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Living without liquids - what it's really like to fly post-August 10

eshelswellwhite
Explorer B
You've probably heard that the new prohibitions against liquids and gels in carryon baggage are supposed to produce longer lines at ticket counters and at security checkpoints. For what it's worth, as someone who has flown several times since August 10, I cannot discern any actual effects on the Customer waiting times. Our own internal stats bear out that one impact of the new restrictions has been an increase in checked baggage. However, having checked bags in three cities in the last 12 days, I have yet to experience a wait longer than five minutes - no different from before. No surprise here - our Customer Service and Ramp Employees are hustling to deal with the increased checked baggage volume. As for the security checkpoint, the waiting times in my experience have been no different from pre-August 10. Why might that be? Based on my observations, I'd chalk it up to a combination of reduced carryon bag volumes, quick adapting by our Customers, and good work by our friends at the Transportation Security Adminstration ("TSA"). For a more objective view of checkpoint waiting times, read this Baltimore Sun article. The  TSA also  maintains a website displaying up-to-date actual waiting times experienced at all airport checkpoints. It's a good way to see what you can really expect. Another website, FlightStats.com, also provides this and other information, but it is not as up-to-date. Bottomline - I have seen no reason so far that anyone should be concerned about increased waiting times to check bags or clear security checkpoints in the post-August 10 environment. Labor Day weekend is the last getaway travel period before things slow down in the fall.  Tell us about your positive travel experience even under the new security rules. Or, maybe you hit a snag, but now you have a great travel tip to share with the rest of us.  
116 Comments
Joan_M_
Explorer C
I will be traveling with my family on July 4th. It has been quite awhile since we have flown. We booked our tickets on line so I have no "actual ticket" in my hand. Do I need to get these tickets off the website before I go to the airport or can we get them down at the airport and is it before or after the security checks? Thanks for your help
blusk
Aviator C
Joan, All you need to pass through security is the boarding pass(es) for the current day's flight. You can check in online at southwest.com up to 24 hours before your flight time, and print out the boarding passes, and you may also use the kiosks in our airports to check in. Brian
Doris_Bish
Explorer C
I was reading some of the comments about your tickets.. I am to understand that if you make your reservations online you will have ticketless tickets and you can get your boarding passes online 24 hours beforew flight, but as we have a small group traveling we have a pkg of fly and drive, we have paper tickets and with those we cannot do our boarding passes online 24 hours before the flight..Is this correct? I was told that we could go to the airport 24 hours before the flight and get our boarding passes.. Also as I have never flown with SWA I have been looking for your restrictions on drinks being brought onboard like (bottle water)..Is it a yea or nay.. I would appreciate any insite that you can give me to pass onto the other members of our group.. Thank you
Andi_Rockwell
Explorer C
Like the other wedding dress comment posted, I was told to call ahead, and when I did, I also received a rude response. I am very worried about how my dress will be handled. Other brides that have flown on other airlines rave about the treatment they receive. Given that SW has only responded rudely, I am VERY worried about the day of my flight and am stressing about other modes of transportation. Please let me know what to expect and if I should find another way of transporting it. Thanks!
Julia
Explorer C
I am flying SW next month to Vegas for my wedding. I'm also having the same issues getting information about carrying on my wedding dress. Do they have little hooks to hang the dress on or something like that? I have heard wonderful things about SW, and I'm excited to be finally flying SW. However, I am worried about what to do about my dress.
John25
Explorer C
This past July was my first flying experience with SWA. I don't know if I will fly with SWA again due to non-assigned seating. I flew from Chicago to San Jose California roundtrip and seen people left behind due to the planes being overbooked with no seats left. I was lucky that I had A passes both ways but it was not that way for quite a few others. If SWA would change their policy to assinging seats I think there would be many happy SWA travelers.
Cody1
Explorer C
Re: Fluids on Flights. My daughter found this approach to work very well. Bring an EMPTY, opened water bottle through the TSA security check-in. Fill the bottle up at any convenient water fountain inside the secured area. Drink your water on board to your heart's (and kidney's) content. Everybody wins!
Joy1
Explorer C
southwest rocks!
dan_newkirk
Explorer C
At 67yrs. we have never flown,What about our medications? and any suggestions for us? Leaving 11/14 From BWI to Fla. Thanks joanne and Dan
kathleen
Explorer C
How about candy for a dry mouth ,good for popping ears too,Kathleen
kathleen
Explorer C
how about candy instead of salty snacks
Chera__skye_
Explorer C
If you found a Blackberry curve in an orange gel cover at Houston Hobby airport, Sunday, November 18, please email me. You can keep the phone. I just need the SIM card. Thank you, Chera
Dawn_Shadron
Explorer C
I am so disappointed in the recent change to your seating policy regarding children. I booked a Southwest vacation package trip to Disneyworld in July (we leave tomorrow) SPECIFICALLY based on your "board ahead" policy with young children. Now I am stuck with paperless tickets which I can't check in online with and the awful anticipation of coercing other passengers to move so that I can be seated with my 2 and 3 year old children. Thanks a lot for the family support. We take 3-4 vacations per year. After this week, I doubt you'll see us on one of your flights again.
Jessica8
Explorer C
Hello, I am flying from LA to Dallas in August to go back home for my wedding. Is there a garmet closet or somewhere I can hang it up on the flight? I have seen business men request to do the same for suits. Is is not a very "puffy" dress, so should not take up that much space. Please advise! I called Customer Service and could not get through. I love SW, but I do have to agree with the other postings, I have been disappointed at how rude some of the people on the phone are...
blusk
Aviator C
Hi Jessica I am sorry to say that we don't have closets on our aircraft. Many times, brides to be, lay their dresses on top of the other bags in the overhead bins. Brian
government_sale
Explorer C
Very informative post. Thanks for taking the time to share your view with us.