Southwest Early Bird Checkin

[HelenParr]

"Could someone explain to me how the many people board at a time in each group. I have read there is an A1-15 boarding group, what are the next groups to follow?"

There's maimum of 137 seats on a Southwest operated Boeing 737.

There is a grouped order of boarding (but not easy to say for every flight how many in each grouping), it goes like this:

1. Preboarding of those needing assistance (and companions usually)

2. A1-15 (roughly speaking) is business travelers with higher priced tickets usually) so sometimes there's snobody in A1-15...

3. The rest of A1-30, then A 31-60. A has 60 slots (but again, some may not be filled, e.g. business A1-15).

4. Families with kids 4 and under

5. B 1-60

6. C whatever's left to make up the total number on the flight.

 

[dburg30]

Could someone explain to me how the many people board at a time in each group. I have read there is an A1-15 boarding group, what are the next groups to follow?

Medical preboards and unaccompanied minors board first. then 'business select' boards a1-15 is reserved ALWAYS for them, and I'm sure if more then 15 were select, they just extend it, you just wouldnt know it. Then A-listers will board, those are very frequent fliers with SW, then the rest of A1-30 (basically A1-30 all board at the same time, then they will be followed right along with a31-a60, while a31-60 is boarding they will ask b1-30 to line up. when all a1-60 have boarded they will call for family boarding (children 4 and under with either immediate family or one adult, can change depending on airport / time / GA etc etc) also during this they will call for b31-60 to line up. After family boarding b1-30, then b31-60 and then any c's...

 

[Lewisc]

It's up to the GA. They generally let the immediate family board. Some flights (particularly to MCO) are filled with famlies. Occassionaly the GA will either restrict it to one adult, lower the age or even (rarely) not offer family boarding. Take a ridiculous example, 70% of the passengers with B and C BPs are a family member including at least one child under 7, the GA doesn't ask for proof of age and some parents "forget" the age of their child. Is it really fair to the other passengers to let large groups of famlies board ahead of them?

Slightly OT but since it is being discussed

I guess I am getting confused about the family boarding policy, every flight I have been on the announcing has been immediate families with children 4 and under can board, not 1 person with a child. I can see the confusion with the first sentence and the second sentence of the policy stating slightly different things. I have never heard an announcement of on person per child under 4 on only flight so I assume the goal in the second sentence is the governing thought. Anyone have different experience

“An adult traveling with a child four years old or younger will board between the “A” and “B” boarding groups. If you have an “A” boarding pass, please feel free to board with that boarding group. With an all-jet fleet outfitted with comfortable, leather seats, our families with small children are easily accommodated together.”

bookwormde

 

[clanmcculloch]

Could you use a SW credit to pay the extra fee for Early bird boarding? I haven't read the whole post. so I am sorry if this has already been asked and answered.

Nope. I have $190 in credits but I had to whip out my credit card to pay. The only payment method that could be entered was credit cards.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

Just an FYI... I did not purchase EB for my MIL and checked her in at T-24. I received A30--this is for a nonstop flight, Philly to Ft. Myers. I still think it's too early to see how EB will effect boarding but I thought I'd throw that out there for anyone who's interested.

 

[cherbear]

I just checked in a family of five without paying the extra $10 for early check-in and got A18 - A22 so there is no problem with not getting A's yet. Guess it could happen as the word of the early check-in policy gets out.....

From MSY (New Orleans) to MCO...

NON Early bird at T24 - A18 and A19. YES!! I figured it wouldn't catch on in New Orleans yet...

Just an FYI... I did not purchase EB for my MIL and checked her in at T-24. I received A30--this is for a nonstop flight, Philly to Ft. Myers. I still think it's too early to see how EB will effect boarding but I thought I'd throw that out there for anyone who's interested.

So it doesn't seem to be affecting things too much. Although I'd suspect that a few months down the road, we'll see a lot more people with this option. Considering that those who bought September flights most likely purchased at least a couple months ago, and didn't have the option of EB check-in. Therefore I think they were not as likely to purchase it when it became available...especially since most would not even be AWARE of the program if they didn't visit Southwest's website again to check flight prices. I hope I am making sense.

 

[keishashadow]

As a disabled person, I get to board first so I do not have a dog in this fight, but it seems to me that the smart thing for SWA would have been to just sell the A slots from A16 thru A60 for a set fee (say $25) and they would have reaped a real windfall. If this is really all about raising revenue (and I do believe that was the reason) then this would have been a more straight forward way to do so.

people would be clamoring to buy them, wouldn't surprise me to see this fine-tuned.

as referenced earlier in the thread, i also expect to see more people requesting to be in the preboard/HC group...those that would normally just make sure to check in T-24 for an A spot.

It's up to the GA. They generally let the immediate family board. Some flights (particularly to MCO) are filled with famlies. Occassionaly the GA will either restrict it to one adult, lower the age or even (rarely) not offer family boarding. Take a ridiculous example, 70% of the passengers with B and C BPs are a family member including at least one child under 7, the GA doesn't ask for proof of age and some parents "forget" the age of their child. Is it really fair to the other passengers to let large groups of famlies board ahead of them?

and how many family members will now try to segue into the HC preboard line with a person in their group who may be 'newly' qualified...either knowing the drill or trying to circumvent # of support persons allowed ala family boarding. Im assumming there is a restriction as to 1 support person for the HC preboard?

the GAs are really going to have their hands full, being on the front line

 

[bookwormde]

While it is possible to “fake” a disability it does take significant knowledge of the process.

It depends on the needs of the person with the disability as to who (how many) board with that person.

bookwormde

 

[MarkinNM]

Well, we are leaving for WDW trip tomorrow and I did take the bait and did get the EBCI for our trip, checked in @ 12PM, 23.5 hours before the trip, I checked in AFTER the 24 hour period on purpose just to see if the EBCI does work and here are my results…………..





















BP A22-25 issued…………….

Granted I usually get anywhere from BP 21-35 w/o EBCI in my past experiences, but not too bad IMHO, now comes THE test, next Sunday when I am supposed to check in for our return trip and will not be getting back to our resort until WAY after the 24 hr check in period. BTW I have no idea how many on the flight BUT I did check to see of I could buy tickets for this flight and was showing “unavailable” as of this past Monday…..

 

[svioli]

Checked in last night for our trip to Chicago this afternoon - A17 and A18. It was worth the extra $40 for DH and I, as I wasn't able to be near a computer at 24 out, and will be at the U2 concert tomorrow for our flight on Monday! I'm thinking of doing the same for our surprise trip in November - our flights were so cheap, it's worth the extra $100!

 

[amarberry]

Can someone indulge me so I don't have to skim through 32 pages to get the answer to my questions about this? I was thinking about trying out Southwest for an upcoming trip, but now I'm not so sure. We've never flown Southwest before because I really hate the idea of not having a preassigned seat when flying with my kids. We've flown Airtran in the last year and I happily paid the $6 per person, per flight for the peace of mind of not having to worry about sitting next to my children.

That said, I would happily pay $10 per person per flight for the peace of mind of getting an "A" boarding pass, but my question is what if pretty much the entire flight opts for Early Bird check in. I know that I read that Early Bird check in doesn't gurantee anything, but how do they prioritize? Is it by who purchased Early Bird check in first or is it something else?

I have a 2 year old and a 5 year old. From what I understand, worse case scenario, one parent would be able to board with the 2 year old, but we wouldn't be guranteed that the entire family would be able to board. My 5 year old has a severe, life threatening food allergy. I do not think that the remote possibility of her sitting with a couple of strangers is appropriate. I'm sure that our allergist and pediatrician would agree. Would something like this qualify for "disability" boarding? I hate the idea of trying to lump her into this category, but I can't exactly had off an epipen to a stranger and tell them if she is given something with egg in it, she might die. My DD is quite allergy aware for a 5 year old, but she is just 5!

 

[miprender]

I have a 2 year old and a 5 year old. From what I understand, worse case scenario, one parent would be able to board with the 2 year old, but we wouldn't be guranteed that the entire family would be able to board. My 5 year old has a severe, life threatening food allergy. I do not think that the remote possibility of her sitting with a couple of strangers is appropriate. I'm sure that our allergist and pediatrician would agree. Would something like this qualify for "disability" boarding? I hate the idea of trying to lump her into this category, but I can't exactly had off an epipen to a stranger and tell them if she is given something with egg in it, she might die. My DD is quite allergy aware for a 5 year old, but she is just 5!

Actually, Yes you would qualify. You would probably be the first family on as they have you wipe down all the seats and tables to make sure everything is fine.

We saw this happen as we were the first in line with our A boarding passes for our return trip home from MCO and saw another family walk in first. We waited a few minutes before we could go in. They also made an announcement that some one had peanut allergies and no peanut products were to be used.

 

[keishashadow]

While it is possible to “fake” a disability it does take significant knowledge of the process.

It depends on the needs of the person with the disability as to who (how many) board with that person.

bookwormde

if u r responding to my post, be assurred that i wasn't suggesting 'fake'ing a disabilitybad karma indeed

what i was trying to re-state, 3rd time is a charm; is that as illustrated by the below post many passengers who never would've even considered utilizing the preboard will now inquire as to whether they are eligible...which is as it should be imo. Just not sure how loose the GAs will be, considering the gangs of folks i've seen lined up for midboard.

now that SW is selling spots in line, they def need to be consistent in the enforcement of the midboards or im thinking those who paid to be in B may have something to say about it

Actually, Yes you would qualify. You would probably be the first family on as they have you wipe down all the seats and tables to make sure everything is fine.

We saw this happen as we were the first in line with our A boarding passes for our return trip home from MCO and saw another family walk in first. We waited a few minutes before we could go in. They also made an announcement that some one had peanut allergies and no peanut products were to be used.

 

[amarberry]

Actually, Yes you would qualify. You would probably be the first family on as they have you wipe down all the seats and tables to make sure everything is fine.

We saw this happen as we were the first in line with our A boarding passes for our return trip home from MCO and saw another family walk in first. We waited a few minutes before we could go in. They also made an announcement that some one had peanut allergies and no peanut products were to be used.

Thank you very much for this information. I will call Southwest to confirm what the official policy is and see what kind of documentation we need from her doctors.

 

[bookwormde]

Keishashadow,

I was not thinking that you were suggesting doing it just that is would take some research for someone (who I agree wanted some very bad karma) to fake it. And yes there will be some families which could have managed with a A group who will now likely use the pre-board (my family will likely be one of them) for the last flights we had gotten DS to the point where he was ok as long as we got him to the back and settled before the crush

bookwormde

 

[plutos_pal]

I too have paid for the early bird check in for both my flights down to and returning from WDW - for both trips I'll be making next week (yay!) and in December. I'll probably be able to checkin myself at the 24 hour mark for the trip down, but am happy to pay the extra not to have to interrupt touring to check in for the trip back.

 

[CPer'sMom]

My DD flew BWI to Orlando this morning ~~ Did not do EBCI, checked in at T-24 and got A-40. She got her window seat in an empty-when-she-boarded exit row

She's flying back tomorrow and did do EBCI for that flight so she didn't have to worry about checking in "on time" ~~ I'm curious to see what # she gets for that.

 

[bookwormde]

Yes I think that flights from MCO will likely have some of the highest subscription rates to EB, I just wonder how people will feel when they get a B postition after paying.

bookwormde

 

[disneyfaninaz]

My DD flew BWI to Orlando this morning ~~ Did not do EBCI, checked in at T-24 and got A-40. She got her window seat in an empty-when-she-boarded exit row

She's flying back tomorrow and did do EBCI for that flight so she didn't have to worry about checking in "on time" ~~ I'm curious to see what # she gets for that.

I think it's a little early yet to really see how EBCI will affect those checking in at T24. I don't think a lot of people knew that they could add EBCI to their existing reservations or just plain didn't know about it. Time will tell if it is worth it or not.

 

[TDC Nala]

Slightly OT but since it is being discussed

I guess I am getting confused about the family boarding policy, every flight I have been on the announcing has been immediate families with children 4 and under can board, not 1 person with a child. I can see the confusion with the first sentence and the second sentence of the policy stating slightly different things. I have never heard an announcement of on person per child under 4 on only flight so I assume the goal in the second sentence is the governing thought. Anyone have different experience

“An adult traveling with a child four years old or younger will board between the “A” and “B” boarding groups. If you have an “A” boarding pass, please feel free to board with that boarding group. With an all-jet fleet outfitted with comfortable, leather seats, our families with small children are easily accommodated together.”

Yes. I was once on a flight from Orlando that had well over 50 persons in the family boarding line. The gate agents announced that one adult could board with the eligible child. Everyone else had to get back into the regular line (except for other minor children where there was only one adult in the party to start with).

In that sort of situation, the airline is concerned that the child will be seated with a parent, not that the whole family is seated in contiguous seating.