A DME Question ... Sorry!

[Moms]

I spent quite a bit ot time going through the posts in the DME thread but couldn't find the answer to this specific question ... I am sure it is buried in there somewhere but don't have all day to read today. Sorry if this is a no-brainer but we are first time DME users.

We want to let DME handle our luggage and understand that if we use the yellow tags they will be picked up at baggage claim for us and we will see them sometime later when they are delivered to our resort. Here is the question ... what if our bags are lost or mis-routed by the ariline? Is there a point in the process where we identify our bags to confirm that they have arrived? Having had lost bags in the past we are concerned and don't want to find out that they are "lost" after we have checked into our room. Can someone clarify the complete process?

Thanks!

 

[stitchlovestink]

I spent quite a bit ot time going through the posts in the DME thread but couldn't find the answer to this specific question ... I am sure it is buried in there somewhere but don't have all day to read today. Sorry if this is a no-brainer but we are first time DME users.

We want to let DME handle our luggage and understand that if we use the yellow tags they will be picked up at baggage claim for us and we will see them sometime later when they are delivered to our resort. Here is the question ... what if our bags are lost or mis-routed by the ariline? Is there a point in the process where we identify our bags to confirm that they have arrived? Having had lost bags in the past we are concerned and don't want to find out that they are "lost" after we have checked into our room. Can someone clarify the complete process?

Thanks!

can I ask do you have a nonstop? direct (which is different than a nonstop)? do you have a connection?


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[Jestocost]

I spent quite a bit ot time going through the posts in the DME thread but couldn't find the answer to this specific question ... I am sure it is buried in there somewhere but don't have all day to read today. Sorry if this is a no-brainer but we are first time DME users.

We want to let DME handle our luggage and understand that if we use the yellow tags they will be picked up at baggage claim for us and we will see them sometime later when they are delivered to our resort. Here is the question ... what if our bags are lost or mis-routed by the ariline? Is there a point in the process where we identify our bags to confirm that they have arrived? Having had lost bags in the past we are concerned and don't want to find out that they are "lost" after we have checked into our room. Can someone clarify the complete process?

Thanks!

Two points to make.

First, bags with the DME tags never should actually make it to baggage claim. They are pulled behind the scenes and don't wind up on the carousels unless they are missed in that process.

Second, when you check in with DME at the airport (whether at the Desk or if you are directed to go straight to the bus waiting lines) they will ask you how many bags you have checked and tagged. That information goes into their system and if they don't log all of you bags they will start the lost baggage claims process with the airline. Ideally, any misdirected or delayed bags will make it to your room before you ever know there was a problem.

Of course the system is not 100 percent foolproof, but reported problems with lost bags are few and far between given the vast number of bags that DME transports.

 

[Sugardimples]

There is no point where you will see your bags before they are delivered to your room. You can choose to not put the yellow tags on , pick up your bags from baggage claim and take them to the ME bus yourself OR put the yellow tags on and get them delivered to your room.

There have been very, very few reports of bag issues. As the above poster has stated, ME will begin the tracking process if your bags do not show up. The process will be under way before you even know there is a problem.

 

[Moms]

Thanks! We are on a non-stop from Chicago to Orlando.

Wow, interesting system! I suppose we could just take a "leap of faith" and let Disney handle the bags! Has anyone ever had a problem with not getting their luggage?

 

[DebbieB]

I believe DME scans them when they pick them up, so they will have it in their system that they arrived or not.

 

[sam_gordon]

Thanks! We are on a non-stop from Chicago to Orlando.

Wow, interesting system! I suppose we could just take a "leap of faith" and let Disney handle the bags! Has anyone ever had a problem with not getting their luggage?

Yes. But I think the odds of DISNEY misdirecting your luggage are around the same as being struck by lightning twice in one day. The airlines on the other hand...

 

[KrazeeK120]

Thanks! We are on a non-stop from Chicago to Orlando.

Wow, interesting system! I suppose we could just take a "leap of faith" and let Disney handle the bags! Has anyone ever had a problem with not getting their luggage?

I've only used the system twice, and had no problems either time. My luggage "magically" appeared in my room. It was SOOOOO nice not to have to use baggage claim!

I had connecting flights through Atlanta both times. I've heard horror stories about that airport although DH and I haven't ever had issues there.

I would worry even less if my flight were non-stop. Your luggage doesn't even have to find its way onto a connecting flight in that scenario. You should be totally fine.

 

[stitchlovestink]

Two points to make.

First, bags with the DME tags never should actually make it to baggage claim. They are pulled behind the scenes and don't wind up on the carousels unless they are missed in that process.

Second, when you check in with DME at the airport (whether at the Desk or if you are directed to go straight to the bus waiting lines) they will ask you how many bags you have checked and tagged. That information goes into their system and if they don't log all of you bags they will start the lost baggage claims process with the airline. Ideally, any misdirected or delayed bags will make it to your room before you ever know there was a problem.

Of course the system is not 100 percent foolproof, but reported problems with lost bags are few and far between given the vast number of bags that DME transports.

bolding is mine...
I have used ME many times and I almost always (with 1 or 2 exceptions) have gone directly to the bus waiting lines. They have NEVER asked me about my checked baggage at any point in the line, upon entering it, upon boarding the bus. So OP, if they don't ask you about your checked baggage DO NOT FRET! I have never had them inquire about mine and they have never lost my bags and I CHECK A TON OF BAGS!! We have checked as many as seven!! Only time we have lost bags is on the way home!!!! Interesting how they say your luggage won't be on a flight you're not on. Hmmm.... We had two suitcases waiting for us at BWI when we got there and 3 didn't show up until after we were gone! They apparently arrived on flights later than us. So they delivered them to our home the next day. No big deal because we were coming home but that was the airline, not Disney.

Personally, the luggage handling is one of the things I LOVE about ME!! I wouldn't sweat it... REALLY! Sit back and enjoy letting them schlep that luggage for you!

Thanks! We are on a non-stop from Chicago to Orlando.

Wow, interesting system! I suppose we could just take a "leap of faith" and let Disney handle the bags! Has anyone ever had a problem with not getting their luggage?

With a nonstop flight...as long as the airline puts them on your flight, I'd say the chances of your bags getting lost are pretty nonexistent.

I believe DME scans them when they pick them up, so they will have it in their system that they arrived or not.

Yes, that is correct. Now on occasion that scanning system does go down. The bags are scanned and the info IS IN THE SYSTEM... but the resorts cannot access the system to see where luggage is. I have been told by a higher up in the luggage dept that pieces of luggage get scanned five to six times between pick up at MCO and arrival in your room! So they have a pretty good idea where your bag is at any point in time so long as they can access the system.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Interesting how they say your luggage won't be on a flight you're not on. Hmmm.... We had two suitcases waiting for us at BWI when we got there and 3 didn't show up until after we were gone! They apparently arrived on flights later than us.

It's always been possible for luggage to travel on a later flight than the passenger - otherwise misdirected luggage would never get to its destination . But now, with enhanced security measures, your luggage could travel before you as well.

Come to think of it, I went on a cruise back in the nineties and had a really late (4 PM or so) return flight. When we got back to Boston, all the cruise passengers' luggage was locked up in the unclaimed luggage cabinet...

 

[stitchlovestink]

It's always been possible for luggage to travel on a later flight than the passenger - otherwise misdirected luggage would never get to its destination . But now, with enhanced security measures, your luggage could travel before you as well.

Come to think of it, I went on a cruise back in the nineties and had a really late (4 PM or so) return flight. When we got back to Boston, all the cruise passengers' luggage was locked up in the unclaimed luggage cabinet...

Oh, it TOTALLY makes sense and especially because of misdirected and/or misplaced luggage, but after 911 they made these HUGE announcements at the airport, if you aren't on the flight, we will pull your luggage off of the flight... It goes on the same one as YOU...blah blah...I guess the amount of time has allowed things to settle back down. But I remember for a long time hearing that.

 

[Lewisc]

Oh, it TOTALLY makes sense and especially because of misdirected and/or misplaced luggage, but after 911 they made these HUGE announcements at the airport, if you aren't on the flight, we will pull your luggage off of the flight... It goes on the same one as YOU...blah blah...I guess the amount of time has allowed things to settle back down. But I remember for a long time hearing that.

All checked luggage is now screened. There is no longer a government rule requiring positive luggage match, at least for domestic flights.

Airlines are free to put your luggage on an earlier or later flight. Some airlines will accept late checked luggage, with the understanding the bags probably won't make your flight and you're responsible for geting the bags at the airport. Other airlines have a policy prohibiting this.

DME works great. No problem if your luggage makes an earlier flight. Not the end of the world if your luggage is misdirected and arrives at MCO hours after you arrive.

Your bag doesn't make your flight.

You're using DME. You do nothing. Your bag gets delivered to your room a few hours after it arrives in MCO.

You're getting your own luggage. You wait until all the luggage makes it to the caroseul. You then have to wait in line and file a preliminary claim. You wasted more then an hour by not letting Disney handle your luggage.

 

[bumbershoot]

Oh, it TOTALLY makes sense and especially because of misdirected and/or misplaced luggage, but after 911 they made these HUGE announcements at the airport, if you aren't on the flight, we will pull your luggage off of the flight... It goes on the same one as YOU...blah blah...I guess the amount of time has allowed things to settle back down. But I remember for a long time hearing that.

I think that the rule is pretty much that YOU don't get to decide if your luggage is on your flight or a different one.

Can someone clarify the complete process?

Thanks!

I'm not sure anyone really has it, since it seems to happen so rarely.

 

[stitchlovestink]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stitchlovestink

Oh, it TOTALLY makes sense and especially because of misdirected and/or misplaced luggage, but after 911 they made these HUGE announcements at the airport, if you aren't on the flight, we will pull your luggage off of the flight... It goes on the same one as YOU...blah blah...I guess the amount of time has allowed things to settle back down. But I remember for a long time hearing that.

I think that the rule is pretty much that YOU don't get to decide if your luggage is on your flight or a different one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moms

Can someone clarify the complete process?

Thanks!

I'm not sure anyone really has it, since it seems to happen so rarely.

I NEVER said I got to pick which flight my luggage went on. Go back and reread my post please. I stated years ago they made announcements that they would remove your luggage if you were not on the flight. But another poster clarified that they have since changed the laws regarding domestic flights.


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[Lewisc]

I think that the rule is pretty much that YOU don't get to decide if your luggage is on your flight or a different one.

I think that used to be a rule and may still be the policy with some airlines.

Southwest lets standby passengers check luggage with the understanding the luggage will fly even if the passenger doesn't clear. Southwest lets passengers check luggage late with the understand Southwest won't be paying to deliver luggage if the passenger makes the flight but the luggage doesn't.

AFAIK luggage isn't pulled if a passenger doesn't show up at the gate.

International flights have different rules.

 

[Bobo912]

Thanks! We are on a non-stop from Chicago to Orlando.

Wow, interesting system! I suppose we could just take a "leap of faith" and let Disney handle the bags! Has anyone ever had a problem with not getting their luggage?

We've DME many times and never had a bag lost. Even when our luggage tags didn't arrive, DME delivered our bags to our room with no problem. That's the only time I've ever been asked how many bags we checked.

 

[aprince&princess]

Just keep in mind that the luggage can show up in your room up to 3 hours after check in. So if you have something that you would want before that time you should put it in your carry on bag.

 

[Mkrop]

Just keep in mind that the luggage can show up in your room up to 3 hours after check in. So if you have something that you would want before that time you should put it in your carry on bag.

This and if your flight arrives late than you may want to get your lugguage bc I think after 10pm they do not deliver until the next day. We once had a flight arrive at MCO at 9:30pm, we went and got our lugguage bc we did not want anyone knocking on the door super late even if they did deliver that day.

 

[crashbb]

This and if your flight arrives late than you may want to get your lugguage bc I think after 10pm they do not deliver until the next day. We once had a flight arrive at MCO at 9:30pm, we went and got our lugguage bc we did not want anyone knocking on the door super late even if they did deliver that day.

If you arrive after 10pm you HAVE to collect your own luggage. The luggage collection bit stops at 10pm (I believe it starts up again at 6am, but I'm not sure about that).