Magical Express Return and Southwest Participation

[jonesmatNY]

We left SSR today via Magical Express and had to go through the hassle of trekking our luggage through MCO, however, the DME Agent at Saratoga said that in a three weeks, Southwest Airlines will be participating in the luggage checkin at the resort for the return trip!! This will be a great feature! Nothing like sailing thru MCO empty handed!

 

[TJA]

Thanks for the great news!!

 

[salmoneous]

I hope your news comes true. But I gotta point out we've heard similar rumors many times before - from very good sources - and it hasn't happened yet. Let's hope this time its real.

Not trying to be negative here, just don't want people making plans and getting hammered if it doesn't happen.

 

[Goldfrapplol]

Hopefully. *crosses fingers*

 

[MIDisFan]

This would be nice. I just booked our flights on Southwest. We flew Spirit last year and it wasn't that big of a deal throwing the luggage on the Bus, but it would be nice to not have to worry about it.

This is our first time on Southwest and was wondering how other people feel about the airline. Any feedback would be appreciated. I hate to admit that I didn't do a lot of research before I booked it. I didn't realize that they have open seating, I kept waiting for an email with the link to select my seats

 

[simzac]

Thanks for the news, but as the others said, I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[goofy4tink]

I'm pretty sure that when any DME changes are about to happen, to SW or other airline, our very own Chip 'n Dale Express will let us know. He'll get early word to us. But until he tells me about SW joining the RAC system for checking out, I'll just assume SW is still dragging their feet.
But I love to hear those rumors...gives us hope that there may be something in the works!!

 

[FBandA]

Is there anyone we can call about this?

I have used Southwest for my last 3 trips and have been happy with them. I do get my tickets on-line the night before. We have always been in Section A for seating. We have never had any problems. You can pre-board if you have little ones or a wheelchair. I have to say it has been stressful for my DS11, he worries that we might not get our ride.

 

[goofy4tink]

Is there anyone we can call about this?

I have used Southwest for my last 3 trips and have been happy with them. I do get my tickets on-line the night before. We have always been in Section A for seating. We have never had any problems. You can pre-board if you have little ones or a wheelchair. I have to say it has been stressful for my DS11, he worries that we might not get our ride.

I don't think so. CMs are always giving out 'hints', I'm not sure why. I think that sometimes there are some who like to appear more knowledgable than they might actually be. One of our board moderators will know what is going on, and he'll let us know if and when something changes.

 

[salmoneous]

Any feedback would be appreciated.

My favorite airline. Their customer service is fantastic. And, once you understand the system, open seating works better for most SW flyers than pre-picked seats.

Do make sure you understand how to get your boarding passes at the 24-hour mark. There's been a ton of threads on it - but feel free to ask if you aren't sure.

 

[DVC Grammy]

My favorite airline. Their customer service is fantastic. And, once you understand the system, open seating works better for most SW flyers than pre-picked seats.

Do make sure you understand how to get your boarding passes at the 24-hour mark. There's been a ton of threads on it - but feel free to ask if you aren't sure.

We're also on the SWA train!

 

[goofy4tink]

We're also on the SWA train!

I didn't think I would ever say it, but I like flying with SW!!! No prearranged seating is just not a big deal for us. We are either on SW or JetBlue, depending on fares and where we want to fly out of.

 

[Goofy22]

This would be nice. I just booked our flights on Southwest. We flew Spirit last year and it wasn't that big of a deal throwing the luggage on the Bus, but it would be nice to not have to worry about it.

This is our first time on Southwest and was wondering how other people feel about the airline. Any feedback would be appreciated. I hate to admit that I didn't do a lot of research before I booked it. I didn't realize that they have open seating, I kept waiting for an email with the link to select my seats

I always use either Southwest or Spirit Airlines depending on who has the better deal! If I can save a couple hundred I go with Southwest if not I use Spirit since it is more convient to fly out of ACY instead of PHL! We have had nothing but good experiences! The flight attendants were awesome! 24hrs ahead go online and print youre boarding passes and youll be sure to get an A over a B or C !

 

[Kitzer]

This would be nice. I just booked our flights on Southwest. We flew Spirit last year and it wasn't that big of a deal throwing the luggage on the Bus, but it would be nice to not have to worry about it.

This is our first time on Southwest and was wondering how other people feel about the airline. Any feedback would be appreciated. I hate to admit that I didn't do a lot of research before I booked it. I didn't realize that they have open seating, I kept waiting for an email with the link to select my seats

We've flown Southwest the last three years and it has been great. On time and very pleasant!

 

[sweetp267]

Well I was a SW convert when the started in PHL. For the first three trips, we were very happy. That all changed on our just past Jan. trip. We had no trouble with the flights as far as being on time and seating. No, the worst thing is that my golf clubs never made it to MCO! I was very patient the first day since they told me it does happen once in a while. The bag might have been picked for a random search and didn't make the flight. Well by the end of the day, it didn't show. I was still optimistic that it would show the next day. I kept thinking these things happen from time to time. Well after the whole week in WDW, no golf clubs. The were very nice at baggage services and told me if I was still planning on golfing, they would pay for my club rentals up to $50. Well that was something even though decent rentals cost over $50. Well I had two rounds scheduled and played them both with rentals. I paid for two rentals and a glove. Luckily I packed my balls in my suitcase. The total was $143 for the two rounds. When I presented the receipts in MCO for my refund, I was given the total amount back to me. That made me feel a little better.

Now I have a feeling that my clubs never made it out of PHL. It was very very slow at curbside and I always do curbside. No one else was waiting behind us. I watched the skycap tag all my bags including the clubs, I tipped him like I always do and no I did not try to stiff him and I went inside while my wife had her last smoke before going inside as well. Well lo and behold the inside counter was completely dead. Not one soul at the counter. Figures, doesn't it? One last thing. I was at the baggage claim well before our bags arrived so I don't think that they were snatched in MCO off the belt.

Well you draw your own conclusions about what happened. Either way, I'm out over $2500 worth of clubs and luggage. The carrier alone cost $225. I just hope they don't nickel and dime me over the total value. The claim has been received and probably wont here from them until somewhere in the middle of March according to their minimum of 30 days before responding policy.

So I will check in inside from now on and might go with Airtran next time if the price is right.

I hope this is more of an isolated incident and not common practice at PHL. Now I am not flat out saying that SW is bad news but I am just warning you to watch out when you check curbside and if you can wait and actually see your bags put on the belt that goes inside to be inspected. That I did not do.

Thanks for reading my little rant.

If anyone has any similar incidents and especially any experiences of getting reimbursed for their losses, please dont hesitate to reply.

 

[FBandA]

I have never had trouble with my bags. But the last time I went to the curbside check-in they made a big deal about me traveling alone. I was very uncomfortable.

Thank you for reminding us we can check our luggage inside.

 

[Edd]

I have a number for the transportation planning manager. I will call him today and see if he can give me the reasons why it is not up yet. I talked to him a while back and he told me it would be up by late February. I looked for the thread where I wrote that but can't find it.

The airport web site has a feedback line. Go into to this page and scroll halfway down for the comment section.

http://www.orlandoairports.net/goaa/contact.htm

 

[Edd]

Talked to one airport official and he referred me to another. I have a call in to him. As far as we can determine the holdup is in the software. SW has Apple software and the others have DOS. Evidently they are having trouble writing a program that will get the two together.

Just talked with Lewis and he said the official was just trying to give me a comparison, that I could understand, of what they were trying to do with the software. It probably isn't the two above names systems, but a data base marriage of some type. All this is way over my head. Figure it out.

Just got the return call from the airport. Evidently there is a compatability problem with the software of SW. Their system does connect up as well as the rest of the airlines. It is now being worked on, but there is no date set for completion. As soon as it is completed SW will go on line immediately. They are being pushed by Disney and the airport who want the problems solved.

 

[Lewisc]

SW doesn't allow passengers to "interline" check baggage. The RAC company that handles Soutwest in Las Vegas only handles Soutwest. SW doesn't use the same computer program that other airlines use.

There probably are computer issues that are being addressed. I don't think SW will "sign off" until they look at the program and until it's well tested. I guess one solution would be to have a seperate terminal just for SW.

SW might not be on board as fast as some of us thought.

 

[DonnaL]

We also love flying SW and IMO they do have the best customer service in the industry. For above poster who's worried about no assigned seating......think of it this way.....the airline isn't telling you where to sit......you get to choose where you want to sit.......which means you don't need to sit next someone who's obviously spent too much time in the airport bar before the flight or next to a family with a few overtired, cranky children (......yes, I do have children and a grandchild, but, there are times when DH and I are traveling alone and wish to have a very peaceful flight.....so, I don't mean anything nasty with my comment). Also, as long as you check in at the 24 hour mark you really shouldn't have a problem sitting together because you'll have A boarding passes. To the poster who lost golf clubs.......I have to agree your clubs disappeared in PHL based on what you said. My DH and kids always make fun of me because I will not leave curbside checkin until our luggage is safely on the belt and into the building.......granted.....it could also disappear once inside, but, chances are probably less. And PHL has a history for having baggage handling problems.......