SW boarding numbers

[kaytieeldr]

This https://www.southwest.com/html/travel-experience/boarding-your-flight/ is, as far as I can tell, the current and existng boarding policy for Southwest. Those of you who've experienced family boarding first really need to contact Southwest to find out what's going on - but it doesn't appear there's been any policy change.

Now, there are some exceptions:
https://www.southwest.com/html/generated/help/faqs/boarding_the_plane_faq.html "Prior to general boarding, preboarding is available for Customers who have specific seating needs to accommodate a disability, and/or need assistance in boarding the aircraft, and/or need to stow an assistive device. If you have a disability and require preboarding, you should request a Preboarding Document from the Customer Service Agent at your departure gate."
https://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/family/unaccompanied-minors-pol.html "The UM will preboard the aircraft and be introduced to a Flight Attendant before general boarding begins."
https://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/extra-seat/?clk=GFOOTER-CUSTOMER-*** "Customers of size who have an Extra Seat Boarding document may choose to preboard in order to select seats that best meets their needs or they may choose to board in their boarding group and position."

Unaccompanied minors board ahead because the Flight Attendants need to seat these passengers where it works best for the FAs.

Customers of size may but don't have to board early - but it makes sense because these are the passengers who absolutely, positively need two adjacent seats.

And you can see Southwest's explanation for why disabled passengers may need to board early in the section I quoted. But family boarding should be between A and B, and for immediate family only.

 

[goofy4tink]

I wouldn't be very happy if families were allowed to board before me, simply because they are a family! I've always had it be between the A and B groups. If SW is going to allow families to board prior to the A group, then they need to specify that these families must choose seats in the rear of the plane. I think if that were the case, you would see families boarding in the proper spot.....not first.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I wouldn't be very happy if families were allowed to board before me, simply because they are a family! I've always had it be between the A and B groups. If SW is going to allow families to board prior to the A group, then they need to specify that these families must choose seats in the rear of the plane. I think if that were the case, you would see families boarding in the proper spot.....not first.

Well, at least since October 2, 2007 which is when Southwest made this major change to family boarding. Not good memory, essily discovered while researching the boarding information linked above

 

[DebbieB]

Well, at least since October 2, 2007 which is when Southwest made this major change to family boarding. Not good memory, essily discovered while researching the boarding information linked above

Is that also when they added the early bird check-in option? I believe it was at the same time, it would be harder to sell if families were boarding before A.

 

[goofy4tink]

Is that also when they added the early bird check-in option? I believe it was at the same time, it would be harder to sell if families were boarding before A.

I believe, but could be wrong, that 2007 was when SW did away with the true 'cattle call' boarding process. It was truly 'first come, first served'. Those who arrived first filled in the A chute. And you didn't move once you got there. Otherwise, you lost your space. Families were boarded first back then.

 

[ibob52]

I believe, but could be wrong, that 2007 was when SW did away with the true 'cattle call' boarding process. It was truly 'first come, first served'. Those who arrived first filled in the A chute. And you didn't move once you got there. Otherwise, you lost your space. Families were boarded first back then.

Back then it wasn't uncommon ... that people got to their gate about 1 1/2 hours prior to boarding
just to get a good place in line (very early birds).

Some people would let their luggage hold their place in line and would take a seat in gate area
(others frowned on that practice)

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Back then it wasn't uncommon ... that people got to their gate about 1 1/2 hours prior to boarding
just to get a good place in line (very early birds).

Some people would let their luggage hold their place in line and would take a seat in gate area
(others frowned on that practice)

There was no need to hold a space with luggage. You got a colored plastic card with your boarding number on it at the gate.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Back then it wasn't uncommon ... that people got to their gate about 1 1/2 hours prior to boarding
just to get a good place in line (very early birds).

Some people would let their luggage hold their place in line and would take a seat in gate area
(others frowned on that practice)

Yeah, some of us didn't like that practice because we tripped on the luggage.

 

[ibob52]

There was no need to hold a space with luggage. You got a colored plastic card with your boarding number on it at the gate.

OK ... maybe people were getting to the Gate super early and lining up to get the card at the gate.

I absolutely remember the luggage being placed in line (to hold a spot) by some people for SWA Flights.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

OK ... maybe people were getting to the Gate super early and lining up to get the card at the gate.

I absolutely remember the luggage being placed in line (to hold a spot) by some people for SWA Flights.

Southwest has always issued boarding passes; plastic until 2002, then paper after that. Here's an article showing the old plastic passes:

http://www.sptimes.com/2002/06/20/Business/Southwest__Paper__not.shtml

I don't know why anyone would be holding a place with luggage, unless they were waiting in boarding order, which would be unnecessary.

 

[DebbieB]

I first flew SW around 2006, I seem to remember that the boarding passes just had A, B or C. You then lined up with your letter, first come first served. Thats when people would get there early and sit on the floor behind their letter. I don't remember plastic passes.

 

[LoveMickey]

I first flew SW around 2006, I seem to remember that the boarding passes just had A, B or C. You then lined up with your letter, first come first served. Thats when people would get there early and sit on the floor behind their letter. I don't remember plastic passes.

That's what we used to do. We camped in the A section. We live 1.5 hrs away from the airport, so we would leave the house early (and still do) to avoid any traffic delays.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I first flew SW around 2006, I seem to remember that the boarding passes just had A, B or C. You then lined up with your letter, first come first served. Thats when people would get there early and sit on the floor behind their letter. I don't remember plastic passes.

Plastic passes were phased out in 2002. I remember them well:

http://www.letsflycheaper.com/blog/mobile-boarding-pass/

 

[goofy4tink]

I flew SW out of TF Green many times prior to the 24 hr online checkin started. We were given nothing. You got to the gate and got in line....and waited. It wasn't too bad if you were traveling with someone. You could save each others spot in line and go to the restroom. If you were one of the first 8 or so in the line, you had something to lean against. After that, there was nothing to lean on, so you sat on the floor. It was miserable. You had to get there at least 2 hrs prior to departure. Now you can arrive 30 mins before...if you dare.