12-28-2023
11:46 PM
Thanks. I'm hoping to do carry on only but we may bring some extra stuff that wouldn't matter as much .. possibly foods to eat at destination.
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12-28-2023
02:30 PM
Curious as to how others have done with checked luggage? Is SWA good with it? Is it safe to check or is it likely to go lost or be delayed
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12-24-2023
12:53 AM
Spokane GEG to (hopefully) SMF , on to SNA in July (yep disneyland) and then back same route. After bad experience in SJC I prefer to stay away from there. OAK is 2nd choice as we did Okay there.
But any delay at all means rushing to next gate because southwest tends to have long delays on those fights it seems. We got stranded 4 hours in sjc because it was a noon flight. Our return would be around 3 to 5pm so I assume extremely long delays because I'm not doing a crack of dawn flight with 3 kids after disneyland lol
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12-23-2023
02:05 PM
Thanks. I don't think they'd really do much kicking so that should be ok and I don't think recline is an issue since all flights eill be 3 hr or less. From what I've seen available flights. The 1st return flight has 1hr 45 min layover so maybe I'll put us in middle for that one. But the 3 hr layover should be easy.
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12-23-2023
11:41 AM
I will be traveling with 3 kids, 1 autistic 1 adhd and thanks to great people here I know we should be able to preboard.
So I'm trying to figure out where we should sit.
My autistic 15 yr old likes to head bang to her music and doesn't sit still much. Her and sister (11 with anxiety , needs window ) wish to sit with me while 14 yr old bro will sit with grams. He is adhd but mostly calm.
Firstly my plan is have 11 yr old window, 15 middle, me aisle. Then son at window with grams in window.
Due to the dancing in her seat, would bit be best to sit in back of plane for her so she doesn't bother anyone ? Is the back really bad near bathrooms being smelly? I've only been in middle and never went to bathroom.
Should I put grams and boy behind us so they are only ones bothered by dancing? Or should I have them across row so I can assist better and give info during flight? Kids and mom have Never flown. We will have connecting flights. Around 1.5 hr to 3 hr layovers depending what I choose, so will being last to get off with kids cause issue?
Anyone that's flown with disabilities please give me tips.
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12-16-2023
03:18 PM
12-16-2023
03:18 PM
Ok. Thank you for clearing up my confusion. At least this gives me options now.
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12-16-2023
01:15 PM
12-16-2023
01:15 PM
Oh OK see that's where I've been confused... one section says preboard is fist and I remember seeing some with wheel chairs preboard.. but it also says if you need more time, pre board is between A and B which makes no sense . As well as it saying only 1 assistant per preboard person makes it sound that 1 adult to 1 kid leaving one alone. It's why I seriously wish I had a 3rd adult going with us. That makes a lot more sense and I appreciate your help. Thank you.
I feel bad about needing preboard just due to anxiety and autism because I know people will look at us and think "they're not disabled" . I also fear that if I'm asking SWA for 3 people (really 5) , they will simply think that I'm playing the system. Without medical proof I'm sure they're gonna grill us till I just say never mind we'll just sit wherever and hope my kids don't go nuts . I know that's probably irrational but I myself suffer extreme anxiety and this being only 2nd plane I'm still quite nervous about flying. But I wouldn't ask for preboard for myself. Too much anxiety to do that.
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12-16-2023
12:35 PM
12-16-2023
12:35 PM
I'm not sure they'd accept preboard for all 3 though. Which would still leave a kid behind. The 13 yr old is adhd and odd, meaning he cannot be without an adult present to keep him busy and in line. The autistic 15 yr old will cling to my arm in unknown situations. As will the anxious 11 yr old. I'm pretty sure if I ask to preboard 3 kids with 2 adults to keep the kids sane.. they will say no.
On top of that, preboard is between A and B right? By then there are no seats together for all because all of A group would've boarded and filled them.
As well as I have no documentation for youngest just being socially anxious. No way to prove what she needs.
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12-16-2023
12:14 AM
12-16-2023
12:14 AM
Where I'm at, Alaska, SwA , delta, American and united are all we get. And from the math I've done, SW is cheapest but delta is just about the same or cheaper if not doing BS or anytime fares. And I have to dopricerier Main if I want to be certain to choose seats together on any other. Can't do the lowest because it's a luck of the draw to be together
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12-15-2023
10:15 PM
12-15-2023
10:15 PM
Yeah since our return flight check in would be difficult to hit the 24 hr mark. EB is a must. But I did EB 3 mo put from trip and was in A34ish . Wasn't bad and found seats together for 2 but for 5 I don't see that happening. Not to mention the broken down duck taped plane we waited 4 hrs for and decided to not get on.... I'm honestly scared to fly SW again. I wouldn't be able to purchase tickets toll at least Feb if we do so that makes it less likely being together too.
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Hi. Short info to help explain what I need to know.
The hope is for me, mom, and 3 kids to fly GEG to SNA in July. The issue, 15 yr old is high function autistic, 13 yr old is adhd,odd, and the 11 yr old is very anxious and wants window seat away from strangers.
Since all are over 6 family board is not a option I know. I know I could probably get preboard for the older 2 , 1 with me and 1 with grams to guard. But that leaves my anxious 11 yr old boarding alone and God knows where.
If we get EB we'd likely get to board together but if we get a later group I may not find 5 seats together. My mom also has never flown. I've follownnonce and did not have a great experience with southwest so am nervous as is. But to be affordable I can't afford BS or better airlines
I've seen mixed stuff as when prevoard happens... before BS or between A and B which I knownwould for certain leave us with no seats together.
We don't want special seats or front. Happy middle of plane. Youngest insist on window to be squished in. Oldest wants middle with me beside her. Middle kid wants to sit at window with grams.
What are my options? How do I keep my family together and keep down the anxiety without having to spend more on BS than I would on delta main cabin? I've contacted SWA and just get cookie cutter answers of family board and preboard. But no one's says youngest can board with us and not be left alone. I don't wanna ask people to move or to save seats. Just want to be together
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