Magical Express -- adding Southwest as a participating airline?

[Grumpy's Gal]

I read in allears newsletter that Southwest will soon be a partipating airline -- being able to check your bags at the hotel and have boarding passes printed.

Can Anyone confirm this for me? when does it start?

 

[CarolA]

What I am trying to figure out is what's the trade off. From what I am reading with the AirTran "pilot" program if you check in 24 hours in advance to get your seat assignment then you can't do resort check in. So how many of you would be willing to give up the 24 hour check in to do resort check in? For me, that would not be a problem as I travel alone and am not picky about my seat, but.....

 

[Lewisc]

Tyler already said there was a possibility that guests would have to decide on either using RAC or being able to check in online 24 hours in advance.

Solving that "problem" might be the computer problem that's being addressed OR SW might not care if fewer guests use RAC. It's not known if participating airlines pay a few dollars for every passenger that uses RAC.

What I am trying to figure out is what's the trade off. From what I am reading with the AirTran "pilot" program if you check in 24 hours in advance to get your seat assignment then you can't do resort check in. So how many of you would be willing to give up the 24 hour check in to do resort check in? For me, that would not be a problem as I travel alone and am not picky about my seat, but.....

 

[CarolA]

It's not known, but the BAGS model is to charge the airlines based on the passenger volume using the service so I think we can safely assume that there is some type of reimbursement based on volume. Otherwise I can't imagine that United is going to pay the same as Delta for example. United has far fewer MCO flights then DL and therefore would just have fewer bags.

 

[Lewisc]

We don't know how much of BAGS costs are being paid by Disney and how much is being paid by the airlines. For that matter we don't even know if MCO is kicking in a few dollars. RAC checked bags removes some of the space pressures on the main terminal building. RAC baggage isn't screened in the main terminal building.

I think the BAGS model is to pay rent to the facility that's hosting them and to charge passengers who use their service. BAGS model has nothing in common with how RAC with Disney works.

One poster thought the airlines paid the BAGS the same $1 per bag the airline pays if a passenger checks a bag curbside with a skycap. I'm not sure if that's accurate.

It's not known, but the BAGS model is to charge the airlines based on the passenger volume using the service so I think we can safely assume that there is some type of reimbursement based on volume. Otherwise I can't imagine that United is going to pay the same as Delta for example. United has far fewer MCO flights then DL and therefore would just have fewer bags.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I read in allears newsletter that Southwest will soon be a partipating airline -- being able to check your bags at the hotel and have boarding passes printed.

Can Anyone confirm this for me? when does it start?

Over the past year or so, there have been several reports that Southwest will join the list of airlines that participate in Resort Airline Check-in. But it hasn't happened yet, and there has not been any real announcement from Disney with a date.

The item in the AllEarsNet e-newsletter (March 6, 2007) was in the "ALL EARS® HEARS" section. The item is a report from a reader -- not an actual announcement:

... from Matthew Jones: We left Saratoga Springs Resort today using Magical Express and flying on Southwest Airlines. The Magical Express Cast Member told us that in a few weeks Southwest Airlines will be participating in the complete Magical Express program, including the ability to check in your luggage at the resort for the airline when leaving.​

As with any rumors from cast members, the rumor may turn out to be true, or it may just be somebody repeating something that somebody made up.

See the recent thread, SWA and MAGICAL EXPRESS: This would be GREAT, wouldn't it?! for more discussion about this rumor.

 

[Lewisc]

Ed, and I think Tyler, confirmed SW signed a contract to become a RAC participating airline. Ed said there are some software issues that have to be solved. Makes some sense, SW doesn't do interline baggage transfers and doesn't use the same computer system as other airlines.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Ed, and I think Tyler, confirmed SW signed a contract to become a RAC participating airline. Ed said there are some software issues that have to be solved. Makes some sense, SW doesn't do interline baggage transfers and doesn't use the same computer system as other airlines.

I agree that it makes sense. And it seems reasonable that Disney would want Southwest to participate in RAC, and the Southwest would want to participate (especially if Disney is paying the full ongoing costs).

I am not convinced that Southwest will be a full participant in Resort Airline Check-in "a few weeks" after March 6, despite what a cast member told to a guest, who reported it to AllEarsNet.

By the way, all speculation about how BAGS Inc. is paid for providing RAC is just speculation. Disney and BAGS Inc. have no legal obligation to share the details of their contract. Disney can simply lump their costs into the costs of operating their resorts, as reported to the SEC and shareholders.

 

[alldiz]

I really hope SW....get in

I dont use it going....cause i'm a control freak about
having my stuff....
Going HOME....is totally different.....Late....no problem
I would LOVE to not lug my luggage at mco...
SW.....is at the farthest corner of the airport after
ME drops you off..
Kerri

 

[Lewisc]

Not all speculation, It's accepted fact that the passenger isn't paying any of the cost. The "market price" to the passenger is $10-$20 for RAC.

The only reason for "speculation" is wondering if airline's financial participation is the reason more airlines don't participate. A poster who claimed to have negotiated with BAGS said BAGS normally pays rent to the facility hosting them and the airlines pay approximately the same money that they would be paying if the passenger used curb side check in. We have no way of knowing if that's true but it makes some sense.

I agree the date is "set in quick-sand". It's not known how the computer programming is going. My guess is the first notice we'll get is that SW is being tested "pilot program".

Previous poster, the "control freak" should only take carry on luggage. The airline is far more likely to misdirect your luggage than DME. DME gets backed up and you'll get your luggage an hour or two later. The airline misdirects your bag and you might not get it until the next day.

By the way, all speculation about how BAGS Inc. is paid for providing RAC is just speculation. Disney and BAGS Inc. have no legal obligation to share the details of their contract. Disney can simply lump their costs into the costs of operating their resorts, as reported to the SEC and shareholders.

 

[alldiz]

Not all speculation, It's accepted fact that the passenger isn't paying any of the cost. The "market price" to the passenger is $10-$20 for RAC.

The only reason for "speculation" is wondering if airline's financial participation is the reason more airlines don't participate. A poster who claimed to have negotiated with BAGS said BAGS normally pays rent to the facility hosting them and the airlines pay approximately the same money that they would be paying if the passenger used curb side check in. We have no way of knowing if that's true but it makes some sense.

I agree the date is "set in quick-sand". It's not known how the computer programming is going. My guess is the first notice we'll get is that SW is being tested "pilot program".

Previous poster, the "control freak" should only take carry on luggage. The airline is far more likely to misdirect your luggage than DME. DME gets backed up and you'll get your luggage an hour or two later. The airline misdirects your bag and you might not get it until the next day.

"control freak" here....
My new goal is to pack my stuff to fit on carry on....
I dont know why it is hard...I wear the same stuff
Kerri

 

[Lewisc]

"control freak" here....
My new goal is to pack my stuff to fit on carry on....
I dont know why it is hard...I wear the same stuff
Kerri

The 3oz rule may be a problem with suntan lotion otherwise you should be able to operate with carryon only. That's the best way to go if you're concerned with you stuff not getting to your resort. Once you check luggage you might as well let DME deliver it to your resort.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Ed, and I think Tyler, confirmed SW signed a contract to become a RAC participating airline. Ed said there are some software issues that have to be solved. Makes some sense, SW doesn't do interline baggage transfers and doesn't use the same computer system as other airlines.

Nope, sorry... not me. Personally, I have not heard anything about Southwest joining the RAC through any official channels. That doesn't mean anything except for "Not yet."