Delta Check In Query

[zulaya]

Leaving Saturday...my plan WAS to check in online, each of us (2 adults, 2 kids) just with our carryon.

Now, DH wants to check a bag for all the goodies we may buy down there.

I agree that it's not a bad plan, but from what I understand, if I am checking bags, I have to wait to check in until I get to the airport. I have no problem using the Kiosk they have at MSP.

My concern is seat assignments. I have already selected our seats, months ago. Just confirmed them on Delta's website that they are the same as I have noted.

I plan to get to the airport 75 minutes before departure - MSP's airport recommendation.

So, if I do the checked bag thing and use the kiosk, will I still have my seat assignments 75 minutes before departure. I am travelling with 2 kids - ages 6 and 7 - so we definitely do not want to be split up.

I have heard other airlines can be weird about seating the day of the flight. I usually fly NWA - which I can online check in AND check bags (wish Delta did that) - and never have a problem with seats.

Just not an experienced Delta flier so any help is appreciated.

Thanks

 

[safetymom]

You shouldn't have a problem with seat assignments. You already are assigned seats.

 

[zulaya]

Okay, another question...I have a connecting flight in ATL on the way down and Cinci on the way back. How is Delta's reputation for getting luggage where it needs to be? I just don't want luggage lost. I am so used to my non-stops so I guess I am a little paranoid about the liggage not being there.

 

[Kevenswife2]

I'm flying Delta too. I read on their website you can check-in over the web (up to 24 hours before) and then check your bags curbside with the skycap.

 

[zulaya]

I read about the skycap too. However, I guess I am just a not so trusting soul...I'd much rather just check in at home, and then walk in to something like a dedicated window just for dropping off your checked bags so I can see a Delta employee take charge of it.

 

[safetymom]

I have flown Delta a lot and never had a problem with lost luggage. We always have connections when we fly with Delta.

 

[Harambe]

Zulaya - we also fly Delta, and do just the carry-ons (2 adults, 2 kids).

At our resort, I stop in at either one of the bars or the food court and ask them for a big box (told ya this was weird!). Then through the week, we fill this up with either all our new purchases, or fill it with clothes. Then the day we leave, or the day before, I FED-EX the box back to our house. Let's us do the carry-ons on the return flight.

Another option would be to pack one of those duffle bags that come folded up in a small pouch. You may have to check it on the return flight, but not on your flight down!

 

[zulaya]

Harambe -- How much does this usually cost you?

 

[safetymom]

Just a word of advice if you are going to ship things to WDW especially.

I have to ship quite often for my job and I can't tell you the number of times my boxes have gotten lost or delayed. Many many more times than the airlines.

Baggage claim is very quick and easy at MCO. Our suitcases are usually coming around as we get there.

On the way back I wouldn't be so concerned about lost or delayed boxes but it happens a lot with Fed EX or UPS.

As far as seating assignments you already have them so I wouldn't worry. If there has been an equipment change since you made your seat requests I would check but otherwise you will be fine. I have never had my seat assignment changed when I got to the airport. I am a very frequent flyer.

 

[Harambe]

Safteymom makes good sense, here. I didn't want to admit it before, but we usually mail back our dirty clothes!!!! We can't part with our new Disney stuff, and I don't worry that my dirty laundry will get banged up! But I would worry if it was all my souveniers. (I once carried a huge lion wind chime from AK back with me on the 28 hour train ride back home!)

It does cost to mail the box back - based on weight of course. We have paid from 25 to 40 dollars! But the price is worth it for me because I don't like checking/lugging bags.

 

[scoggs]

We too are flying Delta in a few days, and already have our seats assigned. I am all for the new wave of checking myself in over the Internet etc., but I don't really understand what to do once I'm at the airport.... I am so used to just going and standing in line to check in..(I don't fly very often!)

What is a kiosk? Where? At all airports? How do I find out if Detroit has one? How do I use it if I've already done the web check -in?? Is the kiosk for checking in luggage, or should I use curbside? Please someone who is in the know help a bumbling fool like me!!

Thanx in advance!!

Dana

 

[zulaya]

The kiosk is simple and you can use it if you are checking bags or not. You just slide in your credit card or frequent flier card - it's only for ID purposes. You can get your boarding pass right from there - it's like self service check in.

What to do when you check in on-line at home and have a checked bag? That's my question too. I understand you can use a skycap, but frankly, I don't need to pay someone to take my bag to get it checked.

I just want to check in from home and be able to walk up to a dedicated window for people who check in at home and drop off my bag. Sorry to sound like a pain in the rear, but if I have to check in AGAIN at the kiosk when I get there, kind of defeats the purpose of avoiding standing in line as far as I am concerned.

 

[NCRedding]

The last time we flew Delta out of RDU and GSO, we had checked luggage. I had 2 choices:

1. Check luggage with skycap and use a kiosk for check-in located very near the ticket lines, but not in line.

2. Stand in line with luggage to wait for a ticket agent.

At RDU and GSO, I din't see a dedicated line for people who want to use kiosk and have Delta handle the bags--it maybe different at the larger airports. Of course, in checking Delta.com, they have also changed the website, and check-in procedures since they last time we flew them, so my info is probably out of date.

 

[goofy4tink]

Flew Song the last time and used the kiosks. They were really simple. But, we could only check-in online if we had only carry-on, no checked luggage. You could do what I had to do one time....I bought way toooo much stuff while in WDW and had to buy a new duffle bag to get it home. Now, I just roll that one up and stick it in my carry-on. If need be, I can check it on the way home.

 

[SnackyStacky]

If you're going to check bags, and don't want to use the skycaps, you will have to stand in line and wait for a ticket agent.

I have NEVER lost a bag, and most of my flights have had layovers, and I almost always have the skycaps check in my bags. It's just so much easier not to have to fool around with them in the line while waiting to get a boarding pass. I can understand your not wanting to tip them, but unfortunately, if you don't use them, you'll just have to wait in the regular ticketing line.

Good luck!

 

[safetymom]

I think the tip at curbside is a great thing!!!! It is much better than lugging the suitcases inside. A nice tip also helps the skycap to turn his head when you have oversize or overweight luggage. Something that doesn't happen inside.

 

[Kevenswife2]

1. How much should I tip the skycap if I'm checking 2 bags?

2. Does each airlines have their own skycap or do they all use the same one?

Can you tell it's been a long time since I've flown (25 years)?

 

[safetymom]

Standard tip is $1 a bag. If I have a lot or they are bulky I will tip more.

It is an outside firm that works for all the airlines. I have found them very knowledgeable and helpful.

Very small price to pay to avoid lugging my suitcases inside.

 

[Kevenswife2]

$1 a bag is a lot less than I expected. Sounds reasonable and would cost me less than those carts everyone recommends.

Just wondering, how do they keep all the luggage for the different airlines seperate? I do want my luggage to make it to Florida too. If my swimsuit didn't make it (OMG!)....my vacation isn't long enough to find an other one I would wear in public!

 

[safetymom]

Along the curb is all the different airlines. You go to the booth that is your airline. You show your drivers license and they ask where you are flying to. They look up the reservation in the computer and then they generate the baggage tags. Once your bags are tagged they are sent to the planes after they are security scanned. Not much chance they will get mixed up with another airline but even if they did that is what your baggage tag is for.

It really is easy it just sound complicated. Here in PIT they took away curbside for the airline I fly and I really miss it.