Boarding Help Please, for an SWA newbie
Jul 24, 2014, 10:47 am
#16
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: MCI
Programs: CBP Global Entry, WN A-List Preferred, WN Companion Pass
Posts: 2,007
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Closing my issue, here's what happened:
Called AirTran night before after receiving an email telling me to check in. Tried to check in. Error. Web site says no-go for international. Rep says A boarding should happen.
Checked in with WN at LAX, was asked for passports. Got all boarding passes. Only AirTran numbers on rez/passes.
Was given A13 and A14. For some reason I got A13 despite not being the primary name on rez. AirTran seats were what I had pre-selected.
So boarding worked on the WN segment at LAX. Thanks for all the advice.
However... Land at DEN and rush from concourse C to A in time to board. No announcements, people in line, no signage. Was turned away and sent to a VERY long line to get a passport proof stamp. Line glacial. Also forced to fill out the emergency contact form (for the first time in ages -- I know it is a rule).
Plane now delayed due to the stamp line process. On the plus side, my bag has extra time to connect from C to A.
In short, all good. Glitch should go away when merger complete and WN accepts passport numbers.
Thanks for all your help. Hope my data point is helpful.
Closing my issue, here's what happened:
Called AirTran night before after receiving an email telling me to check in. Tried to check in. Error. Web site says no-go for international. Rep says A boarding should happen.
Checked in with WN at LAX, was asked for passports. Got all boarding passes. Only AirTran numbers on rez/passes.
Was given A13 and A14. For some reason I got A13 despite not being the primary name on rez. AirTran seats were what I had pre-selected.
So boarding worked on the WN segment at LAX. Thanks for all the advice.
However... Land at DEN and rush from concourse C to A in time to board. No announcements, people in line, no signage. Was turned away and sent to a VERY long line to get a passport proof stamp. Line glacial. Also forced to fill out the emergency contact form (for the first time in ages -- I know it is a rule).
Plane now delayed due to the stamp line process. On the plus side, my bag has extra time to connect from C to A.
In short, all good. Glitch should go away when merger complete and WN accepts passport numbers.
Thanks for all your help. Hope my data point is helpful.
Jul 24, 2014, 1:01 pm
#19
Join Date: Sep 2010
Programs: Avis Preferred Plus
Posts: 622
Regarding the boarding order issue, the GA will catch cheaters if they are from a different boarding group. But I have noticed in every single one of my 4 WN flights, that within the boarding group, the GA could care less about boarding order. I have had A17 and seen boarding passes with numbers such as A-27, or A28 in front of me.
Jul 25, 2014, 10:32 pm
#20
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: BUR / LAX
Programs: UA MM/Gold; WN A-list; HH something depending; Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,552
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Yes we each received the BS drink chit.
Originally Posted by rsteinmetz70112
Thanks for the report.
It looks like you got BS on the Southwest segment.
I hope you had a drink of Southwest.
It looks like you got BS on the Southwest segment.
I hope you had a drink of Southwest.
Last edited by abaheti; Jul 25, 2014 at 10:33 pm
Jul 27, 2014, 3:43 pm
#21
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Peoria
Programs: Southwest, Best Western Gold, La Quinta, Dollar
Posts: 819
Hint - if they're holding the BP out in plain sight such that you notice their boarding number - they've probably just stood in the wrong place by accident. The "real" position cheaters always keep their passes hidden until its time to give it to the GA.
Jul 27, 2014, 5:25 pm
#22
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: BUR / LAX
Programs: UA MM/Gold; WN A-list; HH something depending; Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,552
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Not a jerk at all.I normally display my pass and am totally fine when someone says "I'm in front of you" and I often just ask "what number are you? Oh, thanks, looks like I'm right {in front; behind} you." That's the whole point of the system, I think. Simple to follow. Non-offensive to ask if you belong ahead of someone else or vice versa. I've never had anyone object, and have often had people ask what number I have.
Not a jerk at all.I normally display my pass and am totally fine when someone says "I'm in front of you" and I often just ask "what number are you? Oh, thanks, looks like I'm right {in front; behind} you." That's the whole point of the system, I think. Simple to follow. Non-offensive to ask if you belong ahead of someone else or vice versa. I've never had anyone object, and have often had people ask what number I have.
Last edited by abaheti; Jul 27, 2014 at 5:46 pm
Sep 19, 2014, 2:06 pm
#23
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: ATL/TPA
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Lifetime Marriott Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Avis President's Club
Posts: 362
First WN flight on Monday : ATL-DEN-AMA, departing 0610 - purchased EBCI, with the groups boarding before me, likely that a Exit Row Window will be available?
Sep 19, 2014, 2:17 pm
#24
Join Date: Oct 2001
Programs: LTP, PP
Posts: 8,698
Doubtful, there are only 2 seats if not a -800. The BS, A Lists and A List + will all have slots ahead of you, 6:10 am and a longer flight, likely some seasoned business traveler will be all over it. But stranger things have happened!
Sep 19, 2014, 2:32 pm
#25
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: ATL/TPA
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Lifetime Marriott Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Avis President's Club
Posts: 362
Thanks for the reply, thinking it is -700, but, at least I'll be good for a window...
Sep 19, 2014, 2:35 pm
#26
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: ATL
Programs: Global Entry, UA, AA, BA, DL, Bonvoy
Posts: 281
Sep 19, 2014, 2:57 pm
#27
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: ATL/TPA
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Lifetime Marriott Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Avis President's Club
Posts: 362
BTW, when do I know my sequence - at the Ticket Counter Kiosk, or Gate...no baggage to check...
Sep 19, 2014, 2:59 pm
#28
Join Date: Oct 2001
Programs: LTP, PP
Posts: 8,698
You may even want to consider going to the gate and ask what A0 X number you'll get if you spend $40 to cut the line. With that, a exit row becomes very doable.
I have to wonder how former ATL AirTran business class customers will handle the transition to WN, whether they will flee to someone else, continue to pay roughly the same amount to WN for no promises and one drink, or buy a lesser fare out of spite...
Sep 19, 2014, 3:00 pm
#29
Join Date: Oct 2001
Programs: LTP, PP
Posts: 8,698
Sep 19, 2014, 5:50 pm
#30
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,870
Based on many of their posts in this forum, when they're faced with their first WN flight, they're likely to stand in the middle of the terminal, shaking their hands violently and wailing for mama to come help them deal with this travesty.