Tell me about flying Southwest!

[elastigirl]

I am flying Southwest in and out of Orlando in May. This will be my first Southwest flight, ever, and I have no clue what to do. I'm aware they have open seating, I guess, but I don't know exactly what I should do - when to check in online, if it's better to carry on baggage or check everything possible, etc. I should have access to a computer during my trip as well.

Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

 

[goofy4tink]

It just seems overwhelming...it's really very easy. For your flight to MCO, you will need to go to SW's site 24 hrs before your flight. You can then 'checkin' and print out your boarding pass. They seat by sections...preboarders, section A, then section B, then section C. Those needing to be seated together are best off getting A passes. It is usually those in the C group that have an issue getting 3 or more seats together. Okay....when you get to the airport, just go to the counter, and check your luggage. I don't like traveling with just carryon. But, keep a change of clothes, anything you may need for the first few hours of your stay in WDW, in your carryon. If you are unsure of what you can take in the carryon bag, head to the TSA's site and check it out.
Then, head to the security line, relax and then hop on the plane.
Not sure how you are planning on getting from MCO to your resort, but I recommend using DME. It's quick and free. Your bags will arrive a few hours after you do, which is why you should have something to change into (or a swim suit as well) in your carryon. Always a good idea to have that in any case....luggage has been known to be delayed.
For your return to your home airport, from your resort....if you have chosen to use DME, you will be given a time of about 3 hrs. before your flight departure to be at the bus stop. Your bags will go underneath the bus, and off you go. Now.....as for your flight down, you will want to head to the front desk of your resort to have them print out your boarding passes at that 24 hr mark the day before. They are happy to do it, and are very familier with the request/process.
Hope this has cleared things up a bit and not just added more confusion!!!

 

[TDC Nala]

Check in 24 hours prior to your flight to get the A boarding group pass. Most likely at that point you won't have to worry about much of anything in relation to seating.

If you have access to a computer you won't have any trouble doing this. SW allows checkin using cell phones with internet capability, also. Their website has instructions for doing that.

You don't need to print the boarding pass if you are checking in remotely. I understand the resorts and maybe guest services in the parks will do it, but it isn't necessary. You can check in by computer or cellphone, and print the pass when you get to the airport. You can print them when checking luggage, or if you are not checking luggage, Orlando has stand-alone kiosks where you can print your pass.

While the above poster does not like traveling with just a carryon, I do not like checking luggage unless it's absolutely necessary. It can be done either way.

 

[goofy4tink]

Check in 24 hours prior to your flight to get the A boarding group pass. Most likely at that point you won't have to worry about much of anything in relation to seating.

If you have access to a computer you won't have any trouble doing this. SW allows checkin using cell phones with internet capability, also. Their website has instructions for doing that.

You don't need to print the boarding pass if you are checking in remotely. I understand the resorts and maybe guest services in the parks will do it, but it isn't necessary. You can check in by computer or cellphone, and print the pass when you get to the airport. You can print them when checking luggage, or if you are not checking luggage, Orlando has stand-alone kiosks where you can print your pass.

While the above poster does not like traveling with just a carryon, I do not like checking luggage unless it's absolutely necessary. It can be done either way.

I wondered how long it would take for those carryon folks to post !!!
Different strokes for different folks. I did travel to WDW one time with just carryon, and it worked out fine. Problem is...when I fly with my dh, he seems to need everything but the kitchen sink in his bags. My dd and I can fly very lightly, but not him.
And thanks for the reminder about the stand-alone kiosks for SW....I always forget them.

 

[TDC Nala]

I wondered how long it would take for those carryon folks to post !!!
Different strokes for different folks. I did travel to WDW one time with just carryon, and it worked out fine. Problem is...when I fly with my dh, he seems to need everything but the kitchen sink in his bags. My dd and I can fly very lightly, but not him.
And thanks for the reminder about the stand-alone kiosks for SW....I always forget them.

I should mention I've been in there on occasions when a lot of them were not operational...if they're all down it would be necessary to stand in the checkin line to get the boarding pass printed. But unless the airline's computers are entirely down, you will be able to get a printed pass (with the boarding group you checked in for) at the airport.

There is another way to do this if you are using the cell phone checkin option. This Friday I have to check in for a Saturday flight, but the checkin time will fall while I am inside a subway tunnel and my phone won't work.

So I can wait until I get to work and check in on the internet computer there, or I can check in on my phone when I emerge from the tunnel, then print out the boarding pass on the computer at work.