Thanks to all those that have replied. I really appreciate the help.
2 seats together shouldn't be a problem. Head toward the back of the plane and there should be plenty. With Cs, it'll be less sure but still possible. Is there a reason checking in at the 24 hr mark is not possible?
If you have a iPhone SW has their own app that allows you to Check in from that.
I admit we are still living in the 20th Century. We don't own an iPhone or any type of smart phone for that matter. So on the return trip from MCO, checking in at exactly 24 hours may be tricky. Currently I'm leaning toward having a family member or close friend check us in from back home.
We just flew SW in June. I checked in right at 24 hours, we had A49 I think. We had no problems with all 5 of us sitting together. I think even with a B boarding you wouldn't have a problem.
We did pay for EBCI on our return flight only because I didn't want to worry about checking in at 24 hours but in the past I've called someone at home right before our 24 hours to check us in.
I have given this great consideration. Since checking in on the return trip at the 24 hour mark may be difficult for us, this would relieve that burden.
Will you be boarding a continuing flight with passengers already on board? Is your flight likely to have connecting passengers, an afternoon flight from Chicago for example? Both are true? Either check in at T-24 or pay for EBCI.
If not even a late B should be enough to get seats together.
Just flew yesterday from MSP to MDW then on to DTW. We checked in on the 24 hour mark for MSP - MDW leg and got B 16 and B 17. When we got on that plane, it was already almost full from the thru passengers that stayed on it.
If getting seats together is an issue, I strongly suggest EBCI because most of the pax are using it now!
pinnie
I guess the 1st step is to see if the flight your boarding will have passengers who stay on from their initial destination and arrive at your location as a connection but don't have to change plans.
That's where you would probably run into issues as stated by some the replies in this thread.
The best I can tell, at least for our flight to MCO it is not a connecting flight, so the plane should be empty to start with. I need to check the return flight though.
Realize that by not buying EBCI you are taking a calculated risk. The odds may be that you will all be fine, but are you willing to deal with it if you are not able to get even 2 seats together? That is what you need to ask yourself.
Know too that when people pay for their seat, they are less likely to move to accommodate someone who didn't. So if you are counting on some nice person moving if you are unlucky enough to not get even 2 seats together, it may not happen.
You just have to know if you are comfortable with the risks, and with the possible outcome.
I admit this is what scares me to the point of considering paying for the EBCI. I completely understand that someone who has paid extra to guarantee a good seat won't be so understanding about switching to accommodate us.
Overall, I'm leaning toward making sure we check in at the 24 hour mark for our flight to MCO. On the way home I say it's 50/50 at this point between having someone check us in at the 24 hour mark or paying for the EBCI.
If I weren't a complete control freak I probably wouldn't have any problem letting someone else check us in at the 24 hour mark. I'm just afraid that the person we give the task to will forget to do it on time.
Once again, thanks all for your advice.
