Southwest RAC

[jlx2]

Do we need to do anything special to check in for our return flight when using RAC for Southwest? We have never used it before. Do we just show up with our bags at the counter the day of our departure? Can we just check in 24 hours in advance for our flight as usual, or even use the early bird check in? Thank you so much.

 

[Jestocost]

That's about it.

If you used DME bus transfers on the way in, RAC should check you in at the 24-hour mark (or shortly thereafter) and if your flights are in the a.m. they should leave your boarding cards and temporary luggage tags (the same number as the number of bags you had DME transfer on the way in) on your door the night before you leave. If you flights are in the p.m., they still should check you in but they won't leave the BPs and tags on your door. If you didn't use DME on the way in they won't check you in until you show up at the podium and you have to do it yourself if you want to check in before that.

That said, I still would use EBCI or check in myself at the 24-hour mark just to be sure. I just haven't seen enough reports to convince me that this aspect of the process is working as advertised and even if it is there's no guarantee that they are getting to the check in right at 24 hours. Checking in yourself won't affect your ability to participate in RAC (you'll get the numbers assigned from EBCI or when you checked in whenever RAC prints your BPs anyway).

As far as the details of using RAC go, the desk is open from 5:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. You can use the service as early as 12 hours before your scheduled departure but have to have the process completed no later than three hours before your scheduled departure. Then you can get to the airport however you want and just head straight to security when you arrive.

 

[jlx2]

Thank you so much! That is exactly the information I was looking for. I really appreciate it.

 

[KSBelle]

Thanks for the detailed info. I'll be at POFQ in a few days and had questions about RAC and SW.

 

[Bobo912]

We used RAC with SWA last October when the trial was in progress. We had a 6:40PM flight home and our boarding passes were on our door when I got up on the morning of our departure. I used EBCI and our boarding passes were A19 and A20. We went to the desk and checked our bags at around 7:30 that morning and then were free to enjoy our remaining time in the parks. No issues at all. It couldn't have been easier.