SWA Boarding Pass Question

[ccgirl]

How do we get a family boarding pass? We are taking our 3 grandkids and the youngest is 4 yr. Do we still have to check in at 24 hrs?

We always drive to WDW. We were able to get a nonstop flight.

As another poster indicated, you do not need a family boarding pass. You do need to listen to when they ask you to line up. To Orlando, there are usually quite a few families looking to preboard. Also listen to the age. Sometimes they decrease the age to 2. Family board will board after all of the medical pre-boards and group A boards. Depending on where you are in the family -board line it is possible you may get split up into two rows so be prepared for that as well. I would still check in at the 24 hour mark (or pay for EBCI if you so desire) to get a better chance of an A boarding pass and, thereby being able to board before family boarding. Depending on the number of people family boarding they may only have one adult accompany the child the meets the age of family boarding and the rest have to board according to their boarding position(s). Although I haven't seen it happen often I have seen it a couple of times so just wanted to let everyone know that is a possiblity as well.

I am curious to see if anyone knows how boarding works for those with mobility issues. I have never flown SW before, but the flights I am looking at are $300 less on SW (plus the free bags). On other lines, my husband has been able to board first so that he may get settled before the remaining passengers get on. It is also extremely important for the two of us to sit together. On the trip I am looking at, we will be with DMiL, and would like to have her sit with us, but it is not a deal breaker. Does anyone think SW will work for our needs? Any advice would be appreciated.

As another posted commented on; if you are in a wheelchair you may pre board. If you have a mobility disability that isn't so visible present yourself to the desk before boarding to get the blue sleeve indicating you are a pre-board. Only one of you will be able to accompany him.

This is a very useful link as far as Southwest boarding procedures:

http://www.southwest.com/html/generated/help/faqs/boarding_school_faq.html

 

[goofy4tink]

Boarding for SW goes like this.....anyone flying with any mobility issues get to board first. They can bring one other passenger with them to assist them. They are NOT allowed to sit in any exit row seats.
After them come any unaccompanied minors..they are seated in the front rows of the plane so attendents can assist them.
Then....those who have paid for fully refundable seats or business select seat are boarded. They fall into the A1-15 grouping. There are usually not very many, if any, here.
Everyone else will start with A16.

So...you can either just checkin at the 24 hr window, or you can pay $10 pp each way, for EBCI. If you checkin at the window, you may not get a boarding group A...but more likely a B group. Those traveling with a smaller group (fewer that 4 or 5) shouldn't have a huge issue finding seats together or close by to each other....you do need to head to the rear of the plane though.
Those who have paid for EBCI will more than likely get an A group.

Those who are flying with children under the age of 4 get to board between the A and B groups. But, it is only the immediate family that gets to board at this time. So, I would checkin at the 24 hr mark anyway...just in case. There have been many reports of gate agents saying there is no 'family boarding' on certain flights..especially to and from Orlando due to the huge number of families that are on these flights.

So, long story short...if being seated together is really, really important to you, you may want to just pay the addtl $10 pp and do EBCI. This is especially helpful when leaving MCO. That way you don't need to worry about being close to a computer the day before you leave.