Anyone else had trouble with hotel airport check-in on SWA

[sam_gordon]

We arrived at the RAC counter well over 3 hours prior to our flight, it was just the AT/SW thing. Oh, and our ME pickup was 2 hours 45 minutes before our flight, which I thought was a bit odd too.

The pickups are generally 3 hours +/- 15 minutes before a flight.

 

[goofy4tink]

We arrived at the RAC counter well over 3 hours prior to our flight, it was just the AT/SW thing. Oh, and our ME pickup was 2 hours 45 minutes before our flight, which I thought was a bit odd too.

I realize that you arrived more than 3 hrs prior to departure, but other posters did not. There was one poster who was given a p/u time 2.5 hrs prior to departure, and they then headed to RAC 25 mins before DME was to pick them up...this put them under the necessary 3 hr limit.

As far as pickup times go.....the time can range from exactly 3 hrs prior to departure, to 3 hrs 15 mins or so, or 2 hrs 45 mins prior. If a group doesn't think they will have enough time at the airport, with the time that was given to them, they can call DME the day before and ask for an earlier time. That is usually granted.

 

[JanaDee]

Why is it a problem to use ME if you fly different airlines to/from MCO? I will be flying to MCO on Delta and meeting family arriving on United. We will all return home on the same United flight. Am I going to have to hand carry luggage to/from ME buses?

Her problem wasn't with ME, it was with RAC, which is completely different from ME.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

The RAC counter is open from 5-1. The rule is that your bags must be checked in, completely, your boarding passes in hand, no less than 3 hrs prior o flight departure. If you arrive at the RAC counter less than 3 hrs. 15 mins prior to flight time, you won't be able to check your bags. It takes at least 10 mins to get checked in, and bags tagged.

As far as the 2.5 hrs prior to flight p/u time goes, that's a first for me. It usually isn't take more than half an hour to get on the highway, even if you are the first of several stops...that would get you to MCO 90 mins rigor to flight time. That's okay but could be cutting it close if security is crazy. I think I would have asked them for an earlier p/u, but that's just me.

When I check out, I always take my bags down to the RAC counter as early as possible. Then I don't have to worry about it. People get DME and RAC confused all the time. Yes, Disney 'says' they are the same, but they aren't, not really. Anyone can use RAC, as long as they are flying on one of those participating airlines, and they are staying at that resort. You can be driving back to the airport, or taking a town car. No need to be riding the DME bus back to MCO.

I admit the first thing that went though my mind in reading the OP's post was "not enough time" with the timeline they gave they didn't even have time to try to fix the problem at the resort. Not just the airline 3 hours but not enough time between arrival at the counter and the bus.

But... if you can't "haul' your luggage don't pack it. There will be times when RAC won't work and....

 

[bookgirl]

Same thing happened to me in October. They said it was because we flew AT on on incoming leg and SW home, which makes no sense to me, but whatever.

I had the same thing is Oct. If one leg is AT and the other is SW it will not let you use RAC. Someone had mentioned doing two one way flights instead of a round trip, and that solved the problem but I don't see how it would. I've never had a really clear explanation why it's that way but it is.

Next trip I'm not doing a rental car and only doing DME. I made sure that my flights were SW only.

 

[lovin'fl]

I had the same thing is Oct. If one leg is AT and the other is SW it will not let you use RAC. Someone had mentioned doing two one way flights instead of a round trip, and that solved the problem but I don't see how it would. I've never had a really clear explanation why it's that way but it is.

Next trip I'm not doing a rental car and only doing DME. I made sure that my flights were SW only.

OOOOhhhh...that's great news as we booked the arrival via SW separately from the departure on SW/AT (2 one way flights)....I so hope they do check in for us.

 

[bookgirl]

OOOOhhhh...that's great news as we booked the arrival via SW separately from the departure on SW/AT (2 one way flights)....I so hope they do check in for us.

I think he had to specifically tell them it was a one way ticket and not attatched to the incoming flight.

Hope it works for you.

 

[jimandami]

I admit the first thing that went though my mind in reading the OP's post was "not enough time" with the timeline they gave they didn't even have time to try to fix the problem at the resort. Not just the airline 3 hours but not enough time between arrival at the counter and the bus. But... if you can't "haul' your luggage don't pack it. There will be times when RAC won't work and....

I'm sorry but 40 minutes should be more than enough time to check-in luggage. We actually had an extra 20 minutes to just sit and wait after they said there was nothing they could do. And yeah, we were obviously able to "haul" it or it wouldn't have made it home with us would it?

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I'm sorry but 40 minutes should be more than enough time to check-in luggage. We actually had an extra 20 minutes to just sit and wait after they said there was nothing they could do. And yeah, we were obviously able to "haul" it or it wouldn't have made it home with us would it?

Apparently it was a burden to haul do to your whining. And you also point out the horrendous lines at MCO to check in. So no 40 minutes is not always enough


Plus you really didn't have 40 minutes. The DME folks want you ready to board the bus 15 minutes early. Not standing there trying to check luggage. So you really had 25 minutes

 

[jimandami]

Apparently it was a burden to haul do to your whining. And you also point out the horrendous lines at MCO to check in. So no 40 minutes is not always enough Plus you really didn't have 40 minutes. The DME folks want you ready to board the bus 15 minutes early. Not standing there trying to check luggage. So you really had 25 minutes

You know what, it's people like you that make Dis boards unpleasant a good bit of the time.

 

[lovin'fl]

You know what, it's people like you that make Dis boards unpleasant a good bit of the time.

I agree...maybe he/she is a RAC worker....or the ME scheduler. LOL!

For me, we have driven to WDW most of our trips (which we began taking frequently 10 years ago). The 1st time we flew was Dec 2011 and we had a late afternoon flight home (like 4:45 ish). Since we have to check out by 11am, we were at RAC counter well before our ME pick up time and had no clue to all the ins and outs (lucked into it working out right). Also, while at the resort desk at OKW, during that trip, they checked us in and printed us out our boarding passes for our flight. We thought this was the norm, but I guess maybe it's not. The 2nd time we flew was this past January and we also had a later flight and had early bird check in for that flight (so no need for airline check in). So, this last time, in Oct we had an early AM flight and we went to BLT desk the day before and got the run around and nobody ever told us to be at RAC desk 3 hours and 15 minutes before the flight. Maybe it's in the letter they left on our door (with ME pick up time) and we should have read it better. But it also states, in ME booklet you get at home...before your trip, that SW does offer check in at WDW resorts. I booked my airfare on SW and used the SW flight number to make ME resie and it states in the booklet that we should get airline check in...but we didn't.

Also, I should note that my family and I have all had trouble making ME resies. We are DVC and book it through the DVC member website and frequently find out that the resie never stuck/went through...we have to go back and book again and even call into MS to make sure it's booked (I have 3 rooms booked for us and family and had to set up ME for all of us and had to re-book ME a few times). Sometimes it's just easier to drive...LOL.

 

[goofy4tink]

I'm sorry but 40 minutes should be more than enough time to check-in luggage. We actually had an extra 20 minutes to just sit and wait after they said there was nothing they could do. And yeah, we were obviously able to "haul" it or it wouldn't have made it home with us would it?

Apparently it was a burden to haul do to your whining. And you also point out the horrendous lines at MCO to check in. So no 40 minutes is not always enough


Plus you really didn't have 40 minutes. The DME folks want you ready to board the bus 15 minutes early. Not standing there trying to check luggage. So you really had 25 minutes

Alright...I'm going to try and do some math here. jimandami didn't give us the flight time, but I'm going to guess it was around 11am, based on the DME p/u time and them saying that the bus was 2 hrs 45 mins prior to flight time.
In order to use RAC, to check your bags, you would have had to have been done with your checkin, walking away from the RAC counter by 8am (based on an 11am flight!) If jimandami arrived at the RAC counter at 7:20, as mentioned, that would have given them 50 mins to complete their checkin...should have been easy. Then out to the DME bus stop to wait for their p/u.
As far as DME wanting you to board 15 the bus 15 mins early? Nope, doesn't happen. I was just there, a week ago. My bus arrived right at 10:55, p/u time was 11. The same for just about every time I've used DME to return to MCO. I recommend getting to the bus stop 15 mins prior to your p/u time so that you are ready to go.

If there is a long line at MCO, you have absolutely no way of knowing this before you get there. So, if you find you are unable to check your bags at your resort (for some unknown reason), there really isn't any way of getting to MCO earlier than your bus would get you there...unless you ask to get on an earlier bus or take a cab.
This poster did exactly what should have been done. Not their fault that SW/AT have messed things up for travelers. As far as those 7 bags go? Well, you did have to get them to your home airport, right? Not as much fun to do it the 'old fashioned way' after getting spoiled by RAC, but sometimes stuff happens.

 

[goofy4tink]

I agree...maybe he/she is a RAC worker....or the ME scheduler. LOL!

For me, we have driven to WDW most of our trips (which we began taking frequently 10 years ago). The 1st time we flew was Dec 2011 and we had a late afternoon flight home (like 4:45 ish). Since we have to check out by 11am, we were at RAC counter well before our ME pick up time and had no clue to all the ins and outs (lucked into it working out right). Also, while at the resort desk at OKW, during that trip, they checked us in and printed us out our boarding passes for our flight. We thought this was the norm, but I guess maybe it's not. The 2nd time we flew was this past January and we also had a later flight and had early bird check in for that flight (so no need for airline check in). So, this last time, in Oct we had an early AM flight and we went to BLT desk the day before and got the run around and nobody ever told us to be at RAC desk 3 hours and 15 minutes before the flight. Maybe it's in the letter they left on our door (with ME pick up time) and we should have read it better. But it also states, in ME booklet you get at home...before your trip, that SW does offer check in at WDW resorts. I booked my airfare on SW and used the SW flight number to make ME resie and it states in the booklet that we should get airline check in...but we didn't.

Also, I should note that my family and I have all had trouble making ME resies. We are DVC and book it through the DVC member website and frequently find out that the resie never stuck/went through...we have to go back and book again and even call into MS to make sure it's booked (I have 3 rooms booked for us and family and had to set up ME for all of us and had to re-book ME a few times). Sometimes it's just easier to drive...LOL.

Resorts have always been able to check you in and print out boarding passes. They can't take your luggage though. As far as where to checkin and get boarding passes for your return goes, you admit that it was your mistake. Since DME started, there has always been a distinct spot for RAC. It used to be inside some resorts. Now, it's outside, for the most part. But, we all need to do our homework when it comes to traveling. You missed that part of the info...and as I said, you admitted that. And yes, the info booklet states that SW, and AT, are participating airlines, but because of their merger, a lot of flight reservations are messed up. Once they get it all fixed, RAC checkin won't be an issue. Won't make your past experience any better though!

I'm a DVC owner as well. I have booked many, many DME reservations on the member site. I haven't had any issues...yet! That site can be a bit convoluted and hard to figure out....I've found myself having to do it mulitiple times before it all goes through correctly. Need to slow down and pay attention I guess.

 

[jimandami]

Goofy4tink,

Thank you for saying what I didn't have the patience to say. Of course we were able to deal with our bags, it was just an unexpected annoyance. It's not like I came on here complaining that Disney screwed up or owed me something. I was simply asking if it happened to others and letting people know it is a possibility.

 

[lovin'fl]

Resorts have always been able to check you in and print out boarding passes. They can't take your luggage though. As far as where to checkin and get boarding passes for your return goes, you admit that it was your mistake. Since DME started, there has always been a distinct spot for RAC. It used to be inside some resorts. Now, it's outside, for the most part. But, we all need to do our homework when it comes to traveling. You missed that part of the info...and as I said, you admitted that. And yes, the info booklet states that SW, and AT, are participating airlines, but because of their merger, a lot of flight reservations are messed up. Once they get it all fixed, RAC checkin won't be an issue. Won't make your past experience any better though!

I'm a DVC owner as well. I have booked many, many DME reservations on the member site. I haven't had any issues...yet! That site can be a bit convoluted and hard to figure out....I've found myself having to do it mulitiple times before it all goes through correctly. Need to slow down and pay attention I guess.

Well the resort desk at BLT would not check me in and print boarding passes for my flight...tried the day before the flight and the day of the flight...wouldn't do it. OKW did in 2011. As far as booking ME on the member site...I did it absolutely correctly. I had to do it for Jan trip, Oct trip and 3 times for Dec trip (for me, SIL2 and MIL). Half of those went through just fine...other half I had to do a second time. SIL1 did it 3 times this year as well (Aug, Oct and Dec trips) and also had some not go through. . No matter, as I have to call MS frequently anyway...to book or change resort resies and to add/cancel DP, etc....so, I always double check when I call in. We sometimes get confirmation e-mails (for resort resies and ME) and we sometimes do not...again . Anyway, I think I got the whole ME/RAC stuff down now. I just paid AT $10pp to select our seats for the 12/25 return flight (since our 3 kids will be with us) and I will check in for the flight 24 hours before via a laptop or cellphone (could not get EB check in, which would be ideal, but couldn't due to it being SW/AT). I will also make sure our ME pick up time is at least 3 hours before our flight (10:20am). And we will be at RAC counter, hoping they take our luggage, at least 3.5 hours before our flight (6:50am...early, but worth it to not lug our stuff).