SW boarding lines?

[goinback]

When you get to the gate for your SW flight, do you line up right away with your boarding group? The last time we flew we sat down in the line up area with other people who were already lined up, but got nasty looks and comments from people who had gotten there before us and were sitting in seats . I guess I did not consider at the time if we were being rude. I don't want to cut in front of people, so what is the proper etiquette in this situation?

 

[tjmw2727]

You can line up whenever you choose and never in any airport I have flow SWA out of is sitting in chairs considered lining up. You were not rude, at least in my SWA experiences

We usually hang out in the boarding area until several people start actually linining up in the A line then we join the line. I have never needed to be 1st in the A line to get seats together with my 2 dds and that's my only objective. If your hoping for exit row or bulkhead you may want to line up earlier.

TJ

 

[pamjb]

The first time I flew SW, we got on the cattle lines like everybody else. Now I usually just hang out in the chairs until almost all of the A's have boarded. Then I get in line. My kids like to stand in line , so I let them.

 

[kaytieeldr]

The proper etiquette is, you get in line any time between when you arrive at the gate and when that line is done boarding*. The proper etiquette includes NOT placing a piece of luggage in the line and considering that “being” in line; the proper etiquette can also include, if you choose, reporting that abandoned bag to the Gate Agent

*If your line has finished boarding by the time you get to the gate, ask the Gate Agent what to do. Automatically assuming you can step in front of everybody else is not proper etiquette, per the now-defunct show “Airline”

 

[goinback]

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Poohbear123]

I waited the first time I flew SW for about 1 hour, than I realized I was 10th in line, and didn't get great seats anyway, so now I sit in my chair and wait till about 20 people are in "A" and than I join. Or, I wait till they start boarding.

 

[dkostel]

It's a hoot watching people try to figure out the rules at the SW gates. I fly out of Midway, which has a row of seats right where the "A" line lines up. People put their bags in line and then go sit. Some people sit right at the beginning of the line, on the floor. Some people sit in the row of seats that is in the A line and consider themselves in line. Some people stand in between the rows of seats because they don't consider the sitting folks in line. But if they just stand up then they are in line.

So to sum it up... Your aren't in line if you are seated in a chair unless you had the foresight to leave a bag unattended in the line.

The end of A line is fine with me so I just get in line when it moves.

 

[ScottNBecky]

Can anyone tell me if you are the last people in the "A" line, oculdnt you still get 3 people sitting together further back in the plane if needed? There arent assigned spots on the plane for A people are there? I know most people will prefer closer to the front, but couldnt you just be the last A people to board and sit together in the middle of the plane as an example?

 

[disneyfaninaz]

You can sit anywhere in the plane no matter what letter you get on your boarding pass. There are 45 "A" passes given out. Unless the plane is connecting from another city and there are already passengers on the plane, there whould be plenty of seats together mid to rear of the plane.

 

[ScottNBecky]

Thanks so why does everyone fit so hard then in the A line? Just to sit closest to the front?

 

[goinback]

Personally, the only reason I like to be in A line is to assure that my family of 5 gets to sit together. I would be very nervous if I could not see all of my kids!

 

[grimley1968]

Thanks so why does everyone fit so hard then in the A line? Just to sit closest to the front?

This has always baffled me. I don't know why. A) You're not going to get off the plane appreciably faster sitting in front. Getting out at the destination simply takes time. B) Sitting by the window, behind a wing, in front of wing, etc. makes no difference because there just isn't that much to see at 32,000-40000 feet MSL.

I just wait until my boarding group's line moves and only get out of my comfy chair then.

If only Disney's ride lines were this easy.

 

[kaytieeldr]

This has always baffled me. I don't know why. A) You're not going to get off the plane appreciably faster sitting in front.

In fact, see ducklite's thread started earlier today titled "Grrr"

B) Sitting by the window, behind a wing, in front of wing, etc. makes no difference because there just isn't that much to see at 32,000-40000 feet MSL.

Okay, now, to be fair, we once saw a plane being refueled in mid-air. Once. In thirty+ years of flying.

 

[bop28]

Is the 'A' line actually roped off or marked in some way? What about 'B' and so on? In other words, what keeps the B's out of the A's? Does that make sense?

 

[grimley1968]

Is the 'A' line actually roped off or marked in some way? What about 'B' and so on?

Yes, A, B and C groups are in three separate "lines", separated by ropes. There will be a small sign at the front of each line that designates them as A, B or C.

But just because there are ropes, don't rush to stand/sit/whatever in those lines, as people have mentioned above.