Southwest, Never Flown Them Before, and you know I'm a worrier About This Page:

[mestitch]

So, we're probably going to have to book SWA today b/c they're the cheapest for our April trip... we'll be driving to Raleigh and flying out of there to MCO.

So I know SWA is very different with their boarding and I've been reading about the early bird check in. How does that work? Bigger question, how does it work if you're at Disney for your return trip??

[Colexis Mom]

If you purchase EB check in, they will check you in 36 hours before the flight. You can print out your boarding passes at 24 hours out, or just wait until you get to the airport and print them out there. Very easy. You usually end up with as A boarding number, and then when they call for boarding, you line up at your appropriate number and board.

[notjustamom]

First, don't worry. SWA is a wonderful airline and seems to get a bad rap b/c they don't so assigned seating. I haven't flown with anyone else in YEARS. Let's start with the basics: On SWA since there is no assigned seating you check-in on line 24 hours before your flight is due to take off. This is CRUCIAL if not using Early Bird Check In (EBCI). You are then assigned a group letter (A,B,C) and a number (1-60). At boarding time, you are lined up according to your group letter/number and once are board are free to choose whatever seat floats your boat. That's why it's important to check-in at 24 hrs to ensure the "A" group. EBCI is when SWA will automatically check you in and although it doesn't "guarantee" the A group, I've never heard of anyone NOT getting an A assignment.
For the return trip, it's the same. Check-in at 24 hour mark (can be done usually at resort front desk or park desk) OR use EBCI and no worries, it's done for you.

Feel free to pm me if you have any other questions & remember, RELAX!!

[mestitch]

So you purchase EB check in when you buy your tickets?

I saw folks talking about the time they were checked in at 36 hours in advance and that making a difference... but if they do it for you, what does that mean? Sorry for the silly questions Flying always makes me nervous We've only flown Airtran and US Airways

[mestitch]

My biggest concern is not being able to sit with my husband... really that's it. We'll be checking a bag I'm sure, and we'll just have the laptop bag and my sholder bag as a carry on those don't usually have to be stowed up above. If we don't do EB and just check in at the 24 hour mark, will we be okay? Can we choose to do EB for the return flight only?

[Colexis Mom]

Yes, you can do EB for the return flight only and you don't have to do it when you buy the tickets. I would assume anytime before 36 hours ( I did it 48 hours before our Vegas flight). I don't think you'll gave any trouble finding seats together. We've never had a problem, there are 4 of us, and we've had numbers into the middle Bs before! You'll be fine!

[goofy4clareandkeller]

I hope this means a trip report is coming. I need some good Baklin stories. The EB is worth the money, especially if you are going to worry.

[mpwife153]

We SW. I used EB for my girls trip last April & it worked great (I actually checked in on my iPhone while at a park). You do get A boarding & even before they started EB DH, myself & DD never had an issue getting seats together. Also, now you can use DME & have your bag taken care of (used it in April ) When you check your bag on departure day they can print your boarding pass for you.

[mousestruck]

Don't worry, Melissa. I'm a cheapo and have never paid extra for EB check-in. I make sure I check in exactly at the 24-hour mark and we always get "B" passes. Once I forgot and checked in hours later and still got high "B" passes... and our family of four had no trouble find seats together. As long as you get a B pass, you really shouldn't have any issue sitting with your husband.

That being said, you might want to consider EB for your return flight -- just for convenience. It's much easier to forget when you're at WDW having a great time than when you're home getting ready for your trip! Otherwise you'll need to check-in on your mobile, or at at Guest Service Center at any park or resort. We've done that many times.

[mestitch]

I'm just being cheap and thinking I don't want to tack another $40 on the cost... but if you don't have to get it when you buy the tickets, maybe when I add it later, I'll trick my mind into thinking it's separate

[JoanneS]

You shouldn't have any problem getting seats together if you do EB check in. I've done it for all my flights on SWA since they instituted the policy. It works great, especially for the trip back. Since SWA checks you in at 36 hours, you usually get a fairly low A boarding pass number. I had my boarding pass printed when I checked my bags with the hotel luggage service. It was easy as pie. And no need to be on a computer at exactly 24 hours before flight time.

[Colexis Mom]

Originally Posted by mestitch

I'm just being cheap and thinking I don't want to tack another $40 on the cost... but if you don't have to get it when you buy the tickets, maybe when I add it later, I'll trick my mind into thinking it's separate

That's what I did! Justified it by telling myself we saved on the rental car for the week since DH's aunt let us use her car so I could spend it on EBCI!

[victoriasmom98]

Thanks everyone!!! I know even though it was Melissa's questions, I was worried about the same things!! This is our first time flying SW and I was concerned about the same things!! We did give in and buy the early bird..... I just had to be sure we would sit together!! And I also didn't want to worry about having to check in 24 hours prior to leaving....

Again, thanks!!!

[mestitch]

I went ahead and bought our tickets with SWA... having to drive 2 hrs. RDU but it was the cheapest possibility.... so we went with it. Thanks guys

[magic mickey]

It really is a great airline. The service is wonderful and they rarely have delays. I don't think you will be disappointed. My only concern ever with them has been boarding and I prefer to get the EB just to make sure that we can all sit together. Just for peace of mind!