Taking baby in arms through security
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: ORD, MDW or MKE
Programs: American and Southwest. Hilton and Marriott hotels primarily.
Posts: 6,454
Taking baby in arms through security
Do I need to get a gate pass for a baby in arms?
Also, this baby is 3 months. Will I need a birth certificate to prove he is under 2? I remember reading that WN tends to require a birth certificate.
Also, this baby is 3 months. Will I need a birth certificate to prove he is under 2? I remember reading that WN tends to require a birth certificate.
#2
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,286
Yes, assuming you are traveling with the infant as a lap child, you will need a birth certificate. You will need to check in at the counter, show the birth certificate, and obtain a Boarding Verification Document (BVD). The BVD acts like a boarding pass, and is what you will show at security (if requested) and when boarding the plane.
#3
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PHX
Programs: AA Gold, WN A+ & CP, HH Diamond, Hyatt Platinum, National Executive Elite
Posts: 3,238
Put the baby in the diaper bag until you get past the document checker.
#4
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: DEN
Programs: WN A-list CP, IHG plat, Hyatt plat, United Silver, Hilton Gold
Posts: 153
#5
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: DAL, DFW
Programs: WN A-List; Hyatt Diamond; Marriott Gold; National Executive
Posts: 164
Yes, assuming you are traveling with the infant as a lap child, you will need a birth certificate. You will need to check in at the counter, show the birth certificate, and obtain a Boarding Verification Document (BVD). The BVD acts like a boarding pass, and is what you will show at security (if requested) and when boarding the plane.
#8
Join Date: May 2006
Location: TUS/PDX
Programs: WN CP/A-List, AS MVPG75K
Posts: 5,798
Seriously though, I doubt WN would require a birth certificate to verify the baby's age if the kid is obviously under two. It should be pretty obvious.
#9
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,286
If you don't have the birth certificate, and you encounter the wrong agent, they will make you buy a seat for the child. Angry posts about this pop up all the time on Southwesr's Facebook page, and I believe an incident of this occuring was shown on an episode of the original Southwest-based reality tv show.
#10
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: WN A+ CP, UA 1MM/*A Gold, Mar LT Tit, IHG Plat, HH Dia
Posts: 6,282
#13
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,286
Also, just to clarify, if flying internationally the child (regardless of age) will need a passport, for both Southwest and TSA. TSA may or may not ask for the child's passport at security (depending primarily on whether the gate used is designated for international travel only), but they require all passengers, including children, on international flights have a passport in their possession at all times.