Southwest- have EBCI. What to do before leaving for airport?

[crazymomof4]

So, I'm an air travel novice. (Flew only as a teenager w/ parents)
We are flying as a family of 5 to MCO in Sept.
I purchased Early Bird Check In for departing and returning flights.

Whenever my brother and SIL fly to NJ from NC (Usually US Air) there are things they need to do on my computer before they fly home. (print boarding passes, etc)
But it seems Southwest is different bc you don't get assigned seats and with the EBCI I don't even have to check in manually, right?

I've looked on the SW website at the FAQs and other tutorial type info there and it seems all their info is for what to do from the airport onward. Nothing to do from home before you leave.

I'm a little worried bc it seems so simple, too simple, like I'm missing something.

I will print out the info SW sent me in emails such as flight #s and times and individual ticket #s and confirmation #s. Is there anything else you guys do when you fly SW?

Please advise.
TIA!

 

[goofy4tink]

It's all very easy. Those that haven't booked EBCI have to be on their computer exactly 24 hrs prior to flight time, to get checked in. Because you paid for EBCI, you don't have to anything. SW will get you all checked in 36 hrs prior to departure...this puts you ahead in the boarding process (usually anyway!). So, you can log into SW's website at the 24 hr mark and print out your boarding passes. Or, you can wait until you get to the airport to do it. I assume you'll have baggage to check, so you can wait until you check your bags to get your boarding passes.
Remember about the 3-1-1 rule. That's a biggie..and relax and enjoy your trip.

 

[sam_gordon]

It's all very easy. Those that haven't booked EBCI have to be on their computer exactly 24 hrs prior to flight time, to get checked in. Because you paid for EBCI, you don't have to anything. SW will get you all checked in 36 hrs prior to departure...this puts you ahead in the boarding process (usually anyway!). So, you can log into SW's website at the 24 hr mark and print out your boarding passes. Or, you can wait until you get to the airport to do it. I assume you'll have baggage to check, so you can wait until you check your bags to get your boarding passes.
Remember about the 3-1-1 rule. That's a biggie..and relax and enjoy your trip.

I just want to clarify the bolded. SW passengers without EBCI don't HAVE to be at the computer EXACTLY 24 hours prior to flight to get checked in. You can check in at any point AFTER 'T-24'. But the time you check in affects your boarding position (the earlier you check in, the better the boarding position).

 

[crazymomof4]

It's all very easy. Those that haven't booked EBCI have to be on their computer exactly 24 hrs prior to flight time, to get checked in. Because you paid for EBCI, you don't have to anything. SW will get you all checked in 36 hrs prior to departure...this puts you ahead in the boarding process (usually anyway!). So, you can log into SW's website at the 24 hr mark and print out your boarding passes. Or, you can wait until you get to the airport to do it. I assume you'll have baggage to check, so you can wait until you check your bags to get your boarding passes.
Remember about the 3-1-1 rule. That's a biggie..and relax and enjoy your trip.

Thanks so much!
LOL had to look up the "3-1-1 rule". Got it! Didn't know it was called that though. I think sunscreen for fair skinned DD is the only liquid I'll need in my carryon bags. The day we arrive we will spend at SAB so she could burn while we wait for checked luggage to be delivered.
We are at our 1 month mark! So excited. 2.5 hrs from NJ to MCO sure beats 16-18 hrs driving!!!

 

[Sandi]

Thanks so much!
LOL had to look up the "3-1-1 rule". Got it! Didn't know it was called that though. I think sunscreen for fair skinned DD is the only liquid I'll need in my carryon bags. The day we arrive we will spend at SAB so she could burn while we wait for checked luggage to be delivered.
We are at our 1 month mark! So excited. 2.5 hrs from NJ to MCO sure beats 16-18 hrs driving!!!

I just wanted to caution you that you should plan for your checked bags to be misdirected or delayed. Make sure to put anything you need for the next 24 hours in your carry-on bags: medicines and the like, especially. If you pack in this manner, your checked bags will arrive fine. As soon as you don't, the checked bags make a detour through Las Vegas. (I recognize this wasn't your question, but since you were checking on the 3-1-1 rule, I thought it might be a helpful hint.)

 

[rwdavis2]

I just wanted to caution you that you should plan for your checked bags to be misdirected or delayed. Make sure to put anything you need for the next 24 hours in your carry-on bags: medicines and the like, especially. If you pack in this manner, your checked bags will arrive fine. As soon as you don't, the checked bags make a detour through Las Vegas. (I recognize this wasn't your question, but since you were checking on the 3-1-1 rule, I thought it might be a helpful hint.)

To finish hijacking this thread....
On the Southwest Airlines reality show a few years ago a family shows up to board with grandma toting an oxygen tank. SW will not let her board. So they decide to take another flight (or cancel, not sure) but they had checked all their luggage with grandma's medicines in them. The plane had left so there's no meds and the family is blaming SW for not telling them when they made reservations that no oxygen allowed and not to check medicines. It was surreal.

 

[crazymomof4]

I just wanted to caution you that you should plan for your checked bags to be misdirected or delayed. Make sure to put anything you need for the next 24 hours in your carry-on bags: medicines and the like, especially. If you pack in this manner, your checked bags will arrive fine. As soon as you don't, the checked bags make a detour through Las Vegas. (I recognize this wasn't your question, but since you were checking on the 3-1-1 rule, I thought it might be a helpful hint.)

Yes! we think alike: "better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it"! In fact just a few mins ago I texted DS22 to get a bottle of contact solution under 3.4oz to have in his carry on and he asked why. I explained essentially what you posted.
" If you pack in this manner, your checked bags will arrive fine." Ain't that the truth! It's like insurance.

 

[goofy4tink]

I just want to clarify the bolded. SW passengers without EBCI don't HAVE to be at the computer EXACTLY 24 hours prior to flight to get checked in. You can check in at any point AFTER 'T-24'. But the time you check in affects your boarding position (the earlier you check in, the better the boarding position).

Alrighty then....no, you don't 'have' to be on your computer exactly at the 24 hr mark. I just automatically assume that everyone wants that wonderful boarding slot...see what happens when you 'assume'!!?

 

[sam_gordon]

Alrighty then....no, you don't 'have' to be on your computer exactly at the 24 hr mark. I just automatically assume that everyone wants that wonderful boarding slot...see what happens when you 'assume'!!?

Well, you know how some people stress about the little things, I didn't want someone unnecessarily stressing because they couldn't check in EXACTLY at T-24.

 

[DebbieB]

Yes! we think alike: "better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it"! In fact just a few mins ago I texted DS22 to get a bottle of contact solution under 3.4oz to have in his carry on and he asked why. I explained essentially what you posted.
" If you pack in this manner, your checked bags will arrive fine." Ain't that the truth! It's like insurance.

I've read that contact solution is considered medical and not subject to 3-1-1.

 

[goofy4tink]

I've read that contact solution is considered medical and not subject to 3-1-1.

It isn't. My dd traveled with her full sized bottle of solution...no problems at all going through security. She leaves it out, with her 3-1-1 bag.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

I've read that contact solution is considered medical and not subject to 3-1-1.

Yep. I always leave my contact solution (and rewetting drops) out of my 3-1-1 bag. I travel with small bottles of solution, but I've seen other people flying with the Costco-sized bottles and been allowed to get them through security.

OP, make sure that you have a small bottle of sunscreen in your carryon, inside the baggie.