Magic Express and Golf Clubs

[Kurukthemal]

Has anyone used Magic Express/Checked Luggage and checked golf clubs? I most likely am paranoid, but would they be stolen or "misplaced?"

 

[bumbershoot]

I wouldn't do it, personally. I would leave the ME tag off and just collect it from the carousel. It will go under the bus and then you'll leave it at Bell Services at checkin, if your room isn't ready.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I'd be much more concerned about the airline transporting your clubs than with Magical Express handling them. Can I ask what your concerns are exactly?

 

[Gracie09]

I don't think they are any more likely to be misplaced or damaged than if you checked them at the airline. I think of luggage service as a layover but instead of changing to another plane I change to a bus. If I would check it in at an airline, I would let magic express handle it.

 

[Alesia]

I don't think they are any more likely to be misplaced or damaged than if you checked them at the airline. I think of luggage service as a layover but instead of changing to another plane I change to a bus. If I would check it in at an airline, I would let magic express handle it.

I agree.

 

[Kurukthemal]

I'd be much more concerned about the airline transporting your clubs than with Magical Express handling them. Can I ask what your concerns are exactly?

My concern is that when I am in my room waiting for my bags, my golf clubs never show up. Again, I understand I may be paranoid and do not have a good reason as to why I feel better trusting Southwest than Disney. I think I am going to check them through. If they are "misplaced", then I have an excuse for a new set!

 

[cedricandsophie]

I never check bags all the way through to my room. Just pick them up and bring them to Magicsl Express. I don't like waiting for bags to arrive and would rather just check with bell staff at hotel. Not because I'm worried about theft but just want to know where they are in case I need something.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Okay - but you realize you don't know where your luggage is at any point after it's checked at the airport, right?

 

[DVCismyhappyplace]

DH uses ME to transport his golf bag all the time. The biggest hassle is having to call and request a second luggage tag from ME. We've never had a problem with them not showing up.

 

[jeffbear]

My concern is that when I am in my room waiting for my bags, my golf clubs never show up. Again, I understand I may be paranoid and do not have a good reason as to why I feel better trusting Southwest than Disney. I think I am going to check them through. If they are "misplaced", then I have an excuse for a new set!

Seriously ... I'd trust Disney a thousand times over any airline baggage crew. If I was flying with my full bag, I'd definitely get them out of the bag check myself and then take them to the ME check in with my own hands. From there. no worries.

 

[wdwrich]

Seriously ... I'd trust Disney a thousand times over any airline baggage crew. If I was flying with my full bag, I'd definitely get them out of the bag check myself and then take them to the ME check in with my own hands. From there. no worries.

Note that Disney doesn't transport DME-tagged luggage from the airport themselves- they contract with another company to do that. Even MDE isn't Disney. It's contracted to Mears.

 

[ironz]

Okay - but you realize you don't know where your luggage is at any point after it's checked at the airport, right?

Unless you hang out by the airport window and watch the baggage loaders, which I do almost every time I fly with my bike somewhere. Partly to make sure it makes it on the plane, and partly to try to look at the case and see if TSA closed it well (making sure the edges are overlapping and not just next to each other).

OP...I've taken my bike on DME (back when there used to be a triathlon at FW), but I picked it up myself, just to be sure and because I am not sure that DME checks the oversize luggage area. With golf clubs, I can understand doing the same, but I overall trust DME with my luggage.

 

[Gracie09]

Note that Disney doesn't transport DME-tagged luggage from the airport themselves- they contract with another company to do that. Even MDE isn't Disney. It's contracted to Mears.

Airlines use outside baggage companies. It's all the same.

 

[Greysword]

For me, checking a bag at the airport means I've provided said item to the airline and have a claim against the airline if it doesn't arrive at the destination. It is discrete. By adding in the RAC agents, both the airline and RAC can play the "he said, she said" game, since it passes companies.

This is also the danger with interlining luggage (from one carrier to another). The main difference between interlining and using RAC is that you really don't have a choice other than a mail service to get your luggage to the destination. Once at MCO, you do have a relatively convenient choice to pick up the bag from the carousel and bring it to the ME bus, yourself.

The good news is some airlines now have a luggage tracker system on their app, which works like UPS and FedEx. If you airline has this, at least you'll know it made it to MCO (or didn't). Then you'll know the delay is with RAC and not the airline.

If you are really worried, you can buy insurance so you would truly get new clubs should they get "lost", and the credit card used to purchase the tickets may have some luggage protections, as well.

Good luck!

 

[DebbieB]

Okay - but you realize you don't know where your luggage is at any point after it's checked at the airport, right?

Some airlines have online tracking of bags, you can check at any time where it is at. For example, I flew to Disneyland, connecting in Cincinnati. When I got on the plane in Cincinnati, I pulled up the Delta app and saw my luggage was already scanned as loaded to that plane. They also scan it as delivered to baggage claim.

 

[wdwrich]

Airlines use outside baggage companies. It's all the same.

Of course, but the poster I replied to stated that they trusted *Disney* with the luggage. I was just making the point that DME luggage isn't moved between MCO and WDW by the Disney company.

 

[pipertoad]

Some airlines have online tracking of bags, you can check at any time where it is at. For example, I flew to Disneyland, connecting in Cincinnati. When I got on the plane in Cincinnati, I pulled up the Delta app and saw my luggage was already scanned as loaded to that plane. They also scan it as delivered to baggage claim.

I never heard of that. Does anyone know if Delta is the only airline doing this?

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