Don't forget this trick when you arrive at airport!

[ToddyLu]

We love curbside check in. I want to travel with my bags to the airport that is why we do not use RAC.

 

[Goofypop]

We love curbside check in. I want to travel with my bags to the airport that is why we do not use RAC.

Please forgive my ignorance... what's RAC?

 

[Alexander]

RAC is Resort Airline Check-In...but it is only available if you are staying at a WDW resort. We have stayed at Bonnet Creek several times over the past 2 years, so we have to check our own luggage at the airport. We always use curbside as there are never more than a few people while inside it is packed.

We've mostly flown JetBlue and they do charge for curbside check-in. I cannot remember how much, but it is worth every single penny and more.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Why not just use RAC at your resort?

Some of us are not willing to overpay for hotel rooms and don't stay on property.

 

[safetymom]

They sure do. But, hey, it's vacation! Spend the $5. It's worth it.

Though I think several airlines have dropped this. DL/NW used to charge for it, but now it's strictly tips. I tip big, though, because these guys and gals are saving me a ton of time.

I mentioned it so people weren't caught off guard when they find out there may be a charge to check in outside. I gladly pay the fee and tip the skycaps!

 

[eangel12]

Can you use this for all airlines?? We are flying Airtran out of PHL and I would love to do the curbside check-in given the fact that we have a 21 month old.

 

[kinggoofy]

I cant remember the last time we waited in a line inside the airport.

Its been curbside for us for at least the last 5 years. A simple $5 tip gets us in the airport, sitting down having a drink alot faster than standing in a line with alot of people who are mainly disorganized to start off with.

Spending ALOT of money on a vacation...and NOT giving a $5 tip for curbside checkin is just plain old backwards.

 

[drinkme]

I have to admit we travel very rarely so we've never used skycaps or curb side check-in, how does it work exactly? They check in for you and print your boarding passes for you?

LOL! I don't think ever NOT used curbside checkin. I wouldn't even know what line to get into or what to do inside.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Curbside cheek-in isn't available everywhere. For example, you can't use it for United at SEA.

 

[hsmamato2]

you think this would work at LAX? we'll be flying out of there for the first time soon,I'm nervous,as it's a large airport.....

 

[Lewisc]

The reverse is sometimes true. There are sometimes only one or two skycaps at each line. A longer line inside the airport may move faster. Many more agents then skycaps outside and sometimes an automated kiosk.

Always send one of your group inside to scout the line. Even if the line inside is a little longer the airport is airconditioned. Sometimes it makes more sense to wait 15 minutes inside rather then 10 minutes outside.

 

[mieuxmew]

I love curbside check in! It is a godsend when traveling with small children with luggage, strollers and car seats.

I read an article last week that stated that 85% of lost or misrouted luggage originated from curbside check in!

When using curbside check in, check to make sure your belongings have the correct 3 letter airport code attached.

I have fortunately never had a problem, but just a word of caution.

 

[jodifla]

Well, I'm more than a little miffed you were in Boston and didn't say anything. There are times I can actually get in to say hi to people. Sheesh.

We were there only briefly as we traveled to the Cape for a week. Hottest it's been in our 20 plus trips there!!! Still had lots of fun though.

Do you ever get out to the Cape??

 

[SDSorority]

We use curbside ALL.THE.TIME. Actually... we almost always use it EXCLUSIVELY!!

 

[klmall]

We ALWAYS do curbside check-in. One time when I was traveling with girlfriends this was the only thing that saved us and got us onto the flight on time. The lines inside at Orlando were ridiculous!

 

[Goofypop]

RAC is Resort Airline Check-In...but it is only available if you are staying at a WDW resort. We have stayed at Bonnet Creek several times over the past 2 years, so we have to check our own luggage at the airport. We always use curbside as there are never more than a few people while inside it is packed.

We've mostly flown JetBlue and they do charge for curbside check-in. I cannot remember how much, but it is worth every single penny and more.

Ahhh, thanks. I see the spot each time I am check in to the resort. I've just never heard it called that before.

 

[mom2brooke76]

I love curbside check in! It is a godsend when traveling with small children with luggage, strollers and car seats.

I read an article last week that stated that 85% of lost or misrouted luggage originated from curbside check in!

When using curbside check in, check to make sure your belongings have the correct 3 letter airport code attached.

I have fortunately never had a problem, but just a word of caution.

I just wanted to second this! I usually always do curbside check in and things have been fine. But back in 2008, when we were coming back from a cruise, they mistagged my luggage. They sent it to Chicago instead of Birmingham!!! We arrived at my airport (late at night) and, for the first time ever my luggage wasn't on the carousel. They brought it to my home the next day. Fortunately, this was when we were back home. I hate to think what it would have been like if we had been headed towards our cruise! Now I ALWAYS check to see that my luggage was tagged correctly when dropping with curbside or even inside for that matter.

 

[Dan Murphy]

.....I ALWAYS check to see that my luggage was tagged correctly when dropping with curbside or even inside for that matter.

Yes, same here, always.

 

[jodifla]

I love curbside check in! It is a godsend when traveling with small children with luggage, strollers and car seats.

I read an article last week that stated that 85% of lost or misrouted luggage originated from curbside check in!

When using curbside check in, check to make sure your belongings have the correct 3 letter airport code attached.

I have fortunately never had a problem, but just a word of caution.

Good advice!

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

It's actually far less likely now then it used to be that your luggage will be "tagged" incorrectly. I still check, but the computer programs now just spit out the tags when the skycap pulls up your reservation, they can't override them to put in another city or make changes. That was not always true in the past.