Southwest EBCI

[MamaBear58]

Thanks. Yes, I could see getting annoyed if I paid for all 4 of us for EBCI (which I would certainly do), we got B, and a large, extended family with 1 kid under 4 boarded before us or I saw a lot of seat saving. This is making me rethink Southwest. Not a good way to start or end a vacation.

 

[KaLyn]

Thanks. Yes, I could see getting annoyed if I paid for all 4 of us for EBCI (which I would certainly do), we got B, and a large, extended family with 1 kid under 4 boarded before us or I saw a lot of seat saving. This is making me rethink Southwest. Not a good way to start or end a vacation.

Just a note: All Southwest guarantees with EBCI is automatic check-in at T-36. In turn, that *should* get you an earlier boarding assignment, but that's not guaranteed. All that $12.50 pays for is for them to check you in instead of you doing it yourself.

 

[LisaS]

So what is "family boarding" on Southwest? How young does the kid have to be and does the whole group board early or just the kid and one adult? And do they board before people who have paid EBCI?

From what I've seen, for families with a child under whatever the age limit is they usually allow the immediate family: Mom, Dad and all the kids. They do not allow any extended family such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc.

Honestly, I was waiting for Southwest to release flights for our dates, but this sounds like a mad house!

In my opinion, Southwest has a very civilized, orderly and efficient boarding process. People line up when it's their turn, everyone else stays seated and out of the way. Nobody is hanging around at the front, blocking those whose turn it is to board from getting to the gangway, etc. I've had a few experiences with seat savers and it is annoying but there were plenty of other rows still open so we just moved on. We don't have to sit in a specific row to enjoy the flight so we just continue down the aisle until we find two seats together. I always get EBCI and even if we get low B boarding positions we always find something no further back than the wings. I wouldn't hesitate to fly SWA.

 

[eangel12]

I definitely like flying Southwest. I get up at 5am on the day they open ticket sales, I pay for my seats and pay for EBCI. I usually get very high A numbers and I am happy with that. I like to be near the front of the plane with a 4 year old and 2 year old so they can get off the plane quicker and stretch their legs. When it was just the hubby and I, we could care less where we sat.

 

[Esmerelda]

Yet another reason parents should ALWAYS pay for a seat with an infant or toddler. EGADS!

The United flight yesterday from Denver to Billings that hit turbulence mentioned in the Denver Post news story: "The drop was so forceful, Frank said, an infant flew from a parent's arms and landed in another seat nearby. The baby seemed unharmed, just scared, he said."

I would NEVER take a chance on this happening to my child. This baby was very lucky that it seemed to come out unharmed. The odds were probably more favorable that it would be harmed. My children always had seats when we flew.

 

[roselark]

I was planning on buying EBCI for both hubby and I, but now I am wondering if I should just get it for myself. (This will be our first time flying SW, so all this is new to me). Hubby is in the "customer of size" category and we will be purchasing two seats for him. On the website, it says he would need to preboard...when is that in the process? If it is with family boarding, I think I would rather get it for him in case we get a better boarding position than between A and B.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Preboarding happens before the A boarding group. No need to buy EBCI for your husband. You probably don't need it either; if your husband is taking up two seats, it's unlikely anyone will want to sit in his row (not trying to be rude, so please do not be insulted). He should sit in the aisle/middle seat until you board.

 

[DebbieB]

I was planning on buying EBCI for both hubby and I, but now I am wondering if I should just get it for myself. (This will be our first time flying SW, so all this is new to me). Hubby is in the "customer of size" category and we will be purchasing two seats for him. On the website, it says he would need to preboard...when is that in the process? If it is with family boarding, I think I would rather get it for him in case we get a better boarding position than between A and B.

It would be before A, with the medical preboards.

 

[LisaS]

I was planning on buying EBCI for both hubby and I, but now I am wondering if I should just get it for myself. (This will be our first time flying SW, so all this is new to me). Hubby is in the "customer of size" category and we will be purchasing two seats for him. On the website, it says he would need to preboard...when is that in the process? If it is with family boarding, I think I would rather get it for him in case we get a better boarding position than between A and B.

Preboarding is before the regular boarding process (A, Family Boarding, B, and then C groups). In other words, they board before A1-A15.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

When is pre-boarding?

 

[roselark]

Thanks for the info everyone!