Please forgive me if I'm posting this in the wrong category, but this seemed to be the best option.
I have a flight coming up in October, and it is my first time flying by myself, and only my second time on a plane, so I'm pretty nervous. I'm worried that I'll miss something or do something wrong at the airport and miss my flight or mess up with my boarding pass. Some background information: I'm flying from PIT to LAX, with a connecting flight at LAS. There is a 55 minute window between the connecting flight, and I'm worried that it may not be enough time. (The only time I flew it was a non-stop, so I have no experience with connecting flights.) I booked my flight through Southwest and paid the extra $10 for early bird check in. I know that this automatically checks you into your flight 36 hours ahead of time, so when I arrive at the airport, all I need to do is print out my boarding pass. Is this correct? I know it's still two months away but I just want to feel completely prepared so that I will not worry about the flight. Any advice would be very much appreciated!

Welcome to FT!

I haven't flown Southwest in a while, but you can almost certainly print your boarding pass at home, avoiding the check-in line at the airport (though if you're checking bags it won't make much difference as you'll still have to hand them to an agent).

Otherwise it's all pretty self-explanatory. Your biggest risk is probably getting yelled at by the TSA. Just read up on the annoying rules (liquids in containers of 3oz or less, all together in a separate 1 quart ziploc bag; shoes off, laptop out of bag, and so on...) and you'll be fine. A 55-minute connection in LAS should be no problem; if your incoming flight is late, they'll put you on a later connection to LAX.

Thank you so much! I was also worried about my carry-on and what I can and can't take on board. I remember slightly from my last flight (not since 2007) and I've been reading up on it on the TSA website, but I know they have really cracked down on what to bring on board. I'm just hoping for a quick line through security. My flight is very early on a Tuesday morning (leaves at 6:55am) so I wouldn't think that I would have TOO much of a crowd to deal with, hopefully.

Also, with my connecting flight.. when SW checks me in for my departure, will that automatically check in my connecting flight? Or is that something I need to do separately?

This rule applies to all situations where you need to be someplace
at a certain time... give yourself plenty of time and arrive early at
the airport.

That way you are not stressing should everything not go according
to plan or there are delays... such as a long line at TSA.

If you can pack light so much the better... if you can avoid a checked
bag and only have carry-on you save yourself a lot of time and the
potential of a lost bag situation.

You'll be checked in for both of your flights and able to print both boarding passes.

Yeah, you can print your boarding pass at home at 24 hours before your flight (the airline will auto-check you in at 36 hours before, don't worry). That way, when you get to the airport you can go straight to security unless you are checking baggage.

You shouldn't check baggage, especially with tighter connections..you can get alot into a carry on. And they usually have laundry wherever you are going.

55 Mins should be ok. But even if you miss the second flight, the airline will get you on the next one, no charge. There are PLENTY of LAS flights! And they are never that far apart.

just to add:

you're going to do great! Let us know how it goes!

Southwest doesn't have a codeshare agreement with baggage with all airlines, which airline are you connecting on.

Both my departure and connecting flight are through Southwest.

Thank you so much!

Don't forget you will need ID - I can't comment on internal US flights, but others certainly could if you are unsure.

I used to travel alone for business all the time. I actually prefer travelling alone to being with a group because the logistics are easier. (Just figure things out for myself and not worry about others' preferences or dilly-dallying which drives me NUTS)

As others have said, check in online the day before and print your boarding passes at home. It's entirely a preference thing whether you should check a bag or do only carry-on. I don't like hauling weight around, especially if I have to traverse an airport for a connection, so I always checked one bag and had one small carryon. Generally it's not a problem to connect in airports, there are usually well-placed signs telling you where the terminals/gates are.

As soon as you get off your first flight, identify the number for your next flight and look it up on the departure monitors. (If it's printed on your boarding pass, don't assume it's correct. Changes happen.) Then I go directly and immediately to that gate. If I get there and find I have time before boarding, then I'll go find something to eat. I also do this in the first airport: go immediately through security and find my gate before I do anything else, just in case there are TSA delays.

Always, always leave yourself plenty of time for screwups, and you'll have a no-stress travel experience.

Don't forget to bring a few bucks for the slot machines in the LAS terminal

One other thing nobody has mentioned yet: if you're lost, confused, or otherwise need help, don't be afraid to flag down anyone with a Southwest name-tag and ask. I've seen everyone from pilots to gate agents to mechanics help out travelers who need assistance. Employees of other airlines, airport staff, police officers, fellow travelers, and even TSA agents are other good resources for simple questions like directions to your gate. You'll be in a busy airport but don't think you'll be alone!

The very first thing you need to do when you get off the plane as LAS is find the nearest departure monitor and double check your gate. Don't trust what's printed on your BP as gates can change. Then, unless you're in serious need of a potty break walk to your gate first to check things out and THEN find a rest room.