Flying SW standby(non-revenue)

[a_sailor's_wife]

Thanks to my wonderful SIL and BIL we'll be flying SW standby. My BIL works for SW so our tickets are actually non-revenue. It's the same thing as standby except we don't have to pay for the upgrade for an earlier flight. Anyway I was wondering if anyone has flown Southwest this way. My SIL suggested for us to take only carry on baggage, but we will be in Disney for about 8 days. That means we'd have to find a place to do laundry and actually spend a few hours doing it. Not exactly what we want to do on DH's first trip to the World. We can check baggage, but SIL made it seem like it would get lost easily and possibly not even be on the same flight as us. Does anyone know how this works? With Delta they make sure that you have cleared to be on the flight and are already seated before they load your luggage. If you aren't cleared they hold it for the next flight you might get on. I didn't know if SW does the same thing. Also, SIL mentioned that if SW looses our baggage they don't have to reimburse us. What would your opinion be on all this? Lastly, can you check baggage at the gate once you've cleared for standby?

Thanks for all your input!

 

[Joan S.]

Hi,We had to fly standby with SWA when the ice storm in Feb.canceled our flight out of PVD. Our original flight was around 11am we were STANDBY for the 12:30pm flight. Our bags went on this flight(we checked them thru) but we DID NOT get on the flight.(the STANDBY list was VERY long) Anyway they rebooked us on the last flight of the night around 9pm and we spent the day at the airport. Around 8pm the airport CLOSED DOWN due to icing conditions.We tried to rebook (this was Wednesday)but nothing was available until Sunday night! So we went home,slept,got up at 4am and were back at PVD by 5am. First flight of the day was around 7am. We BREEZED right thru security(SWA had stamped our boarding passes the night before so we could still use them plus we had NO bags)) and they were using THE SAME standby list from the day before. We were #'s 11,12, and 13 -we made it on that 7am flight. SWA check-in was SO backed up, I think some people missed the flight waiting to check-in! When we got to MCO our bags were stored along with PLENTY of OTHERS right near the SWA Baggage Claim .There is a SWA Office there.All but one bag was sitting outside the office. It took a few minutes to check at the desk because I was missing a bag but they had that bag stored in the back. I had WORRIED a little about our bags going ahead of us but it really was NO PROBLEM. Good Luck with flying standby,from our experience getting to the airport early did the trick for us! Joan

 

[karla63]

My husband is a Delta employee for the past 18+years and we took trips about 10+times a year. Being based in Orlando for 12 of those 18 years, we always had to be very open to flying in/out of Orlando. You are correct that Delta will not send your luggage(99% of the time) if you don't make it on the flight. And if they missplace/lose your luggage, they will not reimburse you either. Just one of the perks for you flying FREE. What SW does, I don't know. But, I would have 1 carry-on per person (with a change of clothing) and check the rest in. At least, that way, you are covered for a day until your luggage arrives. Be prepared to wait, and wait to either get into Florida or leave Florida. Many times, we flew into Daytona or Melbourne or even Tampa/St Pete and rented a car to the Orlando airport(just to pick up our car that we had left there).

Good luck

 

[NotUrsula]

Most non-rev fliers I know make it a point to fly carry-on only. If you pack carefully you can get a week's worth of clothing into a 22-in. rollaboard and a school-size backpack. You can even skip the toiletries and buy them when you arrive. The most important thing is to stick with only one pr. of shoes; the ones on your feet.

PS: Flying standby because you're non-rev is very different from flying standby after weather cancellations. In weather situations it usually takes MUCH longer to get a seat, because there are literally a few hundred people who have to be accomodated on each route in a short time.

 

[bab31]

I would try really hard to pack what you need in a carry on. doing laundry easily offsets the cost of a ticket in my opinion. Have a great vacation!

 

[salmoneous]

Box up the stuff you want and mail it ahead of time. Sure it will cost a few bucks, but it'll save a ton of worry...

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

When I fly non-rev, sometimes I check luggage and have never had an issue on SWA. Usually it arrives ahead of me - I check to see which flight has open seats and try to get on that one... if weather gets in the way, my luggage has gone while I catch the next flight.

While I have never had my luggage lost, I know 2 non-revs that have. While it is true that SWA will not reimburse you, you can file a claim with your homeowners insurance and be compensated for lost items.

But you are a brave woman - in 40 plus trips to Disney in the last 10 years, I have learned to buy tickets! If you travel on off days, or are willing to go into TPA, I am sure you will be fine.

Have a great trip.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Box up the stuff you want and mail it ahead of time. Sure it will cost a few bucks, but it'll save a ton of worry...

Good suggestion. The USPS has that flat-rate Priority box dealfor something like $8.35 or so, you can put as much as will fit in one of the two box sizes they offer. You can also print out your 'return' postage at home and bring the paperwork with you, then send the box back home at the end of your trip.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

As a non-rev passenger 80% of the time, your bags will not generally make it on the same flight you do unless the counter agent taking your baggage sees a passenger load rate that indicates there will be plenty of room for the passengers in your party. When I do check bags, they end up on my same flight about 90% of the time. I really try to fly carry-on only, but sometimes it can't be helped.

Sending a box ahead to your resort is a good idea. Good luck!

 

[MinnieGirl33]

I agree with shipping a box down ahead of time.

You would think the airlines would let their employees gate check their bags when flying this way. Duh... Just realized bigger bags won't fit thru x-ray.

 

[Lewisc]

Are you staying in a WDW resort? Use the yellow DME tags, go the SW counter and have them check the bags through on the first flight you're standing by for.

It's possible only some of your party will clear standby. Decide if you're willing to split up.