Last few trips I haven't done the Early Bird.....not as cheap as it once was! Also after the A group they board all the families with young kids. Doesn't pay to spend money for Early Bird if you aren't given the position in line. Son was A60 I was B1....we didn't get to board at the same time. I had to wait for the families. People with little kids behind me were mad because they didn't realize they could get on before B group. I had paid for early boarding and so did they. I did send an email to Southwest and got my money back. Now we just take our chances unless I know that I won't be near a computer to check in exactly 24hrs prior to my flight!