Help with Southwest check-in/boarding process
 

Help! It's been years since we flew on Southwest, and I know procedures have changed. I've given up trying to figure things out from the SW web site, as it took me 47 minutes with a customer-service rep just to be able to set up an account (no web-site tech support that I could find) and still more to be able to actually log in.

So...what's the process now, please? Hints for best results? Thanks.

well, it depends on what time your flight is. it is pretty busy just trying to check in thats why i reccomend the roadside check in for like another 5$ i think it is. security is pretty much the same for all airlines you know the usual take shoes, hats, belts etc. off go through scanner plus scanning the carry on lugage. It also depends whether you are flying out of the country. If so, you will have to allow some time to clear customs. I know the website is quite confusing but if you could figure out how to check in online thats a big help so you dont need to stand at one of the kiosks you could just keep going.
Hope this helps!
Happy travels!

You can check in starting 24 hours in advance of your flight. You can do that on line. Don't think you even need an account, just hte six letter/digit confirmation for your reservation and your name. The system assigns you a boarding number A-1 through C-60 or whatever it goes up to. You like up and board by that number. Sit wherever there is an empty seat when you get on. Family boarding with kids 4 and under if you have after A-60 you can still board before they go on then to B-1.

You can also 1. pay full price and then some for "business select" when you buy your ticket (gets you A-1 through A-15 boarding and some other perks) or 2. pay $10 extra each way for "early boarding" I think it is called (system checks you in automatically at 24 hours and will typically get you A-16 to A-30 boarding but of course it depends how many other people have paid for that too).

If you can tell us more about your concerns we can probably tell you more about an appropriate strategy.

Your responses clarified things nicely, and I will check in on line as soon as I can. Our flight--within California--leaves at 10:15 a.m.; so on Friday evening I will be right at the computer, waiting for the magic moment.

Sacramento's brand new terminal, in which Southwest will be located, opens in mid-November. We're planning to go to the open house on October 2nd to see just what will be involved in getting from parking to the gate. And we also want to see the giantic red rabbit.

Underhill: "<i>Sacramento's brand new terminal, in which Southwest will be located, opens in mid-November.</i>"

SMF's new terminal opens <B>Oct 6</B>.

"<i>We're planning to go to the open house on October 2nd</i>" Do you have your reservations? If so, great . . . I heard the event on the 2nd is completely booked. I'm going to the gala on the 1st.

"<i>I will check in on line as soon as I can</i>"

If you can't check right @ the 24 hour mark or very soon thereafter - you may want to do the early bird option.

If your flight leaves at 10:15 in the morning you want to be on the computer at 10:15 the morning before if you can (24 hours before, not 12 hours before).

And you need a similar plan for your return flight (you can only check for that 24 hours before the return flight).

We were going to get tickets for the open house at the airport, but the order form asked for birthdates. Birthdates? My e-mail asking why that was necessary wasn't answered; seems strange, but perhaps something to do with security.

laurie_ann--thanks for picking up on my error about the time to check in on line! I did know when the new terminal was opening...just a momentary lapse.

"<i>Birthdates? My e-mail asking why </i>"

Everyone is being vetted just like if they were flying through the airport. Names/birthdates etc.

meant to say >>Everyone is being vetted just like if they were flying through the airport. Name/picture ID/birthdate etc.<<

In the end, this is a flight within California, so at most, maybe 1-1/2 hours. Even if you end up in a middle seat in the back of the plane, it's just not a long enough flight to worry about it.

Exactly.

Now...are garment bags still allowed?

I don't think they have closets to hang it up[There MAY be a closet, but can't remember seeing one] if that is what you are asking. If you take it on as carryon; I think it will have to meet the size restriction just like any carryon bag. It will have to go in overhead rack and get squished in there as others shove their carryon bags in.

I am flying SW on Friday, I'll look and see if no one has a definitive answer for you before then.

Thanks very much.

I expect the easiest thing (I'm thinking of security here) will be to pack the suit and check the suitcase.

No closet to hang garment bags per yesterdays observation.

Thanks for checking on that for me.

Is it worth the price to buy the Early Bird thing?

"<i>Is it worth the price to buy the Early Bird thing?</i>"

Depends - will it be convenient to be on-line exactly 24 hours prior to your flights?

I sometimes check in my self for the out going flight and use Early Bird for the return. Depending on the flight time and what I'll be doing - Wouldn't want to have to remember to jump off Space Mountain at DL to check in w/ southwest.

The SMF gala last night was a lot of fun. The new terminal buildings are really beautiful. Of course, filled w/ bands, bars, and stilt walkers . . . It will look a lot different Thursday morning :)

ok, my take on this. You said it is an intra Calif flight, so what is the flying time? Can't be very long. Worse case scenerio - you don't sit together and have to be in a middle seat. Is it worth $20 to sit together [where one of you will be in a middle seat]?? To me, it wouldn't be worth it for that short a period of time. I can use the $20 bucks better elsewhere.

FWIW, on my flight from ABQ to OAK, mid afternoon last Fri was only 2/3 full max, if that. Doesn't mean a thing for you, just saying, it may not be full.

The OP has spent many more minutes thinking and worrying about this flight than the flight itself. :p

That's because the OP has plenty of experience hurrying through airline terminals and standing in line!

The Early Bird notion was for our return flight; we may not have access to a computer for 24-hour-ahead check-in.