SWA 30min changeover in Baltimore?

[Pirate Dad]

I booked my flights on SWA yesterday but am now a bit worried because we only have 30 minutes in Baltimore to change planes. (This was a SWA option not something I put together myself, so I'm assuming they know it should be fine). My only concern is that even if I get good boarding numbers I will not make it on time to get seats together with my family because they will already have begun boarding. Any thoughts?

 

[palhockeymomof2]

we've flown from islip to ft myers(our son is attending college in ft myers) changing in Baltimore many times...sometimes with the 30 min layover.... the A boarding for the next flight has started by the time we get off and over to the next gate....there was also one time when my son missed his connecting flight in Baltimore when his flight from Islip departed late

 

[Pirate Dad]

we've flown from islip to ft myers(our son is attending college in ft myers) changing in Baltimore many times...sometimes with the 30 min layover.... the A boarding for the next flight has started by the time we get off and over to the next gate....there was also one time when my son missed his connecting flight in Baltimore when his flight from Islip departed late

 

[iloveokw]

We had a 55 minute window at Baltimore Saturday...gates were next to each other....got there early and was impressed we had no problem. I think if they think you can make it you will be ok....just my opinion.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

you should be fine as far as a missed connection it only happened once in probably over 25 trips and they put him on the next flight out to Ft Myers....but we did learn to never book the last flight of the day when doing a connection and to monitor both flights prior to takeoff

 

[Big Willie]

You don't say where you are coming from and what time of year you are flying. I fly through Bmore monthly. 30 minutes is "normally" fine. The Southwest Terminals are not that big. Worst case its 5-10minutes from far end to far end.

1. On the occasions when I have 30 minutes I do try and sit near the front on my first flight and go directly to my next gate. Its the waiting for people to file out that eats your time

2. Check which gates your flights normally arrive and depart from (this can change). I look at flight status for my anticipated flights. If its a Terminal A arrival and depart from Terminal A its not big deal. If its a cross terminal trip (A to B) I skip the coffee and restroom break.

 

[rwdavis2]

IMHO, a 30 minutes layover is doable only if you don't leave the first airport late. They usually start boarding flights 30 minutes prior to departure so you may end up boarding with a later group. Have you tried looking for flights with a longer layover? The flight selection page at SWA tells you.

 

[Pirate Dad]

Thanks for all the replies!

I contacted SWA and they put my mind at ease. Now I can sit back and let the (over?)planning begin... hey, my Disney trip starts way before my Disney trip!

 

[rwdavis2]

Thanks for all the replies!

I contacted SWA and they put my mind at ease. Now I can sit back and let the (over?)planning begin... hey, my Disney trip starts way before my Disney trip!

If you don't mind, what did they say?

 

[Lewisc]

SW doesn't schedule connections that are "impossible". An "A" BP won't help you if your flight is delayed, SW is holding the plane and you're the last passengers to board.

There is a chance your connecting flight will be boarding before you get to the gate.

 

[Pirate Dad]

If you don't mind, what did they say?

They said three things.. they only schedule connections that are doable; my first leg usually arrives 5-10 minutes early; and if we are late they will ensure kids will be seated parents (even if we are not all together... which is fine).

 

[Pirate Dad]

There is a chance your connecting flight will be boarding before you get to the gate.

If that's the case they said if I have an A boarding pass that has already boarded we can board as soon as we get there (in other words we would get priority at that point).

 

[Lewisc]

They said three things.. they only schedule connections that are doable; my first leg usually arrives 5-10 minutes early; and if we are late they will ensure kids will be seated parents (even if we are not all together... which is fine).

I've seen SW hold a flight for connecting passengers. You'll be told to take any empty seat. The FA will ask for volunteers if your kids are very young (under 5) but the FA doesn't have time to beg. The plane will push back as fast as your seated. Really don't even want the delay which results from other passengers changing seats unless your kids are young.

I agree, typically your first flight will arrive a few minutes early. I'd rather have a tight connection, maybe not the last flight of the day, rather then have a couple of hours to kill in a connecting airport.

Again I don't think you have a problem but it's possible you'll be the last passengers to board the flight.

 

[Pirate Dad]

I'd rather have a tight connection, maybe not the last flight of the day, rather then have a couple of hours to kill in a connecting airport.

I agree!