If you fly, you know that it’s better to be at the front of the boarding line than at the back. Waiting to board, even with an assigned seat, you may find the overhead luggage space packed to capacity with other passengers’ bags. If that happens, your carry-on luggage will be checked and you’ll be left hoping it ends up at your final destination the same time you do. I know from experience that it might not.

If you’re flying Southwest there’s even more reason to be at the head of the boarding line since Southwest doesn’t assign seats, it’s first in, first grab. So, what does a person do to push the odds in their favor to get into the “A” group that boards before the rest? They pay BoardFirst.com (not affiliated with Southwest Airlines) to secure “A” group boarding passes for everyone in their party. If I flew Southwest, I’d certainly give them a try at least once.

There is another way to get to the head of the line: fly First Class. Unfortunately, that can get a bit pricey unless you get a chance to upgrade from coach to first. Sometimes, airlines with empty seats in First Class will offer cut-rate prices to people sitting in Coach. Not every ticket qualifies for an upgrade, nor are all upgrades worth paying the price.

Paying to upgrade when flying on a flight longer than three hours is usually a good idea because, in addition to free drinks, you will probably be served a real meal on real plates with real knives, forks and spoons. Shorter flights may have better food in First than in Coach, although not always, but you can have as much of whatever they’re serving as you wish. 

And, don’t forget, flying First, you’ll board the plane first. Even if you board late, they’ll find a place for your carry-on luggage.