SW Boarding etiquette question

[Nafinegar]

We don't fly much at all, so I don't know if this would be considered obnoxious.

I am flying tomorrow am out of BWI to MCO It will be DS7's first flight every. It will be twin DS10's second flight, but the first they will ever remember. Plus, it has been 5 years since their first trip to DW. We have 3 adults coming along with the 3 kiddos.

DH and I have A boarding class - 59 and 60 and the rest of the family has B1-5. Would it be okay for DH and I to board and save two window seats for the boys? That way if another window seat cannot be gotten close by, I can sit with two boys and just have them switch mid-flight.

If this is a big no-no, we will just move further to the back of the plane. Heck, I am on vacation, I don't care about the extra 10 minutes getting off of the flight!!!!

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[walkdmc]

They will board right after you and DH anyway so it's no big deal to save them seats.

I would just approach the gate agent with the kids, when you and DH are boarding. Even if the B's haven't been called, they will be called next since A- 60 is the last of the A's.

 

[dudspizza]

They will board right after you and DH anyway so it's no big deal to save them seats.

I would just approach the gate agent with the kids, when you and DH are boarding. Even if the B's haven't been called, they will be called next since A- 60 is the last of the A's.

BUT, families with children under 4 can board after the A's. So there potentially could be quite a few people in between them.

I do agree with approaching the gate agent to let them know what happened. It would be my hope that you all would be boarded together......... worse scenario is you all wait until the B group is called and then board together.

I honestly hope this isn't an issue at all.

duds

 

[Nafinegar]

Thanks...didn't think about the factor of the children under 4 and we have none of those.

I think DH and I will board in the A's. Grandma can bring the up the rear with the kiddos. If someone is unhappy about a saved seat, we will relinquish it and find new seats with Grandma and the kiddos. One advantadge of having a 3rd adult with us!

 

[dudspizza]

Thanks...didn't think about the factor of the children under 4 and we have none of those.

I think DH and I will board in the A's. Grandma can bring the up the rear with the kiddos. If someone is unhappy about a saved seat, we will relinquish it and find new seats with Grandma and the kiddos. One advantadge of having a 3rd adult with us!

Didn't realize that a third adult was involved. You most likely won't be allowed all together, in that case. If it were just the kids ages 5 and 10, they probably would have let you do it. You are looking at 7 people. You are suggesting saving 5 seats, which may be an issue to some....... that's an issue I am not going to get into.....

I should add that it probably won't be frowned upon as much if you move to the back of the plane... the more desirable seats are closer to the front..

best of luck.

Duds

 

[Lewisc]

Saving a middle seat next to you is probably accepted by many (most?) passengers. Taking an aisle seat and trying to save the middle and window? Some passengers may object.

Two passengers saving 5 seats? That means you're going to want to save at least one seat without you being in one of the three seats in the row, on that side of the aisle. Many passengers would object.

BWI is a connecting city. There will already be passengers on the plane. I wouldn't board with the Bs.

I'd take two window seats and try to save the other two seats.

 

[Nafinegar]

I don't think I am being very clear. We have two adults and we want to possibly save three seats. But, I hear you on the taking the aisle and saving the other two. It looks like it will not be considered civil and I am not about starting my trip off by annoying other folks.

I think DH and I will board, see if we can save two seats for two of the boys and then see if Grandma can snag another window somewhere on the plane.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[dudspizza]

I don't think I am being very clear. We have two adults and we want to possibly save three seats. But, I hear you on the taking the aisle and saving the other two. It looks like it will not be considered civil and I am not about starting my trip off by annoying other folks.

I think DH and I will board, see if we can save two seats for two of the boys and then see if Grandma can snag another window somewhere on the plane.

Thanks for the advice!

I do think that people would understand if you had time to explain it to them since your BP's are in order, but who knows how someone would take it or even give you a chance to explain...... It wouldn't hurt to bring it up to the gate agent to see what they say..

 

[sam_gordon]

My .02...

When you and DH board, why not grab two middle seats (leaving a window and aisle seat on either side of you)? Unless there's a solo traveler, you're splitting up the seats, sort of "saving" them.

My other suggestion is for DH to board with one child as A59 & A60. You board with GM & other child in B1-3.

 

[Pixiedust34]

My .02...

When you and DH board, why not grab two middle seats (leaving a window and aisle seat on either side of you)? Unless there's a solo traveler, you're splitting up the seats, sort of "saving" them.

My other suggestion is for DH to board with one child as A59 & A60. You board with GM & other child in B1-3.

This is a good idea. Take the middle seats, and sit toward the back of the plane. It's usually easier to save seats in the back than in the front.

 

[DisneyNut4Life]

You are boarding so close, I don't think there will be an issue with one of you saving the window seat, and the other saving both seats. just my opinion.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Since your children have B boarding passes, I would board with them in the B slots or ask the gate attendant to have your "minor" children board with you in your boarding slot. Normally, they don't want minors boarding alone. The other adult(s) can board in their assigned order and you can save a seat for them.

 

[inkkognito]

People don't seem to get bent out of shape over people saving one seat. Two...maybe...but in your case they will follow pretty quickly after you, so I can't see you having a problem unless you get a real jerk, especially if you explain. The ones that seem to incur wrath are the people who save multiple rows. I once saw two people saving three rows each in the front of the plane. I was on my way to the exit row, but if I had wanted those prime seats I would have just parked my butt and I suspect hard core SW flyers behind me probably did just that.

 

[Nafinegar]

Thanks for the additional thoughts. I think the idea of one parent boarding with a child in the A group makes good sense. Also, seems like if we move towards the back of the plane, we won't be stepping on anyone's desired seats.

If anyone objects to a saved seat, we will just move further to the back. Looks like the flight is sold out, so we will keep that in mind as well. In the end, it's all good since I will be in Disney in 2 1/2 hours from take off

 

[Hannathy]

I would move way back!! what difference does it make the plane gets there at the same time front and back. the back is the last to fill up and the best chance to get seats together.

 

[shinysparklybubbles]

People don't seem to get bent out of shape over people saving one seat. Two...maybe...

Oh man did I have some whack job getting PO at me. DS has peanut allergies so I am able to preboard and wipe down our seats, tray tables, etc to make sure there is no residue from previous passengers. My dh and ds then board with their boarding group to join me leaving me ample time to get everything clean. So I'm 1 person saving 2 seats. We were flying out of MCO and I was in the middle seat back with my back facing the isle wiping down the window seat and working my way out. I heard someone behind me putting something up in the bin, I just assumed they were sitting behind me and this older man goes and sits down in the aisle seat of the row I'm working on. I said to him that I'm saving this seat and before I could explain his wife starts yelling you can't do that! that's not allowed on SW! She was like 3 people back and having a fit! Even after I explained I can because it's a medical reason, she was still bent! Thankfully a flight attendant took care of it, but geeze!