Anyone Flown Standby and Used ME?

[cherokeemamma]

I am a little concerned....

Our family is blessed to have been given flight passes for our upcoming trip. We live in Atl. so we would normally drive down. We are thrilled with the idea of flying (so much quicker and less tiring) but since we are having to fly standby I am a little concerned with ME. Anyone else ever flown this way? I can plan to be on a certain flight but that could change - we could very easily get bumped and have to wait for the next flight or maybe even wait for 2 or 3 flights.

What happens if your flight plans change at the last minute?

What is the latest you can make ME reservations?

Thanks

 

[seashoreCM]

Make the reservation the usual at least 10 days in advance preferably 30 (or less notice if the whole trip was booked later). Specify a flight to the best of your knowledge or specifying an optimum flight. You can then make changes to the Disney bound ME at any time whatsoever. You do not have to use the six dollar a minute Airfone(tm) in the seat back. Instead there is no problem showing up in advance or being tardy so long as your arrival is not extremely late in the evening. YOu can still use the yellow tags, you do not have to cross out or write in flight information.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[CarolA]

Have you ever done this before?

I am assuming you are talking about "buddy" passes from an airline employee.

Find out what level you are at. (They board in the order of your priority AFTER all the paying passengers trying to fly standby)

Pick a slower day. (In other words no Fridays or Sundays/Mondays) Those lanes are already full and it's going to be harder.

You probably need to pack in a carry on. (I am not 100% sure on this since it's been years since I did buddy travel and the rules change all the time!)

Check for a dress code. Amazingly the airlines have "dress codes" for thier employees on pass travel.

 

[Lewisc]

It's possible there won't be room for your entire family on a particular flight. Decide in advance if you're willing to split up. DME works great. Everyone can just grab DME to the resort when they get to MCO. Some of you might be in the Atlanta airport while the rest of you are swimming.

 

[cherokeemamma]

I am really hoping that we will all get to travel together. We will be checking availability several times prior to our trip. Right now things look great but I am sure as time gets closer (38 days) flights will get more and more full.
My concern is booking ME for a 11:30 flight and not getting there until 1:30 or later due to flights being full. Can you call and inform ME that you will be on a later flight or do they have your name on a roster and it doesn't really matter to the time?
Sorry if that is a stupid question.
While I am asking stupid questions...here is another. Can you check a cooler as luggage? Does it get really beat up?

Thanks Ya'll

 

[Nebsky]

I have done it a couple of times as I am an employee.
It is easy to do. I do not use the yellow tags for the ME luggage. I carry on my bags.

If you booked through Disney, you can contact them and give them your flights. Even if you dont make those flights, from what I understand your name(s) are on the list for the day so you can catch the ME. I would contact Disney to verify that though.

Yes you can check a cooler, but I would reccomend duct taping the lid down. It will receive scuffs but it wont be destroyed. Make sure you understand the stanby policy. Like someone said above, there is a good chance you all might end up on different flights. You also will more than likely end up all over the aircraft.

Have a good trip.

 

[CarolA]

Nebsky,
Can you check luggage on buddy passes?

In the "old" days they wouldn't let you because there was no gurantee you would EVER get to your destination and your luggage went no matter what. However, my "buddy pass" source was long gone by the time the new security regulations kicked in!

 

[cherokeemamma]

well...you guys are scaring me. I was all excited and now I am feeling,...well...a bit worried and not so excited. I do plan to check luggage and will be traveling with a DD7 and a DS12 as well as my DH. I'll have to do my homework a bit more throughly .
BTW, my "buddy" has 24 years in senority. I hope that may help.


either way...WDW here we come.

 

[Nebsky]

On American you can. Im sure you can on Delta too.

The employees seniority might not help you. At AA it wouldnt.
Employees go first, then Employee's Parents, then Buddy Pass Riders.

Im sure you will get on, but remember it is a crap shoot.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

If I were travelling with children on these types of passes, I would be pretty worried about all getting on the same plane. You might all get seats, but as someone else already said, it's likely you'll be split up on the plane. If you wait for a flight you can all take, you may be sitting at the airport for hours and never get a seat. The ME issue is the least of your problems.

Personally, I would avoid the stress of worrying about it and would just buy tickets.