The new rule at SWA is that the first 2 jumpseaters can preboard and all other board with their boarding group. This applies to both SWA pilots and offline pilots. Unfortunately if you are offline, and the aircraft isn't full, you are in the back and some gate agents interpret this to mean that since you aren't riding in the cockpit you can't preboard.

Or if you cared maybe you could step outside your box, go up to the agent and ask if there are any jumpseaters. If the agent does not mind invite them to pre-board. Thats what I do cause thats how i'd like to be treated.

tanker is right, the first two jumpseaters can preboard regardless of online or offline airline. Just be bold and approach the operations agent during the preboard process, and tell him/her you are a JUMPSEAT rider (if you are holding a jumpseat pass). You should preboard, regardless if you have a seat assignment or not. When checking in with the gate agent and the flight is not full, tell him/her you would like the jumpseat period. They may try to give you a seat (boarding assignment), if you accept this, you may be without a jumpseat authorization. Then you have to board when your boarding assignment is called, period. Which is probably the "C" group.

Ask for the jumpseat and get it before you preboard.

I LOVE LAMP - did you get your bag back or know where it might be?

I can't find the bag, but the CAPTAIN I might be able to find. My guess is, if and when he went to get your bag it was already on its way to baggage claim or the twilight zone for the destination that was on the tag.

Please let me know.

Very sorry to hear about your bag. I registered as a user here to try and help you, but I do not have permission to PM you (yet). Please PM me if you still need assistance, and I will be happy to help in any way that I can.

Bag has not been found. I spent an hour and a half in the PHX baggage claim on Sunday after the flight, including the baggage office. I called SLC (where it was tagged to) and SAN (where my a/c continued on to after BHM-PHX. It's also not still in BHM. I have on idea where else on earth it could've possibly gone. I mean, my bag has a bright blue CREW tag on it with my phone number, and nobody has called me, so I'm really at a loss. Of course, as a nonrev, I'm not eligible for compensation for a lost bag, which is BS because I carried it on and never had any intention of checking it until the lack of overhead space required it.

Also thanks to everyone for the concern, I do appreciate it. I've gotten a few PMs but no full progress yet, but I can feel it getting closer.

Thanks for the help everyone, I got in touch with the crew. Hopefully this will lead to the prompt return of my rollaboard :)

This is KEY. They ALWAYS try to force you to get a boarding pass versus the jumpseat. It is stated in our FOM that 2 jumpseaters may preboard. Make sure you ask to ride in the cockpit...

That is the trick for sure. You must ask to be listed as a flightdeck jumpseater. If you are listed in the flight deck you will recieve 3 boarding cards. 1 for the agent, 1 for the Captain, 1 for you. You will not be issued a carrd with a group number. If you have the three cards they will allow you to pre-board, if you have a boarding card with a group number they may deny pre-boarding.