SWA Vacations- no online checkin?!

[4shinystars]

I had decided to rebook my August trip through SouthWest Air Vacations since it would save us $266 over buying air alone with our WDW ressies. I was looking over the fine print before booking and noticed it said "This is NOT a ticketless transaction". Hmmm...went to Southwest's site and looked through online checkin policies. "Online checkin is only available to ticketless transaction purchases". Strange, I thought, so I called the SWA Vacations phone number. I talked to a nice gentleman, and asked about checking in for the flights, only to be told we cannot do online checkin, we have to check in at the airport up to four hours early, and get our boarding passes then. Four hours? Do I really want to get there that early?? I said if I can't check in 24 hours ahead, would I still be able to get A boarding passes, did they set some aside for SWA Vacations customers. He apologized, and said there are supposed to be a few of A,B,and C passes set aside and given in order as to time of check in but it doesn't always work out. He acknowledged that it is a problem, but that's what they do.
Sorry, but knowing how crowded to MCO-ALB flight will be, I was counting on checking in exactly 24 hours ahead to get A passes for the 4 of us.
Now I'm more confused than ever. I used SWA Vacations for a Las Vegas trip a few years ago, but that was before online check in-we just got to the airport 2 hours early and waited in the A pass line. Has anyone used them recently? I had posted about SWA Vacations and got good responses, but I need to know how the boarding works. Was this man wrong? I talked my DH into SW because of the price, but it was a hard sell. He likes having assigned seats. I was going to book bny Friday, so any replies will be read right away.
Thanks!!

 

[Lewisc]

It looks like you're right. If the flight is overbooked priority goes to the number that's printed on your BP. You'll want to get to the airport earlier (2 hours?). You'll have to decide if it's worth it to save $266. My guess is you'll wind up with B or even C BP and won't be sitting together. For your trip back you can either ask reserve an earlier DME bus, I think they run every 30 minutes, or just take whatever seats are available.

I don't know the age of your family but being split up for 2-3 hours isn't the end of the world.

When online check in started SW held back some A BPs for skycap and counter assignment but AFAIK that practice has been discontinued.

I'd probably save the money and accept the probability of being split.

 

[4shinystars]

Thanks, I don't mind splitting up 2 and 2, but not each of us alone. I have RA, and have difficulty fastening the belt and adjusting the seat, so I'd much prefer to have one of my family sit with me to help, than ask a stranger. My youngest has not flown before, and to be honest I would not allow her to sit without one of us. I know the 15yr old would be ok by herself, but DH would not like her sitting alone (overprotective dad). I had planned on getting to MCO at least 2 hours ahead,(taking ME 3 hours ahead) but 4 hours is a bit much,(need to leave 5 hours ahead with ME?) and then we could still end up with "c". A cousin went last summer and she said the plane was already 1/3 full when she got on and she was 5th in line at A. All the preboards made up that much. She still uses SW, but not to MCO. She flies US or CO now to MCO, just from the hassles.
I'm starting to think that saving $266 isn't worth leaving up to 5 hours early, waiting at MCO, being scattered all over, being told "I told you so" from DH .I'm taking the day to mull it over and either re book the pkg through SWAV or book air with USA.
Thanks again for helping.