SW EBCI when your flight is a connecting flight?

[Dizzyworld]

Our flight from BWI is not the originating flight, it will be coming from Buffalo.

How has EBCI been working in this kind of a situation for people joining a flight since there will probably be people already in the seats? Would it be worth it if we would like to sit together?

What has anyone's experience been?

I hope this makes sense. This is for an early August flight.

 

[backyardponder]

Personally, I don't pay for EBCI. After being married for 38 years, we can survive if we aren't sitting together. If you check in at the 24 hour mark, you'll have a 95% chance of sitting together. Most folks will be getting off at BWI.

 

[Dizzyworld]

Personally, I don't pay for EBCI. After being married for 38 years, we can survive if we aren't sitting together. If you check in at the 24 hour mark, you'll have a 95% chance of sitting together. Most folks will be getting off at BWI.

Thanks. I had to laugh at the marriage comment, we just passed our 30th anniversary. I know what you mean at times.

 

[clanmcculloch]

You are checked in for each leg of the flight at exactly 36 hours before your first leg of your flight. This means you're assigned your boarding position for leg 2 of your flight before those who purchased EBCI for that leg. You'll be at the front of the pack so the only people getting seats before you are those who are already on the plane and those who have business class tickets. Well, possibly other people in your exact position will also be right up there with you.

 

[Dizzyworld]

That's what I thought too.

Still not sure if this is a good idea or not? My kids are older but we share electronics on trips and like being together. I think I would hate spending the money and dealing with a lot of people who are saving seats for people are not on the plane, and we still don't end up together. I know SW wants to make money, I just wish they could have done it another way. I miss the old days of flying. Oh well...

 

[CarolMN]

That's what I thought too.

Still not sure if this is a good idea or not? My kids are older but we share electronics on trips and like being together. I think I would hate spending the money and dealing with a lot of people who are saving seats for people are not on the plane, and we still don't end up together. I know SW wants to make money, I just wish they could have done it another way. I miss the old days of flying. Oh well...

I just flew MSP to MCO with a stop and plane change in Midway. I did not see even one person saving seats. I think that situation is being way over stated here and scaring everyone.

On both legs if our trip, the person who took the aisle seat in our row (my DH & I chose window and middle) actually ASKED if I minded if they sat there. First leg was young woman and second a young man. I was surprised.

I checked us in at 24 hour mark and got A36 & A37 for first leg and A38 & A39 for second leg.

Both planes originated elsewhere and in neither case did we have any trouble at all finding empty rows. Most people did get off before we boarded.

My advice is to check in at 24 hours and not worry about it. Worst case is you sit together near the back. Very unlikely you will get seats apart if you check in at 24 hour mark.

I am doing EBCI for our trip back because I didn't want to have to be near a computer at 24 hour mark.

 

[Dizzyworld]

I just flew MSP to MCO with a stop and plane change in Midway. I did not see even one person saving seats. I think that situation is being way over stated here and scaring everyone.
Maybe the pot is being stirred by a "friend" of SW to get people to buy EBCI.
On both legs if our trip, the person who took the aisle seat in our row (my DH & I chose window and middle) actually ASKED if I minded if they sat there. First leg was young woman and second a young man. I was surprised.

I like nice people. It is a shame that it doesn't take too many to screw it up for other people.
I checked us in at 24 hour mark and got A36 & A37 for first leg and A38 & A39 for second leg.

Both planes originated elsewhere and in neither case did we have any trouble at all finding empty rows. Most people did get off before we boarded.

My advice is to check in at 24 hours and not worry about it. Worst case is you sit together near the back. Very unlikely you will get seats apart if you check in at 24 hour mark.

I am doing EBCI for our trip back because I didn't want to have to be near a computer at 24 hour mark.
I agree about this too.

It will be interesting to see how of all this works in the summer with increased number of families going on vacation. I guess if crazy seat savers start delaying the plane, SW will look at their policy. I just want to be with my family (although since I have teens we would all live the little over two hours on a plane in separate seats), get their safely, and keep the drama to a minimum.

Thanks for checking in.