Magical express, southwest air problems

[luckyman_apd]

Hi all, thanks for all the info.

Luckyman, yes that was it exactly. Booked southwest, flying southwest home, but had flown the first leg to orlando on air tran.

Great idea to book separate flights, not round trip. I will be doing this from now on. But, it is easier to book a round trip, no? More work because they can't get their act together. Ugh. I will check ALL other airlines before SWA/airTran. It was ugly this am at 5:45, but feeling better rested now!

Not too much extra hassle to book 1 ways. A little extra clicking and typing, but Id rather check my bags at the resort than airport. We use SW almost exclusively (unless spirit out of atlantic city has an unbelievable deal as they sometimes do) out of Philly or Baltimore. Nobody ever comes close to there fares.

 

[DebbieB]

Be aware that if you book other airlines one way and have to change, you are going to get hit with change fees twice. Not an issue with SW one ways because no change fees.

 

[luckyman_apd]

Be aware that if you book other airlines one way and have to change, you are going to get hit with change fees twice. Not an issue with SW one ways because no change fees.

True....my suggestion of booking one ways is ONLY when booking SW

 

[Spoiledraf]

Oh how I wish I had read all this before I booked Airtran through SW. We wanted the free baggage and a non stop (only available on airtran flights) So now I will be worrying about all this until we finish our trip. We will only check one bag but I hate not knowing what is going to happen. And what flight number do you give to ME for reference? SW adds a "5" to the front of the flight number. Hope that doesn't add more headaches.

 

[DebbieB]

Oh how I wish I had read all this before I booked Airtran through SW. We wanted the free baggage and a non stop (only available on airtran flights) So now I will be worrying about all this until we finish our trip. We will only check one bag but I hate not knowing what is going to happen. And what flight number do you give to ME for reference? SW adds a "5" to the front of the flight number. Hope that doesn't add more headaches.

It's not that big a deal to worry about. If you have to take your luggage to the airport to check-in, if the line inside is long, go outside to curbside check. Tipping a couple bucks is worth it. Then you'll be on your way.

 

[Spoiledraf]

Yea your absolutely right. I'm a worrier by habit. Always lookin for that half empty glass What can I say!

 

[tebookie]

Also keep in mind the timing.

I believe Resort Airline Check in with luggage has to be done 3 hours before your flight departure time. That way they allow plenty of time for your luggage to arrive at the airport.

 

[rlduvall]

Also keep in mind the timing.

I believe Resort Airline Check in with luggage has to be done 3 hours before your flight departure time. That way they allow plenty of time for your luggage to arrive at the airport.

That's what I figured the issue was.

 

[luckyman_apd]

It has to be done AT LEAST 3 hours before. It can be done earlier. We tend to take late flights home (they usually are cheaper, and we like to get that last day in the park feeling) and I check my bags around 8 am even for 9pm flights.

It's more of an inconvienence, but DME usually gets you to the airport with plenty of time to check you bags. It's just more stuff to carry in from the bus. If you have already booked a round trip, it's worth a look to cancel and rebook on the SW site if the flight prices are the same. I can't tell you how much the no change fee policy on SW is better than ANY other airline. Once I booked my flight on the wrong date. Noticed it quickly and rebooked. Prices were the same, so it just uses the credit from the old flight......but man would I have been screwed if it was Orbits, expedia, or some other airline website.

 

[icicle]

Maybe I am misunderstanding the issue but we flew a few weeks ago. We stayed at POR. Flying down and back our direct flights were booked round trip though Southwest but operated by Airtran. We used RAC at our resort to send our bags to the airport with no issues. Just wanted to share my experience.

 

[winthropf]

I think baggage checked with RAC has to be done at least 3 hours before your flight. With a 6:20 ME pickup, I am guessing that the flight was around 8:20-8:30. This means bags would have to be checked by 5:20, so when trying to do it at 5:45 you were past the window.

 

[pistachio]

And what flight number do you give to ME for reference? SW adds a "5" to the front of the flight number.

I'd like to know that too. Anyone know? TIA

 

[aubriee]

I think baggage checked with RAC has to be done at least 3 hours before your flight. With a 6:20 ME pickup, I am guessing that the flight was around 8:20-8:30. This means bags would have to be checked by 5:20, so when trying to do it at 5:45 you were past the window.

This was my first thought too. I don't think it had anything to do with it being a Air Tran/Southwest flight. The OP just missed the 3 hour prior to flight cut off for checking his bags at the resort.

 

[siskaren]

I think baggage checked with RAC has to be done at least 3 hours before your flight. With a 6:20 ME pickup, I am guessing that the flight was around 8:20-8:30. This means bags would have to be checked by 5:20, so when trying to do it at 5:45 you were past the window.

Actually, with a 6:20 pick-up time, the flight should've been about 9:30, which means that 5:45 was well before 3 hours before the flight.

 

[frisbeego]

I just got back from my stay at OKW.

1. My Magical Express departure time was 2 hours 45 minutes before my plane's scheduled departure time. I arrived at the airport in plenty of time, even accounting for security.

2. I flew AT, booked through SW. I told the skycaps at OKW that I was flying AT and gave the AT number. They never asked me to pay for bags and checked my bags through to my destination. (I believe she said that they could not check bags if you were flying one leg with SW and one leg with AT, but I was zoning out b/c it didn't apply to me.) Without even asking, they printed my boarding pass, which was awesome.

The whole thing was worry-free, and we got to enjoy one final day at Magic Kingdom.

 

[cajacobi]

It has to be done AT LEAST 3 hours before. It can be done earlier. We tend to take late flights home (they usually are cheaper, and we like to get that last day in the park feeling) and I check my bags around 8 am even for 9pm flights. It's more of an inconvienence, but DME usually gets you to the airport with plenty of time to check you bags. It's just more stuff to carry in from the bus. If you have already booked a round trip, it's worth a look to cancel and rebook on the SW site if the flight prices are the same. I can't tell you how much the no change fee policy on SW is better than ANY other airline. Once I booked my flight on the wrong date. Noticed it quickly and rebooked. Prices were the same, so it just uses the credit from the old flight......but man would I have been screwed if it was Orbits, expedia, or some other airline website.

We just got home Thursday, and ME BARELY got us to the airport in time to check our bags and get through security! We know now to either ask for an earlier bus or take a taxi!

 

[sam_gordon]

We just got home Thursday, and ME BARELY got us to the airport in time to check our bags and get through security! We know now to either ask for an earlier bus or take a taxi!

What time was your flight?
What was your assigned ME pickup time?
What time did you get picked up?
When did you get to the airport?

These are curiosity questions.