Southwest Airlines Community

All of the salary questions are answered with hourly rates and minimum flight times, but what can one expect to receive on an annual basis as a new FA? ... View more

Just wanted to chime in here that the “remove the middle name” solution worked for me on a current trip.  When we initially checked in for the outbound segment of our trip my wife got her PreCheck but I did not.  The gate agent wasn’t able to get the issue resolved.   I opened a chat with TSA and they very quickly got back to me and indicated that my name was being incorrectly submitted for validation — what got submitted to them was “<first_name> <middle_name> <middle_name>”, and this clearly doesn’t work.   While traveling I called SWA and the rep instantly noted that my middle name needed to be removed from the ticket, that fixed the issue and my passes were issued with PreCheck status (it unfortunately didn’t help as my origin was international and MCO doesn’t have pre-check for connecting flights, but the tickets seemed valid).   Shout out to Brent at SWA for so quickly recognizing the issue.   This clearly seems like a bug in the reservation system and needs to be addressed. ... View more

@BHSurfer wrote: Everything I find on SW for taking a surfboard is vague.   Does anyone have actual experience flying with a surfboard? How long was the bag, did you have 2 boards in there, and did they charge just the $75 each way?   Thank you! I've flown with a surfboard a few times. My bag was 7 feet long, and I packed two boards in it. They charged me $75 each way, as expected. Make sure to check your airline’s specific policies before you go. ... View more

FYI—TSA does not allow peanut butter to be placed in a gray on bag. ... View more

If SW won't let me check bags early then leash they could do is have seats besides the floor to sit and wait. We had a pile 9f bags and equipment from camp that we didn't want to further haul around so we sat on the floor waiting to get our bag tags BC you should arrive at the airport early (or like us got done with camp & arrived at the airport early) but don't expect help early. I think its a bad policy. Thank goodness we weren't stuck waiting in ATL like security lines. The baggage lady was rude too.  ... View more

Have you tried it? Loved it? Not a fan? Let's dish out our opinions like we're at a foodie's potluck! ... View more

They usually treat vape pens like e-cigarettes, so you might want to pack it in your carry-on bag to avoid any issues with checked baggage. As for protecting it, keeping it in his pocket sounds like a solid plan. Also, if you're into browsing smoking gear, check out www.smokeday.com. They've got some cool stuff! Wishing you both a smooth journey. ... View more

skhagger,    I just had your same exact experience with transferring points to a friend. They charged me $450 😂 for transferring 45000 points to a friend. Let me know if you would like to connect outside of a southwest community. There are several people like us that have posted here and who knows how many have not even posted. Although I am not retired, I don't have any extra money as either.    Bea     ... View more

Southwest Airlines has a "Warrior Hire Program."   You can get more information about it here: https://careers.southwestair.com/military ... View more

@tjfromtx wrote: This says this question is "solved."  I guess that is true if you count saying "You can't do that" as solved.  I have tried everything on the Southwest website and even spoken with multiple phone reps.  Unless I'm really missing something, you can't book A-->B and C-->A on one itinerary. In Southwest's multi city mehodologyyou can only book A to B to anywhere you want. There is no way to enter a 4th city in the equation.So just book two one ways.   The earlier "solved" referred to multi city not working.   It just will not  work in the way you want it to work. ... View more

@Southernpilot wrote: Are we allowed to save digital boarding pass drink coupons for future use or do we have to use them on the leg they are issued for ? I believe the terms on them are for that flight only, or I'm vaguely remembering that one version of these used to be valid on the same day but not sure if that survived to the digital coupon age.   That said, save a copy/screenshot of them and ask nicely, many FA will allow it but YMMV. I'd say you have a good chance for same day usage. "Hey I didn't want to have this at 7 a.m. but now I'm on the way back home at 7 p.m. and I'm ready..." will be understandable by many.     ... View more

@angelicatylor wrote: Transferring a flight ticket to someone else is different for each airline.   Southwest does not let you transfer your ticket to someone else. ... View more

Alas, this is my fault. I went to visit my boyfriend in Phoenix from San Diego in back in 2010. I had my beloved little hammy with me and she chewed out of her carrier and got lost on the plane.  I later got a call she had been found, (thank god I put in a lost ‘bag’ claim for her) bc the ground crew knew what to do when they saw her ‘deplaning herself’ down the back conveyor after everyone had gotten off (and onto another plane without free range rodents aboard - that might chew worse). 🤷🏻‍♀️   Southwest returned her unscathed and matching on a honey mustard pretzel, although she did reek of jet fuel for a couple days. I was told we I cost them about $10k in finding a new plane to complete the trip to Dallas. Sorry Southwest!! Thanks for not putting me on your no fly list.  ... View more

I always carry my daily meds in a weekly pill box and have never had an issue ... View more

From Southwest website 12/15/23 Any of the items listed below may be checked in substitution of one piece of the free checked baggage allowance for you at no charge on a one-item-for-one-bag basis. If the item of sporting equipment exceeds 50 pounds in weight, excess weight charges will apply. If the item of sporting equipment exceeds 62 inches in size (outside length plus height plus width), excess size charges will NOT apply. Golf equipment. A hard, plastic travel case for the golf bag provided by the Passenger, including clubs, balls, and shoes.   Location on Southwest website: Help Center Checked Baggage Special baggage and sports equipment Sports equipment                              What Sport Equipment Can I Bring Any of the items listed below may be checked in substitution of one piece of the free checked baggage allowance for you at no charge on a one-item-for-one-bag basis. If the item of sporting equipment exceeds 50 pounds in weight or 62 inches in size (outside length plus height plus width), excess weight and size charges will apply. In addition to the items specifically described below, we also accept fragile items; previously damaged items; improperly or overpacked baggage; items packed in soft-sided cases; and unprotected/unpacked items only with a limited release of liability. Customers are not entitled to reimbursement or compensation for any and all damage in situations where a limited release of liability applies.   Archery equipment. Archery equipment, including a bow, arrows, and an average size target (large target stands cannot be accepted), so long as the bow and arrows are in a container capable of withstanding normal baggage handling without sustaining damage to the equipment and acceptable to Southwest. Average-size targets will be transported only with a limited release of liability.   Baseball and softball equipment. Baseball and softball equipment, including one bag generally consisting of four bats, one helmet, one pair of cleats, one uniform, one glove, and one pair of batting gloves. A catcher may have additional equipment. Baseball and softball equipment will be transported only with a limited release of liability.   Bicycles. Bicycles (defined as non-motorized and having a single seat), including Bike Friday and Co-Pilot, properly packed in a hard bicycle box that fall within the dimensions and weight limits established for normal checked baggage, (i.e., 62 inches or less in overall dimensions and less than 50 pounds in weight). Pedals and handlebars must be removed and packaged in protective materials so as not to be damaged by or cause damage to other baggage. Bicycles packaged in cardboard or soft-sided cases will be transported only with a limited release of liability. Customers are not entitled to reimbursement or compensation for damage in situations where a limited release of liability applies. See Specialized sports equipment below for information regarding bicycles that exceed our checked baggage size/weight limits.   Bowling equipment. A bowling bag with a metal frame specifically designed for transporting bowling balls. The bag may contain ball(s) and shoes. Bowling equipment not packed in a bag designed for transporting bowling balls will be transported only with a limited release of liability.   Fishing tackle box and fishing rod. Fishing rods must be encased in a sturdy, cylindrical fishing rod container. This container must withstand normal checked baggage handling without sustaining damage to the rod. Oversize charges only apply if the fishing rod container is over 91 inches in length and/or more than three inches in diameter. A fishing tackle box must be a suitable, sturdy, and securely closed container. When substituting a fishing rod and/or fishing tackle box for a free checked bag, we allow one fishing rod container and one tackle box to count as one checked item, even if they are packed and tagged separately. This one item can be a substitute for one checked bag.   Parachutes. Parachutes are allowed in checked or carryon baggage but may not be worn in flight.   SCUBA equipment. SCUBA equipment—provided air tanks are empty of compressed air—and all accompanying equipment (e.g., BCD, weight belt, one regulator, one tank harness, one tank pressure gauge, one mask, two fins, one snorkel, one knife, and one safety vest)packed together in a suitable, sturdy container. Compressed air cylinders will be transported only with a limited release of liability. SCUBA equipment packed in plastic bags will be transported only with a limited release of liability.   Skateboards and scooters (non-motorized only). Only manual or non-electric/non-motorized skateboards and scooters are accepted. If the skateboard fits under the seat, it does not need to be in a bag or covered, but it does have to be stowed with the wheels up so it doesn't roll. If stowed in an overhead bin, a skateboard must be stowed with the wheels up. We recommend that skateboards and scooters be in a bag or have the wheels covered (a plastic bag is acceptable) so as not to damage other articles. Skateboards and scooters will be transported only with a limited release of liability.   Tennis equipment. One bag containing a tennis racquet(s) and balls. Tennis equipment not encased in a suitable, sturdy container will be transported only with a limited release of liability.   Any of the items listed below may be checked in substitution of one piece of the free checked baggage allowance for you at no charge on a one-item-for-one-bag basis. If the item of sporting equipment exceeds 50 pounds in weight, excess weight charges will apply. If the item of sporting equipment exceeds 62 inches in size (outside length plus height plus width), excess size charges will not apply.   Boogie boards, kneeboards, boards, or waterboards. We recommend that boogie boards, kneeboards, wakeboards, and waterboards be in a bag (a plastic bag is acceptable) to keep them from being scratched and from damaging other articles. Boogie boards, kneeboards, wakeboards, and waterboards will be transported only with a limited release of liability.   Fencing equipment. Foils are allowed in checked baggage only. Fencing equipment packaged in soft-sided cases will be transported only with a limited release of liability.   Golf equipment. A hard, plastic travel case for the golf bag provided by the Passenger, including clubs, balls, and shoes. Hooded golf bags or golf bags in a soft-sided carrying case provided by the Passenger will be transported only with a limited release of liability. Hockey and/or lacrosse equipment.   Two hockey and/or lacrosse stick(s) are allowed if multiple sticks are either taped together or packed in a suitable bag or container. We also allow two hockey sticks and/or lacrosse sticks taped together and one hockey or lacrosse equipment bag generally consisting of pads, helmets, pants, a jersey, gloves, and skates/cleats. When substituting hockey and/or lacrosse equipment for a free checked bag, we allow up to two bags (containing hockey sticks and/or lacrosse sticks and one hockey or lacrosse equipment bag) to count as one item, even if taped or packed separately.  Hockey and lacrosse equipment will be transported only with a limited release of liability.   Snow ski equipment. Snow ski equipment, including skis or snowboards, ski boots, and ski poles are allowed, including one pair of skis or one snowboard, one set of poles, and one pair of ski/snowboard boots packed in a container(s) acceptable to Carrier. When substituting ski equipment for a free bag, we allow up to two bags (containing one set of snow skis, ski poles, and ski boots) to count as one item, even if they are packed and tagged separately. Snow ski equipment packed in a plastic bag will be transported only with a limited release of liability.   Water ski equipment. Water ski equipment should be packed in a hard, plastic case or standard equipment case and include no more than one pair of water skis and one life preserver or vest. Water ski equipment packed in a plastic bag will be transported only with a limited release of liability.     ... View more

@Bergerqueen wrote: Congrats on your status, but good luck with accessing the free Wi-Fi!!  I have been an A-List Preferred member for years and loggin into the free Wi-Fi used to be simple. Ever since Southwest updated their landing page in July(?) 2023, I haven't been able to access my free Wi-Fi either using my confirmation number (this is new) or using my Rapid Rewards number.  I get the same message every time "It's not you, it's us!  Refresh this page and try again" both on my tablet and cell phone.  None of the customer service agents, flight attendants, or gate agents have heard this complaint.  It's really a pain to pay every time and have to email customer service to be refunded... I have a potential workaround for you - go to the "activate free texting" and do that first if you are on a phone or tablet and then try the ALP login again. I had this get stuck before too but it ended up working if I did the other activities in a certain order and then tried to login for the free benefit internet again.   But sometimes it works from the beginning and I'm not sure what the difference is.         ... View more

it's hard ... View more

78 inches = 6 feet 5inches never seen a golf transport bag/case this size? ... View more

There is no question to answer. Only way to get points is for yourself or to get the credit card.  ... View more

@dianaaschner wrote:   My workaround: I called Chase and they are overnighting the card to me free of charge. Still not a great solution but the call took 5 minutes and hopefully flights won't go up too much before tomorrow. Hope that helps someone out there.  Someone had mentioned that you have to write down the info earlier, I agree this should be a lot easier of a process. Glad to hear you got an expedited response - if your flight is for more than a few weeks out hopefully you'll be okay. It's tough when you get within the week. ... View more

Hello, @Cspain1995!    Check out the link provided above: https://community.southwest.com/t5/Knowledge-Base/Former-Employee-W2-Form-Information/ta-p/87209.    This should get you all taken care of!  ... View more

I found it at another location 😞 Click on Flight/Hotel/Car -> click on Manage Reservation -> click Add Rapid Rewards Number ... View more

You’re not!   ... View more

@@TheMiddleSeat   Thank you for the insight. Hometown airport is small and we usually get high A never B when we use early bird.  ... View more

I was told 8 weeks by a representative of Southwest Airlines. ... View more

I have a trip coming up in January and I have already cancelled and rebooked the same rental car now six times (free cancellation and no money paid to reserve) and the price for the week went from $497 to $367 now.     Once you use points, I'm not sure if you are getting a good deal.  I'm already saving $130 on the rental car by simply watching the prices.   I use points to fly only, not for anything else. ... View more

You were absolutely correct about adding the RR number.  I had to change a reservation, added the RR number, and everything showed up. It's my recollection that previously if you were booking with points and filled in the box with your RR number, the system made you remove it before you could move on.  In any event, thank you for solving the problem for me.  Now, why didn't any of the Southwest people give me the answer years ago? ... View more

If you look at your Chase statement, it will be bundled in with other points.  However the statement will break it down.  My anniv. points just showed up on my last statement:         ... View more

I feel the same about kids on a flight. Kicking the seat, screaming, crying. Would rather fly with dogs than kids.  ... View more

Sounds like there's some confusion here. Southwest's military fare is basically a discount off the Anytime fare. Anytime fares are fully refundable, but are not the lowest cost fares available. For the cheapest fare, book Wanna Get Away. If you need refundability, and qualify, book a military fare.   If you're booking last minute, the military fare can actually be close to or lower than the Wanna Get Away one. This is a good use of the military fare.     ... View more