I am taking Southwest Airlines for the first time next week. I bought my ticket months ago but then two weeks ago I added the $10 early bird check in. I got a confirmation saying that Early Bird Check-In has been added to my reservation. But now what. I still go on line 24 hours before the flight? How does that put me ahead of other people who didn't buy the $10 EarlyBird check in option? I thought it worked liked EasyJet but apparently this is different and I'm confused. Please explain.

Have you checked the FAQ section re same at Southwest's website?
http://www.southwest.com/html/genera...eckin_faq.html

EarlyBird Check-In Customers will be checked in automatically and receive a reserved boarding position 36 hours prior to their flight's scheduled local departure time. Customers who purchase EarlyBird Check-In between 36 and 25 hours prior to their flight's scheduled local departure time will have their boarding position reserved 25 hours prior to their flight's scheduled local departure time. Boarding Passes can be printed beginning 24 hours prior to the flight's scheduled local departure time.

or their page on early bird checkin
http://www.southwest.com/flight/earl...servation.html

Sounds to me like the boarding number is automatically assigned and then at 24 hours before you can go online and print boarding pass.

That is correct. Although you don't have to print the boarding pass in advance, you can just print it at the airport if that is more convenient. Your boarding number doesn't change based on when you print the boarding pass.

Thanks. Don't know why I wasn't able to find that myself on their site but thanks for doing it for me.