SW early bird vs non - results

[BenandMorgsMom]

Hello All...Just adding my experience. I flew down on Thanksgiving alone with my 2 children and I was worried sick about the EBCI and needing to sit with them. I was more than peeved about the change in procedure since I bought my tickets long before it was dreamed up as a money maker. Well I went with the 24 hour check in...we received A 30's. The flight was full to the brim. I returned home last night and I checked in on Friday night 24 hours out...We were A 50's. I think there are glitches with the system from what I have read...but from my experience when I return in 12 weeks with my DH...I am going with the 24 plan and saving the 40 bucks for cocktails. LOL

 

[jamstew]

I flew today without EBCI. Checked in at exactly 24 hours out and got A59. The flight was totally full. Since I travel solo, there's no way I'd pay extra because I don't really care where I sit. That said, I got a window seat on row 6.

 

[monarchsfan16]

We used SW a few weeks ago. I probably will not book a flight without EBCI in the future. From PHL to MCO no EBCI B31-B34 (tough time getting 4 seats together) and from MCO to PHL with EBCI A17-20 (we were about the 6th people on the plane.

BTW for the flight down, I did check-in at exactly th 24 hr. mark.

So if SW is going to keep this program, then you have to think of it as part of the fare.

I've already purchased EBCI for my flights in January, so I'm obviously not going to argue your last sentence.
That being said, I do wonder how typical Philly is of other airports. A LOT of flights connect through there, and anyone connecting on your flight would have had a head start on getting checked in, a situation that someone that flies from MHT, for example, would not be likely to face.