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Young Traveler Boarding

jad0423
Explorer C

My daughter is traveling as a YT (young traveler).

At MKE she was able to board out of order. They allowed those with YTYT on their tickets to board after families and before B group started. 

 

I am wondering if anyone knows if this is typical, or just something they do at some airports? She is flying home from TPA and has a bad boarding position. I am wondering if I should ensure she has money for an upgrade when she arrives at the gate, or if she will be able to board early again.

6 REPLIES 6

Re: Young Traveler Boarding

chgoflyer
Aviator A

Officially, boarding during Family Boarding is not mentioned in any of the Young Traveler policy information. I'd suggest she talk to an agent about it when she arrives at the gate, and if it's not accommodated consider purchasing Upgraded Boarding ($30-$50). Be aware that she or whoever is accompanying her to the gate (via an Escort Pass) will need a credit card for this, as cash isn't accepted.

Re: Young Traveler Boarding

SWDigits
Aviator A
Unaccompanied Minors preboard as policy but that isn't the situation for your daughter as a Young Traveler. The normal boarding process should apply.

In my opinion I don't see the value in a scenario of having my daughter (she is taking a similar Young Traveler trip this summer) pay for Upgraded Boarding, assuming it is available at the airport.

Customer | Home airport DCA

Re: Young Traveler Boarding

Jwalsh3rd
Adventurer A

My observation has been that tagged young travelers board early if they are at the gate early (30 minutes before scheduled departure plus a bit).,  some operations agents have helped young travelers to board with pre-boarding passengers.  I have observed usually unaccompanied young travelers are seated in the second or third row and are well cared for by flight attendants all the way through disembarkation.  I hope this brings comfort.

Re: Young Traveler Boarding

chgoflyer
Aviator A

@Jwalsh3rd wrote:

My observation has been that tagged young travelers board early if they are at the gate early (30 minutes before scheduled departure plus a bit).,  some operations agents have helped young travelers to board with pre-boarding passengers.  I have observed usually unaccompanied young travelers are seated in the second or third row and are well cared for by flight attendants all the way through disembarkation.  I hope this brings comfort.


 

Are you sure you're not confusing

Young Travelers with Unaccompanied Minors? 

 

Young Travelers don't have any sort of "tags." Unaccompanied Minors do; they wear a lanyard with a packet that contains their itinerary and other information.

 

Southwest doesn't provide any special services (nor charges any additional fee) for Young Travelers. 

Re: Young Traveler Boarding

jad0423
Explorer C
Solution

She was allowed extra time to board in TPA as well. They allowed her to board after family and before B group.

 

When she got to the gate she talked to an employee there. She was given a new ticket that stated - "EXTRA TIME" - (or something similar) on it.

YTs are not the same as UA, and I don't believe they will ever allow them to preboard, but it doesn't hurt to insturct the young traveler to talk to whomever is at the gate (or even at the check in counter). Have them ask about when young travlers can board/if they would be allowed extra time if they end up in boarding group B or C.

 

Re: Young Traveler Boarding

SWDigits
Aviator A
Thanks for closing the loop to let us know how it went!

Customer | Home airport DCA