Just need clarification on SW & ME

[mckinley]

I just want to clarify some southwest concerns i have.
It will be me and my 6 year old daughter, hubby is not going this time. So i want to make it easy as possible. No matter how many times i fly it get nervous thinking i might do something wrong.

If i check in online and do not print out boarding passes then, but get them at the airport instead am i guaranteed to get the same boarding class?

Were exactly do i go to get the boarding passes. Can i do that at the southwest counter were i check baggage in at?

I am considering changing my flight reservations to st.louis airport instead of nashville. Since hubby insists on not going(I had previously purchased him a ticket anyway) It is a little easier for me to get to, but cost alittle bit more. Anyway how will this affect my ME reservation my booklet clearly states our current flight information?

 

[Jestocost]

If you check in online and don't print out your boarding passes, you can get them printed out at the SW baggage counter or at one of their kiosks. No problem.

Changing your flights also should not be a problem, provided that you do it in time for them to change your ME arrangements. I think the luggage tags are resort specific, but not flight specific.

 

[CleveRocks]

Although it would probably be a good idea to call DME (866-599-0951), in reality it won't be a problem if you don't.

There are 2 main reasons that "arrival" reservations are required: to be fair to other forms of ground transportation, and to provide DME with some estimate of how many buses and baggage delivery trucks they will need to go to which resorts at which times.

They are not waiting specifically for YOUR bags to show up. Behind the scenes, people are visually scanning for those bright yellow DME luggage tags. They aren't looking at bags only from certain flights, and they aren't sitting there waiting specifically for your bag. If it's got the DME tag, it's pulled. Whether that bag is from a 2:00 p.m. Southwest flight from Nashville or a 6:00 p.m. Delta flight from St. Louis, people are watching for those DME tags.

They are not waiting for YOU to show up for a specific bus. As long as you have a reservation, you will be accommodated with a ride. There will not be a specific bus that waits for YOU, and your not being on a specific bus will not cause other passengers to be delayed while the bus waits for you.

I hope this helps you understand the system better, and makes you feel beter about your plans. HAVE A GREAT TIME!

 

[akrake]

Just finish using ME & swa...we had a late flight and when I called ME about the yellow tags, I was told that it could take over 3 hours for the bags to be delivered....that would have been 3am!! The CM at ME suggested that I pick up my bags (in Terminal A) and walk over the Terminal B (where ME is). So that's what we did.


OH...and this is a big one.....I had no clue where the ME counter was because there are no SIGNS....if using the elevators to the lower level...when you step out ME will be to your LEFT....all the way down to the end...no mans lands.

Have fun.

akrake

 

[CleveRocks]

Just finish using ME & swa...we had a late flight and when I called ME about the yellow tags, I was told that it could take over 3 hours for the bags to be delivered....that would have been 3am!!

This is a well-known part of DME. Last month, when I arrived around 10:00 p.m., I compensated for it by packing a well-stocked carry-on with supplies for my first 24 hours just in case the AIRLINE delayed my luggage (which I do no matter where I fly), and planning to ask at my resort to have them hold my luggage 'til morning. By doing this, I got to my resort quicker because I didn't have to wait at baggage claim and then drag my bags all the way across the airport. I got to sleep quicker this way.

 

[kaytieeldr]

The exact information on/directions to the Magical Express checkin counter at MCO should be, or should have been, included in your DME packet. While, yes, the Welcome Center is at one end of the terminal... it's not "no man's land".

 

[mckinley]

I have used ME before, i am not worried about the wait time for bags that will not be a problem.

I was just concerned that if we changed flights and airports that it would mess up our already made ME reservations. But i will just do what CleveRocks replied, I will call the ME number and change it all, they should have time to resend the booklet we have until feb 10th.

thanks for the help