DME Early Arrival question

[trambach]

It appears my flight time was updated and I now scheduled to arrive at 5am. I know that DME luggage pickup begins at that time.

My question is, what if my flight happens to arrive before 5am..Say 4:50am...Would I need to pick up my bags at baggage claim, or by the time my luggage gets to the carousel it should be fine for DME pickup?

Thanks

 

[AngiTN]

Good question. Common to see folks asking about close to cut off at night but not morning.
Personally, seeing how I despise luggage pick up, I'd plan to allow DME to get the bags.
I may not use the yellow tags though, just in case.
But I would give the CM at the DME check in counter my claim checks. They'll note them in your account and the bags will be gathered from the luggage carousel and delivered to you
I'd assume as long as you did that after 5:00 it would be within the Bags operating hours

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I suspect 4:50AM is a difference that makes no never mind, since DME luggage pickup starts at 5. It's a slightly different case than arriving 10 minutes AFTER pickup ends, since there's realistically a variance between behaviors at shift start than shift end.

 

[trambach]

Just called DME. They said that I should put on the tags anyway. If I get to the airport before 5am the bags will be sent to baggage claim. If after 5am I can just go to DME checkin and board the bus.

 

[AngiTN]

Just called DME. They said that I should put on the tags anyway. If I get to the airport before 5am the bags will be sent to baggage claim. If after 5am I can just go to DME checkin and board the bus.

If it ends up being before 5AM and you don't want to get the bags I would give the claim check numbers the airlines put on it to the ME personal that check you in. They will have someone grab the bags for you.