Luggage on later flight

[Ragnrok23]

I have a 6AM flight down to WDW. Since I am using ME and won't be taking my luggage at MCO, I was thinking of getting to the airport a little later and not worrying if my luggage makes it on my flight.

Has anyone ever done this? I'm flying Southwest if that makes a difference

Thanks!

 

[Lewisc]

The airline matters. SW will accept late bags (within 30 minutes of your flight/most airports 45 minutes others). Normally the airline is responsible for delivering your bag if it doesn't make your flight. Not the case with late bags. NOT AN ISSUE WITH DME. Disney doesn't care what flight your bags take.

Some airlines won't accept late bags, computer enforced.

but a passenger who checks a bag less then 30 minutes before departure runs the risk of not getting through security in time to make their flight. Certainly likely the plane will already be boarding before you get to the gate. An "A" BP won't help if you're one of the last passengers to board.

edited to add: SW passengers must be at the gate 10 minutes before their flight.
I don't think many (any?) DIS would intentionally only give themselves 20 minutes to get from luggage checkin to the gate. I guess if you live near the airport and are confident there won't be any lines......

Put it this way. Ask how many SW passengers, without checked luggage, would plan on arriving at the airport 30 minutes before their flight. My guess is almost zero.

 

[DebbieB]

I'm not sure which airline it was but I had a business associate who had a long line waiting to check-in luggage and when she got to the counter she was past the time limit. They refused to accept it and put her and her luggage on the next flight.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Some airlines won't accept late bags, computer enforced.

but a passenger who checks a bag less then 30 minutes before departure runs the risk of not getting through security in time to make their flight.

That happened to my brother, on AA. He was checking at 45 minutes prior to departure which is apparently different from 'at least 45 minutes prior to departure'. He didn't get on that flight; his eight hour nonstop turned into a twelve hour flight with at least one plane change. His luggage wasn't as lucky. It showed up 36 hours later.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

the airlines will not intentionally check your luggage on a later flight...

Exactly HOW close are you planning to cut this?

 

[tjmw2727]

My main concern would be clearing security in time to catch your flight if you cut it close. It took us about 40 minutes to clear security yesterday.

Check SWA website - it looks like you could be charged if your bag's do not make your flight and they require bags to be checked 45 minutes prior to flight in Orlando -

http://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/baggage/checked-bags-pol.html

Scroll down to "Late Check In".

 

[Lewisc]

the airlines will not intentionally check your luggage on a later flight...

Exactly HOW close are you planning to cut this?

SW will let a passenger check the bag late. Even if that means the bag will probably wind up on a later flight. The positive match rule no longer exists. Most airlines won't intentionally check luggage on a later flight. Some airlines found passengers expect the airline to transport the bags to the hotel/home without charge, even though they agreed to different terms.

Check SWA website - it looks like you could be charged if your bag's do not make your flight and they require bags to be checked 45 minutes prior to flight in Orlando -

http://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/baggage/checked-bags-pol.html

Scroll down to "Late Check In".

The charge is deliver the bag from the airport to your home/hotel. The OP is asking about a flight to MCO. DME will be transporting the bag for free. The 45 minute rule is on flights from MCO, not to MCO.

 

[goofy4tink]

I certainly wouldn't plan on getting to the airport less than an hour prior to departure. They usually start boarding about 20 mins prior to flight departure. You need to get through security after checking the bags. Not sure if you're flying out of TFGreen, but if you are....I have had the longest lines at baggage checkin there vs other airports. Not sure why, just is.

There is no way I would get to the airport after 5am, and 4:30 would be my target time. I know I have a 7am flight out of Logan....I will get there for 5:30. Anything less and I really start to worry.

Have to ask..is an addtl 30 mins sleep worth it???

 

[Ragnrok23]

Yes, I am leaving out of PVD. I always get there at 4:30 and seem to be at the gate by 4:45

I was planning on getting there closer to 5am this time, but just wanted to make sure that I would eventually get my luggage (I would use skycap if the line was too long)

Thanks for all the info!

 

[tjmw2727]

SW will let a passenger check the bag late. Even if that means the bag will probably wind up on a later flight. The positive match rule no longer exists. Most airlines won't intentionally check luggage on a later flight. Some airlines found passengers expect the airline to transport the bags to the hotel/home without charge, even though they agreed to different terms.

The charge is deliver the bag from the airport to your home/hotel. The OP is asking about a flight to MCO. DME will be transporting the bag for free. The 45 minute rule is on flights from MCO, not to MCO.

Woops - sorry!