Help me with the airport process (Indy to MCO using SW)

[MomRN]

I'm almost embarassed to ask this, but I will to assure I have no hidden surprises on my upcoming trip.

I am somewhat of a flying novice. I've flown several times as a child, but it was all done for me, and as an adult I never flew with SW, and received boarding passes when we checked in at the airport. It was also pre-9/11.

So, it's me and ds (4). I understand I need ID for myself, but not him. I purchased EBCI, so can I just check in at the airport and get the boarding passes?

How many "pieces" of luggage can we have, total? Not that we will use what we are allowed, but it's nice to know what we can bring.

What can I take... or not take, on carry-on? Is a lighter a no-no?

How early should we arrive before the flight?

Any other suggestions? I know google could be my friend with several of these questions, but they are kind of all over the place, and I'm sure there are things I'm forgetting.

 

[disney david]

I'm almost embarassed to ask this, but I will to assure I have no hidden surprises on my upcoming trip.

I am somewhat of a flying novice. I've flown several times as a child, but it was all done for me, and as an adult I never flew with SW, and received boarding passes when we checked in at the airport. It was also pre-9/11.

So, it's me and ds (4). I understand I need ID for myself, but not him. I purchased EBCI, so can I just check in at the airport and get the boarding passes?

How many "pieces" of luggage can we have, total? Not that we will use what we are allowed, but it's nice to know what we can bring.

What can I take... or not take, on carry-on? Is a lighter a no-no?

How early should we arrive before the flight?

Any other suggestions? I know google could be my friend with several of these questions, but they are kind of all over the place, and I'm sure there are things I'm forgetting.

pack th lighter unless you want to give tsa a new lighter. you are allowed tow bag that being said alot of airline charge for bags some charge for the second so just check on if your airline charges and how much alot charge 25 for the first. if you want more info you can go on tsa.gov it easy to use and lot of info what you can bring in your carry on

 

[Taja]

Check the SWA website for recommended arrival time at your home airport. It can vary depending on location and time of year. If you need to park a vehicle, be sure to allow adequate time for that and to reach the terminal.

Check the TSA website (there should be a link on the SWA website) for limitations on items that you can carry on.

You can check two bags per ticketed passenger on SWA. Be sure they are under 50 lbs. each, though. I've found that I'm usually okay on weight with a 24" or 26" case, but it's a good idea to weigh them. If you aren't using all of you luggage allowance on the way out, pack a flat duffel bag in case you need to redistribute the contents of one or more bags to keep them under the 50 lb. limit.

Haven't used EBCI, so can't help with that process. I'm sure someone who has will be along soon!

 

[disney david]

I'm almost embarassed to ask this, but I will to assure I have no hidden surprises on my upcoming trip.

I am somewhat of a flying novice. I've flown several times as a child, but it was all done for me, and as an adult I never flew with SW, and received boarding passes when we checked in at the airport. It was also pre-9/11.

So, it's me and ds (4). I understand I need ID for myself, but not him. I purchased EBCI, so can I just check in at the airport and get the boarding passes?

How many "pieces" of luggage can we have, total? Not that we will use what we are allowed, but it's nice to know what we can bring.

What can I take... or not take, on carry-on? Is a lighter a no-no?

How early should we arrive before the flight?

Any other suggestions? I know google could be my friend with several of these questions, but they are kind of all over the place, and I'm sure there are things I'm forgetting.

soory didnt see what airline you was using the first time south west let you check two bags free as long as they a 50 pounds or less. that two bags per passangers free.

 

[MomRN]

Thanks for the replies so far. I'm still trying to find where on SW site to find the suggested arrival time. (I'm thinking for an 8:10am flight, we should be there around 6:30am). My husband will be dropping us off, but I'm not sure if he will drop us off curbside or want to go in.

Still need to check on printing boarding passes ahead of time, or if they can be done at the airport...

Anything I need to know about the Orlando airport? We will be using ME. Do we get off the plane and go straight to where the buses transport, or do we need to make another stop (since our checked luggage will be taken care of...)?

 

[disney david]

Thanks for the replies so far. I'm still trying to find where on SW site to find the suggested arrival time. (I'm thinking for an 8:10am flight, we should be there around 6:30am). My husband will be dropping us off, but I'm not sure if he will drop us off curbside or want to go in.

Still need to check on printing boarding passes ahead of time, or if they can be done at the airport...

Anything I need to know about the Orlando airport? We will be using ME. Do we get off the plane and go straight to where the buses transport, or do we need to make another stop (since our checked luggage will be taken care of...)?

they say you should arrive to the airport 2 hours but it depends on your air port size i think your time frame will be perfect. the orlando air port it fun the only problem you will have is not wanting to stay longer and shop but when you get off the plane on most jet way their a sign where to go for me. you might be able to print your boarding pass at home and check bag from home and then drop them of at the airport. just remeber to pack a carry on with some stuff to get you through to you get your bags because it might be awhile to you get your bags.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

For someone who has not flown in a while, I would not recommend arriving any later than 6:30! But allow extra travel time from your house to the airport. What if you have a flat tire, run into a traffic accident that ties of traffic and you are catch in the middle of the back up, road construction that could tie up traffic. So be aware of all these variables that could come your way.
One thing to keep in mind since you have not flown since 911, remove everything that might cause the metal detectors to go off. Such as cell phones, belts with buckles, spare change. In fact I empty my pockets of everything I don't want to chance having the detectors go off and TSA having to do a search of my body.
*** you must remove your shoes and your sons shoes before going through the metal detectors. This is a new rule and is followed by 90% of the airports now. So take them off while you are waiting in line.
There is nothing more that I hate, than getting behind someone who does not do this while waiting in line and then they are next to go thru the detector but they have yet to take off their shoes. Or empty their pockets. Not to mention they still haven't their laptop out of their bag. Which is another new rule. ** all laptops must be removed from the bag they are in and placed in a plastic bin to go thru the screening process. The same way your carry on bag goes.

As far as arriving at Orlando. If you are taking the ME you just need to proceed to the ME check in counter. Show them your travel doc's that Disney sends you.. It will be a booklet that contains the vouchures you will need in order to ride the bus.
After you check in at the counter you will be told which line to go to based upon which resort you will be staying at. The roped off line that you will be instructed to use will be about 500 ft from the ME check in desk.
Keep your bus vouchures out because you will need to show them to the bus driver who will need to scan the barcode on the vouchure. Then you may board the bus.
Then sit back and relax and the bus driver will get your there safely.
The luggage you checked at your home airport will be picked up by Disney and delivered to your room. All you need to worry about is your carry on luggage. Keep in mind it may be several hours before you see your checked luggage so be prepared. Carry any items you will need to get you thru the day, in your carry on.
** remember the liquid rules when packing items in your carry on. Liquids must be in a contain no larger that 3 oz each. You are limited to one of the one quart ziplock bags per ticketed passenger. So you will be allowed on zip lock bag and your son will be allowed one zip lock bag. No sharp items, no explosives, no lighters, no bottles of water or soda are allowed to be taken through security. You can purchase bottle water or soda to take on the plane but only after you have passed through security.

Hope this answers your questions


Look here for info on printing boarding passes.
http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/checkin.html?int=GSUBNAV-AIR-BOARDING-INFO

Thanks for the replies so far. I'm still trying to find where on SW site to find the suggested arrival time. (I'm thinking for an 8:10am flight, we should be there around 6:30am). My husband will be dropping us off, but I'm not sure if he will drop us off curbside or want to go in.

Still need to check on printing boarding passes ahead of time, or if they can be done at the airport...

Anything I need to know about the Orlando airport? We will be using ME. Do we get off the plane and go straight to where the buses transport, or do we need to make another stop (since our checked luggage will be taken care of...)?

 

[MomRN]

Thanks!

 

[IndianaPrincess]

I'm from Indy too - remember the new airport is about 15 minutes away from the old one. I was surprised by the distance my first time flying after the change. Even though you can see it pretty quickly, you have to take 70 all the way past it, then more, then more, then exit, then drive all the way back to the terminals.

Just for next time, you don't need to buy EBCI if you have a small kid. Family boarding is between the A and B group and you will have like 3/4 the plane still to choose from. Since you did buy it, you will get automatically checked in by swa and so you just need to arrive at the airport - you will get boarding passes when you check your luggage. You will need either the confirmation number or the credit card that you used to book the flights.

Like other's said, you can take 4 peices of luggage, be sure each one is under 50 lbs and the poster who said to take an extra duffel is SMART! That is a great idea for the airport shuffle that we always play to get each bag under 50 without busting any zippers. It would also give you more room for bringing back things.

 

[WDWRocksMySocks]

We fly out of Indy, too (we're from Bloomington). We typically get to the airport about an 1.5 - 2 hours before our departure. We like to stop for a bite to eat in the food court, first, and that allows plenty of time to eat and make it to your gate in time.

As for DME -- as long as you've tagged all your checked baggage you're good to go. Once you land, pull out your DME vouchers and head down to level 1 of side B of the terminal. Hope you have a GREAT time!!!

I'm from Indy too - remember the new airport is about 15 minutes away from the old one. I was surprised by the distance my first time flying after the change. Even though you can see it pretty quickly, you have to take 70 all the way past it, then more, then more, then exit, then drive all the way back to the terminals.

Ha, ITA! It seems like it takes FOREVER to get to the terminal even after you've exited off of 70 -- it's like a big, gigantic u-turn or something. Even though I think the new airport is really nice, I miss the old one. So many memories...