DME won't pull your luggage after 11pm??

[Lewisc]

I realize most folks don't make early flights, but what really aggravates me is the late evening flights. I usually try and get the latest flight out possible, which in some cases has been as late as 8:30pm, which means I have to hang around the resort till 8:30am to use resort airline checkin. If it was open for a few hours in the evening, that wouldn't be necessary and wouldn't kill the entire morning. We are ALWAYS out by 6:45 each morning.

The problem is the 12 hour rule. Your option is to have breakfast in your resort and check your bags at 8:30, (I suspect that's what most guests would do). Put your bags in storage and come back at lunch time. That could work if you were staying at a resort near a theme park. IF RAC extended their hours your third option would be to return to your resort at least an hour earlier than you otherwise would have to. You have to check your bags 3 hours before your flight and DME picks up 2 hours before your flight.

I see your point, but I doubt there are many guests in your category. My guess RAC would wind up having to refuse bags from the many guests that didn't make it back to their resort early enough.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I realize most folks don't make early flights, but what really aggravates me is the late evening flights. I usually try and get the latest flight out possible, which in some cases has been as late as 8:30pm, which means I have to hang around the resort till 8:30am to use resort airline checkin. If it was open for a few hours in the evening, that wouldn't be necessary and wouldn't kill the entire morning. We are ALWAYS out by 6:45 each morning.

My understanding is that the 12-hour maximum rule is beyond the control of Disney or BAGS Inc., provider of Resort Airline Check-in (RAC). The RAC service must comply with Transportation Security Administration (TSA) rules.

If there were no 12-hour rule, you could check in as early as 5:00 a.m. for a flight at 8:30 p.m. But, as you noted, due to the 12-hour rule, you have to wait until 8:30 a.m. to check luggage for an 8:30 p.m. flight. I doubt that's a problem for most guests. For most early risers, it simply means using RAC after breakfast on check-out day.

If RAC were to reopen "a few hours in the evening," I doubt there would be much interest. There might be some people with early morning flights who would be interested in checking in for a flight the following morning, but the 12-hour rule would come into play.

I doubt there would be much interest from guests who checked out that morning to use RAC three hours before an evening flight, long after resort check-out time. They would have to check and retrieve their bags with bell services after vacating their rooms; it would be easier for most guests simply to use RAC 3-12 hours before flight time.

 

[Jestocost]

I would have been beyond furious if I had to go all the way back and wait for my bags.

The funny thing is I believe that the airline would have brought your luggage to your resort for you (although probably not until morning anyway) in these circumstances due to it being delayed in transition because of your cancelled flight. That's unless the DME tags would have resulted in them being misdirected.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

On a related topic, anyone know how busy RAC tends to be when it opens at 5 AM? We have an 8:25 flight, which means we have a 25 minute window to check our bags. We are staying at BW and wanted to know if we should plan on being there at 5 AM sharp because there will likely be a wait or whether 5:15 AM will probaly work for us. Thanks. -- Suzanne

 

[goofy4tink]

I would be there when they opened for the day. I've been there at 6 and it took about 15 minutes to get through the process, and we were second in line. I wouldn't imagine that it would be overly crowded, but since you don't have a lot of wiggle room, I would get there at opening.

As far as the RAC hours go...I've actually changed a flight because of that! I really didn't want to lug the bags and I had a 7 am flight! I didn't mind getting up so much, but there was no way I was going to be able to do the baggage check. So, I changed to a 9:30 flight. I do wish they could change the hours somewhat but I'm not sure that everyone would be happy then either. There will always be those who fly at off-times, so wouldn't be able to use RAC.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

The funny thing is I believe that the airline would have brought your luggage to your resort for you (although probably not until morning anyway) in these circumstances due to it being delayed in transition because of your cancelled flight. That's unless the DME tags would have resulted in them being misdirected.

If a passenger waits at baggage claim for all bags to come off, and that passenger's bags fail to appear, then the passenger can go to that airline's baggage services office to make arrangements for baggage delivery. It's a hassle. (For one thing, if one passenger's bags didn't make it onto the flight, then there's a good chance that a number of other passengers are in the same boat, so there can be a long, slow line.) Even then, the airline will only deliver to the resort, not to the guest's room.

On other hand, with yellow DME tags, if the bags are delayed by the airline, then DME will deliver the bags to the guest's room after the bags arrive at MCO on a later flight.

To me, that's another advantage of using the DME baggage service as designed.

 

[clkelley]

They would have to check and retrieve their bags with bell services after vacating their rooms; it would be easier for most guests simply to use RAC 3-12 hours before flight time.

What do you mean by checking your bags with bell services?? You call the night before, tell them you want your bags picked up anytime after 7am, leave the bags by the door with a few dollars laying on top and they are at bell services when you get back to get on Magical Express.

That is another disadvantage of RAC is you have to wait on bell services and go up there with them or lug your bags up there yourself.

Let's just say that RAC does not work for our travel needs and leave it at that. Most folks love it and have no problem, we don't.

 

[clkelley]

But then, would you lie at the DME desk and tell them you have no bags?

No, I wouldn't lie, I would just tell them we'll live with what we've got in our carryons and head for the bus.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Another website had posted this rumor as fact almost a year ago. The fact was DME only ran one luggage truck after 11:00p and that guests would probably have to wait until morning to get their bags.

It's possible the number of guests, arriving on late flights, that took advantage of luggage delivery wasn't enough to justify DME staffing the luggage section that late. I'm interested in what Tyler has to say. Ed is a driver, with connections to the airport but he isn't in a position to know official Disney policy.

I doubt it's an airport rule.

Well, see, that's the thing. Tyler will ABSOLUTELY know the DME policies; we figure Edd will know (or be able to find out) if it's really an airport rule

 

[SuzanneSLO]

I would be there when they opened for the day. I've been there at 6 and it took about 15 minutes to get through the process, and we were second in line. I wouldn't imagine that it would be overly crowded, but since you don't have a lot of wiggle room, I would get there at opening.

Thanks, we will plan to be there at 5AM. Yikes!

We have already moved our flight back from 6:05 to 8:25 and not being able to use RAC was at least partly the reason for doing so. We love the service and would much rather use it then stand in line to check bags at the airport and that is true even though we can use the premium check in lines when we fly AA.

-- Suzanne

 

[Edd]

I am going to a board meeting tomorrow afternoon. That is where all the big ones are. I will see if I can find out anything. It sounds to me like a Disney rule because they hire all the folks that pull the luggage and probably don't want to pay for working them past 2300. I will see if any of the airport officials know about this. It could be a breach of their contract with the airport.

 

[taximomfor4]

I am going to a board meeting tomorrow afternoon. That is where all the big ones are. I will see if I can find out anything. It sounds to me like a Disney rule because they hire all the folks that pull the luggage and probably don't want to pay for working them past 2300. I will see if any of the airport officials know about this. It could be a breach of their contract with the airport.

Thanks Edd! The girl at the DME desk definitely said it is a new rule that the airport insisted on, and it caused quite a stir when I was less than willing to go all the way back to baggage claim for luggage that may or may not have even made my flight. We had quite a crowd of DME people around, whispering in a huddle about what to do. I was happy they found out my flight had, indeed, been cancelled and agreed to let me go on without my bags...but wanted to definitely mention that here on the DISBoards. If this is a new rule, people need the info in advance!!

Beth

 

[Edd]

I know they are now wanding everyone going back behind the luggage carousels. They have stations set up for TSA at each door. Maybe that has something to do with it. Maybe not enough TSA people to work after 2300. Also it could be those doors are locked or maybe a limited number open after 2300. Let me see what I can find out tomorrow.

 

[Edd]

I have talked to two airport officials about the rule. One stated he knew nothing of the rule and agreed with me that the luggage feature is a big reason for the success of the DME. He referred me to another official who was more into baggage and I called him. He knew nothing about the new ruling and refused to comment much more. When I stated that Disney was referring to the new airport regulation, he came back with "phraseology is a matter of interpretation." Is it Disney's new airport policy or is it the airports new policy. He suggested I call the local Disney representative. I am going to try to get an answer from one of the airport's directors this afternoon after the meeting.

 

[Lewisc]

Ed--There is a thread talking about new TSA regulations.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1394163

It may be the number of passengers, arriving on late flights, who use the DME luggage delivery isn't enough to justify complying with the new security rules. How many domestic flights are scheduled to arrive after 11:00p? The new regulations may not prohibit Disney but may make it more expensive.

A compromise would be to just pull the bags off the luggage carousel and send them the next morning. How many passengers, arriving after 11:00p, are going to want luggage delivery at 3:00a?

I have talked to two airport officials about the rule. One stated he knew nothing of the rule and agreed with me that the luggage feature is a big reason for the success of the DME. He referred me to another official who was more into baggage and I called him. He knew nothing about the new ruling and refused to comment much more. When I stated that Disney was referring to the new airport regulation, he came back with "phraseology is a matter of interpretation." Is it Disney's new airport policy or is it the airports new policy. He suggested I call the local Disney representative. I am going to try to get an answer from one of the airport's directors this afternoon after the meeting.

 

[taximomfor4]

Ed--There is a thread talking about new TSA regulations.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1394163

It may be the number of passengers, arriving on late flights, who use the DME luggage delivery isn't enough to justify complying with the new security rules. How many domestic flights are scheduled to arrive after 11:00p? The new regulations may not prohibit Disney but may make it more expensive.

A compromise would be to just pull the bags off the luggage carousel and send them the next morning. How many passengers, arriving after 11:00p, are going to want luggage delivery at 3:00a?

Good point. I, for one (OP) wouldn't have minded waiting till morning for my bags to "magically appear" in my room...In fact, I had packed pj's and a fresh outfit in my carryon with that exact thought in mind!

As for how many domestic flights are arriving at/after 11pm, our bus to POFQ + POR was about half full at 11:30pm. And another bus was filling up quite a bit! I don't know how many different flights those people represented, but there WERE quite a few people!

Beth

 

[Lewisc]

Scheduled arrival time before 11:00p seems to be the magical time. I wonder how many of those passengers were on flights that arrived before 11:00p. Passengers that went to baggage claim first would probably take at least 30 minutes after landing to get to the DME desk and many flights are delayed a few minutes.

As for how many domestic flights are arriving at/after 11pm, our bus to POFQ + POR was about half full at 11:30pm. And another bus was filling up quite a bit! I don't know how many different flights those people represented, but there WERE quite a few people!

Beth

 

[goofy4tink]

Ed--There is a thread talking about new TSA regulations.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1394163

It may be the number of passengers, arriving on late flights, who use the DME luggage delivery isn't enough to justify complying with the new security rules. How many domestic flights are scheduled to arrive after 11:00p? The new regulations may not prohibit Disney but may make it more expensive.

A compromise would be to just pull the bags off the luggage carousel and send them the next morning. How many passengers, arriving after 11:00p, are going to want luggage delivery at 3:00a?

I agree completely. But, if this is going to be SOP, then Disney really should have it in print someplace. I'm sure most people wouldn't have an issue with having to go and get their own bags before heading to DME checkin after 11 pm. But, if they aren't aware of this policy (no matter who's policy it is!!) and they arrive on a flight at 11:20, they are going to be mighty peeved to go to DME, only to find that they have to go back to baggage claim. Especially if it's on Side A of the terminal. All the info about DME states 'a magical experience where your luggage magically appears in your room'...if this isn't going to be the case for everyone arriving at MCO, then they would be well advised to make it clear that those arriving after 11:00 pm will not get that service, at least not until the following morning.

 

[Edd]

I have seen a lot less passengers going to DME after 2300. I was up there twice two weeks ago and the Disney guide just stood around. I was thinking what she was doing up there. It could be that the number of people going to Disney is a lot less than expected after 2300.

I can't see the airport adjusting their policy as the terminal is open all night. I wonder if Disney is cutting hours and than saying it is because of an airport policy. I read the TSA thread and I didn't see any special part that would concern luggage. If you take it off the plane it should be secure and than it is distributed to the passengers via carousels. If the Disney luggage is not pulled by Disney CM's, will it be pulled by the airline employees that night, off the carousels, and than let sit on the baggage floor until the next morning for the CMs to pick up and take back to the Disney trucks.

 

[Edd]

I talked with three of the top guys (#2,#4 and #6). Board of Directors meeting today. I think that would be the order. There is no new policy change that would restrict Disney to picking up luggage until 11:00 pm and the airport would definitely not insist on it because of the liability for the luggage that comes in after that hour. The five officials I talked to today didn't even even know that the luggage program was not working after 11:00 pm. In fact I will be getting the information together to forward to the airport. One thought that the Disney contract called for 24 hour service. I read a lot of the older contract and I feel that I read the same information out of that contract. If I have time I plan to go up and read over the new contract.

It looks to me like Disney is cutting back on employees and service, but just doesn't want to tell you, the passengers, about it or take responsibility for the frustration it would cause.