Yet another SW airline question about boarding passes

[jjarman]

Do you generally sit on the floor or stand to wait in the A, B or C line when you get to the airport or do you sit in a seat not in the line until time to board? I am hoping to have A boarding passes for our trip and am pretty sure I will get them. I see no reason to wait in the line for a long time. I don't think DS and I will have a problem getting seats together, one a window seat. Do you?

 

[Jestocost]

Assuming your flight is full (or close), I would say the scenarios below apply. There may be some variation (to your detriment) if there are a significant number of preboards or if the flight originated at another airport and there are a number of passengers continuing on.

If you have an A boarding pass you almost certainly will not have a problem getting two seats together, one a window. If you have a B boarding pass, you shouldn't have a problem getting two seats together, but not necessarily a window, especially if you are in the back of the line. The same applies for the front of the C line, but by the time you get to the back of the C line you may have trouble getting two seats together.

 

[aynt79]

We almost always get A passes and we usually get in line once we see the plane arrive at the gate and the passengers getting off. SW usually can turnover a plane quickly, so we aren't in line that long. I like to get a window seat too, and so far we've always got one, even though it towards the back of the plane.

 

[keishashadow]

We've only flown SW once out of MCO; but have never seen so many people pre-boarding (as in before the lines were called)...

both medical (the attendent wasn't asking for any sort of documentation/validation*) and large parties with small child exemptions

not sure if it's the standard M.O. or not.

Probably opening a squirmy can of worms; but I cannot help myself ;
(please do not flame me; took DS to WDW 12/05 in a transport chair due to complications from a broken foot - no fun indeed)

*JMHO, if not visibly in need of urgent seating; shouldn't you have to show a dr's script, handicapped placard; something to indicate that need to be able to jump line as opposed to just being able to self-proclaim?

 

[mamacatnv]

I always sit/stand in the "A" line - I have never had anything but an "A" boarding pass. So many times the planes come in from other locations and may already be occupied. I don't like to take chances, so I sit/stand.

You can also ask the attendant at the gate how full the flight is going to be to get an idea.

 

[boBQuincy]

If I have an "A" boarding pass I usually wait until the A line starts moving. I have not had a problem getting window or aisle seats. *This is for RDU and MCO, ymmv*.

 

[MushyMushy]

I noticed that, when we flew from Pittsburgh, everyone generally stayed in their seats until boarding was called. Everyone was really laid back about it. From Orlando, though, it was kind of a zoo. Everyone was jockeying for position in the lines way before boarding.

 

[salmoneous]

I always have A passes. Unless I'm shooting for an exit row seat, I never get in line until about half the A's have already boarded. Gives me a good choice of seat (would never be a problem getting two seats middle and window) and allows me to pick who I sit beside.

 

[DVC-Don]

I almost always have an A pass and don't get in line until they start boarding the A's.

 

[puffkin]

I almost always have an A pass and don't get in line until they start boarding the A's.

Yup, us too. (PHL to MCO).

We usually sit pretty far away from the gate and when we see the A's start to board we gather our things and get at the back of the A line. I just don't like all the hustle and bustle of the Southwest boarding (and trust me, Philly people can get pretty rude) so we try to avoid the whole area until the last possible moment.

 

[iluvflorida8]

I always get an "A" pass at the 24 hr mark. Saying that it "cracks me up" seeing people in the "A" line 1 hour before boarding, even before the plane gets there. I wait until there are 3-4 people left in the 'A" line and then get up and board. You can also avoid the screaming babies and kids to then...