[tinkerbelle24]

I know that we can check in with SWA 24 house in advance but regardless what kind of a b or c ticket you have is it true if you are with kids you get on first?

[Cielei]

I actually called them yesterday about this. You qualify for preboarding if you are traveling with children 5 and under. Otherwise, you board according to the designation on your boarding pass. A,B or C. Usually, if you print out your boarding pass early, you will get an A designation which will allow you to be in the first "line" to board.

If you are traveling with a child/children 5 and under, you check in at the counter at the gate when you arrive and then will line up when they call for preboarding.

Hope this helps! Have a very magical trip!

[tinkerbelle24]

Originally Posted by Cielei

I actually called them yesterday about this. You qualify for preboarding if you are traveling with children 5 and under. Otherwise, you board according to the designation on your boarding pass. A,B or C. Usually, if you print out your boarding pass early, you will get an A designation which will allow you to be in the first "line" to board.

If you are traveling with a child/children 5 and under, you check in at the counter at the gate when you arrive and then will line up when they call for preboarding.

Hope this helps! Have a very magical trip!

Thanks for the info. I just called and the rep told me its 4 and under and that my austic nephew dont qualify

[Cielei]

Wow, I would have though that surely they would allow someone with special needs to preboard to ensure they are cared for properly during the flight. Even if they are not being cooperative about preboarding, I am sure that if you print out your boarding passes at home as soon as possible, you will get an A designation and be one of the first to board anyway!! Hope it is still magical for y'all!

[Experiment6-2-6]

Originally Posted by tinkerbelle24

Thanks for the info. I just called and the rep told me its 4 and under and that my austic nephew dont qualify

I would suspect the Gate has some flexibility, and would not deny you the opportunity to pre-board.

However much I think Southwest is merely a bus with wings, they do have some good people working there, and I would be surprised if they refused to allow you to preboard.

Policy is policy, but there is room for discretionary decisions by the gate.

I would ask at the gate, arrive early, and don't complain if they say no.

Just my two cents..

[Dopey]

Ehhhh... I am wondering what difference it makes when people board. Everyone on the plane leaves at the same time, lands at the same time, etc.

[Boss Mouse]

Yes, ask at the gate. I think you will be ok.

[Cielei]

Originally Posted by Dopey

Ehhhh... I am wondering what difference it makes when people board. Everyone on the plane leaves at the same time, lands at the same time, etc.

No preassigned seating on Southwest flights. So, there is no garuantee you can sit together the later in the boarding process that you board. Seating is first come, first serve.

[Dopey]

Originally Posted by Cielei

No preassigned seating on Southwest flights. So, there is no garuantee you can sit together the later in the boarding process that you board. Seating is first come, first serve.

Yikes, but still I cannot imagine them not letting families with small children sitting together.

[mickeymommy]

I would think most people would run if they saw me and DH with our 3 year old! I mean, really, how many people voluntarily sit next to a preschooler!

[Dopey]

Originally Posted by mickeymommy

I would think most people would run if they saw me and DH with our 3 year old! I mean, really, how many people voluntarily sit next to a preschooler!

exactly

[unamadreditre]

Tink, I have an autistic son and we always pre-board on SWA because he would be a wreck if he could not sit with me and DH. You just have to go to the counter at the gate, they will give you a pass in a blue sleeve and you will board after wheelchairs and before parents with small children. I've had no problem at all but I do carry a note from his doctor if they do ever question me, but it has never happened. They are usually very understanding about the matter.

[Nastory4]

Continental has allowed us to board first sometimes. When the flight was booked solid they did not. So I quess it depends on the situation.

[DisneySmith]

I think too their flexibility depends on the number of pre-boarders that there are. We have flown SWA to other locations and they let our whole family (3 adults and 2 kids, 1 under 4) on to preboard. However, when we flew SWA to Orlando and there were lots of kids, only the 4 year old and one parent could board, The rest of the family had to wait. It wasn't too bad though as we could save the seats for the rest of the party.

[leslieh]

Pre-boarding is valuable on a carrier like SWA (no assigned seats)- last year my husband and I had "B" boarding passes and still were not able to sit together! I don't think that SWA will have a problem giving you a blue (special assistance) boarding card if you speak to the agent... but, you never know- One of our own MBers had an awful time boarding on Airtran!