Southwest Question--Kids Wings

[captchris]

We are flying down to MCO from Hartford in a little over a month for a DCL cruise. We are flying on Southwest for the first time.

I was wondering does Southwest allow the kids to "see the cockpit" and get a set of pilots wings from the pilots. The last time we flew with our kids on Song, I saw that some kids got to see the cockpit, but our family was separated so I decided against trying to meet the flight crew. This time, we should have more luck...if they allow it.

Does anyone have any suggestions????

Thanks!

 

[EWL]

The last time we flew with our kids on Song, I saw that some kids got to see the cockpit...

Wow, really?! Was this post-9/11? I didn't think any airlines allowed this any longer!

 

[captchris]

Wow, really?! Was this post-9/11? I didn't think any airlines allowed this any longer!

Yes, everytime I have flow post 9/11 the door is open for a little while while the plane is at the jetway. Once they close the entry door, the cockpit door is closed and does not open until we are on the ground.

 

[Tara]

My son will be 5 in October and he's taken 26 plane trips (not legs, full trips!) and last Christmas was the first time he was ever invited to see the cockpit! But he's been invited up every trip since then (USAir, Delta, SWA), so I don't know if it's just been weird luck or if they've gotten a little less rigid about allowing kids to come up.

As for suggestions, each time we've been invited, but it's always pretty obvious by the little bag of airplanes that my son brings along that he's a major aviation fan.

 

[MickiMouth]

We flew Delta a few years back (before 9-11) and it was both DD's first flights. I told the stewardess and asked if they had wings for first times and they both were given a wing pin.

 

[Lisa_Belle]

Wow they still do this? I still have my Eastern wings from 30-some years ago! My two poodles got to fly in the cockpit once (don't remember which airline). There wasn't enough room for them in wherever it is pets fly. The flight attendant mentioned that the crew even let the little one out and he was sitting on the co-pilots lap during part of the flight. I was 11 at the time and insanely jealous of this.

 

[Fire14]

I know on my SWA flight that had a stop over they let kids check out cockpit not sure on wings through.

 

[DebbieB]

My niece got plastic wings in with her coloring book that they passed out last month.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

But he's been invited up every trip since then (USAir, Delta, SWA)

I find this hard to believe. No passenger is supposed to enter the cockpit when the plane is flying. I have even seen flight attendants block the front of the plane with meal carts when flight crew use the restroom.

 

[gigi1313]

I find this hard to believe. No passenger is supposed to enter the cockpit when the plane is flying. I have even seen flight attendants block the front of the plane with meal carts when flight crew use the restroom.

the visit is not done "while flying" but rather when the plane is still on the ground...

we've gotten wings from swa... just had to ask...

 

[party_of_five]

I have to share my son's magical experience.

It was our 1st time flying and as we were boarding the plane as the flight attendants greeted us, she said to my son "Hi, what's your name?" He said "Matthew" and we went back to our seats. After everyone was on the plane the flight attendant came over the intercom and said "May we please see Matthew and (another child) to the cockpit please?" Matthew walked to the front of the plane and disappeared into the cockpit. The next thing we hear is Matthew giving the flight announcements!!!
He said something like " Hi I'm Matthew welcome to southwest. Our flight time today will be 2 hours and 10 minutes. Weather in Orlando Florida is sunny and 86 degrees. Thank you for not flying Delta" It was so so special. He got a pair of wings too.

Also on our flight the flight attendents asked who were 1st time flyers with Southwest and we all got certificates with wings attached.
I love Southwest

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I have to share my son's magical experience.

It was our 1st time flying and as we were boarding the plane as the flight attendants greeted us, she said to my son "Hi, what's your name?" He said "Matthew" and we went back to our seats. After everyone was on the plane the flight attendant came over the intercom and said "May we please see Matthew and (another child) to the cockpit please?" Matthew walked to the front of the plane and disappeared into the cockpit. The next thing we hear is Matthew giving the flight announcements!!!
He said something like " Hi I'm Matthew welcome to southwest. Our flight time today will be 2 hours and 10 minutes. Weather in Orlando Florida is sunny and 86 degrees. Thank you for not flying Delta" It was so so special. He got a pair of wings too.

Also on our flight the flight attendents asked who were 1st time flyers with Southwest and we all got certificates with wings attached.
I love Southwest

That's so awesome!!! I'm getting teary-eyed just reading your story. Then again I cried when my ds, then 8, made the am announcements in school .

 

[DonnaL]

I, too, thought cockpit visits for kids had stopped with 9/11......very ironic because my daughter's due date was 9/11/01 with my grandson.....fortunately he was late and was born 9/15/01. But, my gs travels quite frequently with us (maybe twice a year) and I've never seen any kids going into the cockpit, something I always loved when my kids were small. They just enjoy it so much. I've often thought I'd like my gs to have the same experience his mom and two uncles had when flying as kids. I think I'll ask in January on our next trip with him.

 

[Tammy32]

I am a flight attendant for SWA and all you have to do is ask for wings if none are given to you automatically. I try to give kids wings all the time but sometimes it gets busy or it is a very short flight and we forget about the wings. So sometimes a little helpful hint from the parents is needed. As for the flight deck... if there is time they will let kids up there to talk to the pilots only when the plane is on the ground and the door is open. If you get to preboard that is a good time to go have a look... just ask before you go in there.

 

[disneyfor3]

We have flown Southwest with my son 10 times or so in the past three years (he's 5 now). Last year, when we were boarding the flight attendant asked if he would like to meet the pilot. He and my husband went up front to meet the pilot and co-pilot (this was while the plane was boarding). My son was awed and the flight attendant brought him the gift certificate with the wings attached signed by the pilot, co-pilot and all the flight attendants (definitely put away as a memory keeper). It still brings tears to my eyes thinking about it. Other flights he has sometimes gotten the package with the coloring book, pencil with three colors (so cool, mom), and the wings. Some flights nothing, but he is always thrilled with the snacks handed out!