SW worries--HELP! PLEASE!

[jenny-d]

OK--this is throwing me into a panic! We are flying SW for our June trip from Columbus, OH and neither my DD6 or DS4 have ever flown before. They are not going to be ok if we can't sit together! NO WAY! I had planned all along to check in on-line ahead of time but I didn't realize when I purchased the package that our tickets are not electronic so I think that means we cannot check in on line? Then I thought well, we can pre-board since I DS is 4. But now it appears that this is not a guarantee when flying to MCO d/t the high volumes of families with small children. I plan to arrive at the airport 2 hours ahead but will that be enough? Also, my DD6 has a severe peanut allergy and I would absolutely not be comfortable with her sitting by herself. (I called and notified the airline of the peanut allergy and they said they won't serve peanuts but you never know what can happen) I'm thinking maybe I should have shelled out the extra $400 and flown a carrier that assigns seats. I'm a worrier by nature but this is really consuming me! I'd appreciate any advice and anyone who can calm my nerves!!!

 

[5disneyfreaks]

I understand what you are saying. Hopefully this will help you.
Last year we flew to MCO. At the time, the kids were 15,10, and 8. Plus we took DS friend who was 14. Even though the four of them could have stuck together, DH and I were asked if we wanted to sit closer to the kids, and we were only a couple of rows back. I would have to say, that SW should do there best to have your family sit together. Honestly, your word of mouth of them not helping could hurt some of there Columbus market. Also, would you go back to them? With that said, I would think the earilier you go, the better.

Also, I was raised in the Columbus area, so good luck from one Buckeye to another.

 

[ttfn3]

Relax. Take a deep breath. We fly out of Columbus, OH all the time to Florida on either Delta or Southwest. If you arrive at the airport 2 hours ahead of your flight, you will be fine. Since your children are young, you will be able to sit next to your kids. The airline employees will help you. Heck, I wouldn't hesitate to politely ask people on the plane to move if I had to. Most common folk are very understanding and helpful. You will be just fine.

Have you called Southwest to see if there is a way for you to preprint your boarding passes? I would encourage you to do this. They be able to convert your tickets so you can preprint them ahead of time.

Again, relax. It will be fine. And enjoy your trip!

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Just a side note... even with a carrier that does assign seats, it's still no guarantee that you would sit together. How many times have we all seen posts on here from folks where they had equipment changes, and they were seperated all over the plane.

I agree with ttfn3... call Southwest, and see if they can convert your ticket to something that can be checked in online. Perhaps they've done something so you already can check in online.

By the way, I've boarded as the last of the A group (which is close enough to the first of the B group) and there were still plenty of open rows, they were just in the back of the plane. So even as a B, there's still a good chance, you just have to be willing to go further back.

 

[zurgswife]

I also wouldn't worry. It is usually leaving MCO that people have mentioned the family preboarding thing. Though everytime I have flown SW the past few years to and from Orlando out of Philly they have always preboarded families at both ends.

I would confirm again when it gets closer about the peanut issue. Also, I would make sure when you get to the airport that you mention it again.

 

[Lewisc]

SW Vactions issues paper tickets and there isn't any way to switch to electronic tickets. If one of your kids has a ticket discounted due to age (child ticket) you can call and have your reservations split so you can checkin online for the rest of your group.

Another poster said:

I would have to say, that SW should do there best to have your family sit together. Honestly, your word of mouth of them not helping could hurt some of there Columbus market. Also, would you go back to them?

Allowing half the plane to board with older children and extended famlies can be very annoying to those famlies that took the time to get an A BP and are honest enough to follow the rules and to frequent flyers. SW doesn't want to lose the business of frequent business flyers.

OP is not eligible for an advanced BP I suspect the GA will let them pre-board. I'd try to get to the airport and gate as early as possible.

 

[Aunt Jo]

Color me worried too. I logged on at 7:01 this morning to print our boarding passes and was really upset to discover that I was flagged (I presume for extra security checks) and could not print out my pass. I printed out my husband's and called SW. I know I will now have a C pass. This probably doesn't sound like a serious problem since we are 2 adults but my husband is a frail 83 year old guy who is very insecure if I'm not beside him. The agent said just have him get on and save me a seat. That sounds a little problematical to me. He will stand aside and let everyone get on before him I'm sure as that is his nature. Oh well, it's our first and LAST flight on SW. The only reason I picked them was they had a better schedule and we don't have to change planes in Houston or Dallas - which is another nightmare. sorry for the rant but I feel all better now.

 

[Lewisc]

The only reason I picked them was they had a better schedule and we don't have to change planes in Houston or Dallas - which is another nightmare. sorry for the rant but I feel all better now.

You'll have no trouble getting a middle seat next to your husband. If your husband is frail you may even qualify for pre-boarding. Sounds a lot better than having to change planes in Houston or Dallas.

 

[ducklite]

You'll have no trouble getting a middle seat next to your husband. If your husband is frail you may even qualify for pre-boarding. Sounds a lot better than having to change planes in Houston or Dallas.

I agree. Even when I've seen SW not preboard families with kids, I have seen them still preboard very elderly people (not seniors in general, but those who do need a little extra time getting down the jetway.) Keep in mind that you can't occupy exit row seats if you preboard, and plan on staying onboard until the others are off once you reach your destination. If you need extra time to preboard, it stands to reason that you'll next extra time getting off, and it would be impolite to hold up the rest of the plane.

Anne

 

[Aunt Jo]

You are right Lewisc. Now that I have calmed down a bit I am remembering the horrific time we had changing planes in Houston with a short layover most of which was spent sitting on the tarmac waiting for a gate to become available. We will change planes in Albuquerque on this trip which should be a lot better.

My husband is frail but not an invalid. We use wheel chairs in airports and grocery stores and have one reserved to be delivered to our resort in WDW. He can walk - just not very far at one time. I'm probably fretting needlessly so will try to direct my attention to my last minute packing.

 

[Aunt Jo]

I promise we won't be impolite. My husband is always the last to leave no matter where we are but especially from a plane.

 

[4shinystars]

I spoke to a SWA Vacations rep last week. He said to get to the airport 4 HOURS early, and perhaps we'd get "A" passes. They do set aside a few of each letter passes for those with paper tickets. He said there is no way to check in online. We decided not to buy the package for that reason.

That said, I am sure there will be passengers willing to help you all sit together. There are still kind people in the world. Try to relax, and think positive!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Well, maybe not ALL together... but if there are two adults and two children, most likely you'll be able to have one child sit with each adult - just not necessarily all four people sitting together.

 

[DonnaL]

We fly SW from PHL to MCO at least three times a year and have never had a problem getting seats near each other. Sometimes there are two of us, sometimes four and sometimes six. However, we've never had paper tickets and have always been able to checkin online. However, even with A's sometimes the flight already has passengers onboard and is a continuation of
a flight, so, a good number of seats can be filled already. I agree with op who stated you may need to sit one parent with one child. We've done that before, but, still nearby each other (maybe a row between or across the aisle and 1 row forward or back). But, relax, the SW FA's are very good about making sure little kids are not left to themselves. IMO SW has the best customer service in the industry and will do their best to accomodate their customers. I've never had a bad experience with anyone associated with SW which is a lot more than I can say for other airlines. It seems SW employees really enjoy their jobs and do the best they can to make everyone happy.