Southwest Rapid Rewards - Family priority boarding?

Hi all,

I fly a lot more than my family, at least 3 times a year, so I'm used to traveling, getting to the airport, security screening, etc. My family is not as comfortalbe. We're goint to Las Vegas for christmas, and I want to make sure everything goes as good as it should.

I want to use my knowldge to help them go thru security, boarding, etc. The problem that I have is they will be coming to the airport at different times. Is there anyone I can speak with to make sure they get through security with the least amount of hassle? I was hoping to check my bags, get through secuirty, come back out, and bring them through security. Then I was hoping to get the stewardess at the gate to let us board first because my grandparents are in their 60's. It will be my wife, 2 kids, one set of aunt and uncle, and two unrelated grandparents. My wife will be in charge of the kids, and her sister will take one on her lap at the plane, so I'm not to worried about the kids. Their all counting on me to make things go smoothly. We'll be flying from Chicago.

Any tips or tricks would be great.

I was hoping to check my bags, get through secuirty, come back out, and bring them through security.

Why go thru security at all? Just wait for them before you go thu.


Then I was hoping to get the stewardess at the gate to let us board first because my grandparents are in their 60's. It will be my wife, 2 kids, one set of aunt and uncle, and two unrelated grandparents.

If they qualify for preboarding, they will get on first. OLCI at the 24 hour window will get the rest of you on early enough to all sit together.

Resisting my normal counsel to follow John Belushi's advice to Flounder after they trashed the Lincoln.....

1. Read the FAQ for SWA on this board

2. Use online check in at 24 hours so each person gets an A boarding pass.

3. I only have used carry-on at Midway, bit would guess that curbside check-in will work best.

4. Make sure all in your party of 8 (or is it larger) understand the rules for liquids in carry-on baggage.

5. At Chicago always use the security lanes on the far far right.

6. Ensure you are set to prevent ear blocks for the lap child

7. Families board after the A group unless they have an A boarding pass hence the reason for 24 hr online check-in.

8. A small item but important to some --pls use correct terminology for SWA folks: the person at the counter and the gate podium is a CSA - Customer Service Agent; the person actually loading the plane and taking the boarding cards is the Ops Agent, and the Flight Attendants are the Flight Attendants. If for some reason something becomes unglued and you need help - you will want to ask for a CSS - a Customer Service Supervisor.

9. I sympathize that you have the old people in their 60's with you. Watch them closely at the airport, during the TSA screening, and during the aircraft boarding process, and on the airplane as well. You never know what people in this debilitated state might say or do. Be prepared to apologize to others for their speech, demeanor, and behavior.

Have fun and a great holiday.

Are everyone on the same confirmation number? If so, you'll can OLCI and check in everyone at once, get sequential boarding positions and board together.

Families with small children board after A. Unless they have A. But it does not include aunts, uncles, cousins etc....

Today I heard an ops agent announce "families board next" after the A's. With mid-boarding for families, it's no longer a big deal if people cheat with 5-foot tall 4-year-olds. Perhaps Southwest is changing to let families with children of ANY age mid-board?

9. I sympathize that you have the old people in their 60's with you. Watch them closely at the airport, during the TSA screening, and during the aircraft boarding process, and on the airplane as well. You never know what people in this debilitated state might say or do. Be prepared to apologize to others for their speech, demeanor, and behavior.

LOL. Wow. 60s?!?!?!?! Now that's old. You should definitely try to get family boarding in that case.

I might be mistaken, but I recently heard that they were thinking about passing some kind of law that would allow people up to 65 years of age to fly on airplanes. I think the old/current law capped fliers at 60 years of age. So I'm actually surprised you were able to buy them a plane ticket in the first place if they are over 60. That's waaaaaaaaaaaaaay to old be flying. They'd probably be better off staying put in their assisted-living quarters than flying anyways. It really is too much strain on someone of that age.

Oh wait, maybe I was getting confused above, now I'm thinking it was something about pilots and 60 or 65 years of age. ;)

Is this post for real? If so...

1. Why would you go through security before everyone else? Keep your party together.

2. There's not a thing you can do to make security any easier except make sure you have your freedom baggies properly packed and tell everyone to wear slip on shoes.

3. The gate agent will not preboard you unless you are eligible to preboard. Depending on the age of your children, you may qualify. Not everyone in your party will. Parents in their 60s? Sorry, no can do unless they're in wheelchairs I suppose.

4. Flying is not rocket science. I applaud your attempt to make it as easy as possible, but other than being prepared and doing OLCI, there's nothing that makes your party more "special" than anyone else's from the standpoint of airline employees. The holidays are tough for travel for everyone - and many will be flying with the same types of families as you are - so be prepared for irrops, and most of all, keep calm!!!!