Southwest Airlines Community

Short version: as A-List you're automatically assigned your boarding position thus no need to purchase EarlyBird.   Longer version with additional references and detail (and source pages):   See this thread, it provides a nice summary without getting to all of the detail I included below: https://www.southwestaircommunity.com/t5/Rapid-Rewards/Early-Bird-Checking-with-A-List-Preferred-Status-Idea/m-p/78815 "A-List and A-List Preferred qualification will be based on a calendar year. Once A-List or A-List Preferred status is earned, the Member can begin enjoying the benefits immediately. The Member will maintain A-List or A-List Preferred status for the remainder of the calendar in which the status was earned and for the entire calendar year immediately following." (https://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/faqs.html?topic=rapid_rewards_program_terms_and_conditions) "Once a Member qualifies for A-List or A-List Preferred status, he/she is entitled to Priority Boarding. This means that Southwest Airlines will automatically reserve a boarding position for the Member 36 hours prior to each of the Member's confirmed Southwest Airlines' flight provided the Member added his/her Rapid Rewards account number to his/her reservation and made his/her reservation at least 36 hours prior to the flight. Priority Boarding will apply only to flights that a Member completes while his/her A-List or A-List Preferred status is active." (same source page as the previous statement) "General boarding starts with Business Select customers, who are guaranteed positions at the front of the A Group, followed by Rapid Rewards tier Members and the remaining Customers in the A Group..." (https://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/airport-experience/index.html) Happy flying :cathappy: ... View more

@RaintoShine wrote: I'd also like to know what the policy actually is. From this web page: https://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/airport-experience/index.html   "General boarding starts with Business Select customers, who are guaranteed positions at the front of the A Group, followed by Rapid Rewards tier Members and the remaining Customers in the A Group, two adults with children age six and under, then groups B and C. Learn more about our boarding process." ... View more

Are you using either of these pages to search?   https://www.southwest.com/air/flight-schedules/index.html   For that first one click the "weekly" option under the view section before you click search.   https://www.southwest.com/air/low-fare-calendar/index.html   Both of those web pages should give you a good view of availability.   Also if you post the city pairs then someone may be able to help with the search. ... View more

@sdfair there is also a chat function from within the Southwest phone app. ... View more

@Gail65 this is the link to the Southwest checkin page, which requires the booking confirmation number, passenger's first name, and passenger's last name: https://www.southwest.com/air/check-in/index.html   Check-in for those without EarlyBird Check-In starts 24 hours before the flight at the departure city so in the scenario you mentioned the check-in for her will be available at 3:30 for her, which would be 12:30 for you.   [edited to add referenced link] Yes, your sister is able to pick up a boarding pass when she checks her luggage, she'll just need her government issued photo ID.  Here is the wording on the Southwest "In the Airport" page under the "Check Baggage" section:   "Check your luggage at the Southwest Airlines' ticket counter, curbside Skycap Podium, Express Bag Drop kiosks (where available), or Self-Tagging kiosks (where available). Business Select Customers and Rapid Rewards tier Members can check bags faster through the Fly By Priority Check-in Lanes at select ticket counters."   "Be sure to have your government-issued photo ID ready when checking luggage. Learn more about our checked baggage policy."   Your sister may want to give herself a time buffer to get to the airport and through security.  I personally love to fly, I'm excited for your sister! ... View more

@snowman911 reading through the qualifications listed here on the "First Officer Opportunities" page I'm pretty sure you need your ATP before you are able to apply as it's listed as the first of the minimum qualifications listed under the "Certificates/Ratings" section:   "USA DOT/FAA Airline Transport Pilot Certificate" Then here on the FAQ page of the Pilots Career Portal FAQ page the first question and answer states the same requirement (bold emphasis added by me):   "Q: Am I required to have a B737 Type Rating to be hired at Southwest Airlines? A: A Boeing 737 Type Rating is no longer required prior to a job offer. Pilot candidates must still have a U.S. FAA unrestricted Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate with an AMEL endorsement to be considered a valid applicant."   Note that the following thread also includes replies to the most recent pilot qualification related question that I've seen in the forums:   https://www.southwestaircommunity.com/t5/Southwest-Careers/Pilot-hiring-requirements/m-p/95779   Good luck! ... View more

I haven't seen this topic in the forums so I'm intrigued.  Have you tried to get in touch with the Southwest Business team?  Their contact info (phone and email) is at the bottom of this page:   https://www.southwest.com/html/air/business-groups/corporate-travel.html ... View more

That's a new one to hear.  Picking up early I could possible understand but 30 minutes late doesn't make sense.  I'd escalate with the rental car company, especially if you were waiting in line.   Something doesn't sound right. ... View more