Southwest has no allocated seats, so you must check in 24 hours before your trip to receive the best boarding order and select your seat early.
Remember that the time zone may be different returning from your trip, so check the departure time. I did this once after returning from Colorado.
Early Bird checks you in before everyone else except Southwest Business Select passengers and elite status holders for $15–$25 each way at the time of booking.
My Southwest app didn't function at the gate (again, extra stress), and if parents had to bring up their mobile boarding pass plus a kid or two, it adds more time and tension trying to find their electronic boarding cards while attempting to board the aircraft.
The scale weighs your bag when you hook it on and take it up. Before leaving and after returning, we utilize it at home. A "grip handle" is recommended since lifting the bag to weigh it strains your hand.
Make sure your departing airport has a TSA queue. PreCheck lets you circumvent lengthy security queues and without taking off shoes, laptops, or electronics.
I recommend having all confirmation numbers on your smartphone, either in email or Notepad, for check-in. Try this on your route to the airport.
If you're driving, launch a mapping app on your phone to get instructions to your first destination after landing and turning on your WiFi or cellular.
Delays, missing baggage, and other issues make travel unpleasant. Simply being optimistic and flexible will enhance everyone's experience, regardless of obstacles.