SWA newbie - info on boarding, please

[Luv2Travel]

So do I need to get my boarding pass at 12:01 a.m. to get an "A" boarding pass? We are a family of 5 and, of course, we'll want to sit together - is this difficult to do? Are "A" boarding passes loaded first, then "B" boarding passes? Are there "C" or other boarding passes?

Also, where would a 10"x16"x24" piece of carry on luggage fit? Up top in the carrier or under your feet? I ask because my carry on is really 12"x12"x20" when stuffed full, but will squish down to 10" high easily - will that be acceptable?

Thanks for any info! It's been over a decade since I've flown and I'm a little anxious.

 

[Tigger By The Tail]

So do I need to get my boarding pass at 12:01 a.m. to get an "A" boarding pass? We are a family of 5 and, of course, we'll want to sit together - is this difficult to do? Are "A" boarding passes loaded first, then "B" boarding passes? Are there "C" or other boarding passes?


There are A's who board first then the B's then the C's. We didn't have "ticketless" tickets so we actually had to check in at the airport to get our boarding passes. We got there 2 hours before our flight and got B's. We still dodn't have any trouble sitting together altough there were only 2 of us.

Oh.....travelers with small children (not sure of age) board before the A B C's

Hope this helps you and have a great trip

 

[inkkognito]

I belong to the "better safe than sorry" school; we always print our passes at 12:01 a.m. The As go faster on the Chicago end than Orlando, since more people have access to a PC at home than at WDW. Once my husband printed his and he was number 1; mine was on a separate ressie, and only a couple minutes later, I was already number 14! We also camp out in the A line as soon as we arrive at the airport. If we get there an hour before the stated boarding time, we're usually within the first dozen on the plane (not counting the two zillion pre-boarders), and we have never had a problem getting seats we like (either exit row or towards the front). This might all sound stressful, but it's really not...just be prepared by printing the passes early and not getting to the airport at the last minute, and you'll be fine.
Barb

 

[chesirechik]

Are there separete lines for A, B & C? I am planning to print my passes out from home. What happens if there are already B & C people in line? Do you get in front of them? Do they make sure all the A's are boarded before they start the B's?

 

[Tigger By The Tail]

Are there separete lines for A, B & C? I am planning to print my passes out from home. What happens if there are already B & C people in line? Do you get in front of them? Do they make sure all the A's are boarded before they start the B's?

I know the Philly airport has seperate lines for A B & C

 

[adisneymama]

I have not flown SW yet, we will be in Sept. My SIL has however and she said that there are seperate lines for A,B &C. You just look at your pass and get in line for whichever letter you have. She said it was no problem at all.

 

[DisneyHumbug]

Actually there are 4 separate lines, A B C and pre-boards. I have gotten C boarding passes and was one of the first on the C line and my DD and I had no problem finding seats together.

 

[chesirechik]

Wow, thanks for all the answers! That sets my mind at ease a bit.

 

[inkkognito]

And even if no one is in your lettered line when you arrive at the airport, feel free to start the line yourself. It's strange...when I arrive an hour before the stated boarding time, sometimes people are all still sitting in the chairs, and other times the lines are maybe eight to ten people deep already. Personally, I park my butt in line...no different sitting on the floor there than sitting in a chair.
Barb

 

[southjerseymom]

Someone mentioned pre board. Would that let me and DH and kids 3 and 5 and one car seat at least sit close to each other?

 

[bicker]

Oh.....travelers with small children (not sure of age) board before the A B C's

This is often not the case with flights to or from Orlando.

 

[CarolA]

I belong to the "I'd rather sleep" then get up at 12:01. LOL!

However, while I like an aisle seat. I don't mind sitting in the last row. As a matter of fact even if I board early on SW I go to the back. I find I have a much better chance of having the middle seat empty.

I also won't get in line until it moves.

I don't think folks who do are doing anything wrong, I just travel a lot and don't find it worth the hassle to me.

 

[Alexander]

I belong to the "I'd rather sleep" then get up at 12:01. LOL!

However, while I like an aisle seat. I don't mind sitting in the last row. As a matter of fact even if I board early on SW I go to the back. I find I have a much better chance of having the middle seat empty.

I also won't get in line until it moves.

I don't think folks who do are doing anything wrong, I just travel a lot and don't find it worth the hassle to me.

But, it sounds like you are traveling alone anyways, if for business. I think the "hassle" is probably worth it to families who really need to sit together. I know my family needs to be together. DS is only 6 and very, very shy. He would never be able to sit with people he doesn't know. He won't even sit in the middle seat if it means a stranger next to him on one side. And then there's DH. He usually takes his meds and falls asleep. So I don't think a stranger would appreciate him leaning on their shoulder for the two hour flight! Although, it works in that commercial on TV!

 

[CarolA]

I am either traveling alone or with other adults. We are fine with that.

As I said, you have to decide what is right for you. (As for stangers falling asleep and leaning on me... it's happened to me LOL!)

Also, it never hurts to ask the gate agent what is going on. I once saw folks camped out for about 90 minutes. When the plane got there, the agent announced that there were only 30 of us so we could all board and just pick a seat. The folks who camped where a little upset that they had set on the hard floor, but they never asked... if the plane's empty they will tell you!

 

[inkkognito]

Orlando needs Midway's set-up for SW. At most of the gates, the A line is against the wall. I have a travel pillow that I sit on and lean against the wall...works out great! But people stake out their own areas at MCO; once, I had a large party in front of me, made up mostly of teenaged girls. They had spread out a blanket and appeared to be having a picnic party in the A line!
Barb

 

[Pinnie]

SNA has the WORST set up for SWA!

I agree with CarolA that I no longer feel the need to print out my boarding pass at one minute past midnight. I'm flying SWA tomorrow and again on Saturday and I'll be printing mine out when I wake up and at the hotel on Saturday morning.

DH and I tend to head to the back of the plane anyway. Usually the families are in front and it is much "quieter" back there. Also, we stand a better chance of NOT having the middle seat taken back there on a not 100% full flight and we can stretch out.

pinnie

 

[BigBahamaDada]

One more thought regarding SWA and pre-boarding with children, if you are traveling with a lap-child (i.e. - under 2 who you are not paying for), don't bother getting up in the middle of the night to print your boarding passes. You'll have to re-check in again at the counter and they will issue you new boarding passes at that time. So, even if you were in group A based on on-line check in, you'll end up with a C-boarding pass. But, again, it wouldn't matter because you will be allowed to pre-board if traveling with children under four.

 

[RichieGraciemom]

It you have children but purchased them adult fare, can you print the boarding pass at home?

 

[BigBahamaDada]

It you have children but purchased them adult fare, can you print the boarding pass at home?

Yes. Anybody who has paid for a ticket can print the boarding pass at home.

But, if you have a lap-child, you have to go to the counter at the airport. With the lap-child, they need to see date of birth proof (to show the child is under 2) and will then affix a boarding pass for him/her to that of the accompanying adult.