I second t asking to the gate agent. They will likely tell you to do family boarding...just do it after everyone else. Yes they have rules blah blah but you would just slow up the boarding process and the hurts everyone. I would rather be on time than have all the ninnies feel like the 5 and under is sacred.

Anonymous wrote:OP tattled about my comment - guess her feelings were hurt that someone pointed out how her failure to plan wasn't the other flight passengers' problem. So not only does she think Southwest's rules don't apply to her, she can't handle a critical comment on an anonymous forum. OP's life must be rough.

When your comment is removed, please don't post another one complaining about the OP tattling. The OP may or may not have reported the post, but either way posts like the quoted one are no more appropriate than the one that was removed. When your post is removed, reflect upon the content that caused its removal and try to do better in the future. Posts like this one antagonize me and when I am antagonized, I am motivated to remove even more of your posts.

What makes you think it was the OP who reported it?

Anonymous wrote:OP tattled about my comment - guess her feelings were hurt that someone pointed out how her failure to plan wasn't the other flight passengers' problem. So not only does she think Southwest's rules don't apply to her, she can't handle a critical comment on an anonymous forum. OP's life must be rough.

I'm the OP and I have no idea what you're talking about. Tattled?

Anonymous wrote:OP, your kids are too old for family boarding. They have a clear age-based rule. Why do you think it wouldn't apply to you?

I don't think it doesn't apply to me. I clearly stated that we did not qualify. But in reality, it may be more disruptive for us to board at the end and cause people to feel like they have to shuffle to accommodate us.

OP tattled about my comment - guess her feelings were hurt that someone pointed out how her failure to plan wasn't the other flight passengers' problem. So not only does she think Southwest's rules don't apply to her, she can't handle a critical comment on an anonymous forum. OP's life must be rough.

Talk to the gate agents

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do they look young? My 10 yo looks 14 and there's no way I'd get away with using preboarding, even though he'd be super nervous to be separated from me (doesn't do well in crowds). But my 7yo looks like a baby and no one would ever question is.

6yo is small for her age, probably could pass for 5. But not 4.

I wouldn't be worried if I thought we could get middle seats one behind the other. I'm more worried we'll literally be the last people on and won't be anywhere near each other.

Stop worrying and be honest with the gate agent. It'll be fine.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do they look young? My 10 yo looks 14 and there's no way I'd get away with using preboarding, even though he'd be super nervous to be separated from me (doesn't do well in crowds). But my 7yo looks like a baby and no one would ever question is.

6yo is small for her age, probably could pass for 5. But not 4.

I wouldn't be worried if I thought we could get middle seats one behind the other. I'm more worried we'll literally be the last people on and won't be anywhere near each other.

I don't think you have to worry about that. Ask if you can buy preboarding, and if you can do family boarding. If they say no, then be at the front of C. Head straight back. Middle seats in the back will be available. No one wants those.

If you are the last people on, it will be because C isn't full, which means empty seats.

Anonymous wrote:Do they look young? My 10 yo looks 14 and there's no way I'd get away with using preboarding, even though he'd be super nervous to be separated from me (doesn't do well in crowds). But my 7yo looks like a baby and no one would ever question is.

6yo is small for her age, probably could pass for 5. But not 4.

I wouldn't be worried if I thought we could get middle seats one behind the other. I'm more worried we'll literally be the last people on and won't be anywhere near each other.

OP, your kids are too old for family boarding. They have a clear age-based rule. Why do you think it wouldn't apply to you?

Us*

Do they look young? My 10 yo looks 14 and there's no way I'd get away with using preboarding, even though he'd be super nervous to be separated from me (doesn't do well in crowds). But my 7yo looks like a baby and no one would ever question is.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really think there should be a rule that if a kid is too young to fly unaccompanied then the airline needs to provide a free guarantee that you'll be able to sit with that kid.

SW offers family boarding for kids 4 and under, and allows 5 year olds to fly unaccompanied. So they do provide this.

A 6 year old is old enough to ride on a school bus without a parent on the same vehicle. They're old enough to sit a row ahead of mom. Chances are someone will give up seats, but if not they'll be fine.

School buses are full of kids, and are supervised.

It's more like a city bus.

A parent sitting a row away is going to be able to provide more supervision than a bus driver who needs to keep his eyes on the road. Don't you think?

I'd let my kid sit in the row in front of me on a city bus too.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really think there should be a rule that if a kid is too young to fly unaccompanied then the airline needs to provide a free guarantee that you'll be able to sit with that kid.

SW offers family boarding for kids 4 and under, and allows 5 year olds to fly unaccompanied. So they do provide this.

A 6 year old is old enough to ride on a school bus without a parent on the same vehicle. They're old enough to sit a row ahead of mom. Chances are someone will give up seats, but if not they'll be fine.

School buses are full of kids, and are supervised.

It's more like a city bus.