First time flying SWA (work is putting us on the cheapest airfare now), I am checking bags, but can I checkin online just to get a guaranteed "A spot" to board? What is a security document and do I need one?

-Chris

Once upon a time, a security document allowed you to get through x-ray without a BP, and you could print it the entire day before travel. You don't need one.

You print your boarding pass online 24 hours ahead of your departure. You'll need to bring the printed boarding pass with you, with your photo ID, of course. Easy. When checking in your baggage, go to the lines for those that already have boarding passes. Another time-saver.

It only said "print security document".

Should I just check-in at the airport?

Just try the "check in online" button on the bar toward the top of the main page of the website - that should get you to the boarding pass page. If you can't find it (or it doesn't get you to the right page), then yes - you should just check in at the airport. Other option would be to try one of the check in services (paid or otherwise) that have been discussed here and hope they can get to the right screen.

The security document simply lets you get through security - you'd check in and pick up the boarding pass (and find out if you're A/B/C) at the gate. If you're checking luggage, you have to stop at the ticket counter or with the skycap anyway, so it has no benefit.

Southwest still offers the option to print out a security document, but I'm not sure how that's useful now for anyone, now that you can check in away from the gate (and the short-lived distribution of a limited supply of eacy type of boarding group to the different places is gone). Unlike 24-hour checkin, you can get the security document 6 a.m. the day before the flight - so maybe if you're traveling and won't have computer access within the 24 hour checkin window but can print out a security document, you can use it to give you 'security' that you can go straight to the gate if you're cutting things close and/or there's a huge line and/or the kiosks are broken/crowded/unusable with your ticket and you have no baggage. Seriously, though - what is the purpose of the security document these days? It's not real obvious to me.

I realize this is an easy question, but I couldn't readily find the answer.

I'm starting to fly SW more including a trip next weekend. Can I use online checkin to secure an A-spot and then re-print my boarding pass at a kiosk? I'm not checking bags and I won't be around a computer the day before, but I'm going to make other arrangements for doing the online check in.

Thanks!

There is boatloads of good information in the FAQs at the top of the SWA Forum. I highly reccommend reading it as you will get 99% of your questions (and then more you never even thought to ask) answered.

That said, the quick answer is "YES" in case you don't have time to read the FAQs now.

What the heck is this note added to my reservation in MySouthwest?

Retrieve Security Document
If you have a Ticketless reservation, you may be eligible to check in online and print a Boarding Pass instead of printing a Security Document.

To proceed through Security Checkpoint, you will need your government-issued photo ID1 and either a Boarding Pass or Security Document.
Customers not checking luggage may Retrieve/Print a Security Document beginning at 6:00 AM one day prior to their flight.
Customers holding a Security Document must still check in at the Ticket Counter, Skycap podium, departure gate, or RAPID CHECK-IN Kiosk to receive a Boarding Pass.
What is a Security Document?

an outdated form of pseudo boarding pass.

The security document is still quite useful for non-revs who can't print their own boarding pass.