Conflicting info on ME

[3daughters]

I've received conflicting info regarding the ME if I change my flight. I was told tow things... I'm trying to find out if I take a different flight if I will surely have my luggage taken (I'm planning on going standby on earlier flight). I was told yes, and another answer I got was no, that I would have to notify them that I had done this or they wouldn't be expecting my luggage and wouldn't "wait" for it or know it was there... I don't quite understand this, but anyway...

Also, was told if I'm the only one on the flight headed for Disney it could be a problem if I switched my flight without letting them know.

Anyone ever done this? How do I know which is the correct answer!!!!!

Leaving in less than 10 days.... thanks!!!

 

[OntFamily]

I think you are asking, what happens if you arrive in Orlando on a different flight, than what you originally advised DME.

This is a common occurence. People change flights freqently (delays, mechanical problems, etc). For my trip in Sept, I arrived on a different flight than my original reservation. Also, it is not uncommon for your luggage to be delayed by the airline, and arrive in Orlando on a different flight than you.

If you have the yellow DME luggage tag attached to your bags, DME will find your luggage automatically (they're looking for luggage with the yellow tags). Or, if you don't have the yellow tag attached but decide you want to use DME, notify the DME cast member (they want your baggage tags and a description of your luggage) -- they'll then take care of your luggage for you.

Regardless, you don't have to worry about your bags !

 

[CleveRocks]

OntFamily is exactly right.

The real reason for reservations (beyond contractural obligations with the airport) is so that they know how many people are arriving when and going to where, so they know about how many buses and lugagge delivery trucks they'll need and how to efficiently route them. A few people making some changes to their personal itineraries won't knock the wheels off the cart.

As OntFamily said, people behind the scenes simply "pull" bags with those bright yellow DME luggage tags. No one is waiting for "your" bag. If it's got a DME tag, it will enter the DME system.

The tags have barcodes. The barcodes give DME information from the database, notably who you are and where your luggage is supposed to go. If you are booked for check-in at a WDW resort on January 9, and your luggaage's DME tag barcode is scanned on January 9, there won't be any problems if that luggage gets scanned 6 hours earlier or 6 hours later than "expected."

There's one exception to the rule, though. If you changed to a VERY late flight arrival time, you will ABSOLUTELY want DME to know about it so they know they have to wait around for you. From what I've read, DME is "prepared" to be a 24/7 service but only if flights warrant it -- if, for example, they have no arrival reservations scheduled past 11:00 p.m., there won't be someone manning the Welcome Center at 2:00 a.m. unless they know of a delayed flight on which they expect guests.

I hope this all makes sense.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

As far as I know, there are 3rd shift DME cast members. Because there's always going to be someone with no flight information, they always wait for the last flight of the night. Even after that, there's always someone there, but they might just be doing other work.

AS for the OP... DME is great for luggage. Doesn't matter when it gets there... before you... at the same time as you... or even after you... DME will take care of it. If the luggage arrives on a flight before you, DME will hold it at the airport until you check in at the Welcome Center. If the airline misdirects your luggage, and it shows up later, DME will take care of it, and probably get it to you much faster than the airline ever would.