ME - Can you hand carry your luggage?

[TDC Nala]

You're considering their reasons to be invalid, but if they are more comfortable schlepping the luggage because they don't want it out of their sight for that long or are afraid it will be lost, I can't say that's an invalid reason. If the counter argument is that hey, they let the airline take it - they don't have a choice regarding the airline - you have to check larger pieces of luggage.

Not that I wouldn't use the DME luggage service - I'd use it if I were checking luggage. I generally don't check my roller bag (not because I am afraid it'll be lost, but merely because I don't want to pay checked luggage fees to the airline), but it does have to go under the bus. So I'm sort of tangentally guilty of the same kind of illogic as the luggage schleppers. At any rate someone - even if it's just those with strollers or rolling carryons - is going to be "holding up the system" for luggage retrieval. So I don't see what difference it makes whether you bring your own luggage on the bus or not - and I have seen the complaints that those who use the luggage system are not happy when they are forced to "wait around" for other passengers' luggage to be offloaded.

I think it's been established that the only way you'd have to wait is if the driver holds the passengers on the bus until the luggage is unloaded. I think it may have also been established that the drivers are not supposed to do that.

 

[Lewisc]

There are still posters who don't want to use DME because they don't want to be without medicine that's in their checked bags. Those items don't belong in checked bags. There are other posters who need clothing in their checked bag for a dinner ADR a couple of hours after landing. Airlines misdirect bags and that clothing belongs in a carryon bag. Other posters don't realize passengers of all airlines (even SW) can use DME inbound luggage delivery. Some of the reasons have no validity.

Some posters have other reasons. "Control" issues. They're not going to change their mind. There isn't any reason for others to confuse "control" issues with valid reasons. I don't think for a minute any of us will change the minds of posters with "control" issues but I hope to stop other posers from taking their advice.

I suspect most of the posters starting these threads already know they can pick up their luggage and have it stowed under the bus.

I don't think the extra 5-10 minutes it takes the driver to get the extra bags out from under the bus is a big deal, but I can understand why some people are annoyed with any time wasted.

You're considering their reasons to be invalid, but if they are more comfortable schlepping the luggage because they don't want it out of their sight for that long or are afraid it will be lost, I can't say that's an invalid reason. If the counter argument is that hey, they let the airline take it - they don't have a choice regarding the airline - you have to check larger pieces of luggage.

Not that I wouldn't use the DME luggage service - I'd use it if I were checking luggage. I generally don't check my roller bag (not because I am afraid it'll be lost, but merely because I don't want to pay checked luggage fees to the airline), but it does have to go under the bus. So I'm sort of tangentally guilty of the same kind of illogic as the luggage schleppers. At any rate someone - even if it's just those with strollers or rolling carryons - is going to be "holding up the system" for luggage retrieval. So I don't see what difference it makes whether you bring your own luggage on the bus or not.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

FP.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.

The remark about this being a discussion board was simply in reaction to the comment about being "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 topic is a legitimate topic for discussion. Some of us who are experienced DME users are just trying to help others who are considering the idea of claiming their own bags -- not just those who have posted to this thread, but also those who are just reading this thread as part of their decision process.

I think we all agree that there are some circumstances when it makes sense to claim bags.

In addition to the "valid" reasons that lewisc noted, I agree with TDC Nala that it's "valid" to claim your own bags for what lewisc calls "control" reasons if someone doesn't mind going out of their way, waiting at baggage claim, is "comfortable schlepping the luggage" (as TDC Nala wrote), and doesn't mind being on a later DME coach.

However, the OP wrote, "We are going to the park after we check-in and will want our jackets but I don't want to mess with carry on luggage or be stuck waiting for luggage from ME."

The OP did not write, "I feel much better seeing my bags after a flight, so I'll gladly put up with the extra time and effort."

Based on the OP's stated goal of wanting their jackets immediately, the OP was advised to consider carrying them on the airplane and that it's always a good idea to "mess with carry on luggage," because there are some things that should not be checked, and there's no guarantee that checked bags will be on the same airplane as the passenger.

Then, the second person who planned to go to baggage claim wrote, "I thought there were some airlines that you had to take your luggage because they're not in the program."

That person was mistaken. DME provides free luggage transfers to the DME guests' rooms with any airline at MCO, as long as the flight arrives before 10 p.m.

We can debate about whether the advice to these two posters was friendly, helpful advice, or if it was some sort of dogmatic effort to change someone's mind against their will. I would suggest it was the former.

Yes, I'm a cheerleader for using DME luggage transfers. Waiting at baggage claim is one of my least favorite things about travel, and I'm thrilled that I can head straight to the DME coach instead of wasting time in the airport.

 

[CleveRocks]

Well said, Horace ... as usual.

 

[ironz]

Well, I do know that both posters did appreciate my input.

And still maintain that what one person considers valid may or may not be valid to another person, and it is not up to anyone on this board to make that judgement of someone.

If this is such a great "discussion board" then please recognize that I had valuable input as well, and will not be talked down to, particularly as one of the frequent travelers and frequent contributors to this section.

 

[Lewisc]

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

I see you changed your mind.

And still maintain that what one person considers valid may or may not be valid to another person, and it is not up to anyone on this board to make that judgement of someone.

If this is such a great "discussion board" then please recognize that I had valuable input as well, and will not be talked down to, particularly as one of the frequent travelers and frequent contributors to this section.

You seem to be the poster on this thread talking down to others.

There are some valid reasons for getting your own luggage. One poster wants to get his tripod. Probably doesn't fit in carryon bags.

There are some reasons which are not valid. There are posters and CM who claim only passengers of selected airlines are eligible to use luggage delivery. A SW passenger who doesn't think he's eligible to use luggage delivery doesn't have a valid reason.

A few posters want to get their luggage from baggage claim. They plan on checking medicine. This isn't a valid reason. Airlines misdirect bags and essential medicine never belongs in a checked bag.

A few posters think they're required to wait in the room for luggage delivery. Not a valid reason.

 

[maxiesmom]

You seem to be the poster on this thread talking down to others.

I have to agree with that statement. You probably don't mean to, but that is how it is reading.

Please keep in mind that many people read these posts but don't answer to them. Others are posting valuable info, trying to claify things. There are valid reasons for wanting to keep your bags with you. But some of the reasons listed are coming out of confusion, more than a valid need to have the bags in hand. If others can clear up the confusion, more power to them!

 

[bavaria]

That's it, I'm taking the chocolate away and hiding it!

And the alcohol filled stuff is definitely going to the poster who doesn't use DME and doesn't post about DME - Dat's ME!

 

[crashbb]

That's it, I'm taking the chocolate away and hiding it!

And the alcohol filled stuff is definitely going to the poster who doesn't use DME and doesn't post about DME - Dat's ME!

I've been good (that is an angel, in case you cannot tell).

 

[bavaria]

Well, there was a really exciting thread about fridges over on the Budget Board - this one is giving it a run I think though. Riveting subjects!!!

Off to eat the chocolate now.

And I honestly have no idea what is going on in this thread, and I still don't have a dog or a cat or a horse in the race.

 

[ironz]

I see you changed your mind.



You seem to be the poster on this thread talking down to others.

There are some valid reasons for getting your own luggage. One poster wants to get his tripod. Probably doesn't fit in carryon bags.

There are some reasons which are not valid. There are posters and CM who claim only passengers of selected airlines are eligible to use luggage delivery. A SW passenger who doesn't think he's eligible to use luggage delivery doesn't have a valid reason.

A few posters want to get their luggage from baggage claim. They plan on checking medicine. This isn't a valid reason. Airlines misdirect bags and essential medicine never belongs in a checked bag.

A few posters think they're required to wait in the room for luggage delivery. Not a valid reason.

Came back to attempt to defend myself, but obviously that was fruitless. Seriously...have I done something that heinous other than try to defend my interpretation and input on this thread? Clearly I read things differently than some. Not a crime, even on the DIS, or so I thought.

Poster who wanted to collect their luggage because a person who just felt better having their luggage with them is VALID. Don't recall anyone on THIS THREAD talking about checking medicine. Jackets, yes, but not medicine.

Interesting if I was 'talking down to anyone' any worse than others have directed towards me. It goes both ways.


Thanks for being the first people on the DIS make me feel like crap.

 

[Lewisc]

Seriously...have I done something that heinous other than try to defend my interpretation and input on this thread? Clearly I read things differently than some. Not a crime, even on the DIS, or so I thought.

Don't recall anyone on THIS THREAD talking about checking medicine. Jackets, yes, but not medicine.

A poster on this thread was talking about guests who can't use DME luggage delivery because their airline doesn't participate. There are some reasons that have no validity.

Like many discussions posts included other examples of invalid objections to DME luggage delivery. The fact that they weren't mentioned in this thread doesn't change the fact that many of the objections have no validity.

Packing sweaters, ponchos and light jackets in checked bags doesn't make a lot of sense. Sweaters might be needed on the plane. Airlines sometimes misdirect luggage. Disney would be happy to sell such a guest sweatshirts and rain panchos. It's not the end of the world if the luggage gets delayed by the airline but it makes more sense to bring at least some of those items in your carry on bags.

 

[Flossbolna]

I wanted to add another (in my opinion) valid reason for not using the luggage transfer of ME:

If you are an international traveler, especially if you clear customs at MCO!

First, you don't get any luggage tags if you live outside the US. I know that you still can use the luggage delivery, you will need to give them a description of your luggage. But this means that it will not be pulled before it goes out to the public. So actually if someone else is faster than ME, my bag could be picked up by this person! To a certain extent this is a subcategory of the "control" category...

And if you clear customs at MCO, you will already have to wait at baggage claim and get your bag before you go through customs. Unless you have so much luggage that you can't easily transport it yourself, it is so much more convenient to just hang on to that bag and take it with you!

That's the reason why I am someone who will load a bag under the bus in January.

 

[Lewisc]

I don't think I'd use inbound luggage delivery unless I had the yellow bar coded tags. I wouldn't want my luggage to be part of a competition between CMs who pull bags off the carousel and thieves. I've never seen airport employees check claim tickets against tags on the bags.

It might make sense, if you had tags, to give up your bags after you clear customs. Makes sense if you were landing in the am and are staying in a resort (DVC) where you know you won't be getting your room/unit until normal check in time.

A recent poster (not using DME) never got their luggage. The airline's computer indicated the luggage was on an earlier flight. The luggage wasn't in the unclaimed luggage office. Presumably the bag was either stolen by a thief or mistakenly taken by another passenger.

This situation isn't that common but I can understand people without "control" issues not wanting their luggage going around the carousel until all the other bags were claimed.

 

[goofy4tink]

Okay...here's the deal.
This is a discussion board. If someone posts a question, it can be answered and then discussed. Even if the OPs question is answered there will be many instances where a discussion will ensue, which is really great for those who may be unfamilier with the discussed subject. They can learn something new by reading what others are posting. All imput is desired. There are always two sides to any situation or story. What one person thinks is terrific service, someone else may feel is less than stellar.

As far as bringing your own luggage with you to the busi...yes you can do that. But it does lengthen the entire process for everyone involved. Someone may be arriving the day before they are truly to start their stay, so don't feel any urgency about getting to the resort, so bring all their checked luggage with them. But someone else may be in a bit of a hurry to start their trip, so have only one tote bag with them on the bus. IF you get a few families at each stop, with several bags stored under that bus, it is going to add time to the trip for everyone else...you have to stand around and get your bags and then tip the driver.. So, it does make a difference to others.

As for the 'hostage on the bus', I didn't experience that this time around. Of course, I did look a bit strange taking a photo of the 'tip signage' up front.

So, behave, the whole darn bunch of you. I'm tired, I'm cranky...this vacationing thing it tiring!!!

 

[pxlbarrel]

Well, here's our experience from our recent trip. More than half of the people on the bus brought their luggage to the bus. Yes, it would have been more convenient to have Disney pull the luggage but as it was, we got to the resort rather late in the afternoon so having our luggage with us when we arrived was a big plus.

CBR was the first drop off (there was an accident on the highway so our driver took a different route and CBR replaced Pop Century as the first stop). The driver did NOT keep us all "hostage" as he unloaded the luggage. People were allowed to get off while he got the bags out. In fact, he was whipping the bags out so quickly that as we stepped off the bus, our bags were already out and he was ready to get back onto the bus for the drive over to Pop. I have nothing but great things to say about our driver.