Saturday
2 Loves
@Rick8132 wrote:
Hi I’m gathering info before i book a flight I have ocd and autism and can have a small panic attack that will lead me to crying if people touch certain things in my carry on bag is there a way i could get some accommodation I just wanna bring my own blanket in a bag by itself could I not have tsa touch the security blanket when going through the tsa border and maybe get help Getting to my flight because of the stress and nerves of a first time flyer thank u?
Hello Rick8132!
If you're packing only your blanket in your carry-on, it should certainly clear TSA.
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/blankets
However, in your case, I would have a doctor's note in your possession in a very rare case you get randomly picked for secondary inspection. Only in that case, I would present that to the TSA officer if you get a random picked for secondary. No need to present it if you don't get picked. Note that the final decision to inspect is ultimately at the TSA's discretion.
TSA will do random secondary searches which can happen (again, rare) when going through the detectors and their "random inspection" beep activates. I've hit that 'lottery' just one time out of my last twenty trips when returning from SMF to SAN via the PreCheck lane. They did a quick explosives test on my cell phone which only took about a minute to complete. They're usually pretty friendly about these searches and getting people who get random secondaries through screening quickly.
Hope this helps. Remember when you go through TSA, be ready to place your shoes, belt and all pocket items in the bin with your carry-on to help expedite and speed up your screening process. Also don't forget to empty any water bottles before going through (but keep the bottle so you can refill airside!). These will help too!
Also consider getting PreCheck if you think you'll fly more often and you qualify for it (or even Global Entry if you think you'll ever go international, even across a land border). That will make both your TSA and US Customs screening experience much less anxious with a special faster line and expedited screening!
Enjoy your trip!
... View more
a week ago
a week ago
@Gatorjohn127 wrote:
I intend to bring my electric power wheelchair to the cabin on an upcoming flight. It has one lithium ion 270 watt battery. I understand that the battery must be removed from the wheelchair and brought with me as carry on baggage. My question is can I just put the battery in my backpack or do I need special packaging for the battery before placing in my backpack. Also since I am disabled and cannot bend with the southwest people remove the battery from my wheelchair for me. Thanks
Hello-
Here is the text from TSA's website which indicates that the battery will need to be removed and placed in a protective pouch. The airline should be alerted so advanced-arrangements can be made for transport of the lithium battery. I would initiate a call with a SW CSA as early as possible to ensure this given your circumstances regarding who is to remove it. They should also be able to assist you on what protective gear you'll need to bring. TSA text as follows:
Battery powered wheel chairs and mobility devices
[omitted spillable battery directives as they are non applicable]
Lithium metal (non-rechargeable lithium) batteries are forbidden with these devices.
Lithium ion batteries must be removed from this type of mobility device and battery terminals protected from short circuit. The battery must be protected from damage (e.g. by placing each battery in a protective pouch). The lithium ion batteries must be carried in carry-on baggage only. The passenger must advise the airline of the battery location. The airline must notify the Pilot-in-command of the battery location in the cabin.
For complete passenger instructions contact your airline. Advance arrangements and extra check-in time may be necessary. The airline may need to remove the battery and package it separately if the wheelchair cannot be stowed upright in the cargo compartment.
Wheelchairs and other mobility devices are permitted through the checkpoint but not permitted into the cabin of the aircraft.
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/battery-powered-wheel-chairs-and-mobility-devices
... View more
Hello! Sometimes a simple misinformation of the facts received of an issue from Southwest may cause a CSA phone rep to say "no" to a refund even if you're entitled to one. Since this forum is Customer-to-Customer and posts do not get relayed to Customer Service automatically, I would try calling Southwest's Customer Service again but escalating the matter if possible, and carefully focus on and describe the facts once again from start to finish of what happened:
Original Itinerary of your flight including your scheduled event at LAS
Flight # of the original cancelled flight from SNA to LAS.
Flight # of the rebooked but delayed flight segment from PHX to LAS.
Location of you where you were when the PHX to LAS segment was reported to be delayed + length of reported delay
If you have it, the name of the rep who could not help you
Alternatively, if the phone solution doesn't work again, I would try initiating a contact via Southwest's Twitter which should trigger a private Direct Message discussion. That way, there is a written private paper trail in case you feel your transaction needs to be further escalated via a transaction dispute with your bank.
One other factor: I have taken a few flights to/from LAS earlier this month all through their runway maintenance project as they currently have three out of four operating runways. On Southwest's "What you need for your LAS trip" emails that I get the day prior to departure, I'm notified of the following advisory:
Delays at LAS: Ongoing runway construction is causing delays for all carriers at LAS. This may affect your travel. Please check your flight status for the latest updates.
During these trips, the actual delays were at most 15-20 minutes but mostly 5-10 minutes. In some instances, 30 mins. The queue of planes I've seen have been at most 5-7 in line for take off. For arrivals, I believe the plane would be held at the departing airport on the tarmac if Air Traffic Control detects plane traffic congestion at the arriving airport (back in March, my flight from LAS to SAN was held on the tarmac taxiway for 20 mins due to projected arriving plane traffic at SAN; after 20 minutes, I've heard the tones and "we've been cleared for departure!"). Thus, I think the rep's statement of "that all Vegas flights will get affected up to Aug. This is Vegas airport runway issue not SW so customers get to bear on the risk" may have been mis-presented.
I would give this another shot...
... View more
2 weeks ago
2 weeks ago
@rmeyer8784 wrote:
I'm a veteran and will be flying with my wife and 2 kids, and wondering if when boarding and the agent invites military members to board between groups A and B, would my family be able to board with me?
Hello and thank you for serving our country!
As @DancingDavidE asked, how old are the kids? If at least one is under 7, you should be able board at least a portion of your party via Family Boarding which is between the A and B groups (same boarding benefit as military). If both under 7, you may be able to have mom be with one kid, and dad with the other and board via Family Boarding in separate positions. Here's the policy:
Southwest offers Family Boarding, which occurs after the “A” group has boarded and before the “B” group begins boarding.
Up to two adults traveling with a child six years old or younger may board during Family Boarding.
If the child and adults are all holding “A” boarding passes, they should board in their assigned boarding position rather than waiting for Family Boarding
Also, are you currently active duty? I'm also aware there is a special military fare that can be booked or applied to your ticket via a CSA over the phone or at the airport (not available online or via the App). I would check that out as Early Bird is bundled which should help with boarding. As of 9/22/22, no uniform required but Active Duty military ID required. My understanding is the special fare would apply only to you.
Details: https://www.southwest.com/html/air/military-travel.html?clk=help
... View more
2 weeks ago
@Eoadams wrote:
When looking For flight 9/11/23 pdx to cun this error comes up. The only date that it doesn’t come up is 9/2/23
why am I getting this error?
Attempting to book a Portland to Cancun flight for 9/11/23 via the Southwest website defines this reason better. Here it is:
"Wanna look for another day? We don't have any flights from Portland, OR - PDX to Cancun, Mexico - CUN on 09/11/2023. This is either because service is paused for that destination, we aren't flying there yet, or we only fly to/from there on certain days. But our low fare calendar can show you the next available flights, by month, for your getaway." Error Code: 400521204
Looking at the Low Fare Calendar, it looks like the service pauses after 8/15 except on Saturdays where there are flights until the Saturday before Labor Day. After that, service pauses on all days until 10/5. After that, can book any day of the week through 11/4. Hope this helps.
... View more
2 weeks ago
2 weeks ago
@LuvFlyingSW wrote:
Thanks for that info! That's great to know. Can I make a second free same-day change, which I might want to do if I can't get an A1-15 upgraded boarding position on the first flight I changed to? The boarding position seems to be the one downside of the same-day change, but I have the Rapid Rewards Priority credit card, so I can upgrade my boarding position from C whatever to A1-15 up to four times for free. I haven't flown much since they started letting us buy the upgraded boarding position online, but it has been available on all my flights since then.
My understanding is you can change as needed on the same day without paying additional fare with a WGA+, Anytime, or Business Select fare (or WGA with A-List or A-List Preferred status), only paying the minor tax differences if required. If you do a Same-Day Flight Change online and later learn that all the A1-A15 slots are sold out after receiving the new booking confirmation, I assume you can do another change.
Might be best at that point to call Southwest and rebook through a CSA on the phone or at the airport so you can ask beforehand whether the Upgraded Boarding is still available prior to confirming the change.
... View more
@Bardya wrote:
I have two friends flying on the same plane as me. We all bought Business Select tickets and all three of us are A List Preferred. All getting on the same plane.
While we are all A list Preferred I travel more then they do.
I checked in exactly 24 hours before the flight and got an A6 position. After I checked in, I reminded my companions to check in and they get an A1 and A2 position.
I am not complaining about an A6 position, but curious why they got higher positions them I did? If all things are equal, does it depend how long you have been an A-List Preferred?
Hello!
Assuming that your booking was properly linked with your Rapid Rewards account, when did you all book your flights and did you make any changes to your reservation after initial booking?
By the looks of this, my assumption is order of bookings: That your friends had booked and maintained the first and second Business Select slots (A1-A2), then 3 others booked and kept (A3-A5), followed by your final booking (A6). You were all then automatically checked in and assigned your A1-A15 boarding slots at the 36-hour mark in order of booking (not in order who got boarding passes online first at the 24-hour mark).
Regarding A-List Preferred Priority Boarding, I understand that all non-Business Select A-List Preferred members have first dibs at Priority Boarding after the A1-A15 Business Select group at the 36-hour automatic check-in mark beginning at position A16 in order of booking, followed by the A-List Priority Boarding group, and then the Early Bird bookings sorted by fare class starting at Anytime at the 36-hour mark (each sub-sorted by order of booking). After that, all non-Early Bird WGA+ and WGA by order of manual check-in starting at 24-hour mark.
I don't know for sure if the A-List/A-List Preferred boarding priority perk also covers Business Select A1-A15 by giving the elite groups the first of the first, or if the Business Select slots are strictly first-come/first-served regardless of tier status. I think a Southwest agent may be able to confirm this as I could not find this info published. Hope this helps!
... View more
2 weeks ago
2 weeks ago
I currently do not use the Business Select fare but take advantage of one of its key perks a-la-carte. The fare benefits combined are all nice and when all added up, likely worth it for some...but here are my reasons why I haven't used this fare yet based on my travel needs and patterns:
Refundability - Not needed as the flight credit will eventually be used. With WGA+ Fare, I can also transfer the credit.
A1-A15 Boarding Position - My favorite perk of this fare but I buy a-la-carte if my 24-hour mark check-in boarding position ends up in the late B or worse. If it looks like that the flight will be full based on fare availability at the 24 hour mark, I may opt to buy the Upgraded Boarding right at the 24 hour mark too as all the A1-A15 slots sometimes sell out by the time of boarding. Yes, sometimes the front of the plane already appears to be filled with people (through-travelers and pre-boarding group) before the A1-A15 group gets on, but even with this factor, I've always saw plenty of individual window and aisle seats on the front half when I do Upgraded Boarding. To be fair, group seats may still be tough to find in the front at this point, but I've noticed these are plentiful in the back for the A-group.
Premium Drink - Sorry, folks! I'm a bit boring here. No alcohol consumption for me on the plane as I can't be sleepy during ground transportation on both ends.
12 TQP Rapid Rewards Points per $1 - I may consider should I near A-List or Companion Pass by points and need a point boost to cross into the tier before the year is up. May consider if this ever happens...
Fly By Priority Express Lane - Haven't used...yet....as I'm a carry-on only and use the PreCheck Lane to go through TSA. That being said, my choice may end up costing me one day should I ever win the lottery for a random TSA screening that will land me in the general screening line but that hasn't happened yet. May also consider if I have an International flight via Southwest on a busy travel day and need to finish check-in at the counter but haven't done that yet.
Add it all up...WGA+ and Upgraded Boarding (if necessary) are my picks but everyone's needs are different.
... View more
2 weeks ago
3 Loves
From SAN, I usually take short-haul flights within California (and to LAS too). I looked at Frontier's "GoWild!" Pass to see if I can use it to travel up and down the state. I cannot speak for the Original Poster's travel needs but here's my opinion on this Flight Pass: It certainly do not appear to hold the value for what it's worth for my personal or business travel needs.
Limitations:
As already previously posted, too many extra restrictions/fees on baggage
Risk of a sellout on desired flight...Cannot book domestic in advance > 24 hours
Perhaps the biggest drawback: I don't live anywhere near a Frontier hub. Thus, very few departures daily from SAN (I'll let these flight monitors and gate pics at SAN airport do the talking...and yes, both airlines operate from the same terminal)
Even at one of Frontier's hub airport at LAS, there appeared to be about 30 daily departures according to the LAS Airport Flight Status webpage as of this this morning. Southwest had (Ready?)...Nearly 10x the departures!
One footnote: I have a Carofield 50L Carry on Backpack that I use as a Carry-on. I'm not going to give a sales pitch on this Carry-on bag but it can go under the seat instead of the overhead bin when seated (with the exception of the very first row of course) at any Window or Middle Seat on any Southwest fleet (737-700, 737-800, 737-MAX).
Note that is doesn't fit under an Aisle seat as the area is much more narrower. Also fits well at the front of the plane too where the overall width of the entire cabin is narrower.
Just for the fun of it, I was near a Frontier sizing bin at SAN and placed the backpack in the "Personal Item" section. Did it fit? Nope! Way too big and likely to be charged as a regular Carry-On had I used this carrier regardless if the backpack actually fit under the seat. Enough said.
... View more
Hello from SoCal!
The Southwest flight routes that I usually take have numerous non-stop departures daily from early morning 'til late night. With all of these departure options, I usually book WGA+ so I have access to the added flexibility should I ever need to make a same-day change. I've needed to use Same Day Flight Change a few times and was able to do almost all of the rebookings via the SWA App by selecting "Change Flight" (Same Day Change feature activates after midnight of the day of the flight should there be open seats available then). Whenever I use it, the Fare Difference page will typically show $0 for the same WGA+ fare class for the same two city pairs for the same date. Sometimes, there will be a minor tax difference that will need to be paid or be credited (usually just a few dollars or less). That being said, if the flight fills up, the online option will not be available.
Almost in all cases of flights that I rebooked same-day via the App that were not full, there were also A1-A15 Upgraded Boarding spots still available and typically I'll buy it too should I be re-assigned to the back of the B group or worse.
There was however one exception that I experienced at LAS last summer in August where I was not able to do the change on the App even though there was plenty of room on an earlier flight. I was alerted approximately four hours prior to my original scheduled departure time that my scheduled outbound flight to SAN was delayed almost 2 hours due to widespread monsoon thunderstorm activity (nearly all of the flights at or through LAS were weather-delayed). When I tracked an earlier flight and found that its actual departure time would work for me, I attempted to rebook on the App but it showed the earlier flight option as "Unavailable." Upon arriving at LAS and going through TSA, I went straight to the Gate CSA of the earlier flight to confirm if there was room on this flight. That worked...was able to rebook and was able to immediately board as I had no checked baggage. That earlier flight was only about 60% full (also had about an hour tarmac delay and held at the gate due to weather). I can only speculate that bad weather was the reason why this Same Day Flight Change needed to be done at the gate.
Once in the air, a bumpy but gorgeous flight back to SAN:
Enjoy your trip!
... View more
Hello!
I'm going to chime in as I used Southwest Hotels for three separate hotel bookings so far this year with three separate brands at three different locations with the most recent stay happening during this month of May.
The main obvious reason of me booking through SW Hotels was the generous Rapid Rewards points perk for the Plus Properties combined with the flexibility to choose from a variety of hotel brands of which to stay while in the area. I require--and many hotel booking options offer--free cancellation up to 48 hours prior. Overall cost is competitive.
I had smooth and problem-free check-in processes for all three hotels and I think selecting the Rapid Rewards Plus Point Property had something to do with it. I did have a very minor inconsistency with the bed booked with one of the hotels versus the actual bed in the room (booked 1 queen, room had 1 king--very, very minor). Being single-occupancy bookings, this didn't matter but worth noting. Also since I'm the solo occupant, not picky on room specifics. Should I have very specific room type requirements in the future (e.g. window views, floor level, hotel tower preference, or specific amenities) I may opt to book direct and work with the hotel on these. But since just about all of my hotel bookings are simply for a place to rest my head, Southwest Hotels does the job with some nice Rapid Reward points in return.
Hotel Properties:
Hotel Seville - Ontario Airport/Chino
(formerly Super 8 )
Room Type Booked: Comfort King Room Room Type Received: Comfort King Room Rapid Rewards: 1000
Best Western California City Inn and Suites Rapid Rewards: 4000 Room Type Booked: 2 Queen Beds Room Type Received: 2 Queen Beds
Motel 6-Redlands, CA
(formerly Howard Johnson)
Rapid Rewards: 700 Room Type Booked: 1 Queen Bed - Non-Smoking Room Type Received: 1 King Bed - Non-Smoking
Hotel Selection Criteria: Overall Base Cost Quality of Hotel Neighborhood Safety Rapid Rewards Plus Point Property Free Cancellation Support up to 48 hours
... View more
05-08-2023
10:35 AM
05-08-2023
10:35 AM
@YeahNoMaybe wrote:
Very nice pictures. If I had to guess, I would imagine the display may have something to do with May being Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
I think this is correct as I ran into the following blog post:
https://community.southwest.com/t5/Blog/Celebrate-with-Service-Asian-American-amp-Pacific-Islander/ba-p/158215
Still haven't been able to crack the code with the #LASSWASAMOA hashtag that was shown at the Southwest gates at LAS it was not found anywhere else on the net.
... View more
Got surprised with some nicely decorated Southwest gate CSA counters with Eastern Pacific cultural décor at LAS while returning to SAN from a business trip. As one of the signs on these counters says, "Please feel free to take pictures. Please use #LASSWASAMOA". The signs had the Seal of the American Samoa as the backdrop.
Not sure what the occasion is as I found no mentioning of the hashtag #LASSWASAMOA anywhere on the net (except here and at LAS). I'm guessing it may be for the 50th Anniversary of the Seal as it was dedicated on Flag Day, April 17, 1973 but this is a speculative guess. I should have asked one of the Gate Agents...Anyway, feel free to reply if you know what these decorations are about.
Anyway, enjoy the pics:
Time to depart: "A1-15, welcome aboard!"...
... View more
04-17-2023
08:19 PM
04-17-2023
08:19 PM
@DancingDavidE wrote:
@SoCalFlyer97 wrote:
No layover. It was a Same Day Roundtrip. SAN-LAS has many flight departures both ways from early morning 'til late evening. Took an early morning departure from SAN, spent the day taking care of some business in Vegas and returned later to SAN in the evening.
You are saying it is a stopover, as in two separate tickets?
No stopover. LAS was the destination on a Round Trip purchase from SAN w/ return trip scheduled on same day as departure.
... View more
No layover. It was a Same Day Roundtrip. SAN-LAS has many flight departures both ways from early morning 'til late evening. Took an early morning departure from SAN, spent the day taking care of some business in Vegas and returned later to SAN in the evening.
... View more
Hello Community Southwest:
Here's a Photo Trip Report (SAN-LAS and back) from Saturday, April 15. Took advantage of Upgraded Boarding for both inbound and outbound: Went from late B-Group to two A4's for two full flights--Well worth it so I can grab that "first class" A-side window seat near the front of the plane for these beautiful views. Enjoy the pics:
The Bird: 737-MAX8 arrives at SAN Gate 6:
Leaving SAN. "This Boeing is a going!"
via Catalina shortly after the 10,000' mark:
Cruising over Mount Baldy:
Snack and Service Item Break over Barstow:
Is there a Connecting Flight via the Millennium Falcon here? Flying near Dante's View, Death Valley: Shooting location for Star War's Mos Eisley Spaceport overlook scene:
LAS Arrival:
Return Trip
Retreated to a quiet waiting spot at LAS while awaiting the flight (the beauty of inter-connected airside terminals). Still haven't figured out how those one-armed bandits managed to get through TSA without a valid boarding pass but I stayed away from them...
The Bird: Another 737-MAX8 that arrived all the way from BLI (Bellingham WA) near the Canadian border:
Leaving LAS...Crossing over I-15, view faces southbound
The Salton Sea with Imperial Valley in the distance. Crossing over Highway 86.
SAN Arrival:
Safe Travels!
... View more
Greetings Luv Airline Community-
I just wanted give kudos to phone CSA agent Vanessa who helped me on this issue and wanted to share the experience to this forum as I didn't see this topic posted while I was looking for help on this.
I had booked a flight from my home airport in SoCal, checked in for the flight at the 24 hour mark and saw no Travel Advisory posted, thus assumed that I should be good to travel.
Upon checking in at 24 hours, I was placed in the 2nd half of the B Group and therefore bought Upgraded Boarding to bring me to A5 (well worth it in my opinion). Later in the afternoon at about seven hours later, I see the Travel Advisory for Winter Storm Piper signalling possible flight disruptions for my SoCal airport.
I called SWA that afternoon and spoke to CSA agent Vanessa to explain the situation and rebook the flight--that is, see if it was possible to get a credit or voucher since Upgraded Boarding was purchased before the Travel Advisory was posted (SWA's general policy is no refunds on Upgraded Boarding unless SWA cancels the flight).
Vanessa was happy to refund my Upgraded Boarding and rebooked my flight problem-free given that the weather was outside my control. Just wanted to share this with the community if anybody runs into a similar situation.
... View more
Loves Given To
