flight booked to LA! - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**pinknic38** · 04-07-2009, 09:44 AM

so this isn't any sort of monumental backpacking trip, but as many of you know, I'm headed out to LA from May 6th to May 9th because I'm going to be on the Ellen DeGeneres show for their Mother's Day/First time expecting moms episode, so I'm SUPER excited. I have two tickets so I'm taking my mom.

a few firsts here...

1) never been on a TV show in the audience so this ought to be fun haha

2) I've never been to LA (or California for that matter) and neither has mom so it will be an experience

3) budget traveling all the way, and my snooty, hoity-toity mother is staying in a HOSTEL! HAHAHAHAHAHA. I booked us a room at USA Hostels in Hollywood, which I was originally going to go with Banana Bungalow but that seemed a little more of a party hostel and I didn't want to scare my poor mother. we're going to do a private room, as much as it pains me (she was open to a dorm room but she snores really loudly and is self-conscious... fun for me sharing a room with her

) but we're splitting the cost so for 3 nights in a private room it's going to be about $130 a person... I mean it's $40 more a person for a private anyway so I guess it isn't that big of a deal.

4) flying southwest... I've never ever flown southwest and have only herd good things about it... I've flown about every other airline but southwest... everyone thinks it's such a good deal but this is the FIRST time I've found it cheaper than other airlines. hope we don't have to pay to check a bag.

anyhoo I'll be glad to get into the sun for a few days anyway, since it's fucking spitting snow as I type... FML.

28 days til LA!! WOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!

**maracle** · 04-07-2009, 11:45 AM

You can check 2 bags each free on Southwest. If you've never flown it before the main thing to know is that you should board in order of the number on your pass, so find the sign for the group of 5 that matches you and then glance at what other people are holding to get behind the right person. You also want to be sure to check in 24 hours ahead of time so you get a good boarding number. If you get a good number, you and your mom should grab an empty row and sit in the aisle and window seats - maximizes your chances of no one choosing the middle seat in your row. Then, if someone is going to take it anyway you can always offer them the aisle or window and still sit next to each other.

As for LA, if you have any spare time and like museums I really liked the Getty museum. I was only there for a day so I can't advise much on what to do.

**pinknic38** · 04-08-2009, 08:18 AM

oh my god I don't have to pay for a bag?!?!? that is awesome. I don't feel as bad for missing out on the delta flight that was like $20 cheaper.

ummmm wait so is southwest like Easy Jet where you get like group numbers and the seats are kind of like first come first serve?

mom and I bought our tickets separately (as in different orders) but I bought mine then 5 minutes later she called me with her card # and I bought hers so maybe we're in the same zone.

confusing!

**lauren313** · 04-08-2009, 09:21 AM

I'm pretty sure I stayed at the US hostel Hollywood. We had a private room, it was a room off of a dorm room, but it wasn't noisy or anything. Maybe you'll stay in the same room!

The hostel was pretty good, little bit of a dodgy neighbourhood, but nothing scary, just seems a little dark and dingy. They did a good comedy night, and open mic night while I was there.

Have fun!

**maracle** · 04-08-2009, 12:31 PM

Quote:

ummmm wait so is southwest like Easy Jet where you get like group numbers and the seats are kind of like first come first serve?

mom and I bought our tickets separately (as in different orders) but I bought mine then 5 minutes later she called me with her card # and I bought hers so maybe we're in the same zone.

it's not based on when you bought, but when you check in. There are 3 groups of 60...A, B and C. You board in order and take any seat you want. If you have a normal ticket when you check in you'll get a number, say A55. That means when they call the A group you go get into the spot for #55 and then you all board in order. Then they call the B group, etc.

Obviously it's best to get on the plane earlier so you can choose the best seats. So check in right at 24 hours in advance so you get a good number. Since you're together check in at the same time. Otherwise you can both board together if you go with the later person's number.

This might help:

Southwest Airlines Boarding School

**pinknic38** · 04-08-2009, 02:07 PM

shewww life doesn't need to be that complicated.

I'm going to check us in online the day before, for sure.

xanthuos · 04-13-2009, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maracle

Otherwise you can both board together if you go with the later person's number.

Typically, they allow companions to board with earlier boarder, but it won't matter very much if both check in at the 23:59 mark.

Southwest is great for what they offer. If you only fly coach and are doing short to medium flights, Southwest is the best. On longer flights, it really depends on the schedule because some trans-continental flights can have more than one stop and more than one plane change (which gets a little annoying and tiring). However, the fact that you can change or cancel a Southwest flight at any time for NO fee is one of the greatest things about them, as well as the free baggage allowance. True, they aren't always the lowest cost (good marketing has led people to believe they are), but they DO often have the lowest last minute fares. I can hop a flight from Nashville to Chicago any day, any time, and the most I'll have to pay is $158.10.

Enjoy your trip, Nicole. FYI, Southwest doesn't sell any type of food onboard (but they do give pretty good snacks, for free) so when you're on your long flight (CMH-PHX, CMH-LAS, or MDW-LAX) plan to grab something in the terminal to bring on board if you want real food.