Freaking Out about Southwest Seating - Page 4 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.
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There are other changes as well.
Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:
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It's time to move on and move forward.
PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
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I've heard the flight attendants inquire if anyone is willing to move, so that children can sit with their parents. And when I have heard this, I know that someone has always been willing to move to accomodate the family. But still do your best to check-in as close to the 24 hour mark as possible - it makes thing easier.
The concierge or guest services can do it for you when you are in Disney.
Have Flown SWA before...Not a huge fan of them (I like to have an Assigned seat.....I don't really want to have to be ready to bored immediatley when they start to get a good seat...I prefer to board closer to when everyone is on board the plane which makes it easier.)
As long as you check in at the exact 24 hour mark, you'll have nothing to worry about!
We usually have not problem either. Since we always fly on reward tickets we also always have multiple confirmation numbers too...so it takes a little longer and a bit more effort. I am a bit concerned for this flight, however, as I'll be on the road taking DS to swim class at the time we have to check-in. So, I've 'trained' DH in the process of checking us in. Being the control freak that I am, it gives me knots in my stomach to turn over the responsibility to him. I'm not too concerned about being able to find 3 seats together, but am not looking forward to having to sit in the very back of the plane.
I do have a back-up plan if we can't get 3 seats together. DH will just have to sit with DS while I sit alone.
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Countdown to April/May 2014 Boardwalk Inn.....3 Generations trip with my mom (first trip) and DS9 (fourth trip). DS's gonna show his Gramma the world!
We've always flown SWA, have had consistently great service, always gotten in the A grouping - up to and including our check in for tomorrow's flight, which I checked in and printed our boarding passes this morning, the 4 of us got A18-21, we do not have business class or any special rewards classification, just a regular old ticket!
That is the reason I will never use SW again. On our first flight with them (we had always used Delta but got cheaper fares with SW) we were not seated together at all The kids were only 3 and 4 and it was very upsetting to all of us. I'll pay higher fares to be able to get the seats I want now.
Something went horribly wrong on that trip.
Southwest has always allowed families with children aged 5 and under board independent of the boarding groups; in the old days, families boarded after those with special needs and before the A group; but today, they board after the A group and before the B group.
Since both of your kids were under 5 at the time, you should have boarded with the family group, and would have been able to find 4 seats together with no problem. Were you late to the gate? Or did you simply not know that you could board with the families and just got on with your boarding group?
Quote:
Originally Posted by pinkerbell
Keep in mind that you can get your boarding passes for your return flight at any Disney resort, not just the one where you are staying. We actually got ours at Guest Relations at Downtown Disney the last time we flew SW and easily got the A boarding group. Good luck and have a great trip!
You can do airline check-ins at Guest Relations at any WDW park or Downtown Disney, or at the Lobby Concierge desk of any WDW resort (whether you are staying there or not), or at the front desk or business center of most non-Disney hotels and motels in the greater Orlando area. Your options are many and varied - the hardest part is to remember when the time comes and get yourself to one of the many places where you can check in, before your 24-hour mark arrives.
I like to set a reminder on my cell phone. In fact, I do this as soon as I book my flights, months in advance!
Quote:
Originally Posted by dizzparkmom
We usually have not problem either. Since we always fly on reward tickets we also always have multiple confirmation numbers too...so it takes a little longer and a bit more effort. I am a bit concerned for this flight, however, as I'll be on the road taking DS to swim class at the time we have to check-in. So, I've 'trained' DH in the process of checking us in. Being the control freak that I am, it gives me knots in my stomach to turn over the responsibility to him. I'm not too concerned about being able to find 3 seats together, but am not looking forward to having to sit in the very back of the plane.
I do have a back-up plan if we can't get 3 seats together. DH will just have to sit with DS while I sit alone.
If you have any doubts about your DH accomplishing the check-in, you can try it yourself with any web-enabled mobile phone. Simply pull over to the side of the road, take out your phone, and go to mobile.southwest.com. If you don't have a data plan, this may cost you a little extra, but to me it's well worth the extra dollar or two it costs me to be able to check in for my flight anytime, anywhere I have a cell signal - even in the middle of the WDW parks.
Don't worry...I find the staff with SW very helpful & willing to help, especially families with small children. If for some reason you are stuck with a higher number for boarding the attendants will help/ask for others to change seats with you.
I am a bit concerned for this flight, however, as I'll be on the road taking DS to swim class at the time we have to check-in. So, I've 'trained' DH in the process of checking us in. Being the control freak that I am, it gives me knots in my stomach to turn over the responsibility to him.
I will be at DS's school running the big end of year carnival when we need to check in...I have already started priming my DH on the process too...LOL!! He knows that this is HUGE that I had to ask him to do this! (Sel proclaimed control freak and proud of it thank you! ) I feel your pain!!