It's likely that we are going to be traveling to Florida with my SIL, MIL and DS, who will be not quite 2 years old. I know that Southwest doesn't do assigned seats, and the inner control freak in me hates that. I like to know that my seats are there waiting for me (I'm weird, I know). My MIL is handicapped, and it takes a little longer for her to get situated. Along with a toddler, I can imagine that boarding will be somewhat of an event for us. Do they allow elderly, those with small children, handicapped, etc. board early? Does anyone have any flying recommendations, either airline or any advice, as this would be our first time flying with a child. Thanks!
People who will need help/ time to board are given pre-boarding passes. There were quite a few of these people when we flew last week. As it's your MIL - you will most likely be able to board at the same time as her, so no worries.
But they do "family boarding" after Group A. so even if you weren't w/ her and if you didn't get Group A, you'd still board on the earlier end.
And then to add- our flight home was a stop over flight. There were 60 people staying on the plane. Because of that, they actually let families board after the pre-boarders but before Group A in order to ensure families could stay together.
I don't remember if they do boarding with small children anymore, but definitely pay the $10 for priority boarding.
However I have seen it suggested that the person at the door to the ramp doesn't check to see if you're in the right boarding group. You could probably just waltz on in with the first group if you're sneaky about it.
I'm not so concerned about DS. If it were just DH, DS and I, I wouldn't care too much when we boarded. Having my MIL with us complicates it a little bit.
Maybe this should be on the mom's board, but those who travel with toddlers who need car seats when you get to your destination...how do you do that? Do you check it as luggage? I can't imagine carrying it on.
I'm not so concerned about DS. If it were just DH, DS and I, I wouldn't care too much when we boarded. Having my MIL with us complicates it a little bit.
Maybe this should be on the mom's board, but those who travel with toddlers who need car seats when you get to your destination...how do you do that? Do you check it as luggage? I can't imagine carrying it on.
Again, when you check in at the main ticket counter, get priority boarding for your MIL. Based on her issues, she may qualify w/o being charged. I have no clue.
We check our carseat through baggage. They supply bags, but we bring our own huge contractor bag and duct tape it closed. We bring an extra bag for the trip home.
We do take our stroller w/ us, though, through the terminal and just gate check it. Easy peasy.
I fly Southwest pretty often, and I've never seen them nitpick about who could do pre-boarding. Elderly? Need more time? Traveling with a young child? Come on ahead of the A group.
You can also set an alarm to check in right at 24 hrs before boarding. Even if you're an early B you should be totally fine. I use their iPhone app and check in where ever I am 24 hours before the flight and it's really easy. If you're not in a place where you can print your boarding pass you can always do that later or when you get to the airport.
I don't remember if they do boarding with small children anymore, but definitely pay the $10 for priority boarding.
However I have seen it suggested that the person at the door to the ramp doesn't check to see if you're in the right boarding group. You could probably just waltz on in with the first group if you're sneaky about it.
This would infuriate the shit out of me. And actually I've had gate attendants turn people away. Follow the rules and board in line with the number given. Pay the extra money if you want priority boarding.
I've flown southwest a good amount and want to say handicapped go first. Family boarding is after A group and the cutoff age is like 8 and they can be strict about it.
We flew two years ago and the family boarding was after group A. I had checked in early enough to get group A so it didn't matter. We've always gate checked the car seat.
Post by njohnson1972 on Aug 22, 2012 8:55:24 GMT -5
My MIL is handicapped and loves flying SW because she gets to board first, before A Group. It has never been a problem. She does not pay for priority boarding.
I fly with my child and have always boarded between Groups A and B and have never had a problem getting 2 seats together - it was just me and DH that needed seats. We would have had no problem getting 3 seats together had we needed it.
Also note, if you need to use a changing table for your child, it is in the bathroom in the front of the plane. Kind a of a pain, because you can't stand in front of the plane waiting for that bathroom.
I don't remember if they do boarding with small children anymore, but definitely pay the $10 for priority boarding.
However I have seen it suggested that the person at the door to the ramp doesn't check to see if you're in the right boarding group. You could probably just waltz on in with the first group if you're sneaky about it.
This would infuriate the shit out of me. And actually I've had gate attendants turn people away. Follow the rules and board in line with the number given. Pay the extra money if you want priority boarding.
Seriously. And Southwest would actually be stupid to be lax about this. People get stressed out about boarding and not having a seat. If they want this system to work and be successful, they have to make sure it's as fair as they can make it. They become lax and people can just sneak in? The more this happens, the more it makes their entire system pointless, and the less enjoyable it is to fly Southwest.
This last trip we took was surprisingly easy, and I credit it a lot of it to how Southwest handles everything. Right now I'm a fan and will absolutely fly w/ them whenever I can. But screw that up? Will look for an airline that does it better.
However I have seen it suggested that the person at the door to the ramp doesn't check to see if you're in the right boarding group. You could probably just waltz on in with the first group if you're sneaky about it.
I have not found this to be true. They don't care if B29 boards before B35, but they do notice if you are with the wrong group. Which made me very happy when I actually got an A pass and the lady in front of me tried to board herself and a group 10 teenagers with C passes.
I've done southwest with my family a few times, and while we weren't the very first to board the plane, we did get priority over others. I think that they let those with small children (4 or 5 and under) board before group B. But if you have a 4 yo and a 7 yo, one parent has to wait with the older child. It's an interesting system. But it worked for us.
I fly Southwest several times a month for both work and pleasure.
1. Elderly and those needing special assistance (DOESN'T include families with children) board first.
2. Families with children under the age of 4 board between the A and B groups. If you board at that point you will still have many seats to choose from, so no worries there.
3. They will not let anyone board with the A boarding group unless that person has an A pass. They used to let you board with your family if someone in your group had an A, but the policy changed. You must board with your boarding group.
4. If you carry on the car seat (you can if it's FAA approved), the child in the car seat needs to be seated in the window seat. Southwest is pretty strict about this. I bring my car seat on all the time with my son, who just turned 2.
5. Check in is exactly 24 hours before your flight departs. The first 15 A boarding passes go to business select travelers (paid a higher fee for their seats), the next bath of A boarding passes goes to "A list" members or frequent Southwest fliers, while the last batch of As are a combination of the people who paid for priority boarding and the people who checked in right at the 24 hour mark. Don't pay for priority booking, it's unnecessary in your situation since you'll be able to board right after the A boarding group anyway.
6. Southwest isn't very strict about people saving seats. If your MIL boards she could probably save a spot or two for you. It's annoying for other passengers but I've found it's pretty common. Or they may allow SIL to board with MIL and they can save some spots for you and your son.
Yes, you can ask for a blue pre-boarding sleeve at the gate if you're traveling with someone who needs extra assistance. They gave one to me, unsolicited, when I flew home for my baby shower a few weeks ago because I was obviously very pregnant in case I wanted an aisle seat to get up and walk around.
4. If you carry on the car seat (you can if it's FAA approved), the child in the car seat needs to be seated in the window seat. Southwest is pretty strict about this. I bring my car seat on all the time with my son, who just turned 2.
This is an FAA rule (carseat in the window seat or "cannot block the egress of another passenger).
But we are flying Southwest tomorrow and have several times in the past with a carseat and never had a problem finding a window seat + 1 when boarding between A and B with the families.
I think because it's open seating Southwest requires a window seat, whereas other airlines allow the carrier in the middle seat if the accompanying passenger is in the window seat (so it doesn't block the egress of another passenger). We've tried putting baby in the middle of DH and me and on Southwest it was a no go.
I just flew with 5 children (well 2 were teens, so 3 younger ones) and when I checked in online I was in the B group. When we got to the gate, they let us go with A group because of children younger than 5. Just be there when they start boarding, you can't show up later. A mom showed up as they were closing the door of the plane and then was pissed that there were not 4 seats together for her and her 3 children. Although, the attendant did ask and people did change seats so it worked out for her