Southwest Check-in Questions

[krissyh]

I've never flown SWA and, although I know a lot of people that love them, I am a bit nervous. I've almost almost always flown with pre-assigned seats and am not looking forward to the cattle call / standing in line.

Our situation:
It is only for our flight home and we are takind ME so we'll be at the airport quite early.
We will have a computer and can check in 24 hours in advance.

My questions:
1. If we check in right at the 24 hour mark, what are our odds of getting an "A" boarding assignments?
2. Provided we do receive an "A" assignment. If we are at the gate but do not feel like standing in line can we simply jump to the back of the "A" line when boarding begins? I don't need to be the first on the plane, we'll be sitting long enough, I just want to make sure we are together, not at the back and have some overhead space.

Experiences?

 

[dgaston]

While MCO is noted for many preboards, with A passes, you will be able to sit together. The "cattle call" isn't all that bad, you can look at folks near you, and decide if you want to sit there or not.

 

[krissyh]

Thanks.

My questions had nothing to do with WHO I'd sit near (other than my traveling companion) as I'm accustomed to pre-assigned which does not allow this option. I simply want to be together and NOT at the back of the plane.

Again - to make sure - is it possible to just jump in at the end of the "A" line, should be in that group or does the line "close" at some point.

 

[disneyldwjr]

Thanks.

My questions had nothing to do with WHO I'd sit near (other than my traveling companion) as I'm accustomed to pre-assigned which does not allow this option. I simply want to be together and NOT at the back of the plane.

Again - to make sure - is it possible to just jump in at the end of the "A" line, should be in that group or does the line "close" at some point.

To answer: Yes, you can jump to the end of the A line and yes, the line closes when the last "A" pass holder boards. At that point B boards, and A's who were not in line when their pass number started to board, An A, however cannot jump to the head of the line because they were there when their letter started to board.

 

[krissyh]

Thanks.
I will plan on getting to the end of the "A" line when it starts or is about to start to board. Now, I just have to hope for an "A" assignment.
Thanks again!

 

[Morganpics]

We were at CBR and went to the Custom House to book our return flight home as we didn't have a computer. We were 20 minutes into the 24 hour window and my DH got A, and I got B. It was no problem, but just wanted to pass that along.

 

[CPT Tripss]

If you get your boarding pass on-line at about the 24 hour mark, you should have no problem getting an A

 

[disneyldwjr]

Thanks.
I will plan on getting to the end of the "A" line when it starts or is about to start to board. Now, I just have to hope for an "A" assignment.
Thanks again!

You are welcome. I have really never heard much from anyone stating they did not get an A pass when they check in at the 24 hour mark.

 

[ZekeKelso]

can we simply jump to the back of the "A" line when boarding begins?

This is exactly what we do. Best time to board the plane.

 

[vacation dreamer]

Thanks.

My questions had nothing to do with WHO I'd sit near (other than my traveling companion) as I'm accustomed to pre-assigned which does not allow this option. I simply want to be together and NOT at the back of the plane.

Again - to make sure - is it possible to just jump in at the end of the "A" line, should be in that group or does the line "close" at some point.

Yes you can. When you hear the call for "we are now going to board all passengers with "A" boarding passes" you can go get in line.

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

In September, we checked in at the airport kiosk after ME dropped us off, about 2 hours before our flight.

All 3 of us recieved B's.

 

[gigi1313]

because there are typically a lot of pre-boarders at mco, do not be surprised if your "A"-back-of-the-line-plan still lands you near the back of the plane... you will have your seats together, but you may be closer to the back than the front...

 

[brianm27]

I check in on my BlackBerry for our return. Last October, the 24 hour mark was at 9:30 AM. We were in the parks having a good time and I forgot to check-in online until 3:30. We got "A" boarding passes #8, 9, and 10 at the 18 hour mark. I was surprised.

If you have an internet capable cell phone or PDA you can check in and then just (re)print your boarding passes at the Southwest kiosk at the airport.