Collecting our own luggage at MCO. Do I need ME tags on our bags?

[jalaine]

Hi,

We're going to be arriving late-ish at MCO in a few weeks. Our flight arrives around 8 pm I think. Given everything I've read about varying delivery times of our luggage that late, I think we'd be more comfortable collecting our own luggage at baggage claim and bringing it on the ME with us to our resort.

So do we even need to put ME tags on our luggage? We DO want to use RAC on our return flight. And what exactly is the process of checking our bags in and picking them up if we're going to do this? Sorry if this seems like a really simple question, but I just want to make sure we're doing this right!

Thanks!

 

[maxiesmom]

If you plan on picking up your checked bags at MCO do not put the yellow DME tags on them. Keep in mind it is more likely that the airline would misdirect your bags than it is for DME to lose them, so pack anything you need for the first night in your carry-on bags.

Also, it is customary to tip the ME bus driver $1-$2 a bag for the bags you take with you to the bus. They have to handle storing them, as they go under the bus, and not on the bus with you.

Going home, using RAC is just like checking your bags in at the airport. You hand them off, and don't see them again until you are at your home airport.

 

[Jestocost]

Going home, using RAC is just like checking your bags in at the airport. You hand them off, and don't see them again until you are at your home airport.

A little more detail.

The RAC desk is open from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. You have to have the check-in process completed (not just be in line) no later than three hours before your scheduled flight departure. Historically you also have not been able to use RAC more than 12 hours before your flight, but there are conflicting reports about whether or not that advance requirement has been relaxed.

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

We always bring our bags to the ME bus, both ways. We lqike having our luggage when we check in, that way we can quickly unpack and start the vacation not wondering wheour luggage will show up