Originally Posted by jsloan

30 minutes would qualify as a long wait at AUS.

As a 1K, I do get Premier Access for free, but I can tell you this: I regularly arrive at the AUS airport parking garage less than an hour before my flight (no checked bags). Recently, on a trip when I did need to check bags, I arrived 55 minutes prior to my flight (baggage cut-off time is 45 minutes). I haven’t missed a flight yet, and I don’t have pre-check or CLEAR. On peak travel days, I have seen long lines at the UA counter, but mostly for the 6 AM bank of departures, and rarely after that.

Buying Premier Access would basically be insurance against Southwest arriving 2 hours late. If they arrive less than 2 hours late, you should be fine.