I'm flying from Sacramento to Chicago (Midway), then getting on another flight to Columbus at Midway...?
Since I am changing flights and getting on another plane, am I responsible for picking up my luggage and checking it in at Midway? Or do they do that automatically for my flight to Columbus? I have flown many, many times, but never as an adult. I have also never changed planes during my trip, so this is kind of a new experience for me. If it helps, I'm flying Southwest with my husband and 3-year-old daughter. Any information, even if it does not pertain to my question directly would be greatly appreciated because I need as much help as I can get. Thanks!
Air Travel - 2 Answers
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1 :
When you check in at Sacramento, Southwest will check your luggage all the way through to Columbus. The only thing you'll have to do at Midway is change planes -- airport personnel there will transfer the bags for you.
2 :
As long as both of your flights are on the same reservation, then you should have no problems. Your bags will be checked all the way through and you will pick them up in baggage claim in Columbus. Southwest does not assign any seats, so you will be assigned a boarding group at the time you check in. You can check in online 24 hours before your first flight departs and receive boarding passes for both flights, which I highly recommend. You are given a boarding group of A B or C, along with a position number. When you are getting ready to board at the airport, you'll see how the groups and numbers come into play. Preboarding passengers go first, which are passengers in wheelchairs, people with disabilites, and unaccompanied minors (aged 5-11 kids by themselves). Families do not preboard, but there is family boarding offered after the A group has boarded. I recommend checking in as close to 24 hours before departure as possible, since the groups are mostly first-come, first-served. If you are in the A group, you can board then and not have to wait for family boarding. Once you're on the plane, it's open seating. The only restriction with traveling with small children is that you cannot sit in the emergency exit rows. Your daughter is not required to use a carseat onboard, but you can bring on if you'd feel more comfortable with her in it. Just make sure it states that it is approved for aircraft use, because not all seats are. Booster seats provide no restraint and are not allowed. If you want to bring a seat and NOT use it, it's probably easiest to check it out front at the ticket counter or curbside when you check your bags.
