Glenda, you can get an assigned seat 24 hours (to the minute!) before your flight leaves. You are grouped into A,B or C, according to when you check in on your computer, but also will see a number next to that which tells you where you will stand in line. At the airport the A's will line up after the families with kids, the elderly and disabled have boarded. There are posts with groups of numbers shown so you know where to stand. I ask the people behind and in front of where I think I should stand what their numbers are and then position myself in the correct place. Then the B's line up, and so on. It's so much easier than waiting in line forever so I can choose a seat up front and on the aisle; (I'm a fearful flyer.) I hope you have a wonderful time on your vacation!

No seats are assigned. You are grouped according to the letter on your boarding pass, A, B, or C. A gets seated first and choose their seats, then B and then C.

So you want to print out your boarding pass from home as soon as you can. The last time I flew SW, it was 24 hours in advance. Be on your computer when it first opens up.

Then when you arrive at the airport, they have you stand in the A, B, or C line. If you are at the front of the A line, you get the best choices. If you are at the end of the C line, you get a middle seat left over that everyone else has passed up.

So print out your pass as soon as you can, get to the airport early and find where your line starts and stand there till boarding time.

Hope that helps.

The last time I flew SW, there was NO NUMBER to hold your spot in line, just the letter. I have not flown SW for about a year.

My Southwest experiences involved NO NUMBERS either... just A, B and C.

Oh, my poor back!

Thanks ya'll!

the elderly and disabled

Ok, I am elderly.
I do have back problems, which doesn't allow me to stand long.
Do I need to get something in writing from my doctor?

Best thing you can do to get the best placement in line is to be on the computer with Southwest's sight open, and your itinerary # already typed in. Exactly 24 hours before your flight time, send the info you just typed in to get your line number. You want "A", and within the first 20 numbers is best, I found.

One thing I hate is people who board first will save seats for their family/friends who are in the B-C lines.

I went to SWs site to see what I needed to do beforehand and to be familiar, so I was ready and waiting to submit my info.

One thing I hate is people who board first will save seats for their family/friends who are in the B-C lines.
------------------------------------------------------
THAT IS JUST NOT RIGHT!

We just flew Southwest in September. I love Southwest. This last time we were in the "C" group and all three of us sat separately and in the middle seats. Didn't like that too much. So we learn quick. On the way back, we got there early and got in the "A" group and we all got to sit together.

debi is right on w/ the strategy. i only fly SW and that is EXACTLY what we do BUT you will have to have online access w/ a printer for your return trip too. the only people allowed in the early line are families w/ kids under 5, elderly w/ wheelchairs and children flying alone. back during the super busy flying days they were VERY strict about who got on in the early group, it may be more relaxed now but it's my understanding your printed boarding pass has to have a special designation otherwise you have to get into A, B or C. we love flying SW i have never had a late/delayed flight nor have they ever lost/damaged our luggage and i used to fly ALOT. they are SOOO cheap i don't mind jumping thru a couple hoops to get into the exit row seats, my DH is 6'7" and needs the leg room :-) have fun! ~ liz

Like everyone said, open seating is really first come, first serve. It's also referred to as "festival seating" or "cattle call" seating. It's one of the reasons I avoid Southwest, which it difficult if you live in the Southwest.

Jodi-

Argh, about return flight. I'll be flying back the 28th of Dec which will be a VERY BUSY travel day.

Maybe I can access the internet on the ship, cause we'll be at sea the 27th, and check in.

Great information and thank you!

Oh, Glenda, just line up with the 'elderly', but don't do any fancy footwork and dancing while in line. Tell them that you have trouble with your back (and don't be too loaded with carry-on stuff) and they will take care of you. Seriously, as I get older, I am more aware of these things! ;-)

If you really have trouble, I would get a wheelchair at the door. Hubby's aunt did this and never has a problem boarding. She has Parkinson's but I am sure if you get a note from your doc, it will be fine.
I like Southwest the best of all the carriers.

what i would do is have someone off the ship log in as you, print your boarding pass and fax it to the ship. unless you check ahead that the ship has printer access, then you can print your own. i would check on the SW website and/or call them and find out if you can get into early boarding just to be safe. if you are going out of miami wheelchairs i'm sure will be scarce. BTW you might either want to sit at the very first seats, usually people don't want them because you do not get storage in front of you or under your sseat but if you are o.k. w/ that it's unlikely anyone else will sit in the row. or sit all the way in the back, there are 2 seats on either side of the isle, instead of the usual 3. the flight attendants are usually back there :-)

BTW i wanted to let you know i'm going on my first commercial cruise, inspired by your stories of adventure and everyone else's in a couple of weeks. i'm EXTREMELY claustrophobic and hoping i can cope w/ the room cuz i'd love to get to travel this way alot more in the future. ~ liz

My husband's cousinwho is gray but not old (He's younger than me) carries a cane when flying and boards with the elderly/disabled crowd. Nobody asks for a doctors letter.

Glenda, I always got the hotel to print my return airline pass. Just go to the business office early on and ask who will do this for you so you know where to go. DO contact the SW site for the pass exactly 24 hours ahead. Also, after so many online passes are given out, they quit giving them online and make you get the pass at the airport, and that pass is usually a C. So do your planning ahead of time.

I'm so sorry, Glenda, I used the wrong word. It's not an assigned seat, just a number that holds your place in line. They started with the number system in Sept.(?) and it's soooo much better. However, often the plane I'm taking is already half full of people who have started their trip in another city so I still have to head towards the middle. By all means, if you're old enough to fit their parameters for early seating, do it!

The Southwest website has a very cute "chalkboard" tutorial that explains how the seating and cattle call works. We checked in online about 16-20 hours in advance, and got number 50 in the A group. When we flew in May, they boarded group A, then families with children, then B and C. We were at the very end of group A (60 per group), and there were plenty of seats left when we got on.

We found it easier than other airlines where we ended up standing in line to board even longer than we stood in our group. Plus, the price makes it so worth it.

Glenda, my mother in law always requested a wheelchair, after she was 65. Never had questions on that. It did get her boarded first.

Moni

Glenda the best thing to do is get that "A" boarding pass printed up at the 24 hour mark before your flight. We do this for my sister all the time. You have to do this quickly because they go fast.

Anne

Glender, you are NOT elderly. I bet you will dance on a bar top or table on that cruise.

We flew SWA from VA to Orlando. Trust me on this, do everything you can to get a pass beforehand, and then get to the counter EARLY..because they bump a lot of folks!

You betcha I'd use the "need assistance group" if I were you. You had a terrible fall and you need a little more time to get boarded without the cattle call of people trying to get a seat! Kathy

"My husband's cousinwho is gray but not old (He's younger than me) carries a cane when flying and boards with the elderly/disabled crowd. Nobody asks for a doctors letter."

That is disgusting and immoral.

Glenda, what open seating really is: No standard seating, the seats are like a swing made of netting like in the old military planes and they do not recline. HehHeh Just had to do that. You always go on these fabulous trips I'd love to take.
I understand about not being able to stand long. I'd get a wheelchair as suggested so you can sit some. You sure don't need to start the trip in pain. Just have a wonderful time.
Lynn in Prattville

Glenda, with your back issues I would get a wheelchair. This is the one thing that causes issues for SWA but they really have it down to a science and once you have been thru it you will see that it works well.

"My husband's cousin who is gray but not old (He's younger than me) carries a cane when flying and boards with the elderly/disabled crowd. Nobody asks for a doctors letter."

Hint: If he paints his cane white and wears sunglasses they will board him FIRST! Heck, they might even let him travel with his dog for free!

Some people.......What can I say?

Here we go AGAIN!