Hello! I have a question. Is anyone familiar with Southwest Airlines? Their rates just came up for October when I am leaving and the cheapest option so far is the internet fare of $79. Does anyone know how this works? Is it like airtran where you can't choose seats until check in? I would like to be able to sit on the plane with my boyfriend.

They assign your party to a "boarding group". Group A, B, C, etc....When they call your group, you board. You pick your seat as you walk down the aisle. I think, you get an earlier boarding group, based on how far in advance you check in. It might have changed, I would call them to confirm how they board. You should have no problem, sitting with your boyfriend. Good luck. Lil' Lori

candi- As Lil Lori has said-Be sure to get there early for the sign in - especially if you wish to sit together! There have been some discussions that SouthWest is going to change this policy so keep checking with the airlines.

Bon Voyage,

BillyBuzzy

I noticed that there is an online check-in- should I do that to ensure a better seat?

Absolutely; SWA seats in groups (cattle call), Group A, B, and C. If you go online and check in, 9 out of 10 times you'll be in Group A, which gets seated first.

My friend is a pilot for "a major overnight delivery company" and he flies SWA as often as he can when flying out to where his next assignment is, and he says there is a method to getting the coveted "A" passes. I am not sure what the secret is, since I've never flown SWA. Perhaps a google search will help explain it. I know he does it online, but there is something about the timing of doing it - maybe it has to do with knowing when SWA opens up a flight for online check-in. Sort of like knowing when the Rolling Stones tickets go on sale for the big concert.

You can check in online beginning 24 hours before your flight departs. I have done it 23 hours, 55 minutes before flying, and got the "A" ticket (Sacramento International). I also did it about 12 hours before departure (Orlando), and received my "A" ride.

I guess is depends on the flight? I'd like to try SWA but it is a 90 mile drive in either direction to their nearest airport - they go to Nashville and Birmingham but not Huntsville, which is a 20 minute drive for me.

I always liked SWA when I lived in Florida. Very simple program to follow, the further out you booked the cheaper the flight. The closer in you booked, you paid more. They would occasionally run internet booking deals, and the staff was always friendly. They have a good frequent traveler program. No suprises on what you got based on how you traveled. Wish they flew to Minneapolis. Right now, the closest is Chicago Midway.

I will say, in the past I have usually flown SWA, including our recent trip to the Caribbean, via Orlando. Most of the flights, however, have been Sacramento to LA, Sacramento to Phoenix. On my recent trip to Nashville, I flew Frontier; there was a significant difference in seat size between these two airlines. On a short flight, I'll still go SWA, but on anything longer than two hours, I'm likely to choose another carrier, just for the little bit 'o extra butt space in the seat... not suggesting that I NEED the extra butt space, it's just nice to have when, like me, you have that stamp on your forehead that says "really large people, please sit next to me." I'm not knocking large people, either; I'm 6'2 and pushing 250 (I'm large boned and don't look a pound over 225).

True story here, I traveled with one guy a few times that would sit in one of the bulkhead seats, the seats that face each other so that some people actually face the back of the plane. Anyways, he would be the first in line (the "A" line), take a seat in this section, pull a hanky from the pocket, wipe the brow as he leans forward and holds an airsickness bag. Well, no need to tell you that on a less than full flight, he had all those seats to himself!!

I like his style!

WOW!! Thanks for all your help guys! I guess SWA it is then! Tix are much cheaper and they have nonstop flights... oh man my excitement is growing and i don't leave until Oct!!