(The test just required the Companion to show their CP card, which seems a simple, although maybe not perfect, solution.)Īt the time I wondered if the change was being held to be incorporated as part of a larger boarding system update. Well, that and the usual Southwest IT challenges. Which is possible but seems unlikely, as I suspect CP holders who buy EBCI for their Companion represent a drop in the bucket of the $400+ million EBCI generates annually. The only reason I can think of for not implementing it would be if Southwest predicted too large of a reduction in EarlyBird Check-In sales. And it's very likely that one of the two seats used will be a middle seat anyway. Southwest allows seat saving, so a CP holder is probably just going to hold a seat for their Companion (when able to board by themselves). It's simple and positively impacts many, at the detriment of few. To me, this change seemed like a no-brainer. But while the idea was reportedly well received, it has never actually been implemented. So it's tough! I just know we make it work, and for the value that SW brings for us, it is worth the tradeoff.īack in 2017, Southwest tested allowing Companions to board with the Companion Pass holder. As much as I wish they could board with me when we travel together, I (as ALP) would also NOT love the fact that there might be entire families boarding together ahead of me when I am travelling solo. Technically, we are all on separate reservations, even though they are linked. For example, we usually buy my ticket, add my wife as companion, and then purchase our oldest's with points. I also image there are some logistical challenges with the booking and check in process with families. For all the pros of SW's boarding process, there are some cons. Once our kids are too old for family boarding, it will all be much more difficult.Īt the same time, I struggle with the solution. When we travel with our kids, I board in my spot with our baby (lap child), and she boards in family boarding with our oldest. My wife is my companion, and when we travel together, I always have to save a seat for her. it should be automatic for any age as it's pretty unlikely the person won't have their seat saved, but its an annoyance that can be entirely avoided. But a simple acknowledgment of the bigger picture and letting children between Family Boarding age and Under Age Minor status the ability to board with the parent. I don't have the nerve to play the pre-board game where I routinely see college-age students jumping over chairs to get to their pre-board area. I gladly welcomed her to walk all the way to the back of the plane to come and get it from my hand. Incidentally, I once had an agent so pre-occupied with not allowing my daughter to board with my Bus Select position, that when I agreed to board and leave her to board later with my wife, the agent forgot to scan my boarding pass and had to track me down on the flight to scan such. So is it really the idea that achieving Companion and Preferred status, that I possibly have to board at the end of the flight which risks not even sitting with my daughter. I am A-List Preferred as well and often get A16.
Because of this possibility, I do buy $20-$25 Earlybird for her so if I have to wait, then at least we have a decent position. I have been fortunate to have many gate agents let her board with me, but recently in Houston, the agent was a stickler. And too young to stand alone to wait and board with other "C" boarders. My daughter is 8, thus too old for Family Boarding. I really wish Southwest would give more flexibility to companion passengers traveling with a child.
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