AirTran and DME *or* I think I screwed this one up!

[AllAboutPluto]

A good two weeks after having the paper tickets in hand for our flights, I read that AirTran is not one of the "participating" DME airlines. Hmmm... ya, uhm, great.

So I gather that we'll have to wait at baggage claim for our stuff (Luckily, our flight down is non-stop, so it's less likely to get lost... at least it's still non-stop TODAY, but they still have 4 months to *insert favorite inappropriate word here* that one up) and then truck it over to the DME check-in desk. But what after that? Do we put in on the bus? Do they put it on the bus for us? Are we responsible for taking it back off the bus once at the resort or do they deliver it to our room (I'm presuming that they deliver it, but I gotta ask!)

And then, how about when we leave again? Another not-all-that-well-thought-out move was booking the 8am flight out of MCO (and here's hoping that AirTran DOES get the big idea to change our flight on this one!!!). So, my understanding is that DME will pick up the weary family and our bags at 5am... but what happens to the bags once we get to MCO? Do we take them off the bus and check them in ourselves or will DME get them checked in for us?

Do the "particiapting" airlines have to pay Disney to be a "participant" and that's why they don't all play along, or what? Just seems silly.

*sigh* If I'd only known then what I know now.

Thanks for all your wisdom-sharing!! I need all the help I can get!

 

[Dis31]

No I think it just means you can't use the airline check in at your hotel. I believe you can have them still pick up your bags when you arrive, but when you go back to the airport since you can't use the airline check in at the hotel you will need to take your bags and check them in at the airport. But your hotels front desk will print out you'r boarding passes for you 24 hrs in advance, so it is easy. We did this with southwest on our last trip and it was no problem.

 

[shoes99]

If you have a confirmed reservation at a Disney Hotel, ALL airlines are participating on the inbound trip. You just have to put the DME luggage tags on the bags you want sent directly to your hotel. Have Fun.

 

[judykay53]

Dis31 is exactly correct. Just put your yellow tags on youor bags going down - no matter which airline Disney will pick up your bags and they will be delivered to your romm later in the day.When you arrive you just go straight to the DME Welcome Center, check in and you can put your carry on bags under the bus. . On your return, yep, they will pick you up 3 hours before your flight.. Last year we had a 9 something flight and was picked up at 6 - yuck. This year we had a 3 pm flight which was much better. We checked out at 11, they printed our boarding passes and still got "A;s". Just have your confirmation number. The "participating" airlines are those that will let you check in your bags at the resort. On the "non-participating" airlines then you will just put your bags under the bus and then check them in yourself at the airport. We love DME.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

First, please go to Disney's Magical Express - What "Participating Airline" Really Means!

The "Participating Airline" list only applies to Disney's Resort Airline Check-in, not to Disney's Magical Express (DME). In order to participate in Resort Airline Check-in, the airline needs to work out business, legal, technical, and process issues with Baggage Airline Guest Services (BAGS), Disney's contractor for Resort Airline Check-in. AirTran is now on BAGS' list and is expected to participate in Resort Airline Check-in some time this year.

For your trip to WDW, you can enjoy the full benefit of DME. Follow the instructions in the DME packet that Disney will mail to you around 3 weeks before your travel. Use the yellow tags before you check your bags at your home airport, bypass baggage claim in Orlando, make sure you have anything you need the first day in your carry-ons (along with the usual fragile, valuable, and medical items). Your bags will "mgically appear" in your resort room while you're out having fun.

Yes, for your return to the aiport, you'll be scheduled for a DME pick-up approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight departure. For anyone who cannot use Remote Airline Check-in, the DME driver loads the luggage into the luggage hold of the motorcoach, and unloads it at the approporate stop at the airport. (It's customary to tip the driver if he handles your luggage.) After that, it's as if you had arrived in a taxicab or if you were dropped off by friends.

Early morning flights sound good, until you figure out when you need to get up in the morning!

 

[NjRon]

I used Airtran and DME just two weeks ago. The previous post are correct. Put the yellow labels on your bags, after you land go directly to the DME area, check in, get on the designated DME bus. Your bags will be handled and delivered to your room.

On your return trip, you will handle your luggage from the resort to the DME bus. You get it off the bus, get your bags off the bus and carry them to the check in counter to check in.

I would not hesitate to use Airtran and DME for any future trip to DIS. Our travel time from Philly to the pool at our resort was 3 hours 15 mins. Two hours in the air, 30 minutes in MCO (walking/bathrooms etc), 30 minutes on the DME bus and 15 mins to check in and change into swim suits.

 

[judykay53]

On your return flight, I would keep in mind which terminal your airline flies out of at MCO. Earlier this month, we got off at the terminal that the driver said was for Southwest. I thought Southwest doesn't fly out of this terminal and sure enough it was the wrong one. We only had carry on bags so we did not have to lug a lot of luggage across the airport. So know your terminal.

 

[AllAboutPluto]

Thanks for the help! I was so upset when I thought we'd have to claim our own bags! Maybe by the last week in Sept, AirTran will be up and running with BAGS and we'll be good to go!

YAY!!!