Important FYI! Southwest Airlines Pre-Board policy change

[emermel]

Not sure which parenting section to post this in, so I'll put it in all three.


I was just told my a friend of mine that Southwest Airlines has changed their pre-board policy. Now, instead of being able to board before the non-"preboard" passengers, people travelling with young children will board after the "A" group. So, even if you get an "A" boarding pass, because people start lining up so darn early for these flights, you will have to stand in line for a LONG time with your kids. Be prepared. We are flying for the first time with our 1 year old and our 3 1/2 year old. I didn't think that we were really going to have issues until I heard this. Now I'm scared...I think the one year old is going to FREAK!

[jennylou]

We've been discussing this over in the Master Travel thread in infants. :)

I just flew United and they didn't allow us to pre-board either and it was a PITA. I even had a gentleman behind me comment that it's easier on everyone when they just allow people with kids to pre-board. Then, they don't get stuck behind someone trying to collapse a stroller, grab carryons, hold the small child etc.

[cynder]

It's been discussed a bit in this thread (http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6674&highlight=travel&page=15).

I know that jesvet recently traveled on SW after the change but did not hear what the experience is like.

[thedoorchick]

Since you'll be boarding between the A and B groups, there is no need to wait in any line. They will call the A group, board all those passengers, then call families with small children/other "preboards."

The airline is also testing a modified boarding procedure where all boarding passes have not only a group letter, but also a boarding number, which should eliminate the need for lines. However, that won't be nationwide for quite some time (assuming the tests are even favorable).

[isobel]

Since you'll be boarding between the A and B groups, there is no need to wait in any line. They will call the A group, board all those passengers, then call families with small children/other "preboards."



Exactly. We flew last week on Southwest and did not have a problem with the new policy. We did have "A" boarding passes on our first leg and flew out of an airport with the new process in place. We lined up at the post with our number group on it and they let us through (about five people). There was not a huge buildup to get on the plane once (in the tunnel) which was nice. On our return flip (two different flights) we were sitting in the preboard area and the gate agent preboarded us the first segment. The second time we waited until the A's were done and walked up to the doorway.

[Kingdono]

When we flew with our son 3 at the time we waiting until almost everyone was on the plane to board. He just played until we said OK time to go. Then we got our seat and my husband stowed everything and it wasn't that long before we took off. It worked for us but might not work for everyone. This was the first time he was on a plane.

[Mickey&B]

We flew Southwest this past week with a 2yr old and let me just say it SUCKED!!! and If we can help it we will NEVER fly Southwest again! People start standing in line almost an hour to board. We checked in online right at the 24hr mark and we got in the "A" group but that didn't make a bit of a difference at all!
It just seems to stupid to have families board between group A and B especially when you have to carry a car seat through a narrow walkway to get into the plane, and then holding back the line while you get the child the car seat and all your crap situated. Not to mention how frustrating it is trying to keep a 2yr old in line while being crowed by all these people and it was 4 adults to one child!
I guess you could wait until the end to board but when the plane is booked to capasity good Luck finding a seat for all 3 of you together :rolleyes:
Also my child kicks the seat (I know I wouldn't want to sit in front of him) but with the carseat his feet sit right at the back of the seat so it's virtually impossible to get him to stop but he did get better this trip. Anyway I really wanted G'ma or G'pa to sit in front of us so that no one else would have to edure a 2yr old kicking them the entire flight!

[jesvet]

I'm too lazy to repost the whole thing but I did summarize my experience over in the Master Travel Thread. It was a PITA, for sure, even with A passes because you still have to sit there and wait smushed in line for 20 minutes or so to get on.

[thedoorchick]

I have never understood people getting in line so early or even getting in line at all. It's just a plane, for goodness' sake. Maybe that's because I used to work for SWA and my travel was all standby, so I boarded dead last, after all revenue passengers. It's no big deal. If you've got a seat and get to where you're going, then it's all good.

The walkway is the same width whether you board first, last or in the middle. I'm not sure what the connection is with that and the boarding process?

[Mickey&B]

The walkway is the same width whether you board first, last or in the middle. I'm not sure what the connection is with that and the boarding process?


What I ment was that I we had to carry the seat over our heads to get through the aisle and I would be nice not to have worry about knocking someone over the head with it.