If forced to check carry on at the gate, can you put ME tag on right then and there?

[Jillpie]

This last trip, Airtran made us check our carry on duffle, as there was no more overhead space left before we boarded. I really wish I put our extra ME tag in my pocketbook, but I never anticipated having to check anything but one piece of luggage. So could I have put it on real quick at the gate?

 

[PinkRhombus]

It just takes a second to put it on...I don't see why there would be a problem with you doing so. The airline itself doesn't have anything to do with it.

 

[Jillpie]

Ok. I don't see a reason why not either, I still would like to hear from anyone that has done so successfully, or maybe have encountered any problems with luggage getting to the right place.

 

[Tara]

If it is truly being gate checked, it won't matter because the bag will be returned to you planeside at your destination or at your connection. If they are checking it "all the way through to your final destination" that means they are putting it with the other baggage that will go through to baggage claim. If this is the case then yes, I'd put the yellow tag on it. It should get to the right place.

 

[Poohlovr]

Why not put the tag on it prior to going to the airport? If you don't need it, it's not going to hurt anything being on there, and if you do need it, you're already set.

 

[Jillpie]

Why not put the tag on it prior to going to the airport? If you don't need it, it's not going to hurt anything being on there, and if you do need it, you're already set.

Of course! Why didn't I think of that. Such a simple thing, but makes perfect sense, thank you!

 

[ancestry]

Just make sure that they are checking the luggage all the way through -- i.e. that people will have to collect it at baggage claim. Every time I have had to gate check my luggage they always have it waiting back at the gate on the other end (as opposed to putting it in baggage claim like they do with the fully checked luggage). If they put it back out at the gate on the other end then DME won't be able to collect it for you.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Twice now, from Dayton, Air Tran offered to check some baggage planeside and in MCO, I was to pick it up with other checked bags.

So, I put the ME tags on my bag, left them planeside, and they arrived at WDW via ME, and all was fine! I did ask to be sure, and there were others on the plane who did the same as I did.

Bobbi

 

[disneyag]

Make sure you ask, though. Typically, when a bag is GATE CHECKED, it's returned to you in the jetway as you get off the plane.

 

[CleveRocks]

Ok. I don't see a reason why not either, I still would like to hear from anyone that has done so successfully, or maybe have encountered any problems with luggage getting to the right place.

I've never done it, but let me assure you that if your bag is checked through to the final destination, then it will make not one bit of difference whether you put the DME tag on the bag right there at the gate or at home 3 weeks before your trip.

Disney doesn't ask you to tell them in advance (i.e., at any time before you arrive at Orlando) how many bags you plan to send with them via DME. They just look for those yellow DME tags, and things are sorted out later.

Imagine you work at the Orlando airport and it's your job to pull the DME tagged bags away from the rest of the luggage ... you'll have no way of knowing which DME tags were put on at home and which DME tags were put on at the airport, know what I mean???

 

[Jillpie]

I've never done it, but let me assure you that if your bag is checked through to the final destination, then it will make not one bit of difference whether you put the DME tag on the bag right there at the gate or at home 3 weeks before your trip.

Disney doesn't ask you to tell them in advance (i.e., at any time before you arrive at Orlando) how many bags you plan to send with them via DME. They just look for those yellow DME tags, and things are sorted out later.

Imagine you work at the Orlando airport and it's your job to pull the DME tagged bags away from the rest of the luggage ... you'll have no way of knowing which DME tags were put on at home and which DME tags were put on at the airport, know what I mean???

I think my concern is, where exactly the luggage will go once it's taken at the gate, with the rest of all the rest or a seperate compartment somewhere. I wanted to make sure it comes off the plane so the ones that are looking for the ME tags will grab it. I didn't know if it is taken at the gate, it is put in an entirely different space.

 

[DebbieB]

Make sure you ask, though. Typically, when a bag is GATE CHECKED, it's returned to you in the jetway as you get off the plane.

My experience is if it is a regional jet where the overheads are too small for most carryons, they will return it to you planeside. However, on a regular size jet that is just too full, they send it to baggage claim. Be sure to ask.

 

[Promomx2]

So if there is no room left in the overhead can we put out carryon in the floorboard of our seat? We're a family of 3 and I'm planning on checking one suitcase and taking 2 small carryon suitcases, but I don't want to worry about having to check at the last minute.

 

[bumbershoot]

I think my concern is, where exactly the luggage will go once it's taken at the gate, with the rest of all the rest or a seperate compartment somewhere. I wanted to make sure it comes off the plane so the ones that are looking for the ME tags will grab it. I didn't know if it is taken at the gate, it is put in an entirely different space.

I've had both things done. THey ask what you want (though this isn't an experience of "there's no room, gotta check it").

So one time I decided at the last minute that I couldn't bear lugging the carseat onboard and DS was 3.5 and could sit nicely with a lapbelt, and they offered to have it sent through to baggage claim instead of getting it right there after I got off the plane. (mistake! the forces put on that carseat made me ill as it crashed down the carousel)

On our last flight, just the other day, we needed the carseat for our destination but not for the plane, and we had a close connection, so they offered to have it checked through the connection BUT I would get it as I got off the plane. (I know they don't treat things with kid gloves, but at least it wasn't being sent through the airport and down the carousel *as well*).

So you should just be able to ask if they can send it on through to the destination baggage claim, instead of picking it up as you get off the plane.

 

[DebbieB]

So if there is no room left in the overhead can we put out carryon in the floorboard of our seat? We're a family of 3 and I'm planning on checking one suitcase and taking 2 small carryon suitcases, but I don't want to worry about having to check at the last minute.

Only if it fits completely under the seat. It cannot be sitting under your feet where it could be tripped on during an evacuation.

 

[seashoreCM]

OT: If forced to check carry on at the gate, stop and take out valuables, keys, medicine, etc. then and there.

Disney hints: http://www.cockam.com/disney.htm