southwest or airtran with autistic child

[kimba]

We are a family of 5 with a 7yr old autistic son, 11 and 4 yr old daughters. I want to book our air ressies from Baltimore to Orlando and I am trying to decide between Southwest and AirTran. My concern is that we have to be able to sit together. My experience with these airlines is that you are never guaranteed your seats will be together. Does anyone have an experience to share or advice for us?

 

[allboyz]

We are a family of 5 with a 7yr old autistic son, 11 and 4 yr old daughters. I want to book our air ressies from Baltimore to Orlando and I am trying to decide between Southwest and AirTran. My concern is that we have to be able to sit together. My experience with these airlines is that you are never guaranteed your seats will be together. Does anyone have an experience to share or advice for us?

Airtran does allow you to go online to get your boarding passes. At that time you can also select your seats. Do it EXACTLY 24 hours prior because lots of people are waiting to do theirs at the same time. My husband and I were rushing to get ours because we needed a who row (both sides) for our family. LOL Anyway, it worked and we were all able to sit together.

Southwest also allows you to get boarding passes online. However, you get assigned a letter A, B or C based on how early you were to get your boarding pass. If you get letter A you go on right after disabled and kids go on. They might let you go on with that group without regard to what letter you get. I'm not sure. However, you generally go in order of A, B, and C.

 

[bumpysheep]

Airtran, they are SO much more organised. I fly them from BWI to MCO a lot.

 

[roseprincess]

I don't have advice about seating, but other concerns.
I live in the Chicago area and the track record that Southwest has had here lately hasn't been too good. There was that accident at Midway Airport about 3 weeks ago; a Southwest airplane crashed thru the ends of the airfield and ended up on a major street, killing a boy in a car. There were some minor injuries from the people in the plane. Tho that accident was mostly from the heavy snow that was coming down that evening. They also said on my local news that the pilot was also to blame, something about a lever he wasn't supposed to use while landing, esp with the possible slipperiness of the landing field because it was snowing at the time. This was a flight from Baltimore to Chicago. NTSB is still doing the investigation of this accident.

About a week and a half ago, another Southwest plane had to make an emergency landing at O'Hare airport. I don't recall what the reason was for the emergency landing.

So, you might feel safer with Airtran or another airline besides Southwest, JMHO.

Rosemarie

 

[allboyz]

All the airlines have risks. Air Tran used to be Value Jet. I know I was TERRIFIED to fly Air Tran for years. However, I got an unbelieveable deal (5 of us flew 900 miles for $500-something dollars round trip) and I could not pass it up. Anyway, I was very pleased with the flight. The plane was new. The satellite radio was a plus. I have had all positive experiences with Southwest. So I think all airlines have problems from time to time. I know I have always heard how AWESOME Jet Blue is but they had a problem with landing gear recently. I think it is all a part of the risk we take when deciding to fly. I just try to keep in mind that the risk of being in a car crash is greater than a plane crash... I still don't really like to fly but I do it when we don't have enough time to drive.

 

[Forevryoung]

Personally, I love southwest. I think they are one of the greatest cheap airlines to fly. That being said, I fly alone most of the time so staying with someone is not an issue. Just my $.02

If it works out $ wise fly Southwest, go online 24 hours prior and get your A boarding pass. If you don't think your son can board with the A group (waiting the extra time), send an adult and the 11 year old onto the plane with the A group to save the seats. I doubt anyone will complain if you put the carry-ons on the seats you want to save. I have seen plenty of people save seats for others even in different boarding groups. I have never seen a family have an issue not sitting together. I would move and I am sure others would move as well if need be.

By the way, BWI is gorgeous now, especially the Southwest gate area.

 

[mickeymom1]

i have never flown sw, so i can't comment on how they do things but i have flown on airtran once. i bought the tickets online (the "cheapest" seats where you don't pay extra for choosing a seat) then i called them as soon as i purchased them and they assigned my family seats because we also have a small son who is disabled. i called before i purchased the tickets and told them our situation and my concern about getting seats together and they told me this would be no problem & it wasn't . they were very kind & helpful. good luck and happy travels!!

 

[blondeeinmichigan]

I fly a lot. A LOT.

And I'm here to tell you that every airline has it's poor spots and shiny spots.

I've flown every airline possible and I can give you pro's and con's for each of them.


The thing with Air Tran is you have to watch what tix you are buying because some of them do not offer advance seating. Even if you are checking in online you do not get assigned a seat until you are at the airport. So be very careful with that.

Northwest Airlines has a system where you can pick seats and it will show your "travel buddies" seats. So you can pick as close to them as possible.

However...the only thing that will get you nearly guaranteed is by actually CALLING the airline and explaining the situation and I'm sure any of them will try to get you all seated together, especially with an autistic child.

Although airlines are cutting as much as they possibly can from everywhere they can, I'm sure that they would be more than willing to accomodate this simple request. I would simply call a day or two ahead of time just to confirm it again.

 

[faeflora]

I use a wheelchair and fly Southwest all the time. I have found them very accomodating. You might want to call Southwest airlines and ask them about early boarding accomodations. When I arrive at the gate I explain to the gate person that I need to have accessible boarding. They board me first then families then general boarding based on boarding pass assignments. I am sure if you explain the situation they would assist you. Just a suggestion.

 

[kilee]

We fly SW a lot. I would also look around on the Transportation board. You will get a lot of airline specific advice there. The only problem w/ SW is- you may get a different answer from everyone you talk too. I would ask on what they would require for you to get a pre-board pass. However, their policy would be to only allow your son and 1 adult to pre-board. The other adult and the 2 girls would have to board together w/ the rest of the passengers. If they decide to enforce that policy sometimes they do- and others they don't- it is really 50/50.

 

[spotdog]

The first time I flew Southwest I was terrified about not having an assigned seat. For years my mental illness prevented me from being able to fly at all. To make a long story short, if I can look out and see the wing I seem to be able to calm myself. Anyway...

Southwest will give a person who has special needs a Pre-Boarding Pass. I am sure, in the case of a child, a parent will be allowed to board with them. In my case, only I was allowed to board and my family sat elsewhere. This wasn't ideal, but still accomodated my need.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

We are a family of 5 with a 7yr old autistic son, 11 and 4 yr old daughters. I want to book our air ressies from Baltimore to Orlando and I am trying to decide between Southwest and AirTran. My concern is that we have to be able to sit together. My experience with these airlines is that you are never guaranteed your seats will be together. Does anyone have an experience to share or advice for us?

Southwest will let you preboard if you explain the situation. Actually they will anyway because of your four year old. I flew SW a few years ago with DS (then 4). We were delayed on our flight coming in and so got to the gate late. We ended up being about group D. When the flight attendant saw us coming down the aisle she called down and got another flight attendant to grab the last two seats together. She then told me that anyone with a child under 5 qualifies for preboarding on Southwest simply to guarantee that small children sit with their families.

I have flown Southwest many times and have always been pleased.

 

[dj1cincy]

we have flown a few times with my son. i find if i check in early and tell them i cannot be seperated for my son, they find seats for us together. once i was not able to sit with my husband and other son. but i have never been seperated from my son with autism. they really do not want a handicapped child alone, and austim frightens them.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Southwest may or may not allow preboarding of small children. It depends on the airport and how many parties are involved. Generally, Orlando flights have so many under-5 children that they don't allow this.

 

[riu girl]

If you tell the southwest rep at the gate (prior to the boarding process) that you have an autistic child they should give you a blue card that allows you into the pre-board line.
This is what we did and the flight down our entire party (2 adults, 2 children) were able to go into the pre-board line.
On the way home (me and the two kids) we were able to go into the pre-board line as well.
This basically guarantees us seats together.
I think the tip is to talk to the gate agent well ahead of pre-board time and not AT boarding time when they are busy supervising the boarding process.
The SWA gate agents could not have been nicer to me and the kids.
I didn't actually say the word autistic just called DD a special needs child with severe anxiety issues and that was enough to get the pre-board card. But I have read here on DIS that if you have an autistic child that will guarantee you a blue preboarding card.

btw, I had A boarding passes on the way down and back but chose to go to the preboard line since there was very few people in it. The A line was noisy and much more crowded (NO personal space) and I know DD would have a hard time waiting in that line.

 

[UnderTheMistletoe]

Hello!

You can almost guarentee yourself seats together on Southwest if you do the check-in online. It is made available at 12:01am the day you are flying. For me, I'm always up late before we fly, so it's no big deal! I've never not gotten an A boarding group by doing that. That being said, I am fairly certain you cannot use this option unless you're flying on a regular fare- ie no child fares can check-in early. Have you spoken to the airline about your child's ability? I would be surprised if you weren't boarded in the pre-boarding group.

I have flown AirTran a number of times and have mostly been satisfied with their service. One of our biggest problems with them was flying out of southern Virginia (we've since moved so that we have BWI, Dulles, and Regan available...yay!) as the airports are small and the flught we took to MCO always seemed to be delayed.

I flew with a cat from Philadelphia to MCO at one point on AirTran. He became incredibly chilled from the drugs and began shaking (I thoguht he was going into siezures). The staff allowed me to camp in the bathroom the remainder of the flight so that I could keep him out of the crate and wrapped in my arms with a blanket. If they were as accomodating for me and a pet, I would assume they would be for a travelling family. You can reserve seats on AirTran to the best of my knowledge- and they do have a "first class" available.

 

[Tinker*Shell*Bell]

Airtran does allow you to go online to get your boarding passes. At that time you can also select your seats. Do it EXACTLY 24 hours prior because lots of people are waiting to do theirs at the same time. My husband and I were rushing to get ours because we needed a who row (both sides) for our family. LOL Anyway, it worked and we were all able to sit together.

Southwest also allows you to get boarding passes online. However, you get assigned a letter A, B or C based on how early you were to get your boarding pass. If you get letter A you go on right after disabled and kids go on. They might let you go on with that group without regard to what letter you get. I'm not sure. However, you generally go in order of A, B, and C.

If she can get on as a family with a disabled person she would not need to get the A,B ro C priority boarding....I flew with southwest and was in the first boarding group because we were travling with a child under 2 and 2 senior citizens. Call both airlines and ask if DS qualifies for the earliest pre-board...if he can handle the wait.

 

[Elevationist]

Hi! AirTran Airways Reservations agent here.

AirTran does not allow pre-assigned seating on anything but the three highest-priced coach fares, and business class. If you are being the smart travelers you are and taking advantage of sale fares, or advanced purchase fares, then those will not automatically qualify for pre-assigned seating. You will be informedt hat seat assignments can only be done at check-in, either 24-hours prior to your scheduled departure by going to airtran.com, or by checking in at the airport traditionally.

However, per ADA regulations, AirTran does allowed advanced seating for disability passengers. Whether you decide to book online or over the phone, either way all you need to do is dial 1-800-AIRTRAN and have your confirmation number ready. Inform the agent that a member of your party is disabled and you require ADA seating. They should not ask what the disability is (at least, we're not supposed to... You don't have to tell them what it is), and as soon as they hear the magic words, "ADA" and "disability" you should hear the agent physically jumping to accomodate you.

If by some stroke of bad luck, you come into contact with a poorly-performing agent (which, unfortunately, all call centers do have some rotten apples in the bunch), either hang up and call-back, or better-yet... ask to speak to a supervisor.

And if all else fails... Just private message me your confirmation number her on the DIS, and I will do your seat assignments for you myself (I'm in the office Fri-Mon), and I'll reply back with your seat assignments together.

Hope this helps!!

 

[BillSears]

Just tagging this thread as I just booked my first flight with Air Tran via WDW travel(CRO or whatever they are calling themselves now adays). I'm abit concerned since the CM said we'd be getting vouchers and not a reservation number. So I'm not sure exactly how to call up to ask for wheelchair accomadations.

 

[luvmyeor]

I use Southwest out of BWI to MCO every year. I would think that you would not have any problems preboarding because you have a special needs child and also a child under 5. Just make sure you explain everything to the attendant at the desk once you get to the gate. For extra peace of mind you could always check-in online 24 hours in advance...that way if they did not let you preboard you would still be able to sit together. I have found the employees at BWI to be very understanding and accommodating. I always travel with a group of special needs adults...sometimes there may be two or three that are confined to wheelchairs but sometimes we do not have any that need a wheelchair. I have never had a problem getting the group preboarded at BWI regardless of having someone in a wheelchair or not.

We tried using Southwest out of Philadelphia but the employees there were not as accommodating. I had to really stress the importance of them letting us all on at the same time so that we could sit close to each other. They only wanted to let one other person go with the individual in the wheelchair...which would be fine if the others weren't special needs but we always have a 3 to 1 ratio so that does not work for us.

I have used other airlines with seat assignments and have found that if you explain your needs they will do their best to accommodate you. We have had to have some seats changed once we reached the gate and it has never been a problem.