SW concern - need input!

[jbdisneymom13]

We are flying Soutwest for the first time in Aug my DD 12 is extremely paranoid about flying and has issues of passing out when nervous, and I also have a DS 6 who is thrilled about the flight. Here's my concern - I know how the SW boarding procedure works. Has anyone had the problem of not being able to find seats together? If my DD had to sit without one of us I think we would have to remove her from the plane because of hysteria or she'd faint in the aisle! I will be on the computer and trying to check in the moment that the clock hits the 24 hr window - but is there still a potential problem here or am I worrying for nothing? We will probably be hoping to sit with my DH and DS in one row and myself and DD right behind in the next row. Any input would make me feel better so I know what we might have to deal with!

 

[dacky041208]

If you are checking in at the 24 hour mark you shouldn't have any problems at all.

There is one possible hiccup though: Sometimes you can't check in online. For our flights last week (only the to MCO flight) I was able to check my wife in and print her pass, but I couldn't print out my own. I had to go to the SW counter and do it in person. My wife had A37 and I was B60, but there was still no problem with her saving me a seat until I was able to board (just toward the back of the plane). The odds are good you won't have any issues though, even if someone has to save a seat, I just would move a little further back in the plane.

 

[JimboCh]

You should be one of the first ones on the plane because you have a child that is only 6 years old. Your whole family will be able to board together, You shouldn't have a problem as long as you will be on a flight that starts in the city you are flying from. If you are catching an connecting flight that passes through your city chances are there should be people already on your plane when you board. You still most likely shouldn't be a problem. Just ask kindly to people in the plane to move around for you, somebody will move most likely.

 

[dacky041208]

You should be one of the first ones on the plane because you have a child that is only 6 years old. Your whole family will be able to board together, You shouldn't have a problem as long as you will be on a flight that starts in the city you are flying from. If you are catching an connecting flight that passes through your city chances are there should be people already on your plane when you board. You still most likely shouldn't be a problem. Just ask kindly to people in the plane to move around for you, somebody will move most likely.

I think the "family" boarding they do is for children 4 and under.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Yes, that is correct family boarding is 4 and under. Due to recent changes in the boarding procedure with SWA, families with children 4 years and under are now boarded between the "A" boarding passes and "B" boarding passes, unless they have "A" boarding passes. Regardless, this is not an issue with the OP.

As previously mentioned, if you check in 24 hours in advance, you shouldn't have any problems sitting together as a family. Keep in mind that the seats on SWA planes are 3 seats for each row. You may have to sit one across the aisle or 2 and 2, one behind the other.

 

[bumbershoot]

I don't think this is worth worrying about; it will be OK. OK? OK.


Have you ever seen Rescue Remedy, either at your grocery store or (if you don't have progressive grocery stores, LOL) at a natural foods store? It's a pseudo homeopathic "flower essence" and it is *brilliant*. It had been recommended to me before, but I finally sat up and paid attention when an employee at PetSmart suggested putting it in our cat's water before the 4th of July. We did it, she was calm and calm can be, and then we started using it on the humans in the household.

I can get so nervous...just very very very very nervous, and RR is absolutely wonderful at calming me down without me even realizing I'm calming down.

I highly recommend trying some, to see if it can help your sweet daughter.

 

[msmayor]

First off, as long as you make sure you check in at the 24hr mark you should be absolutely fine in terms of making sure you or your DH is sitting with each child.

Now...my son also has a significant apprehension about flying. Last year when we wanted to cruise out of Miami (on a ship he REALLY wanted to sail on) I told him the ONLY way we could was if he was willing to get on a plane. The ship was enough motivation, but I knew it would be an uneasy flight. This is what we did to get him through it.

I made sure I sat next to him. He had his iPod with him loaded with a couple of videos that he loved (NHL All Star stuff). A bottle of water and some crackers to settle the stomach. And we talked. Not about anything in particular, and definitely not about flying...unless he asked, like "What's that noise Mom??". At first he wanted the shade down on the window so he couldn't see out, but as he grew more comfortable he opened it.

Keeping him occupied was key. It made the time go faster. We looked through the ENTIRE catalog for the Sky Mall during the flight, looking for the goofiest products we could find. Kept his mind on other things. He did great, and while he still would much rather drive than fly, he told me that it wasn't as bad as he'd remembered on his first flight 5 years ago.

 

[DebbieB]

I checked in about an hour and 20 minutes past the 24 hour mark on a flight a couple of weeks ago and got B31. It was a totally full plane and only the last few that got on had to split up, they were all adults. So as long as you do you are on the ball at the 24 hour mark, you should not have a problem. Plus I'm sure the other passengers would be willing to help a 12 & 6 year old if necessary.

 

[Inkmahm]

SW is new to our city and I'm considering using them for our March vacation to WDW next year. My mom is in a transport wheelchair though, and is slow moving to get her on a plane. Are the handicap people boarded the same time as all others? I'm afraid people will try to run us over to get on the plane when it takes awhile to get her on and get her situated in her seat.

 

[DebbieB]

SW is new to our city and I'm considering using them for our March vacation to WDW next year. My mom is in a transport wheelchair though, and is slow moving to get her on a plane. Are the handicap people boarded the same time as all others? I'm afraid people will try to run us over to get on the plane when it takes awhile to get her on and get her situated in her seat.

She will be able to board first. They will give her a "blue sleeve" which allows pre-boarding.

 

[n2mm]

SW is new to our city and I'm considering using them for our March vacation to WDW next year. My mom is in a transport wheelchair though, and is slow moving to get her on a plane. Are the handicap people boarded the same time as all others? I'm afraid people will try to run us over to get on the plane when it takes awhile to get her on and get her situated in her seat.

People with special needs are boarded first, which includes their family. However, keep in mind that they are deboarded last at the arrival gate.

 

[Hopefully]

I kow I am in the minority here, but I personally would not risk flying SW and having a problem. You KNOW you have an issue with your DD. The risk of not being ale to sit toghether _ which is a possibility with SW - would be too much for me. Even though it is probably more expensive, I would book flights on an airline where I could choose my seats.
Have a Good Trip

 

[Jestocost]

I kow I am in the minority here, but I personally would not risk flying SW and having a problem. You KNOW you have an issue with your DD. The risk of not being ale to sit toghether _ which is a possibility with SW - would be too much for me. Even though it is probably more expensive, I would book flights on an airline where I could choose my seats.
Have a Good Trip

You do realize that airlines that offer assigned seating can and sometimes do change seat assignments and move people around so that they are not together even though at one time they may have had assigned seats together? When you book a ticket with an airline that has assigned seats your contract with the airline only commits them to providing you with a ticket from one destination to another on the date specified. They can change routing, equipment, schedules, seat assignments, etc. and still be within the terms of their contractual obligations.

My point is if you are looking for guarantees as far as having seats together there are none. Period. That goes for SWA and it goes for airlines that offer assigned seating.

IMO, you are at very little risk of not being able to get at least two seats together on a SWA flight unless you are one of the very last to board.

 

[DebbieB]

I don't think I've ever seen a post here where someone came back from a SW flight and reported that their children had to sit alone. As the PP said, legacy carriers often change seat assignments, sometimes right at the gate. I was on a USAir flight one time where a girl about 10 was seated a few rows ahead of her mom.

 

[tjmw2727]

I kow I am in the minority here, but I personally would not risk flying SW and having a problem. You KNOW you have an issue with your DD. The risk of not being ale to sit toghether _ which is a possibility with SW - would be too much for me. Even though it is probably more expensive, I would book flights on an airline where I could choose my seats.
Have a Good Trip

No airline guarantees seat assignments. I have been separated from my kids a fw times on the "legacy" airlines but never on SWA. The major carriers reschedule times, change aircraft etc and often the computer re-assigns seats leaving folks separated.

With SWA I make sure I check in at 24 hours and get the best boarding pass possible. Then I make sure I am at the gate ontime and this way my seat choice is in my control not at the mercy of the airline. Even with a B boarding pass you will find 2/3 seats together esp if you don't mind heading toward the back of the aircraft.

OP - the SWA website has a section on boarding that you may find helpful as well.

TJ

 

[delmar411]

If she passes out from being nervous I would suggest that you attempt to get a pre-boarding sleeve so you can settle in first thing. A man flying on my flight just this week pre-boarded for this exact problem. He was the first on the plane, took his tranquilizers to calm himself for the flight and zoned out the whole time. He was the first person off the plane too as he sat himself at the bulkhead and was standing at the door waiting for the FA's to open it.

So might be worth the try to see if that would work for your DD.

HTH!

 

[pooch]

Check in @ 24 hrs. there is like zero chance you won't sit w/your DD. I know its new to you but DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE SEATING. You have many other things to stress about I'm sure. Take this one off your plate.

 

[Inkmahm]

People with special needs are boarded first, which includes their family. However, keep in mind that they are deboarded last at the arrival gate.

Getting off last isn't a problem because we always wait until everyone else is off the plane anyway. Otherwise mom holds up people in the aisle and we never want to do that.

Sounds like SW might be okay for us afterall if I don't have to worry about getting her on the plane! Thanks for the info!

 

[CarolAnnB]

We just flew SW to Orlando and checked in at 24 hrs both ways and were always in the A group so you should not have a problem. If you are not bringing a computer with you, you can go to Guest Services at any park and they have a computer where you can check in. Or the concierge at your hotel should be able to help you as well. I checked in for our trip home from my cell phone while waiting in the line to meet Ariel (then you just print your boarding passes at the airport when you check your luggage). Even if you got in the last group, I don't think you would have any trouble finding someone to move for you. My husband moved so a mother and daughter could sit together. If no one moves, just sit your daughter next to someone and hand that person a few airsick bags and tell him she is not a good flyer - I think they'd move in a hurry LOL. Seriously, I don't think you will have any trouble on SW. And try talking to a gate agent ahead of time as well, like a PP said.

 

[swabikedude]

No worries - our Flight Attendants do an amazing job making sure children sit with their family members! Just make sure to give yourself time in the morning/afternoon of your flight to get to the airport, check in your luggage, clear security, and relax in the gate area while waiting for your flight!

No need to stress. Y'all will have a pleasant flight!

Be sure to use the resources I put in this post to help you as well learn more about the boarding & mobile checkin (in case you want to walk away from your computer) - there are other ways to checkin @ 24hrs before your departure!

Have a great vacation! And a safe & wonderful flight!!!

"Taking the Kids!"
http://southwest.com/travel_center/taking_the_kids_index.html

"Wireless Access" - Checkin by wireless phone!
http://southwest.com/travel_center/wireless_access.html

"Boarding School"
http://www.southwest.com/help/boardingschool/