Do curbside check in to avoid lines

[pbharris4]

We got to MCO 3 hrs early (killed time by eating lunch, reading, more shopping) and the line to check luggage for AirTran was enormous! The porter suggested we use curbside check in. Glad we did as there was no wait (well, after us there were 4 people) took all of 5 minutes. You do have to tip them something though and they WILL let you know this. I had no idea, but he informed me they were "tip service" and weren't employed by the airline. He told me 2x because I couldn't understand him the first time.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

You do have to tip them something though and they WILL let you know this. I had no idea, but he informed me they were "tip service" and weren't employed by the airline.

Some airlines now charge $2 per bag for curbside check-in — and that doesn't include the tip. So, figuring $2 per bag plus $1-2 tip per bag, curbside check-in can be $20 or so for a family with 5 or 6 bags. Other airlines don't charge for curbside check-in (yet).

Curbside check-in can also be very convenient, especially if there's no line at the curb, but a long line at the counter.

Another option is to see if your airline has self-service kiosks in the terminal near baggage check-in. These are free and usually have no lines. When you use the kiosk, the baggage routing tags print behind the counter and a counter agent calls your name. Unfortunately, you won't find self-serve kiosks for every every airline, nor at every airport.

 

[jenjersnap]

Is there a way to find out if an airline offers self-service or curbside check-ins at a particular airport? We've never flown SW before and I am hoping to find out these things in advance. Thanks!

 

[NCRedding]

Horace: Do you know which airlines charge for curbside? Or is it just at certain airports?

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Horace: Do you know which airlines charge for curbside? Or is it just at certain airports?

United Airlines and American Airlines were the first two airlines to charge a $2-per-bag curbside fee last year. I don't know what other airlines (if any) have jumped on the bandwagon, but I wouldn't be surprised if most airlines institute such a fee because they're desperate for any new revenue.

There may be some airports at which United Airlines and American Airlines are not yet charging a fee because old contracts are still in place.

It's a bad deal for the skycaps because they don't get the fee, but passengers are tipping less.

 

[pbharris4]

We flew AirTran and were not charged anything, but DH did tip. I am sure at some point all airlines will charge something for it though.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I used to use curbside check-in, but the lines for this are often enormous when I fly. I prefer the self-serve check in counters most airlines have these days. Plus I don't have to tip myself! You would be amazed to learn how much money those curbside attendants make a year.

 

[Disneyjosh229]

United Airlines and American Airlines were the first two airlines to charge a $2-per-bag curbside fee last year. I don't know what other airlines (if any) have jumped on the bandwagon, but I wouldn't be surprised if most airlines institute such a fee because they're desperate for any new revenue.

There may be some airports at which United Airlines and American Airlines are not yet charging a fee because old contracts are still in place.

It's a bad deal for the skycaps because they don't get the fee, but passengers are tipping less.

yep, United and American are the only airlines charging now, but its well worth the extra money if lines are large inside. Most airlines (with the exception of some value carriers) offer Online Check In. Then when you get to the airport, there is a special line just to check bags. Usually empty....

 

[owtrbnks]

SWA has self serve check-in kiosks at MCO. The lines move pretty fast. (They'd move even faster if people would pay attention! Often I see the SWA agent calling to folks to point out open terminals, while they stand there in line, clueless.)
Now, if they'd take your luggage at the counter instead of making you haul it back toward where you came from and leaving it in the big unsecured pile . . .

 

[chipscinderelly]

For those flying AA from MCO to DFW it can also save you the loooong walk to the check in counter as they continue to make us go all the way to the end of the terminal with bags etc.