National car return/baggage carts nearby for rent?

[dj2]

We're renting from National. I'm not familiar with the Orlando airport. After I return the car, are there luggage carts nearby to rent for hauling bags to Spirit's check-in area? Or, is this a rental place with off-site return and a shuttle??

It'll just be me (with my walker) and my DD7. Our flight isn't until three hours after the car is due back, which gives us plenty of time. I was also wondering if it's a possibility that Spirit has curbside baggage checking in Orlando and I might be able to drop bags off before returning the car. Any insights would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[safetymom]

Have you checked Spirits web site to see if they can tell you if check in curbside is available at MCO?

 

[dcgrumpy]

When I returned my car to Alamo a couple of weeks ago I couldn't find any carts nearby. I ran across to the terminal and up to baggage claim, got a cart and came back to DH and the kids. I'm sure there was an easier way of doing it.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by dcgrumpy
When I returned my car to Alamo a couple of weeks ago I couldn't find any carts nearby. I ran across to the terminal and up to baggage claim, got a cart and came back to DH and the kids. I'm sure there was an easier way of doing it.

We find this easier. Dee drops me off with the baggage at the skycap station, he shows his ID to the skycap, I take care of that end of it, he takes the car and drops it off and we meet outside.
No hassle, no carrying bags, etc. Very easy, very quick.

 

[Lewisc]

National will page a skycap for you, just ask. The police frown on unattended cars (I've seen them tow) and you may have to go with the skycap inside the airport to have your luggage screened.

 

[dj2]

Lewisc, I just want to make sure i understand you right. are you saying that after i return the car i can ask the people at National to page someone who will help me get my baggage to Spirit's check-in area. that sounds too good to be true.

 

[safetymom]

At MCO they will take your bag at curbside. No need to accompany for screening.

 

[Lewisc]

Yes, National will page and get you a skycap. I've been asked if I needed one and have heard the page. Really not too good to be true, the skycaps work off tips.

Not sure curbside will work since you will be the only adult. You can't be with the luggage and with the car at the same time.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Lewisc
Yes, National will page and get you a skycap. I've been asked if I needed one and have heard the page. Really not too good to be true, the skycaps work off tips.

Not sure curbside will work since you will be the only adult. You can't be with the luggage and with the car at the same time.

I get them to come to the car all the time. They can handle everything while you wait at the car. This is assuming they don't have a long line at curbside. I have only tried this skycap from rental return once, it was in Jan a few years ago, it was cold and they did not come. I have never chanced it again.

 

[safetymom]

I fly USAairways and I am the only adult. I always do curbside and never had a problem.

 

[dj2]

thanks everyone. i'm going to try to drop off the bags curbside w/o leaving the car (or my daughter) alone before returning the car. Plan "b" if that doesn't work will be just to take the bags with me and hopefully get an abandoned luggage cart, or a skycap. i appreciate all your help!

 

[CarolA]

I was in Chicago about a year ago and the driver had gotten out of his car to check in with the skycap. There was a line and while he was in it he got a ticket. (There was more involved then that he would up bolting out of line and driving off when the tow truck arrived and the police officer was sending him lots of expensive violations!) As a solo traveler I don't chance it anymore. If the alert level is up (which it always seems to be!) they will tow in a heartbeat!

 

[BCV23]

The issue here is that dj2 is using a walker. At O'Hare there are always police around and I think it would be easy to hail one and they would alert a skycap. At MCO security is sometimes in evidence and othertimes not...although I imagine there is always surveillance.

I'm able bodied but have travelled solo with my kids with special needs. I've parked curbside and explained to the skycap why my son or daughter is sitting in the car....I've left the door wide open and been only a few feet away. We've checked our bags and then I've returned the car...with child along of course.

I've also just returned the car but to Avis. There is a cart rental there. I don't know about National. I wouldn't count on a loose cart near the car return.

So while I've experienced part of your problem, I know it's tougher when you need the walker! Maybe you could call your airline and ask to be met in the same manner that an airline will have someone meet you at checkin to get you to the gate.

 

[CarolMN]

Just returned a car to National (Terminal B side) last Friday (12/12). We were asked 2 different times if we needed help with our luggage. Both times, it was by a man in a uniform (assumed he was a skycap) with a cart. While we didn't need help, it was nice to see them there. There were several of them around the area, and many people were taking advantage of the service.

I suspect that Friday afternoons are a fairly busy time, so I wouldn't count on them being there during the late night and early morning hours. However, I'm sure that you can ask the agent who is checking in your car to call someone.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Scratch42]

$3.00 in quarters handy for a cart (maybe more since that was in August), just in case you don't find a skycap! Next time I'll get a skycap!

They don't even charge that much here in Toronto!LOL

Scratch

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Scratch42
$3.00 in quarters handy for a cart (maybe more since that was in August), just in case you don't find a skycap! Next time I'll get a skycap!

They don't even charge that much here in Toronto!LOL

Scratch

You can also use dollar bills, ATM cards, debit cards and credit cards.

 

[DebbieB]

If you are going to rent a cart, check around the car pickup area first. We got a cart in baggage claim and after we loaded the car I looked for the return but didn't find one, so I left it on the side in the garage.

 

[dj2]

thanks everyone,

i called Spirit to see what advice they had and was told that it's not allowed to use curbside checking and then go return the car because if you check your bags you can't leave. they don't want people checking bombs and then not getting on the flight. i guess maybe the rule isn't enforced consistantly from what i've read above, but i'm going to return the car first and take my chances getting the bags to where they need to be.

as an aside, while i was talking to them i had them double check my flight times and found out my flight had been canceled! they rebooked us onto a flight 3 hours later (which would have ruined our dinner plans). i was able to get them to move us to the flight 3 hours earlier instead. now i have to rent a car for an extra day because of that, not to mention leave for the airport at 4 a.m.! i'm really glad i found out about all this now. i would have been fuming if i first learned about it at the airport that day.

the kicker is, they said the called us to tell us the flight had been changed,. it was in their records that they actually spoke to "samantha" and informed her of the change in schedule. well, she's only 7 and does not answer the phone, so someone somewhere was lying!

i keep taking deep breaths and keep repeating "i'm going to disney"

 

[dj2]

we're back and no problems with our luggage. after returning the rental car we could have either used a skycap for help (they were hanging out waiting for business) or rented a luggage cart (the dispenser was right there).

thanks for all your tips. great one about looking around--there were several times on the trip where we found abandoned carts and so did not have to pay the rental fee.