Southwest Questions

[KBR]

I confess! I booked based on price and got the $75 RT fare from Bradley. Now after the fact I have questions about the airline and the process for boarding.

My Dad is flying with me and has very arthritic knees. Will they allow him to board early?

I haven't heard anything about the safety record of this airline. Does anyone know anything about this?

How early should we arrive at the gate for boarding passes? Actually, I'm not sure what the process is since there aren't assigned seats. Any info on this would be helpful.

Thanks

 

[tdcxmasbee]

I have flown SW a few times so I will try to answer your questions. I have heard no complaints about safety on SWA. In fact they advertise that they are "the best" in some area. (On time flights, customer satisfaction, value,...) so I imagine that safety is not bad or they would suffer in ANY area of customer satisfaction.

They do NOT give boarding passes, so there is no point in getting their early to get in line. I traveled when I was pregnant and my cousin said that I should go up when they announced "preboarding" and tell them I am pregnant. (He had experience w/ SWA, I had not.) Although by the time we pushed through the crowd boarding had begun, it was obvious that they did allow "preboarding" for those who had a little harder time getting around. I would suggest that you get a wheelchair for your father (which will make his special needs obvious and will let him be more comfortable waiting in the preboarding line) then asking when preboarding begins. Once preboarding is 1-2 minutes away wheel dad near the door to the plane to when the "crowds" converge (even those who are NOT preboarding jump up to get to the front of the line when preboarding begins) you will not be cut off fromt he airplane. You should have no problem getting preboarding for your dad.

Also, bring food! Most people who are accustomed to SWA do and the smell of burgers makes you unbelievably hungry even if you were not when you started! SWA just serves drinks and peanuts. You may want to get to the airport early enough to talk to the attendants (see above) then run over to one of the local food areas and grab the two of you something to eat.

I was very impressed with SWA. I do not fly them because I can often get the same rates (from Houston) on Continental with assigned seats and sandwiches. But I know that once you know the "rules" frequent travelers LOVE them (my parents included.) SWA also gives them TONS of cocktails each time they use their "Free ticket" from frequent flyer miles. Continental doesn't! HTH, Alicia

akcalsyn@houston.rr.com

 

[Gary M]

Southwest hands out boarding passes at the counter at the gate of departure. The passes are handed out one hour before departure. The passes are numbered and when it is time to board numbers 1-30 are first then 31-60 goes on second 61-90 third etc.. People line up before the one hour time and the passes are then handed out to those in line when the time comes. The seats are not assigned, so you sit in what seats are available when you board. The earlier you get to the gate the lower number you get. People that need a little more time to board may be preboarded on some flights.

 

[Beanie]

I have flown Southwest Airlines many times and all the times I have flown it, they have always annouced that people with children (me) or people who need extra time should come up first... I love SWA and always try to fly with them first...

 

[cboudre1]

At holidays they begin giving the boarding passes out 2 hours early.

 

[Niagara2]

We traveled with our two sons age 6 and 7 and their Grandparents in their 80's. We had a hard tme getting Grandpa and Grandma through the airport and by the time we got to the gate we are all ready to call it quits. I noticed we would of been in the 90's in seating at that point. (We were there 90 minutes early but to the gate 55 minutes early. ) I asked if we could pre-board because of Grandma and Grandpa - believe me, they hold us up more than the kids did when they were infants and toddlers!! They are getting frail, confused, and tired. Southwest gave us the six passes to pre-board. When we went to the pre-board area the kids ran ahead and a guy started yelling at me that they were not under five. I said I know, but their grandparents are over 80 and need help. He said not fair, went to make a fuss and thought better of it when Grandpa started a conversation with him about football. I think he got the drift and left us alone. It was the classic story of not knowing the whole stroy before jumping to conclusions. Southwest did the same for us on the way home. They were very nice to us and are a very good airline!

 

[KBR]

Thanks all. I appreciate the help.

 

[VickiVM]

I'm a SWA lover!! Since I flew regularly with them for my old job, I was able to get 2 Rapid Rewards Vouchers. Go figure...my husband would rather pay more to get a meal on his flight. Anyway, with your special needs, I would simply call your local airport and ask SWA directly about preboarding. Give them your flight number and they should be able to tell you if this is generally a full flight for them and what time is best to arrive at gate. True, you can only check-in up to one hour prior to flight. However, if it's a flight that is regularly booked full, then you may need to get there earlier than one hour just to get in line to check in. And if you're flying during a meal-time...definitely pack or purchase food.

 

[Ted and Holly]

Southwest has not had a serious crash in the 30 years they've been in business. That's better than the Concorde!!! I read up on these things because I'm afraid to fly! Safety is top-notch on this airline!

Holly P