Southwest love it or hate it questions!

[vicb224]

I have never flown Southwest, but it seems people who have either love it or hate it!
Either way, they have the exact flight times I want, direct, for the right price.. And with buying for 5 that's a savings in itself with not paying for bags. However... I am so distraught over the non assigned seat thing! I will get the early boarding for $10.. But I'm still worried. I have 3 kids all over 4 so we don't count as a "family" boarding... What are the chances we will be split?

 

[rwdavis2]

If you pay for EBCI (auto checking by Southwest at the 36 hour mark) there is virtually no chance you will be split up. Although there is a small chance you may have to split into 2 groups. But even that is only likely if you get very high A or low B boarding passes when checking in at the 24 hour mark.

 

[tinkermommyof3]

I agree with PP. The only time it is tricky is if you are paying with points. You each getting a different reservation number with points which may affect boarding slightly. It seems to work out fine to check in at 24 hour for flight down and buy EBCI for flight home. Only have done it once so far and it worked well. Flying SW again next month. In past used other airlines where I paid for seats.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

If you pay for the early boarding you should be fine. You most likely will find enough seats to sit together but it will be in the back of the plane. I never buy the early boarding feature but I do my online check in at the 24 hour mark and end up with an "A" boarding with a number in the 30's - 60 (60 is the highest boarding number they have) or I end up with "B" 1-5 boarding number. In any case when I get on there are plenty of seats in the back of the plane.

If I were you I would not worry. I LUV SWA. no baggage fee's. No fees to change my ticket. I am flying in a few weeks and my flight price has already gone down twice so now I have a $40 credit with SWA because they allow you to change your ticket for free if the price drops!!!

 

[kamik86]

I agree. I never pay for EBCI, Yet in 6 flights with my DH we have never been seperated. I fly for work a lot in addition (I think I'm up to 20 times I have had to board a sw plane this year alone) and even with forgetting to check in at the 24 hour mark I have never gotten on the plane when there weren't still many areas where 2 could sit together, most of the time still spaces for 3.

If your flight is a continuation or many people get EBCI you may have to split into two groups but I honestly doubt you would even have to do that you can probably get two rows one behind the other. I would pack for the possibility of being split in two rows though (so make sure all the things to keep the kids occupied aren't all in the same bag)

 

[kamik86]

Honestly from everything I hear on here about flights being changed/merged and their seats being switched to being separate I think SW would be easier with families.

 

[Princess on the Run]

I agree. I never pay for EBCI, Yet in 6 flights with my DH we have never been seperated. I fly for work a lot in addition (I think I'm up to 20 times I have had to board a sw plane this year alone) and even with forgetting to check in at the 24 hour mark I have never gotten on the plane when there weren't still many areas where 2 could sit together, most of the time still spaces for 3.

If your flight is a continuation or many people get EBCI you may have to split into two groups but I honestly doubt you would even have to do that you can probably get two rows one behind the other. I would pack for the possibility of being split in two rows though (so make sure all the things to keep the kids occupied aren't all in the same bag)

Same here. I refuse to pay for EBCI whether I am flying alone for work (or fun) or with my family. And I never have a problem. You'll be fine!!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I think paying for EBCI is a waste of money. So much angst over WN's seating policy! If sitting together is a top priority, fly an airline with assigned seating.

 

[clanmcculloch]

The only reason you might be split up is if you're not at the gate when they begin boarding. Be at the gate at least half an hour before your flight is scheduled to leave and there's no reason to be stressed about being seated together. When I say half an hour, that doesn't mean dropping your stuff near the gate with part of your party and taking your kids to the bathroom. That means bathroom trips, buying snacks, everything else is completely finished and you're sitting in seats (or standing) by the gate listening to the Gate Agent explain the boarding process.

 

[bumbershoot]

I think paying for EBCI is a waste of money. So much angst over WN's seating policy! If sitting together is a top priority, fly an airline with assigned seating.

Which still isn't a guarantee. If you want to sit together and even the .00001% chance that you won't be right there is too much for you, drive.


OP, it will 99.9999999% certainly be OK. OK?

 

[Greysword]

I really like WN (Southwest Airlines). Their staff is friendly and knowledgeable, no fees for the first two checked bags, great boarding process, and great on-time performance.

The only downside of WN (for me) is the lack of In-Flight Entertainment system. You'll need to bring your own, but that is true of many airlines. I also purchase Early Bird Check-in, as I would rather get on the plane early for overhead bin space and choose good seats. To each their own, but I am willing to pay extra to not think about checking-in later.

You will enjoy WN!!

 

[Texashokies]

They do family boarding AFTER boarding the people that paid the $10.

We have never paid the $$. I always check in at the 24 hour mark. The worse boarding we have gotten is in the high B's. We didn't have an problems.

You are going to have split up anyways because there are only 3 seats on each side of the plan. Send two kids with Dad , and take one with you. Then get on the plane and don't worry if the two groups are next to each other. Chances are still high that you will get seats behind or next to each other.

My attitude has always been, what is the worst thing that could happen? The second you try to stick a kid by themselves next to a stranger, SOMEONE will get up and move so you can have seats together.

 

[BelleBeautyandtheBeast]

In my experience if you check in at the 24 hour mark you *should* be fine. I set an alarm on my phone and when it goes off I stop whatever I am doing and check in via the mobile site.

Given we are a family of 4 (1 mom + 3 kids), we generally end up in 2 different rows. I figure as long as the kids are somewhere I can visually keep an eye on them then all will be okay. Now that they are older I don't worry much at all but they have all been flying since they were babies.

I remember being separated from my family when I was a kid and we were heading to Florida. I ended up in a row with 2 college guys headed to Daytona Beach. My mom says I talked their ears off then fell asleep on the guy's arm. I looked at as an adventure! This was People's Express, oh the adventures they sent us on.