Airline check in

[rigsby25]

We were pleasantly surprised to find out that you could check in right at SSR for the flight home. It went pretty smoothly for my husband's cousin on Friday. However, after waiting 30 minutes in line on Saturday morning, we found out that the United Airlines system was down, and they could not check anyone in flying out on United. Sorry. My daughter thought quickly and most of our party got on the ME bus with the luggage, while my husband returned the rental car. There was no way all of us and the luggage were going to fit in the rental car. I thought there should have been some kind of announcement or sign rather than wait in line to find out. And this is kind of silly, I thought. United is a participating airline, but the bus does not drop off at United. The luggage had to be schlepped across the airport. I've never used ME before, or the check in.

 

[CapeCodFam]

Magical express doesn't take you to your airline. They stop at each side of the airport that contains your flight. In regards to the bags, since united's system was down, you were required to bring your bags w/you and check in at the airport. Otherwise, ME would've have taken care of them for you.

This is also happens when you are selected for security screening. ME can't print boarding passes or check your bags.

A limo service can deliver you to the airline and help w/your bags. But, you won't get your boarding pass until you go to the airport.

Since it's free, we prefer ME.

 

[rigsby25]

In regards to the bags, since united's system was down, you were required to bring your bags w/you and check in at the airport. Otherwise, ME would've have taken care of them for you.

A limo service can deliver you to the airline and help w/your bags. But, you won't get your boarding pass until you go to the airport.

The point is that we waited in line for 30 minutes, and when we got to the front of the line, they told us that United's system had been down all morning. My post was mainly that I felt there should have been a sign, or announcement made to prevent waiting in line for 30 minutes. We DID put our luggage and about 4 people on the ME, but someone had to return the rental car. We couldn't just leave it there because the airport check in wasn't working. We had originally planned for 2 people to take the ME, but since we found out there was airport check in, we thought we would send the luggage and all take the rental car back. A tight squeeze, but impossible with luggage. All's well that ends well. We got to our flight and so did our luggage.

I'm not sure I understand about where ME drops off. We have never used ME before. When I come in to the airport, I always see an ME representative standing by baggage claim. So you always do have to schlepp the luggage?

 

[Mrs Potato Head]

Didn't you get a time for the ME pickup? Did you miss the bus because you had to wait in line? I'm really curious because I always get nervous about missing buses/planes etc. I agree, a sign would have been nice...but when we used ME a couple weeks ago, I was more bummed that we had to get picked up 3 hours before our flight...which was actually 3.5 hours due to the time of departure (and then the flight was delayed 2 hours, etc, etc etc) resulting in us sitting at the airport with nothing to do....

I know international flyers need more time to get to the airport...and you can never tell with security...but 3 hours was a bummer and meant the difference for us of spending the morning in a park vs waiting at the resort for the bus and killing time...

So long rant...just our experiences...

 

[DebbieB]

I think I read somewhere that the airport will not allow the busses on the departure level where curbside check-in is and the doors by the airline counters (level 3). They are only allowed on level 1 (where the rental car counters are). It would be too crowded to allow busses on level 3, there's lots of automobile traffic there where people drop off.

 

[rigsby25]

No, we didn't miss the bus. We had plenty of time. The bus left at 12:30 and our flight was at 3:30. Its just that no. 1 - the airport check in is not so dependable, and no. 2 - we had to wait in line to find that out. That was my complaint. We returned the car and went to the United departures, and the rest of the party had to bring the luggage over. As far as the ME itself, I would say they are pretty dependable. Its always better to get to the airport too early than too late. We had a nice lunch at the airport and a last crack at souveniers.