When flying on Southwest make sure you have an ID

[sue Z]

After just returning from WDW
Wanted to make sure that anyone flying SWA has there ID on them at all times!!
Usually you only need 1 persons ID and that is ok but now you need everyones ID!
When checking luggage, going through security, picking up boarding passes and when returning your baording pass! they will check everyones ID!! Kids do not need ID unles they have them. Also each person has to hold there OWN boarding pass, ID , SWA boarding card!
They give you a white card with your name and boarding card number when checking in and that card matches the number on the boarding pass and the person who is assingned that pass.
EX John Smith is assigned #55 on the white card will be John smith's name and will also have the #55 on another line.

Hope this is makes sense!

 

[castmbr]

I think since 9/11 that this ID rule applies to all airlines, and airport security checkpoints.

 

[CarolMN]

It has always been my experience that every adult needed his/her own ID. I'm amazed that SWA ever had a different practice.

 

[jc]

sorry can you clarify something? When do you get the white pass when you check into the airline with your luggage or when you receive your boarding pass? I wasn't sure that when you check in with your luggage you are given the white pass that already has your boarding #. I thought that maybe SWA was now issuing the boarding pass #'s ahead of time. I think I'm incorrect about this.

 

[ducklite]

For several years anyhow it's been an FAA policy that all adults have photo ID. Really nothing has changed since September 11th except how many times you show the ID...which is totally a waste of time anyhow.

Anne

 

[DVC-Don]

I've been flying Southwest and other airlines out of Albany, NY for some time now. Adults having a government issued ID has been standard as long as I can remember.

 

[DMRick]

Same with us..flying out of Albany, SW has always made us show our ID. I do have to admit, that after making sure that all had theirs, I left my license at home a few years ago, when AirTran was still at our aiport. My son was goin to make a run for it home, but AT waved it, but put something in the computer saying I MUST show it on my return trip. My son overnighted it to the resort and I was especially asked for it for the trip home. I'm betting they wouldn't let me get away with it now..in January I not only had to show it when checking in, but when going through security, and before getting on board.
We travel with grands birth certificates, but have never needed to produce them.

 

[skeezixspud]

... is that the FAA is requiring that they have an accurate passenger manifest. By putting your name on the cards, they produce a list of everyone who (supposedly) got on the plane. By supposedly I mean you could probably switch passes with someone of the same sex, and they may not notice unless they are asking for ID when the boarding passes are surrendered.
(Which they have been known to do, BTW.)

I can't begin to understand how you ever got away with one ID for more than one adult. I remember 12 years ago, on my honeymoon, my DH slipped up and put my married name on the plane tickets. Of course, I did not have ID in that name. I had to practically sign in blood to prove to the gate agent that I was really the same person at the same address, though the surname on my ID did not match. What we have done with SWA, since we've had DS, is that only one adult stands in line, then calls the other up when the desk is reached; sort of a checkin baby swap, you might say! (I would never do this with more than one other adult, though, that would seriously tick off the other folks in line.)

When at WDW, I keep my hopper in a "fishing license holder" on a cord around my neck. After 9/11, I started putting my drivers license in it and wearing it when I fly. I wear it so that the license is flipped face down, so that I only have to flip it over to show it. Saves lots of time.
BTW, the Magellan's catalog is selling a fancy little leather folder for just this purpose, so I guess I'm on to something.