SW and family boarding

[Gracie09]

My sister's kids will be 2 and 6 so her husband is going to board with the 6yo using the standard boarding procedures. I thought there might be a slight chance that they would allow all 4 of them to board together, but better safe than sorry.

That makes me wonder...what does the parent who boards with the child (and their car seat) do with the child while the car seat is being installed?? In our case, it won't be a big deal since there are 4 adults and one of us will be able to keep an eye on the child. I'm just wondering how solo parents would do it if the child is a pre-walker.

plop them on the seat you will be occupying. Or if there are two of you, one goes on first and then the second parent and child comes on toward the end.

 

[DopeyDame]

My sister's kids will be 2 and 6 so her husband is going to board with the 6yo using the standard boarding procedures. I thought there might be a slight chance that they would allow all 4 of them to board together, but better safe than sorry.

That makes me wonder...what does the parent who boards with the child (and their car seat) do with the child while the car seat is being installed?? In our case, it won't be a big deal since there are 4 adults and one of us will be able to keep an eye on the child. I'm just wondering how solo parents would do it if the child is a pre-walker.

From what I could tell, they were letting on older siblings, just not families who didn't have at least one 4 or under. We boarded as a family without a problem, although my DS is tiny and just turned 5. I would have your sister and her husband get in line with both kids. Worst case scenario is they'll turn the older kid away.

And yes, like a PP said, the ergo was a god send when I traveled by myself with my son in a carseat.

 

[jayhawk74]

It is Southwest policy that parents and siblings can board with the 4 or younger child, that is why it is called "Family Boarding" and not "4 and younger boarding". They just don't allow cousins, grandparents, and other relatives to board with the immediate family.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

It is Southwest policy that parents and siblings can board with the 4 or younger child, that is why it is called "Family Boarding" and not "4 and younger boarding". They just don't allow cousins, grandparents, and other relatives to board with the immediate family.

No, it is not. Have you read the policy? It states,

An adult traveling with a child four years old or younger may board during Family Boarding, which occurs after the “A” group has boarded and before the “B” group begins boarding. If the child and the adult are both holding an “A” boarding pass, they should both board with the “A” boarding group.

Whether or not this is enforced depends on the gate agent.