ME and SWA

[PedsTherapist]

I am nervous about flying SWA and using ME. Has anyone had an experience with flying on SWA and using ME? Should we get our luggage ourselves, or do you think it will work out to let ME get it to us at the POP? I would love to not touch our luggage again until we get to our hotel room, but I am having visions of our luggage getting lost. I guess it is just the control freak in me... Maybe once our ME luggage tags arrive I will feel better.

 

[CleveRocks]

I'm not sure if you're nervous about the Southwest/DME combination or just DME in general.

It makes no difference which airline you fly when you arrive. At all airports, the airlines "release" the luggage to the control of the airport itself before the luggage gets to the baggage claim carousels. Employees pull DME-tagged bags at some physical point AFTER the luggage is released by Southwest and by every other airline, so again, it makes no difference which airline you use to fly onto MCO.

As for DME itself, I think it's been a real success story. I used it in early May when it was brand spanking new and I loved it. You're already trusting your home airport and your airline to transport your luggage hundreds or thousands of miles, what's another few miles with DME???

I think the luggage service is truly what makes DME "magical." It was a very freeing experience to not have to even think about my checked luggage. That being said, whenever and wherever I travel by air I pack about 24 hours' worth of supplies in my carry-on just in case the airline delays my luggage. I did this in May, as well. Our luggage arrived at our resort about 3.5 hours after we did, but we didn't care. When our luggage "magically appeared" in our room, we were in the pool enjoying the start of our vacation. We packed bathing suits, as well as everyhting else we'd need for the first day.

ENJOY!

-- Eric

 

[goofy4tink]

I've used DME twice now...once in June flying Song and again in August flying SW. All went quite smoothly both times. My only issue with flying SW and using DME is for the return flight. I really enjoy the perk of being able to 'check-in' with my airline early in the morning, get my boarding pass and get rid of my luggage. When I do that, my luggage goes directly to the airport and I don't see it again until I get to my home airport. When flying SW, and a lot of other 'non-participating' airlines, you can't do that. You have to leave your bags with Bell Services in the morning and then about 30 minutes before you are due to board the bus, you go back to BS and collect your luggage. It then goes under the bus, with you (you are on the bus, not under it!!). THen you get to MCO and you take your own luggage, just like you would any other time, and get it checked and such.
But as for 'worrying' about using DME with SW, I wouldn't give it another thought. It's a piece of cake. I agree with Eric completely on this....it is a terrific perk to not have to go claim your luggage and drag it to the resort with you. Just be sure to pack a carryon bag with anything you might need if you can't get into your room right away. WE always pack clean undies, a swim suit, sun lotion and books. That way we can swim while waiting and be comfy.

 

[PedsTherapist]

I guess you are right, I am nervous about using DME at all! Good idea to pack essentials in a carry-on, we will have to do that. I feel better knowing about how the luggage "release to the airport" works. I guess I thought that they would have to go to each airline and get the luggage for each guest. Thank you for all of your help!

 

[DisneyTeacher]

We flew SWA and used DME and had no problems. Our luggage was in our room in less than 2 hours. When we flew home bell services loaded our bags on the bus and the driver pulled our bags off the bus and a skycap was waiting to take them away. It was painless both ways and I would use ME again in a heartbeat.