How to p/u others in party after p/u car at Nat'l

[TZMOM]

How far is the Nat'l Rental area from the baggage pick up? I'm thinking that my Dad & I will go to pick up the car and then go get my Mom and DS at baggage. Is it a pain in the butt to do this? Knowing my Dad, we'll have to peruse just about EVERY car before coming to the *all-important* decision. Just trying to have a smooth start to vacation and keep my blood pressure low.

Thanks for any help!!

Jane

 

[Ralph&Pam]

How far is the Nat'l Rental area from the baggage pick up? I'm thinking that my Dad & I will go to pick up the car and then go get my Mom and DS at baggage. Is it a pain in the butt to do this? Knowing my Dad, we'll have to peruse just about EVERY car before coming to the *all-important* decision. Just trying to have a smooth start to vacation and keep my blood pressure low.

Thanks for any help!!

Jane

Probably more trouble than it's worth to do this. The National garage area is a short walk across the drive from the terminal, one level up from baggage claim (there are both elevators and escalators available), then up another level to level 2 in the garage (at least on the "A" side, never been on the "B" side). Again, there are both elevator and escalator available. Rent a luggage cart or tip a skycap to move the luggage, and it's quick and easy.

Ralph

 

[DebbieB]

You would have to loop around the airport. After coming out of National, look for the arriving flights sign for the side they are on (A or B). I agree that it's probably more trouble than it's worth if you are not familiar with the airport. Another problem you may run into is if the luggage does not come fast enough, you cannot wait at the curb for them.

 

[TZMOM]

Thank you for such quick replies!!

Looks like I'll need to make sure I have plenty of Atenelol for the trip (at least for the car rental portion.)

Jane

 

[sweetp267]

TZMOM:

I personally have done the following:

All of us go to the baggage claim and claim all of our bags. When that is completed, my wife and kids find a nice place to sit outside of the baggage claim area unless it is way too hot, then they sit right inside and look out for me or I call her on her phone when I am nearly there. I then go downstairs and walk across the street to the garage and pick out my appropriate car, follow the Emerald Isle routine and drive away. When I am out of the garage, there will be signage to get you out of the airport via the various highways or there will be a sign that says "return to airport" or something similar. Just follow that sign and then follow the signs for your airline to "arriving flights". You are really just circling back around. Just remember where you left your group by the curb and pull up an load the car and drive away! I have done this for several trips and have encountered no problems. The key is to drive slow and pay attention to the signs and use common sense.

As a reassuring point, before I first attempted this, I emailed the proper department at the Orlando airport and asked him if the above procedure can be done and will pose no problems. He answered me promptly and said that it would be no problem. If you want to see how to get from the garage to the arrivals area, there are very good maps on the Orlando airport website.

Here's the link:

http://www.orlandoairports.net/goaa/main.htm

Hope this helps!

Jon

 

[safetymom]

Your party would have to be waiting for you because they won't let you sit and wait for anyone. You would need to keep circling if they weren't waiting for you.

 

[sweetp267]

I think I already said that. Quote: "When that is completed, my wife and kids find a nice place to sit outside of the baggage claim area unless it is way too hot, then they sit right inside and look out for me or I call her on her phone when I am nearly there."

Ok maybe not inside, but I have, without any problems whatsoever, picked up my family while they were sitting on the benches outside by the curb with all of our luggage. I did not go to the garage until all the bags were collected and they were situated outside. Never do they or did they leave any bags unattended.

 

[safetymom]

I mentioned that for others that may be considering doing what you mentioned.

 

[OKW Lover]

We do this all the time and its much easier than having to drag all your luggage over to the garage. The airport is well signed and all you have to do is know which side (A or B) you are going to - which you'll know since that's where you landed. When you get in your car, drive out of the parking garage and follow the signs for A or B. Nothing to it and you'll probably arive about the same time the rest of your party collects the bags.