Southwest preboarding ?

[hannah03]

I've never flown before and we have a 3yr old and 13 yr old so will we be able to do this to ensure we all sit together?

Oh and will we have to ASK for this or will they say something? How will we know when to do it if we can.

TIA

 

[I'mNoPrince]

I would still do the 24hr check-in and get the As tis way you are set to sit together.

Then when you check your bags ask the CSR abot the preboarding or I think you can do it at the gate.

They will have 3 lines A,B,C then close to the exit area will be the Preboarders line.

 

[SGMCO]

Whenever you check in online you will be able to print out pre-boarding passes which are usually A passes and the people with the A pre-boarding pass are let on the plane first. They will anounce that those with a A boarding pass, we are ready to board you now and you get in that line.
You will then get 1st pick of seats in the area you would like to sit.

 

[Mkrop]

We just flew SW and on our flight down we had B tickets, but because DS4 ws 4 and under we were able to preboard (they came and told us and it was announced, we had our stroller so they told us when they put the tag on). You are only allowed to preboard with immedaite family so mom, dad, and any kids that go along with child 4 and under but grandma and Aunt Sue and Uncle Bob do not get to preboard if they are flying with you.

On the way home, we had A tickets but once again we were allowed to preboard because of 4 and under ( I have read some say it is 5 but both flights it was four bc DH and I joked that we need tot ravle again b4 Dec when our son turns 5 ).

Our flight had three seats across so we did not all get to sit together but it as DS9, DS4, me and then DH right across the aisle, which was of no hope help as the fasten seat belt sign was on most of the time. Oh well.

Good luck hope this helps

 

[pezheadmeg]

Print out the passes ahead of time. The last time I flew SW out of Orlando, more than half the flight was families with children under 5. They made pre-board for Children under 2 then.

Also, anyone requiring a wheelchair or medical assistance gets priority over those with young children. I flew with crutches one time, you should've seen the looks I got from the parents with strollers when I, the healthy 20 something on crutches got the bulkhead seat becaue I had a priority board. You shouldn't have a problem with Orlando but depening on where you're flying from there could be upwards of 20 wheelchairs that board before the kids. Just proof that you better be safe and check-in 24 hours in advance.

 

[hannah03]

I'll be sure and check in 24 hours in advance. I can do it online because I have ticketless ressies, right ?

 

[I'mNoPrince]

I'll be sure and check in 24 hours in advance. I can do it online because I have ticketless ressies, right ?

Yes .

You can also do it on a web-enabled cell phone as well and just reprint your boarding passes at the airport.

Remember it's the checking-in that matters not when you do the printing.

 

[hannah03]

Yes .

You can also do it on a web-enabled cell phone as well and just reprint your boarding passes at the airport.

Remember it's the checking-in that matters not when you do the printing.

Good to know. Thanks

 

[Mkrop]

Yes .

You can also do it on a web-enabled cell phone as well and just reprint your boarding passes at the airport.

Remember it's the checking-in that matters not when you do the printing.

Also the front desk can print them out for you as well for your return flight home!

 

[abeyst]

But make sure you do it as close to the 24 hours before as you can, just to make sure you can get in that A group.

Also, there's no "sitting and waiting" for them to tell you "now boarding Group A" - everyone lines up HOURS before the flight is scheduled to board. I'm not kidding. If you're in the A group you should be ok sitting together even if you're at the back of the line, but if you're B, you better be ready to be the first in the Cattle Corral, as we call it!

 

[hannah03]

But make sure you do it as close to the 24 hours before as you can, just to make sure you can get in that A group.

Also, there's no "sitting and waiting" for them to tell you "now boarding Group A" - everyone lines up HOURS before the flight is scheduled to board. I'm not kidding. If you're in the A group you should be ok sitting together even if you're at the back of the line, but if you're B, you better be ready to be the first in the Cattle Corral, as we call it!

Okay now you're worrying me, how EARLY do I need to be at the airport?
We are flying out at 1:05pm and I was going to get there at 10:30am to check our rental car in but is that NOT early enough?

I've never done this before!!

 

[disneyfaninaz]

That should be fine. There are usually other flights using your gate, so you can't line up until the previous flight has left.

 

[hannah03]

That should be fine. There are usually other flights using your gate, so you can't line up until the previous flight has left.

Okay good!!

 

[Mkrop]

Okay now you're worrying me, how EARLY do I need to be at the airport?
We are flying out at 1:05pm and I was going to get there at 10:30am to check our rental car in but is that NOT early enough?

I've never done this before!!

If you have A then your dont have to sweat it. Do your best to get A! We had a very pleasant exp flying SW. You are in the know about A so you will be fine! Plus you will probably preboard but if not you have your lucky A. Dont worry!

 

[abeyst]

I'm sorry I worried you so much, what i was trying to emphasize is what you should expect, and that it's really important to get group A. You only have to worry about being close to the front of the line if you get B (or C).