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If you are "A List" in SWA, your boarding group is assigned automatically, and I've always been in the "A" group (first group to board). If you are "A List", you do not have to get your boarding assignment 24 hours in advance. However, if you are traveling with someone, that someone will have to go on line up to 24 hours in advance to establish their boarding group.

Just because you are traveling with an A List member doesn't mean you get to board with them - even if they are kids. If your kids are 5 or under, SWA will allow you to board after the "A" group is finished. If this guy is an "A List" member, he knows this rule and was just trying to get on first with his kids rather than waiting to board with them later and, possibly, not be able to sit together.

I tried this once and learned that there is no negotiation. It is what it is. Instead of arguing with the gate agent, I now get on the plane first and save seats for my wife and kids who usually board with the "B" group. It's a screwy system but it's a lot better than when it was first come first served. People would get to the airport two hours ahead of their flight to board first. Meanwhile, I'm running to the gate at the last minute and end up in a middle seat, in the screaming infant section, even though I was flying more than 80 segments a year with them.