SW EBCI--not necessary if traveling with young kids?

[MissDaisyofTexas]

So I think I've read on here that if you have a child under age 4, you can board on Southwest between the A and B groups. Is that correct? So if I'm traveling with a 1-year-old, it's not necessary to purchase the EBCI?

Thanks.

 

[kisaacs]

That's correct. They won't necessarily announce it though, so make sure you go ask when A group lines up where to go. We've done it twice with a 1 and 2 year old, and it's been no problem to find all 4 seats together.

Kristen

 

[MissDaisyofTexas]

Thank you!

 

[BrerMama]

From what I've read, there are so many families with young children on flights to Orlando, that they sometimes don't offer this option. It really depends on the time of year you're flying and how many families are on the flight.

 

[SaraJayne]

Some places don't offer family boarding, since there are typically so many kids on an Orlando flight.

If you want to be assured seats together, get EBCI.

 

[ccgirl]

From what I've read, there are so many families with young children on flights to Orlando, that they sometimes don't offer this option. It really depends on the time of year you're flying and how many families are on the flight.

Some places don't offer family boarding, since there are typically so many kids on an Orlando flight.

If you want to be assured seats together, get EBCI.

Both of these are true. Our last experience with Southwest, we had very early B's (didn't pay for EBCI). There must have been at least 25 people doing the family boarding. So, if you got in line at the end of the family board you probably would have to move to the back. As long as that doesn't bother you, you should be fine. I have also witnessed where they suspended family boarding. A lot of people were upset. but it looked like 80% of the plane would have been eligible. If it's really important, pony up the $10.

 

[magicaldisney]

For our trip to WDW earlier this year we flew SW and they made an announcement that they were not allowing family boarding because there were too many. Our previous SW trip they allowed it, but this one they did not.

 

[Mary976]

Does your one year old have a confirmed seat (as opposed to being a lap baby)? Because they are not going to allow a one year old to be seated away from a parent, even if they have to ask for a volunteer to move.

That being said, that would only apply to the baby and one adult. If you want the whole party and/or multiple adults to sit together, it helps to have an earlier boarding group.

Mary

 

[seashoreCM]

The only time seating next to your child is guaranteed is if you brought a (FAA approved) car seat for him.

The plane can't depart until the car seat is secured where those in adjacent seats can get out without climbing over it, which, here, means in a window seat.

 

[ccgirl]

The only time seating next to your child is guaranteed is if you brought a (FAA approved) car seat for him.

The plane can't depart until the car seat is secured where those in adjacent seats can get out without climbing over it, which, here, means in a window seat.

Great point. I forgot about that. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[sam_gordon]

The only time seating next to your child is guaranteed is if you brought a (FAA approved) car seat for him.

The plane can't depart until the car seat is secured where those in adjacent seats can get out without climbing over it, which, here, means in a window seat.

Don't count on that. DD had a window seat on our flight in June (Delta). When we boarded, a family had put a car seat in the middle seat. DD took her window seat, FA's never said anything.

 

[ccgirl]

Don't count on that. DD had a window seat on our flight in June (Delta). When we boarded, a family had put a car seat in the middle seat. DD took her window seat, FA's never said anything.

So, was your DD sitting alone in that row and the family had the other two seats? They want the car seat in the window seat so it does not impede passengers exit in the event of an emergency. Perhaps they felt your DD was still small enough to fit by the car seat?

 

[seashoreCM]

So, was your DD sitting alone in that row and the family had the other two seats? They want the car seat in the window seat so it does not impede passengers exit in the event of an emergency. Perhaps they felt your DD was still small enough to fit by the car seat?

It is unsafe.
You could have insisted that the FA reseat DD not behind someone else's car seat and an FA (with the kibitzing of the captain and/or ground complaint resolution officer you had summoned only if absolutely positively needed as a last resort) will oblige quickly so as to get the plane off and running. Yes you can count on it.

Note that if you call attention to this dilemma, DD might have to move to whatever empty seat the FA designates.

 

[sam_gordon]

So, was your DD sitting alone in that row and the family had the other two seats? They want the car seat in the window seat so it does not impede passengers exit in the event of an emergency. Perhaps they felt your DD was still small enough to fit by the car seat?

It is unsafe.
You could have insisted that the FA reseat DD not behind someone else's car seat and an FA (with the kibitzing of the captain and/or ground complaint resolution officer you had summoned only if absolutely positively needed as a last resort) will oblige quickly so as to get the plane off and running. Yes you can count on it.

Note that if you call attention to this dilemma, DD might have to move to whatever empty seat the FA designates.

The family with the car seat had boarded before us. The car seat was in position in the middle seat when we got on the plane. DD, then 12, isn't exactly "small", but I didn't notice her having problems getting by the car seat.

There are 5 in our party, so I book us in three rows 2-1-2, so each kid has a window seat.

The family with the car seat offered to swap so their DH could sit in DD's window seat and DD could have his aisle seat (next to me). We declined. Of course, I could have raised the issue and had DD move. I elected not to. But again, FA's said NOTHING about it, not even asking us if we wanted DD to move. So in my opinion, it is false to say the plane can't move unless the car seat is in the correct spot. Because it can, and does.

 

[ccgirl]

The family with the car seat had boarded before us. The car seat was in position in the middle seat when we got on the plane. DD, then 12, isn't exactly "small", but I didn't notice her having problems getting by the car seat.

There are 5 in our party, so I book us in three rows 2-1-2, so each kid has a window seat.

The family with the car seat offered to swap so their DH could sit in DD's window seat and DD could have his aisle seat (next to me). We declined. Of course, I could have raised the issue and had DD move. I elected not to. But again, FA's said NOTHING about it, not even asking us if we wanted DD to move. So in my opinion, it is false to say the plane can't move unless the car seat is in the correct spot. Because it can, and does.

You're right. I have seen it as well. I wish there was some note when booking a ticket for a child that car seats need to be at window seats. For SW, they should remind you as you board with the car seats. On my last SW flight there were two lap babies in one row. The FA told the parent one would have to go to another member of the family (it was a large party) as there are only 4 oxygen masks per row. I wish they had this information notated in a more readily accessible manner. I am familiar as I always travel but I can see how those that don't travel often wouldn't know.

 

[sam_gordon]

You're right. I have seen it as well. I wish there was some note when booking a ticket for a child that car seats need to be at window seats. For SW, they should remind you as you board with the car seats. On my last SW flight there were two lap babies in one row. The FA told the parent one would have to go to another member of the family (it was a large party) as there are only 4 oxygen masks per row. I wish they had this information notated in a more readily accessible manner. I am familiar as I always travel but I can see how those that don't travel often wouldn't know.

I don't know that would have helped in my situation. We were on Delta (assigned seats). What had happened was the family with the car seats had their flights changed (as airlines do at times) and when they got to select their seats, there were no full rows available (it was husband, wife, and child). So child & wife sat in the row with my DD and husband sat next to me in the row behind.

 

[tjmw2727]

The family with the car seat had boarded before us. The car seat was in position in the middle seat when we got on the plane. DD, then 12, isn't exactly "small", but I didn't notice her having problems getting by the car seat.

There are 5 in our party, so I book us in three rows 2-1-2, so each kid has a window seat.

The family with the car seat offered to swap so their DH could sit in DD's window seat and DD could have his aisle seat (next to me). We declined. Of course, I could have raised the issue and had DD move. I elected not to. But again, FA's said NOTHING about it, not even asking us if we wanted DD to move. So in my opinion, it is false to say the plane can't move unless the car seat is in the correct spot. Because it can, and does.

I wonder if the FA "assumed" that your DD was a member of the family she was seated with? In that case some FA's will make an exception and allow the carseat in the middle.

However there is no exception in the case of lap riders - only one per row as metioned upthread due to the oxegen masks.

 

[ccgirl]

I don't know that would have helped in my situation. We were on Delta (assigned seats). What had happened was the family with the car seats had their flights changed (as airlines do at times) and when they got to select their seats, there were no full rows available (it was husband, wife, and child). So child & wife sat in the row with my DD and husband sat next to me in the row behind.

I wonder if the FA "assumed" that your DD was a member of the family she was seated with? In that case some FA's will make an exception and allow the carseat in the middle.

However there is no exception in the case of lap riders - only one per row as metioned upthread due to the oxegen masks.

Good point. IDK, Sam. I guess Delta should have had people move so the car seat was at the window seat and a parent in the middle seat. I guess your DD could have moved to the aisle seat to allow proper placement of the car seat but I know my DD would have been bummed as well. She loves her window seat.

 

[sam_gordon]

Good point. IDK, Sam. I guess Delta should have had people move so the car seat was at the window seat and a parent in the middle seat. I guess your DD could have moved to the aisle seat to allow proper placement of the car seat but I know my DD would have been bummed as well. She loves her window seat.

Exactly. tjm might have the answer. The only reason I'd say they didn't is the other family boarded early (when they ask for people who need extra time). But it is possible.