Southwest Boarding questions

[NHAnn]

I'm a little confused.
Using SWA for the first time leaving in 10 days. Have been reading all the official and unofficial advice about getting to the gate 60-75 minutes before the flight. Does that mean allowing even more time to check bags before getting to the gate? My husband and I are traveling w/o kids this time and aren't extremely concerned about seating assignments, but are wondering if we get to the AIRPORT 90 mintes before flight will we be in line forever to check our bag - and then unable to meet SW's requirment to be at the gate an hour before? Any advice from experienced SW fliers?? We're flying out of Manchester NH on a non-stop flight. Thanks

 

[rwday]

We used SWA for the first time this past January, flying out of Albany. They start checking passangers in at the gate 1 hour before flight time. People started lining up at the desk to check in 40 minutes before that (1 hour 40 minutes before flight time).

 

[pbhunt]

SWA boards in groups: 1-30, 30-60, etc. You are given a numbered boarding pass at the gate when you arrive. If you would like a low #, line up at the gate generally starts an hour to one hour and 15 minutes before boarding, they will distribute boarding passes until the plane leaves. Checking your bags is a whole separate issue, checking your bags on Southwest is done at the counter, or curbside, by a sky cap. The line to check baggage is unrelated to the line for getting your boarding pass. For just 2 adults, getting 2 seats, together or nearby is generally not all that difficult, even if you have a high boarding pass#. We usually arrive at the airport, an hour ahead, to check baggage, we usually end up with boarding passes, #90 or above, but we usually get to sit together. Have a nice trip!

 

[simba2]

NHAnn: We've flown SWA from Manchester many times with no problems. If you are checking no luggage through and have etickets, you can go directly to the gate, bypassing check in at the SWA counter. If you are checking luggage then you need to go to the SWA counter, check the bags in and then proceed to the gate. Manchester is not a big airport and we've never encountered huge lines. If you get to the airport 90 mins. in advance you should be all set. Numbers will be handed out 60 mins before flight time. Once you've gotten your number, you can sit back and relax until closer to boarding time. I notice that in Manchester people are pretty laid back and usually don't start lining up at the gate until about 20 mins in advance of the flight. As long as you are in the first boarding group 1-30 you will have no problems getting a good seat. If only 1 of you wants to stand in the line at the gate (after you've gotten your plastic number), then that person can just save 2 seats when they get on board. SWA is great and you can't beat the non-stop flights from Manchester. Have a great time!!! Wish I were going!

 

[VickiVM]

I traveled Southwest heavily last year for work and have one tip...since you aren't traveling with children, could you swing carry-on luggage only? Then you can bypass the Southwest Counter altogether and go straight to boarding gate one hour (or more, if yours is a particular busy departure time) prior for your boarding passes. Also, as the previous poster mentioned, don't sweat a higher boarding pass number. You shouldn't have any trouble finding seats together. About the only reason I ever just had to have a low number boarding pass was if I needed to deplane as quickly as possible for a connecting flight that was departing within 20 or 30 min. In that case, I would try to get on as early as possible to catch a seat up front so that I could get off the plane in a hurry in case I had one of those dreaded "jogs" through the terminals to get to another gate.

 

[Disnydad]

Hey thanks for the info on flying with just carry on. On our trip next month we are only taking 3 carry ons for the two of us. I had not thought of that. Just go straight to the gate and bypass the first counter. This is the first time flying "light". No kids, no luggage.

 

[Lewisc]

It's easier to tip the few dollars and check your luggage with the skycap at the curb.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

I completely agree with Lewis. Southwest does discourage being a "bin hog" and encourages checking your bag. I have seen them take bags from passengars on the jet way and check them because there is no more room in the overheads.
If you curb the luggage, part with the few dollars for a tip, you can proceed to the gate and not wait in line except for the boarding pass.
Also, SW is VERY VERY strident about the size of carry on luggage.

 

[VickiVM]

Gail is right about "bin hogging". However, if you're among the first to board, then you'll easily find space for carry-on. It's usually the last group that get's their bags checked in if the bins are filling up. Even if you get your bags checked in as you're boarding you're guaranteed that you'll get them on the right plane AND you still don't have to wait in line to have them checked in at the curb. As far as the size you can carry-on, some airports have adjusted their security-checksite with plexi-glass in front of the conveyor that is the specific size that Southwest allows on the plane. You can log-on Southwest.com or call to get the dimensions. It's about the size of those smaller rectangular bags that have the rollers and pull handle.

 

[nhrenee]

Hi Ann,

We live about 30 min from MHT and have flown SW several times, always on the 8:45am flight. 90 minutes should be fine. Have fun!