you have type A boarding passes, don't you pretty much get to sit all together anyways? How many people do they let on with A passes? I'm talking about the above situation - not the OP's, but the one with two children needing pre-boarding.

We don't have EBCI....and its the first week of school vacation in NH....doesn't guarantee us A boarding passes. It doesn't really matter, because we are getting on the plane regardless....my only point was that they don't always let the rest of the family pre-board together even if you have more than one person requiring preboarding. Luck of the draw that you get a nice gate agent I guess.