Southwest earlybird checkin question

[sue Z]

I get EBCI not so much for the first part of the trip but for the connecting flight!anytime i fly from Logan its always a connecting flight

This is one perk I do like EBCI for since im a solo passenger I like getting the row of seats that is only 2 seats and trying to grab the "window" seat so I dont have to use the over head bin I just stick the 2nd bag under the seat infront of the OPen spot

 

[sadossey]

We are flying SW in April. We have 2 small kids(6&2). Will they let us board earlier without doing early bird? Or do we have to risk trying to get someone to move if needed? We flew SW last year and it seems like they let us pre board due to having kids. Has that changed?

 

[debjk4]

Wrong!!! As an 18 year SWA employee I can tell you that the policy is all seats are open seats and that you can take any seat that doesn't have a body already in it. That means SWA doesn't allow you to save seats. Because some F/As would rather not confront passengers about saving seats doesn't mean that SWA has a policy allowing you to save seats!

Thanks for that info. We are first time fliers and DH,DD 13 and DD 11 (and myself) will be going to WDW in June. My teenager and tween do like to sit by their parents, but I understand if we all can't be right next to each other. I'm just hoping a child gets to sit with a parent.

I purchased EBCI but now I'm wondering; there is a plane change. Will the EBCI apply to both boardings?

 

[palhockeymomof2]

We are flying SW in April. We have 2 small kids(6&2). Will they let us board earlier without doing early bird? Or do we have to risk trying to get someone to move if needed? We flew SW last year and it seems like they let us pre board due to having kids. Has that changed?

Since you have a 2 year old you will usually be allowed to board between the A and B groups .....not preboard

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Thanks for that info. We are first time fliers and DH,DD 13 and DD 11 (and myself) will be going to WDW in June. My teenager and tween do like to sit by their parents, but I understand if we all can't be right next to each other. I'm just hoping a child gets to sit with a parent.

I purchased EBCI but now I'm wondering; there is a plane change. Will the EBCI apply to both boardings?

Yes it applies to both boardings

 

[kaytieeldr]

Since you have a 2 year old you will usually be allowed to board between the A and B groups .....not preboard

But that could apply to just one adult and the two year old.

 

[debjk4]

Yes it applies to both boardings

Thanks!!!

 

[focusondisney]

Wrong!!! As an 18 year SWA employee I can tell you that the policy is all seats are open seats and that you can take any seat that doesn't have a body already in it. That means SWA doesn't allow you to save seats. Because some F/As would rather not confront passengers about saving seats doesn't mean that SWA has a policy allowing you to save seats!

Thanks for posting this!! Can you come back & repost everytime a new thread pops up? It's great to have someone in the know post the real & correct info!

 

[goofy4tink]

Thanks for posting this!! Can you come back & repost everytime a new thread pops up? It's great to have someone in the know post the real & correct info!

It's all well and good for someone to come here and 'say' that SW doesn't allow you to save seats. But in all reality? It's going to be up to the FAs on each flight to confront someone. And most will not do that. It's almost every passenger for themselves.
Now....it is 'supposed' to be that any seat, without someone actually sitting in it, is open to be taken. But we all know that there are going to be times when the person sitting in the next seat will say..'Oh, I'm soooo sorry but my dh is sitting there. He's in the restroom!.' And we all also know that that is probably a fib and dh is going to be coming on board in a little bit.
So, if there is a seat you want, and no one is actively sitting in it, sit down. If someone gives you a hard time, talk to a FA. They may, or may not, support you.
What are you going to do if they tell you there are plenty of other seats, so no, they aren't going to make that person move their jacket for you.....tell the FA that some person on the DIS boards said that SW has a no seat saving policy??? I doubt that's going to matter much.

 

[julm26]

We always fly SW and have had no trouble getting seats together. but now I am concerned. My husband and daughter will be flying together without to LA form Pittsburgh. I can't beleive people wouldn't give up their seats to let an 8yo sit with her parent? I guess I will get them early booking.

 

[julm26]

will I have to buy early boarding for both my husband and my daughter (who is 8) or just him? I am assuming (which I guess I shouldn't) that they will let her on with him.

 

[amomma23]

will I have to buy early boarding for both my husband and my daughter (who is 8) or just him? I am assuming (which I guess I shouldn't) that they will let her on with him.

Have to buy EBCI for both. You know what happens when you assume, don't you?

 

[brymolmom]

will I have to buy early boarding for both my husband and my daughter (who is 8) or just him? I am assuming (which I guess I shouldn't) that they will let her on with him.

Definitely need to buy it for both. The passengers walk onto the plane in boarding pass number. So if DH has A20 and your dd has B2 they are welcome to walk on together - but HE has to get in line with her, otherwise she is cutting in front of all those other people.

It's not that people don't want your dd to sit with her dad...It's that people want specific seats and pay for EBCI for it...Or make sure to check in right at 24 hours...Or really need an aisle seat due to a bad knee...Etc, etc. Having kids is not the only need out there - although it might be your main need, it isn't everyone else's. So if it's imperative they sit together - buy for both. When my kids were that age - I just prepared them that we might not be right next to each other - we might be across the aisle from each other.

 

[PolyAddict]

I added it today for DH and i upcoming trip! I can rest a little easier now!