Checking Loads for HOU-BWI on 03.12.2010 - First Time Non-Rev

Hello Everyone,

This is my first time flying non-rev and I am really freaking out. I am heading to BWI from HOU via Southwest Buddy Pass for parents 50th anniversary. This will be the first time me and my brothers will be in the same room in almost 20 years. I received 2 buddy passes from a good friend for myself and my son. Plan on getting to the airport first thing in the a.m. Nervous because the SW website showing all flights to BWI are sold out. Does anyone out there have the ability to check the loads on this route and give me any advice on what to expect tommorrow and what my chances are getting to BWI on 03/12?

Any help/advice will be greatly appreciated !!

Welcome aboard HH and welcome to the thrilling world of nonrevving. First of all don't freak out, you're going to get through this.
Now your best help would be the person who gave you the passes, so if you can contact them, if you can't, fear not, all is not lost. I'm not with WN but some nonrevving rules are universal so here are a few tips.
1-Listing. You have to list before you go to the airport. That means calling WN, the number is 1-866-359-7967. When you call you'll want to have all your info (flight numbers) ready to roll and if things are as tight as you say, you might want to have a back-up route (possibly HOU/IAD) you can ask about. The agent will tell you the flights with best availabity, follow her lead. Remember you want your call short and polite, you're non-revenue now.
2- Arrive early, one of the golden rules of nonrevving is to allow plenty of time. At the check-in counter identify yourself and pick up your document that will get you through security.
3- The gate, where the rubber meets the road. Because I haven't flown WN in years I don't know if they have gate display monitors or not. If they don't, check in with the gate agent then position yourself out of the way of traffic, listen for your name and think good thoughts.
4- Boarding, a mad dash down the jetway. If the agents says take any seat, don't look for seats together, just flop down and buckle up.
Now there are a few more things I could mention but you're nervous enough already, so I'll just leave that for trip 2. So try and relax and don't forget to list both ways.
And let us know how this first trip turned out.
Tips for the future- Mid-week is a better time to travel, non-revving over a weekend can make anybody nervous.