Update: no worries!! :) Should I worry...changing planes at BWI on SWA

[NHAnn]

We're taking grandbabies (3 and 18 mos) to WDW for the first time in early January. Their parents and our 18 yr old are coming too.....so 7 of us incl 2 little ones. By the time I got online when the fares were released, I could not get a non-stop morning departure from MHT to MCO at a decent rate. So I booked an itinerary with a connection at BWI. (Fortuantely got a non-stop coming home)

We always arrive early at MHT, and in any event I'm hoping/assuming at least part of our group can pre-board with the little ones. But there are only 45 minutes between arrival and departure at BWI. I'm assuming we have to get a new boarding pass at BWI? I won't be able to do online check in with all 7 seats on one reservation. SHould I be getting worried about the short length of time between flights? Since it's sold as a connecting flight, will they wait for us at BWI if there are weather delays? (I won't say the S*** word - think white flakes ) Will (some of us at least) be able to pre-board at BWI even if we all end up with C's --even if we are on time we'll only have 45 minutes between arrival and departure from BWI. Will they at least ensure that a parent can be with each little one, even if the other 3 adults are scattered about in singles?

I guess I need reassurance that I didn't make a major boo-boo in my quest to make this economical!

thanks for any insight you can give me!!

 

[debster812]

Ann--I have done the connection through BWI with Southwest many times travelling from PVD to Ft Lauderdale. The 45 minutes should be enough to make the connection. Trust me when I tell you this, people will fall all over themselves to switch seats so that your grandbabies can sit with their parents, and NOT next to them. I have done this on almost every flight I've connected on.

I would also call SWA and ask them if it is possible to check in for both legs of the flight in MHT. Maybe not, but worth asking.

Good Luck! And it will be F I N E.

Debbie

 

[Pinnie]

You can now check in for BOTH legs of the flight ONLINE. I just did it for my trip tomorrow (DTW-MDW-MCO).

You will also be able to get your boarding pass for your connecting flight when you check in at your point of origin. (Did that last week!)

You will have to have the reservations separatedm however.

Relax and enjoy SWA. Trust me, you will find it very easy and stress free!

pinnie

 

[NHAnn]

I guess I'll wait til it gets a little closer and give them a call and see what advice/assurance they can offer.... I'm not sure I want to go through the hassle of separating the reservations and then be up til the wee hours after 12:01 to do 7 separate boarding passes online, unless I can get the BWI to MCO ones at that point too. I'd just as soon arrive early at MHT which is what we usually do anyway. On the other hand...I don't sleep well/much the night before a trip anyway

Deb...too true about people switching seats to "help us out"

thanks Pinnie...I know you're right!! DH, DD and I have flown SWA a number of times to Orlando, Tampa, and West Palm in the past few years...and we DO love it....it's just the size of the group this time ... the 2 little ones and a carseat that has me a little stressed

 

[NHAnn]

Now Christmas is over, I can obsess for a whole week about my trip! I am mostly nervous about the connection in BWI. I know we are not the only ones on the flight making the connection, and I know the FA's and other passengers will "help" assure that each little one is next to a parent....but I'm still nervous!

 

[zurgswife]

Ann from what I've read you no longer need separate ressies to check in groups online...I'd call SWA to verify....but I think I read that...depending on your flight time you don't always have to stay up until 12:01am...we had a afternoon flight at the beginning of december and I just did it when I woke up at 7am and got group A's

 

[NHAnn]

OH MY GOODNESS! I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!

I was on the SWA site poking around and noticed that the departing non-stop (that I couldn't originally get for the low fare) is NOW ON SALE!!
So then I went into the "change itinerary" function and we are now NON-STOP from MHT to MCO for our flight down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And got a little credit for future use too!!

 

[zurgswife]

Congrats......

 

[NHAnn]

thanks zurgswife!

 

[Laurabearz]

That is great news. I didnt know you could change flights online and get a future credit too.... That is awesome.

I keep hoping people wont move so I dont have to sit next to my kids during the flight, but for some reason they always do...