Southwest Boarding

[gmeh1]

All of this info is helpful - thanks!

Another question, when you check in and get your boarding pass number, will it also do the same, give you a boarding pass number for your connecting flight?

Yes.

 

[gmeh1]

I haven't flown SW in years. When I printed boarding passes this morning, they have numbers under the boarding group A. What do the numbers mean? Last time, we just got in the group letter line.

http://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/airport-experience/boarding-school/

 

[kamik86]

All of this info is helpful - thanks!

Another question, when you check in and get your boarding pass number, will it also do the same, give you a boarding pass number for your connecting flight?

because I am not clear on your question I will add that it will give you a number for your connecting flight. However most likely it won't be the same as your first flight. Actually many times it is lower because all the people checking in at the 24 hour mark haven't had a chance to check in yet.

 

[DVC Daisy]

because I am not clear on your question I will add that it will give you a number for your connecting flight. However most likely it won't be the same as your first flight. Actually many times it is lower because all the people checking in at the 24 hour mark haven't had a chance to check in yet.

Thanks!

I just checked in. I got A22 & 23 for our first leg and A23 & 24 for our connecting flight. I think that is good (?)

I am TERRIFIED of flying & the only reason that I am concerned with the boarding pass numbers is I WILL NOT be able to fly (like, I will have to deplane), if I can't sit by DH

I am still a bit worried about our connecting flight as when we board, there will already be people on the plane. We also only have 55 min between flights, so they could start boarding without us (????). Also, since that leg is to Orlando, there will be a ton of families that want to sit together. I am not sure that one lone Crazy Woman needing to sit by her DH will be taken seriously.

Any advice? Besides chill as I wish I could!

 

[Disneybuckeye]

Thanks!

I just checked in. I got A22 & 23 for our first leg and A23 & 24 for our connecting flight. I think that is good (?)

I am TERRIFIED of flying & the only reason that I am concerned with the boarding pass numbers is I WILL NOT be able to fly (like, I will have to deplane), if I can't sit by DH

I am still a bit worried about our connecting flight as when we board, there will already be people on the plane. We also only have 55 min between flights, so they could start boarding without us (????). Also, since that leg is to Orlando, there will be a ton of families that want to sit together. I am not sure that one lone Crazy Woman needing to sit by her DH will be taken seriously.

Any advice? Besides chill as I wish I could!

Have a great time on your trip and hopefully you will be able to sit together. DH and I had low 20's one trip, but as we were the third stop on the plane there were very few seats left together. Just be prepared in case it does not work out. You will not die if you do not get to sit next to your husband for a couple of hours. You will still have a great trip. Everything will be fine!

 

[DVC Daisy]

Have a great time on your trip and hopefully you will be able to sit together. DH and I had low 20's one trip, but as we were the third stop on the plane there were very few seats left together. Just be prepared in case it does not work out. You will not die if you do not get to sit next to your husband for a couple of hours. You will still have a great trip. Everything will be fine!

Thank!

You are right, I prob won't "die", but I definitely will not fly if we don't get seats together. If you had severe panic attacks, you would understand. I would not wish them on anyone. Besides, I will be medicated & will not be ok to be left alone

So, your info was EXTREMELY helpful! I at least know that with low 20s there is still a possibility of us not sitting together & I can make sure and have a back up plan.

I hope that if the worst happened, we COULD just catch another flight. Does anyone know? Will they let you off of the plane?

 

[DebbieB]

Thank!

You are right, I prob won't "die", but I definitely will not fly if we don't get seats together. If you had severe panic attacks, you would understand. I would not wish them on anyone. Besides, I will be medicated & will not be ok to be left alone

So, your info was EXTREMELY helpful! I at least know that with low 20s there is still a possibility of us not sitting together & I can make sure and have a back up plan.

I hope that if the worst happened, we COULD just catch another flight. Does anyone know? Will they let you off of the plane?

Since there are only 2 of you, if you get split up most likely someone will switch for you. It's usually only the last few people on the plane (C) that may have to split up. Worse comes to worse, you could ask for another flight for medical reasons but that's very unlikely.

 

[Hannathy]

Thank!

You are right, I prob won't "die", but I definitely will not fly if we don't get seats together. If you had severe panic attacks, you would understand. I would not wish them on anyone. Besides, I will be medicated & will not be ok to be left alone

So, your info was EXTREMELY helpful! I at least know that with low 20s there is still a possibility of us not sitting together & I can make sure and have a back up plan.

I hope that if the worst happened, we COULD just catch another flight. Does anyone know? Will they let you off of the plane?

Start telling yourself now that it will be OK if you can SEE your DH not necessarily be sitting right next to him. If you get your self convinced that just being in sight is great then you should be fine. Because you should be able to be within sight of each other, even if 2 together aren't available, with the numbers you got.

PS your comment about being medicated and not being able to take care of yourself, just be careful you don't appear under the influence of either drugs or alcohol because then you won't be able to fly. Plus you won't be incapacitated so perfectly able to "take care" of yourself.

 

[amandaluvsgoofy]

Here's another questions for you all!
Our return flight from MCO has a stop in Austin with a plane change (no other options available). We land at 5:40 and the next flight departs at 6:25. As long as either my DH or myself can sit with our DD (2), we'll be fine. Question is, if the plane is pretty full by the time we get there, will the flight attendants help us if other passengers aren't willing to move around if need be?

 

[zeferjen]

Here's another questions for you all!
Our return flight from MCO has a stop in Austin with a plane change (no other options available). We land at 5:40 and the next flight departs at 6:25. As long as either my DH or myself can sit with our DD (2), we'll be fine. Question is, if the plane is pretty full by the time we get there, will the flight attendants help us if other passengers aren't willing to move around if need be?

I have the same problem, but two kids (4 & 5) and a 45 minute layover. I never thought of the fact that we would likely be separated due to the short layover. Anyone have any advice?

 

[Zerosinthecloset]

Here's another questions for you all!
Our return flight from MCO has a stop in Austin with a plane change (no other options available). We land at 5:40 and the next flight departs at 6:25. As long as either my DH or myself can sit with our DD (2), we'll be fine. Question is, if the plane is pretty full by the time we get there, will the flight attendants help us if other passengers aren't willing to move around if need be?

They probably won't start boarding the connecting flight...assuming it is on time...until 6 or so. Austin is not a very big airport. Just sit nearer the front of the plane into Austin so you can get off sooner, and have time for a potty break if need be.

 

[dsneprincess]

Okay, first, there are Extra Legroom sears available on that flight - but you knew that.

Get to the airport EARLY. Three hours prior to flight time isn't unreasonable. Check in with either the skycaps ($2 surcharge per bag, goes to the airline, isn't the tip) or at the counter. Ask about seats in row 25!!!!

I know they're showing as assigned - but if you look at any distant jetBlue flight, even the day new fares open up, these six seats always display as assigned. That's impossible... even without considering they're not especially popular (non-reclining, near the restroom). I know I'm not making much of a case for the seats, but they're probably not actually taken.

Barring that, ask about any three seats together that don't require you to pay extra. Barring that, yes, go for the Extra Legroom seats. Be advised the Flight Attendants monitor who sits there. If you don't pay for the upgrade, you'll be sent back to your original seats.

ETA: I just finished talking to a jetBlue agent about my own flight, and then asked about this situation. She assthured me they hold back seats for assignment at the airport - and reminded me that they don't overbook. She, too, said to get there early .

Thank you so much for your information. I didn't know that they don't overbook, so had that worry as well. We will get there EARLY & ask to be put together! Thanks again. I actually LIKE those seats by the restroom that no one else does!! Thanks again!!

 

[dsneprincess]

Here's another questions for you all!
Our return flight from MCO has a stop in Austin with a plane change (no other options available). We land at 5:40 and the next flight departs at 6:25. As long as either my DH or myself can sit with our DD (2), we'll be fine. Question is, if the plane is pretty full by the time we get there, will the flight attendants help us if other passengers aren't willing to move around if need be?

I have been on SW flights before where families came on last & the flight attendants have asked about people switching so they can sit with their small children. One flight attendant even joked that maybe Mom & Dad would rather let their child sit next to someone else; just be sure you want that child next to you! It was pretty funny & I have never seen anyone not move in the situation. We've also seen cases where only exit row is left & person left for seat is ineligible to sit there & people must move. I think you'll be fine!

 

[DVC Daisy]

What are the exit row requirements?

 

[vacationclub]

We land at 5:40 and the next flight departs at 6:25.

More than likely you will land before that. Those times are padded and usually actually you're landing 20 minutes or more before that time assuming you left on time.

 

[DebbieB]

What are the exit row requirements?

Age 15 and older and be physically able to operate the exit. No one who got on as a disability preboard qualifies or someone who nexts a seatbelt extender (people could trip on it when unbuckled). They can also ban a parent whose children are seated elsewhere, thinking that in an emergency they would run to save their children rather than operate the exit.

 

[ZuZugal]

I have been on SW flights before where families came on last & the flight attendants have asked about people switching so they can sit with their small children. One flight attendant even joked that maybe Mom & Dad would rather let their child sit next to someone else; just be sure you want that child next to you! It was pretty funny & I have never seen anyone not move in the situation. We've also seen cases where only exit row is left & person left for seat is ineligible to sit there & people must move. I think you'll be fine!

The last SW flight I was on the flight attendant needed to seat a last minute mom/child together on a full flight. She made the announcement that "this airplane will not taxi out until we have a volunteer or two to move...we will wait here all day if need be." then she added "and there will be 2 drink coupons given to whomever gives up their seat." Then the hands went up!!!

 

[ironz]

Here's another questions for you all!
Our return flight from MCO has a stop in Austin with a plane change (no other options available). We land at 5:40 and the next flight departs at 6:25. As long as either my DH or myself can sit with our DD (2), we'll be fine. Question is, if the plane is pretty full by the time we get there, will the flight attendants help us if other passengers aren't willing to move around if need be?

What the other PP said about the 6:25 flight not boarding until about 6 pm. Also, the SW gates in Austin are roughly gates 6 or 7 through 10 or 11? They are all consecutive, so no running across the airport. Closest bathrooms are behind the shops on either side...google an airport map.

 

[SteveMouse]

AUS is my home airport- SW uses gates 7-12 (gate # 1 is to your RIGHT as you deplane from a SW flight). I have a severe mobility issue and can walk (limp) the length of the SW gates in less than 3 minutes with a bag in tow.

The PP is correct about the restrooms- they are a little way away from the gates.

There are a number of food choices available, and you'd probably have time to grab something (Amy's Ice Cream is quite nice- if you're looking for something more substantial, there is a Schlotzky's sandwich shop and you could take it aboard (of course, if you go to Amy's, get a cone for the flight attendant or boarding agent).

Not to mention that at least two of you should be able to board with the family group between A and B (suggestion: one person go get food so that the other parent and child are in the gate area for family boarding. If the third person doesn't get back in good order to board with the family group (or SW is limiting to one parent on this flight), the parent/child should board but select a seat towards the back- usually the back fills up slower and the rest of the party (the odd parent) won't have any issues catching up and sitting together.

-steve

 

[kaytieeldr]

Thanks!

I just checked in. I got A22 & 23 for our first leg and A23 & 24 for our connecting flight. I think that is good (?)

I am TERRIFIED of flying & the only reason that I am concerned with the boarding pass numbers is I WILL NOT be able to fly (like, I will have to deplane), if I can't sit by DH

I am still a bit worried about our connecting flight as when we board, there will already be people on the plane. We also only have 55 min between flights, so they could start boarding without us (????). Also, since that leg is to Orlando, there will be a ton of families that want to sit together. I am not sure that one lone Crazy Woman needing to sit by her DH will be taken seriously.

Any advice? Besides chill as I wish I could!

What, exactly, terrifies you about flying?