Would you get EBCI if you were me?

[Haley]

We usually have bought EBCI for Southwest for our flight home only- we've always been just a party of 2 adults so seating wasn't super important.

But next month we are flying with a child for the first time- our 19 month old daughter. We bought a seat for dd and it's a 2 hour non stop flight.


I was planning on getting EBCI to try to get on the plane as early as possible and sit up as close to the front as possible.
But now I'm second guessing it - I'd hate to spend $30 and end up being like A50 51 52 when we could just board after the A's and before the B's for free.

Would you get EBCI if you were in my shoes?

 

[RMAMom]

No, with family boarding you will be fine.

 

[dsneprincess]

Nope, not until you are not eligible for family boarding. There is another thread on EBCI where people are paying for it & getting B group AFTER family boarding!

You will have plenty of time getting settled, there are usually some stragglers & there is usually a lot of time!

Have fun!

 

[DisneyFEB2013]

We are going in late FEB 2013 to Disney -- first trip for all of us! We have a 4 year old and a 6 year old. Should we purchase EBCI? It is important that we all sit together. I know DD and I can board during the family boarding since she is 4 but if will DH and DS have to board seperate? DS has a medical condition and it is important to us that we are all together. Not sure what to do. I am hoping DD is whiny and people won't sit anywhere near us so DH and DS can!

thanks for any advice.

 

[mom2brooke76]

We are going in late FEB 2013 to Disney -- first trip for all of us! We have a 4 year old and a 6 year old. Should we purchase EBCI? It is important that we all sit together. I know DD and I can board during the family boarding since she is 4 but if will DH and DS have to board seperate? DS has a medical condition and it is important to us that we are all together. Not sure what to do. I am hoping DD is whiny and people won't sit anywhere near us so DH and DS can!

thanks for any advice.

The rows are 3 and 3, so someone will either need to sit across the row or two of you in one row and two in the other. Depending on DS medical condition, you may be able to get a blue preboarding sleeve so that all of you can preboard together. I do this all of the time with my dd who also has a medical condition.

 

[DisneyFEB2013]

The rows are 3 and 3, so someone will either need to sit across the row or two of you in one row and two in the other. Depending on DS medical condition, you may be able to get a blue preboarding sleeve so that all of you can preboard together. I do this all of the time with my dd who also has a medical condition.

Would epilepsy count as a medical condition to get a blue preboarding sleeve?

 

[Haley]

Thank you! I think we'll save our money and skip ebci

 

[jayhawk74]

Would epilepsy count as a medical condition to get a blue preboarding sleeve?

If you ask for a blue prebaording sleeve the Gate Agents don't ask what the medical condition. I would consider your medical condition to be valid.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Would epilepsy count as a medical condition to get a blue preboarding sleeve?

The purpose of medical pre-boarding is to help people who need a little extra time to board and get in their seats, such as those with mobility issues. Just how does this apply to someone with a seizure disorder (assuming this is the only issue)? Don't abuse the system.

 

[mom2brooke76]

The purpose of medical pre-boarding is to help people who need a little extra time to board and get in their seats, such as those with mobility issues. Just how does this apply to someone with a seizure disorder (assuming this is the only issue)? Don't abuse the system.

I think she's absolutely fine in using it. My dd has slight Asperger's and a food allergy that requires an epipen if she were to eat the source, and Southwest gives me the blue preboarding sleeve so that she can sit next to me should any incident occur on the plane. I've had the gate agents actually recommend this to me. I'm quite sure they would feel the same about an epileptic child, particularly if it were a young one (I'm assuming the pp is talking about a younger child).

 

[kaytieeldr]

Would epilepsy count as a medical condition to get a blue preboarding sleeve?

As a person with epilepsy, I would say no. YMMV. Honestly, just pay for the EBCI.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

As a person with epilepsy, I would say no. YMMV. Honestly, just pay for the EBCI.

+1. Not a reason for medical pre-boarding. If you must sit with someone, pay for EBCI or fly an airline with reserved seating. Even if you don't do this, if you check in at 24 hours, you'll have no trouble sitting with your child.

 

[goofy4tink]

We are going in late FEB 2013 to Disney -- first trip for all of us! We have a 4 year old and a 6 year old. Should we purchase EBCI? It is important that we all sit together. I know DD and I can board during the family boarding since she is 4 but if will DH and DS have to board seperate? DS has a medical condition and it is important to us that we are all together. Not sure what to do. I am hoping DD is whiny and people won't sit anywhere near us so DH and DS can!

thanks for any advice.

Hoping that a child behaves in a manner that would make others not want to sit close to them, is really frowned upon here. Believe me...I am not giving up my seat so that you can sit with your child..and I am not going to tend to your 'misbehaving' child either. That's just not cool..but, I am sure that you were just kidding.

Would epilepsy count as a medical condition to get a blue preboarding sleeve?

Well, medical preboards is for those who need addtl time to get on the plane and then get settled. Not sure how having epilepsy fits into that group. But I guess you could get away with it. But, I imagine that many would feel that you were 'working' the system.

Here's the thing....you need to either buy EBCI or be on the computer to checkin right at the 24 hr window. With you having a child under 4, I would go with checking in at the 24 hr window. You will all probably be allowed to board together, between the A and B groups. But, to be on the safe side, checkin at that 24 hr window.
I am usually in the A group, and see who is getting seats together as they board after me. Those in the B group seldom have any issue finding seats together...at least 3 in one row. You may get lucky and be able to get 3 in one row, and then the aisle seat right across from your row for one parent. Or, worst case scenario, one parent will have to find a single seat a bit away from the other 3.
But, I doubt that would happen. You should be just fine with family boarding. I know that I would be somewhat peeved if I had paid for EBCI, and a family was allowed to board with the medical preboards due to a condition that didn't really neccesitate using that group....moving me even further back in line.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

So in other words.... rather then just spend the money we are advocating the use of "whiney" kids and "any medical disablity" Just to save a few dollars? What's next "inflatable temporary casts" LOL!

I have friends with diabetes, do you think that counts too? They only have four or five kids every trip. So they can probably board a group of 10 or so with thier kids. (REALLY? LOL!)

I believe in Karma. Abuse of a system to get stuff will some day "bite" you. So someday you will "need" medical assistance because one of those kids broke a leg or something and the airlines will have decided "it's not really working" and abandoned it. (They are NOT required to let you board early. They are required to provide you resonable assistance, but that does not mean "early boarding" )

 

[DisneyFEB2013]

So in other words.... rather then just spend the money we are advocating the use of "whiney" kids and "any medical disablity" Just to save a few dollars? What's next "inflatable temporary casts" LOL!

I have friends with diabetes, do you think that counts too? They only have four or five kids every trip. So they can probably board a group of 10 or so with thier kids. (REALLY? LOL!)

I believe in Karma. Abuse of a system to get stuff will some day "bite" you. So someday you will "need" medical assistance because one of those kids broke a leg or something and the airlines will have decided "it's not really working" and abandoned it. (They are NOT required to let you board early. They are required to provide you resonable assistance, but that does not mean "early boarding" )

I HAVE to be near my son if he has a seizure. I also need DH near me so he can help if we need to give him rescue meds. We don't need assistance boarding, just assurance we are all sitting together. I am not abusing the system and resent you insinuating that. I would gladly trade my epileptic sons health. Give the kid and us a break. Havbg a kid with epilepsy is not fun.

 

[DisneyFEB2013]

One more thing. I am new to Disney and southwest. I am not sure how ECBi works. I am now seeing we should probably purchase it to guarantee we sit near one another. However, it is disconcerting to me how people on these boards make assumptions. I would gladly give up my seat for someone to help a family in need. Would you? I am not trying to milk the system. Just trying to make sure my son is cared for. Thanks for the explanations.

 

[LisaS]

I HAVE to be near my son if he has a seizure. I also need DH near me so he can help if we need to give him rescue meds. We don't need assistance boarding, just assurance we are all sitting together.

Medical preboarding is for people who need assistance with boarding (passengers in wheelchairs or who have other serious mobility issues). If everyone who has a family member with a potential medical issue was allowed to preboard, half of the passengers on every flight would probably qualify for some reason or other. If it's not a mobility issue but it's important for the family to sit together then it's up to that family to take responsibility and purchase EBCI. Nobody likes to pay extra (whether it's for your baggage or for preferential seating) but it's just how it is these days.

 

[LisaS]

I would gladly give up my seat for someone to help a family in need. Would you? I am not trying to milk the system. Just trying to make sure my son is cared for. Thanks for the explanations.

I've been on a couple of flights where they made an announcement asking for someone to give up seats so a late-boarding mom and child could sit together. It took several tries and pleas from the flight attendant before some people volunteered. Now that people are paying for EBCI to secure a more comfortable aisle seat vs a middle seat or because they have their own reasons for needing to sit together as a family, people do not give up their seats very easily.

ETA: Earlier you stated you have to be near your son. So would you really give up your seat (next to your son) to help a family in need?

 

[pooch]

to the OP. I, too, have a son with epilepsy. He was diagnosed at 6 and turns 22 today. Thank the Good Lord, he is completely controlled on his med. Seizures have been 5 years apart and always because he screwed up the timing of the med (gets lax because he is so well controlled!) I hope your son has the same good fortune.

Please accept my apologies for the tone of some of the replies here, not always very nice.

My suggestion would be just bite the bullet & get the EBCI. Why stress over it. Once you are more comfortable with SWA & its boarding process, perhaps you won't need EBCI but for now, I think it will give you peace of mind.

 

[DisneyFEB2013]

ETA: Earlier you stated you have to be near your son. So would you really give up your seat (next to your son) to help a family in need?

I meant it hypothetically....if I did not have a child with me.