Southwest Plane Change...Boarding?

[vicky33006]

Hi!

So I've never flown Southwest before, and I've never had to change planes, so I have another question for you guys. Thanks in advance for all the help!

So we change over at BWI. What I'm wondering about it the process there. What about boarding? Will I be printing two boarding passes with two different check-in numbers? How does this work? We paid for EBCI so I don't have to check in at the 24 hour mark.

Also, when at BWI I know we don't have to get our luggage, but what's the process there? We are actually changing planes so we get off, but we shouldn't have to go through security and everything again right? We have two hours in between. I was hoping to grab a bite to eat if we had the time.

 

[taylor3297]

Hi!

So I've never flown Southwest before, and I've never had to change planes, so I have another question for you guys. Thanks in advance for all the help!

So we change over at BWI. What I'm wondering about it the process there. What about boarding? Will I be printing two boarding passes with two different check-in numbers? How does this work? We paid for EBCI so I don't have to check in at the 24 hour mark.

Also, when at BWI I know we don't have to get our luggage, but what's the process there? We are actually changing planes so we get off, but we shouldn't have to go through security and everything again right? We have two hours in between. I was hoping to grab a bite to eat if we had the time.

You will print 2 boarding passes and chances are the passes will have different numbers.

No you don't go through security again as long as you stay in the terminal.

When you check your luggage in at the airport, your luggage will be tagged to your final destination.

If you have 2 hours in between flights you will have plenty of time to grab a bite to eat.

 

[sam_gordon]

Hi!

So I've never flown Southwest before, and I've never had to change planes, so I have another question for you guys. Thanks in advance for all the help!

So we change over at BWI. What I'm wondering about it the process there. What about boarding? Will I be printing two boarding passes with two different check-in numbers? How does this work? We paid for EBCI so I don't have to check in at the 24 hour mark.

Also, when at BWI I know we don't have to get our luggage, but what's the process there? We are actually changing planes so we get off, but we shouldn't have to go through security and everything again right? We have two hours in between. I was hoping to grab a bite to eat if we had the time.

I think you do get two boarding passes. I don't know if they hane the same number or not. I don't think so. You actually get an advantage because you get checked in for the second flight 36 hours before the FIRST flight.

As far as the connection... you get off the first plane and go to whatever gate your second plane is at. The might be the next gate over or far (relatively) away. If you dont have a long layover or are delayed on your first flight, they may be boarding your connecting flight before you get there.

Just in case you didnt know, you are responsible for moving any carryon items.

 

[vicky33006]

You will print 2 boarding passes and chances are the passes will have different numbers.

No you don't go through security again as long as you stay in the terminal.

When you check your luggage in at the airport, your luggage will be tagged to your final destination.

If you have 2 hours in between flights you will have plenty of time to grab a bite to eat.

Thanks so much! I hate doing new things when I don't know exactly what's going on. It makes me a little crazy. Thank goodness for the Dis!

I think you do get two boarding passes. I don't know if they hane the same number or not. I don't think so. You actually get an advantage because you get checked in for the second flight 36 hours before the FIRST flight.

As far as the connection... you get off the first plane and go to whatever gate your second plane is at. The might be the next gate over or far (relatively) away. If you dont have a long layover or are delayed on your first flight, they may be boarding your connecting flight before you get there.

Just in case you didnt know, you are responsible for moving any carryon items.

I'm hoping they aren't boarding yet since it's a two hour changeover. I wouldn't mind if we got split up on the plane normally, but this is DS's first flight ever and he's only 6. I'm sure someone would switch if I had to ask, but I hate to have to be in that position in the first place.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

There is a chance that you two could end up getting two different boarding numbers. for example you could get B26 and your son get A19. If that happens the rule is that the person with the low boarding number ie: a19 can board with the person who has the B26.

Its happen to us I got the A boarding and Hubby got a C boarding! Not sure how that worked out to be since we checked in on the 24hr mark.


Also wanted to mention that if your connecting flight is at say 2:30 you want to be at your gate by 1:45. 2:30 is the time that the aircraft is suppose to be leaving the ground. 3 weeks ago I saw a family of 5 arrive at the gate at 12:30 which is what time their flight was to take off only to be told their flight left. Needless to say it was not a nice encounter. SWA was not able to go them out for 3 days!! The Dad was fuming.

 

[mickeylr]

Here is the BWI gate map

http://www.bwiairport.com/en/maps/gatemap

Southwest uses gates in Concourse A and B but you will see that concourses A and B are connected, you cross over in the brown section and if you go the right way you do not have to leave the secure area for that section.

There are monitors with gate information all through the concourses, so when you land find a monitor and you will figure out where to go.

There is some food out on concourse B if you are there and not changing to A. If you have more time or are crossing in to Concourse A there are several chains in that straight section at the beginning of Concourse A. The food is in the upper level and the gates are sunk down in a lower level (So if you come in on section A -- look up and and you can see the upper level -- that is still in the secure area for concourse A). There is a McDonalds, a Subway, and a couple other places up there.

Hope that helps -- Mary

 

[Jaylie]

There is a chance that you two could end up getting two different boarding numbers. for example you could get B26 and your son get A19. If that happens the rule is that the person with the low boarding number ie: a19 can board with the person who has the B26.

Its happen to us I got the A boarding and Hubby got a C boarding! Not sure how that worked out to be since we checked in on the 24hr mark.


Also wanted to mention that if your connecting flight is at say 2:30 you want to be at your gate by 1:45. 2:30 is the time that the aircraft is suppose to be leaving the ground. 3 weeks ago I saw a family of 5 arrive at the gate at 12:30 which is what time their flight was to take off only to be told their flight left. Needless to say it was not a nice encounter. SWA was not able to go them out for 3 days!! The Dad was fuming.

Is that really a SW rule ... that a person with a "C" boarding pass can board with the person that has an "A" .... I never heard that. That would mean I would only have to purchase one EB. Can someone confirm this?

 

[Jaylie]

Oops, I read that wrong .... Sorry! I see it's the "A" who can wait and board with the "C" and not the other way around!