ME - Can you hand carry your luggage?

[ironz]

Pxlbarrel didn't understand the fact that incoming DME luggage delivery has nothing to do with your airline. Failing to correct the post would provide bad information to others. It wasn't clear from Pxllbarrel's first post if he realized he could use DME luggage delivery.

Many, if not , most of the "pick up your own luggage" posters don't realize the real "issue" is an airline putting bags on a later flight. Usually a mistake but sometimes for weight or space reasons. Other posters don't realize some airlines (SW) baggage claim is some distance from the DME desk.

As far as the first paragraph, fine. I do believe that there are people, esp. those who get confused about the "SW not being a participating airline" that need clarification.

The 2nd paragraph...I really don't know what to say about that...but it doesn't have a ton to do with DME, as that is something that can happen with ANY flight, and people deal with it at other destinations (though, I will say...though it is not uncommon, it is also not "the rule" but more a moderately frequent exception). If there luggage is misdirected or delayed, then they will find out at baggage claim. And then they can choose to wait on it, or perhaps (as in other real-life situations) then the airline can deal with getting it to the passenger.


Anyway, my point is that there are people who have valid reasons (to them) to get their bags and it isn't always someone's business to try to tell them otherwise. May as well discuss whether it's better to sit in a window or aisle seat.

p.s. In my other post, the word un disturbed (without the space) is ***'d out. weird.

 

[crashbb]

The 2nd paragraph...I really don't know what to say about that...but it doesn't have a ton to do with DME, as that is something that can happen with ANY flight, and people deal with it at other destinations (though, I will say...though it is not uncommon, it is also not "the rule" but more a moderately frequent exception). If there luggage is misdirected or delayed, then they will find out at baggage claim. And then they can choose to wait on it, or perhaps (as in other real-life situations) then the airline can deal with getting it to the passenger.

I think that the PP's point was that many people state things like "I am getting my own luggage because I am afraid that DME will lose it" or "I am getting my own luggage so I can have X right away and not have to stick it in my carry-on". Since it is airline (not DME) that is more likely to misdirect your luggage, by-passing the luggage delivery part of DME doesn't really avoid either problem.

 

[tjmw2727]

Wait, was the 10/15 minute wait while at MCO waiting to head to resorts, or at one of the resorts why they were unloading bags from under the bus???

No this was the leg from Boardwalk to MCO - since not everyone can use RAC there were quite a few bags under the bus to unload as explained in the post quoted - #25

 

[dburg30]

I think what the 2nd paragraph was talking about was more if someone doesnt get their bags for a long time via DME, it could be for that reason, they also were pointing out how some of the airlines are a considerable walk to get the bags, then to get all the way to the other side and end of the airport terminal.

Again, a lot of the posts about 'trying to convince people to not get their bag posts' are again, more information about how in their eyes, DME was initially meant to be used, and what can happen if more and more people bring all of their luggage on the buses, and bottom line is it can and does slow down not only getting to a resort, but since those buses are, I would guess going to pick up passengers coming back also, it make them late, which has popped up recently with DME return buses being 15 - 30 minutes late for pick up, which messes up people getting back to MCO in a timely fashion. And again, there are no issues with bringing carry-ons and such as that's still as designed. Some people just for some reason dont trust that DME will get their bags from MCO to WDW, but have no problems with the airlines getting them to MCO in the first place .

People will wind up doing whatever they decide to do, but there is no reason for us to give our reasons as to why we like the luggage delivery service, and some of the negatives it can create if you dont use it.

 

[dburg30]

No this was the leg from Boardwalk to MCO - since not everyone can use RAC there were quite a few bags under the bus to unload as explained in the post quoted - #25

Ahh, I see, still doesnt really change anything IMO, they still shouldnt be holding you if you didnt have anything under the bus or had used RAC for your bags.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I'm getting a little perplexed why several of the respondents to this thread are trying to change people's minds about how they choose to use the features of DME.

This is a discussion forum. In this thread, we're discussing the subject of retrieving bags at baggage claim rather than using Magical Express as designed. There's nothing wrong with having a discussion on a discussion forum, as long as nobody is hurling insults at each other.

It seems reasonable to point out that there are consequences that people might not have thought of.

This is especially for the benefit of people reading this thread who might think, "Wow, if I get my own bags I'll have my stuff right away" -- without considering that checked baggage can be delayed; that it's always a good idea to put anything you'll need right away into carry-ons; that MCO is a huge airport; that it's not uncommon to wait 30 minutes at MCO baggage claim; that it's appropriate to tip MCO porters, DME drivers and WDW bellmen who assist with luggage; and that the room might not be ready on arrival.

From threads such as this one, I've learned that there are some people who can't relax until they're reunited with there checked bags. For such people, it makes sense to go to baggage claim, even if it means being on a later DME coach and dealing with the other consequences.

Also, there are some genuinely good reasons when a passenger needs something right away that can't be carried on, such a checked tent for Fort Wilderness.

But in most cases, if someone is completely aware of how DME luggage transfers work, they'll probably choose to use the yellow tags.

 

[tjmw2727]

Ahh, I see, still doesnt really change anything IMO, they still shouldnt be holding you if you didnt have anything under the bus or had used RAC for your bags.

Agree- we would have had to wait either way as we flew SWA but it would have been much more comfortable a wait outside the bus. The folks who did not have anything stored were getting "cranky"

I had luggage stored so I did tip and although I occasionally tip the driver even if they don't help with my bags I would definately reconsider under these circumstance.

 

[pxlbarrel]

Just direct the crankyness towards the driver and not the people who have stuff stored under the bus...

Disney allows you to pick up your luggage and take it to the bus. So why get annoyed at what is a personal choice that is allowed.

There is a certain appeal to not have to worry about our bags when we land. And I do put essentials in my carry on but I certainly don't put my tripod in it...that's in the luggage. BUT, one of the things I want to do is start taking photos of the resort because we'll be at Epcot all day, the next day and the cruise the day after that. The only time I'll have to photograph the resort is when we arrive. Maybe I'll need my tripod, maybe I won't...but so I can have it, we'll pick up the luggage. Everyone has their own reasons for doing what we do (whether to rest at the resort in jammies, or get stuff out of the bags that can't be carried on...)

Everybody is there for fun so it becomes counter productive to get "cranky" because somebody brought their luggage to the bus. You're on vacation, relax.

 

[Lewisc]

For the benefit of others reading this thread..The poster may need to put his tripod in his checked bags but all other camera equipment belongs in your carry on bags. The presence of a tripod might suggest baggage handlers give you bag "extra checking" for stuff to sell on ebay.

The gorillapod gives you some of the advantages of a tripod and can be carried in your pocket. It doesn't replace a tripod but is useful in circumstances where you don't want to carry a tripod.
http://joby.com/

 

[pxlbarrel]

For the benefit of others reading this thread..The poster may need to put his tripod in his checked bags but all other camera equipment belongs in your carry on bags. The presence of a tripod might suggest baggage handlers give you bag "extra checking".

The gorillapod gives you some of the advantages of a tripod and can be carried in your pocket. It doesn't replace a tripod but is useful in circumstances where you don't want to carry a tripod.
http://joby.com/

I bring both a tripod and a gorillapod.

Do people actually check their cameras in their luggage?

My camera bag IS my carry on and it has some essentials for surviving delayed or missing luggage. However, the bare minimum for survival. The rest is all camera equipment ... 15 lbs of it <sigh> I wish I could put a sherpa in my luggage. (He could pick himself up from the carousel and to the DME bus.)

 

[ironz]

I think that the PP's point was that many people state things like "I am getting my own luggage because I am afraid that DME will lose it" or "I am getting my own luggage so I can have X right away and not have to stick it in my carry-on". Since it is airline (not DME) that is more likely to misdirect your luggage, by-passing the luggage delivery part of DME doesn't really avoid either problem.

So, we are taking the OP and subsequent poster's questions/concerns/plans and generalizing them. My interpretation of both of these posters is that they had much more awareness of the DME process than some of our more average posters here.

This is a discussion forum. In this thread, we're discussing the subject of retrieving bags at baggage claim rather than using Magical Express as designed. There's nothing wrong with having a discussion on a discussion forum, as long as nobody is hurling insults at each other.

It seems reasonable to point out that there are consequences that people might not have thought of.

This is especially for the benefit of people reading this thread who might think, "Wow, if I get my own bags I'll have my stuff right away" -- without considering that checked baggage can be delayed; that it's always a good idea to put anything you'll need right away into carry-ons; that MCO is a huge airport; that it's not uncommon to wait 30 minutes at MCO baggage claim; that it's appropriate to tip MCO porters, DME drivers and WDW bellmen who assist with luggage; and that the room might not be ready on arrival.

From threads such as this one, I've learned that there are some people who can't relax until they're reunited with there checked bags. For such people, it makes sense to go to baggage claim, even if it means being on a later DME coach and dealing with the other consequences.

Also, there are some genuinely good reasons when a passenger needs something right away that can't be carried on, such a checked tent for Fort Wilderness.

But in most cases, if someone is completely aware of how DME luggage transfers work, they'll probably choose to use the yellow tags.

And here, I'll try to not be a little insulted by the condescending tone of the first paragraph (hopefully not intended), as I am one of the relatively frequent posters on this section of the DIS, and a very frequent traveler in general, for work and to WDW.

Yes, we can point out the ins and outs of things, but my comment was specifically because in THIS thread (as opposed to the myriad of other DME threads), these 2 travelling parties had what sounded like thought out and reasonable plans as to why they wanted to collect their luggage before boarding the DME bus, so I was choosing to not lump them in with some other travellers who seem to be less thoughtful about their travel plans.

There just seemed to be more posting along the lines of you *should* use DME "this" way, as opposed to letting people make a choice based on their needs.

And the situation about luggage delays is really such an offshoot of all of this, since it has nothing to do specifically with travel to MCO, and I would hope that ANYONE who uses air travel at some point would know this.

 

[Lewisc]

The second poster thought DME would only handle inbound luggage from passengers flying on specific airlines. I'll (Respectfully) say he has less awareness of the DME process then even average posters.

I'll agree a tripod is the kind of item that (probably) won't fit in carry on luggage and is an item a guest might want to use ASAP. Other examples of such items include a tent (guest staying at FW) and golf clubs (guest with a tee time shortly after arriving).

Airlines misdirect bags. Items that passengers want (or need) to use shortly after arriving belong in their carry on bags.

There are still passengers who check valuable items (cameras) and important items (medicine). I suspect the posters in this thread know this but not necessarily DIS reading these threads.

The second poster didn't discuss his reason in his first couple of posts in this thread but merely provided inaccurate information regarding airlines and DME baggage.

This is a discussion board and some of the posts are intended for other people reading the thread. The OP, and other poster, have already decided to get their own bags.

So, we are taking the OP and subsequent poster's questions/concerns/plans and generalizing them. My interpretation of both of these posters is that they had much more awareness of the DME process than some of our more average posters here.

And here, I'll try to not be a little insulted by the condescending tone of the first paragraph (hopefully not intended), as I am one of the relatively frequent posters on this section of the DIS, and a very frequent traveler in general, for work and to WDW.

Yes, we can point out the ins and outs of things, but my comment was specifically because in THIS thread (as opposed to the myriad of other DME threads), these 2 travelling parties had what sounded like thought out and reasonable plans as to why they wanted to collect their luggage before boarding the DME bus, so I was choosing to not lump them in with some other travellers who seem to be less thoughtful about their travel plans.

There just seemed to be more posting along the lines of you *should* use DME "this" way, as opposed to letting people make a choice based on their needs.

And the situation about luggage delays is really such an offshoot of all of this, since it has nothing to do specifically with travel to MCO, and I would hope that ANYONE who uses air travel at some point would know this.

 

[dburg30]

.

There just seemed to be more posting along the lines of you *should* use DME "this" way, as opposed to letting people make a choice based on their needs.

And the situation about luggage delays is really such an offshoot of all of this, since it has nothing to do specifically with travel to MCO, and I would hope that ANYONE who uses air travel at some point would know this.

The 'should' way are some of our opinions, and not at all condescending. If those words were replaced by "must" that would be different.

 

[ironz]

Fine...I'm stepping out of this one.

Maybe my reaction is because I interpreted the people's questions differently, and completely understood that they wanted to get their luggage and that it is ok to do so. And there were several posts that made it sound like anyone would be silly to NOT use the luggage delivery service of DME.

Also, I don't see the need to go through every detail of what happens on arrival at airports in every single thread here (wrt: how far is DME, luggage delays, who you have to tip, etc).

Sorry my input has been miscontrued.

P.S. The "condescending" comment was directed to the part about "This is a discussion board." Yeah, I've noticed that for about 6 years, thanks.

 

[bavaria]

Would it help if I offered someone chocolate?




I have no dog (or cat) in this fight as I have never used DME, hope to never use DME, and plan to never use DME. But I am feeling uncharacteristically warm and fuzzy today since PrincessK'sMom came to visit the Transportation Board and made a mess with the pixie dust. So I am willing to donate a few pieces of Reber (Bavarian) chocolate to the thread if it means that people feel better....

I am definitely NOT however donating any of the good alcohol filled stuff as I fear what it will do to some posters.

 

[dburg30]

Well, to be honest, I am one of those that feels it is silly NOT to use the luggage delivery part of DME, in almost all cases. Sure there are times that you CANT carry on what you will need right away, but there are many times that people just cant (ok, dont want to) let the system work like it's intended to, IMO. For whatever reasons they want to drag their bags thru MCO. As you said, it's up to those to do that. Perhaps if I someday have an issue with the luggage service, maybe I'll switch sides, who knows, we now own DVC so I'm planning on going a lot, and hope DME sticks around..

 

[dburg30]

I am definitely NOT however donating any of the good alcohol filled stuff as I fear what it will do to some posters.

Heck, something like that may even make me change my mind.. I guess it would depend if you had it in your checked bags and took in on the DME bus or not

 

[pxlbarrel]

Would it help if I offered someone chocolate?

Me me me me me me. Chocolate solves all problems!!!!! (Mind you, I really like English chocolate ....)

 

[TDC Nala]

I've seen these boards now seem to have some kind of consensus that no ME customer should be storing anything underneath the bus - luggage or carryons - maybe even strollers. Don't know what they'd do with the strollers otherwise. You're likely going to have to wait for the bus driver to unload strollers anyway.

I usually have a carryon that goes under the bus because I don't check luggage unless I am flying Southwest on a long trip. I've been held on the bus until all luggage is unloaded (and I can think of only two reasons for doing that - one is safety regarding having passengers standing around in the loading area waiting for their luggage, and the other is angling for tips which shouldn't be permitted), and I've been allowed off the bus to wait until all the passengers disembark - then the driver will open the compartments on the bus and unload the luggage. Appears some are concerned that people without luggage to pick up will or will not get a head start on the check-in line, but I don't see that using luggage pickup should necessarily entitle one to preference of some type. I remember someone getting upset because I picked up my carryon from the driver and was still in the check-in line ahead of them at OKW (because there was just me and I didn't have to get a whole family together before going to the lobby). They apparently thought that because I had a suitcase, I should have waited for them to get in line.

I am afraid I don't see why it's such a big deal to store stuff under the bus. It isn't THAT big a holdup. If someone else wants to schlep their checked luggage across the airport, that's up to them.

 

[Lewisc]

You have it reversed. The (near unanimous) consensus is the overhead "shelves" on the buses won't accommodate the kinds of bags most of us stow in the overhead bins in planes. The consensus is roller bags and strollers belong under the bus. I don't think I've read a single post that suggests otherwise. If the bus is full those items belong under the bus. The first guests who board the bus won't know how full the bus will be. Kind of rude taking extra seats for stuff that could (and should) go under the bus.

The consensus is very few guests, who arrive before 10p and have a choice, have a valid reason to get their own luggage, schlep it over to the DME desk and then tip the driver, bellhop and luggage storage CMs.

Although we won't change the minds of the "control" freaks we hope to prevent other readers from getting mis-information from those posters. Infrequent fliers who don't realize the issue isn't just possible DME delays with luggage delivery but airlines who sometimes misdirect bags. Most people would find it easier to bring their rain ponchos in their carryon luggage rather then checking them.

I did learn something from this thread. I'll add tripod to the (small) list of items that have to go in checked luggage but might be needed ASAP after arriving at WDW.

I've seen these boards now seem to have some kind of consensus that no ME customer should be storing anything underneath the bus - luggage or carryons - maybe even strollers. Don't know what they'd do with the strollers otherwise. You're likely going to have to wait for the bus driver to unload strollers anyway.

I usually have a carryon that goes under the bus because I don't check luggage unless I am flying Southwest on a long trip. I've been held on the bus until all luggage is unloaded (and I can think of only two reasons for doing that - one is safety regarding having passengers standing around in the loading area waiting for their luggage, and the other is angling for tips which shouldn't be permitted), and I've been allowed off the bus to wait until all the passengers disembark - then the driver will open the compartments on the bus and unload the luggage. Appears some are concerned that people without luggage to pick up will or will not get a head start on the check-in line, but I don't see that using luggage pickup should necessarily entitle one to preference of some type. I remember someone getting upset because I picked up my carryon from the driver and was still in the check-in line ahead of them at OKW (because there was just me and I didn't have to get a whole family together before going to the lobby). They apparently thought that because I had a suitcase, I should have waited for them to get in line.

I am afraid I don't see why it's such a big deal to store stuff under the bus. It isn't THAT big a holdup. If someone else wants to schlep their checked luggage across the airport, that's up to them.