Need step by step directions from National drop off to SWA check-in please.

[riu girl]

1. I am looking for step by step directions from where you drop off your national rental car to the SWA check-in desk.
2. Also: once you checkin with SWA, how do you get from the SWA check-in desk to SWA boarding gates.

The simpler the better. DH will be doing this on his own and has issues that may make this very difficult for him. He will be doing this Dec 31 so I assume the airport will be very busy that day.

Thank you
Suzy V

 

[ElleBelle]

Just did this last Sunday! When you drop off your national rental car, you will actually be on level 2 of the parking garage.
1)Pull your car up to the curb of the garage.
2)When you get out of your car, ahead and to the right of you are the stairs/escalator to take down to level one (ground). Proceed down to the first level.
3)As soon as you get to level one, you will see the doors to the main terminal right in front of you across a road. (There is a crossing area). Cross.
4)Once inside the main terminal, you need to go to the right or left and take one of the sets of elevators up to the next level.
5)On the next level (which is the level to actually check-in), walk ALL the way down to your extreme left, and you will bump right into Southwest check-in!
It was quite easy. I say if DH and I can do it, pretty much anyone can Hope this helps!

 

[riu girl]

You have no idea how much I appreciate the information. I will print it out and make sure DH has it with him at the airport.
Thanks again.
Suzy V

 

[ElleBelle]

Oops- just realized you wanted from SWA check-in to boarding gates. Once you checkin with SWA, and check your bags (both in the same area), you will proceed up the escalators one more level. (All of the elevators, escalators, stairs, etc are within an eyeshot). At the top of the escalators you will see the cattle chutes to go through for x-ray/ scanning carry-ons. Proceed, and just past this you will get the monorail to your boarding gate. Very easy!

 

[DebbieB]

When approaching the terminal, be sure to follow the signs for A terminal for Southwest. There are National pickup and return areas in both A and B terminals.

Another option if you have checked luggage is to curbside check the luggage before returning the car. Follow the signs to departing flights, look for Southwest, check the luggage, then circle around back to the National return area in the garage. I always curbside check the luggage rather than lugging it all from the garage.

 

[DebbieB]

Oops- just realized you wanted from SWA check-in to boarding gates. Once you checkin with SWA, and check your bags (both in the same area), you will proceed up the escalators one more level. (All of the elevators, escalators, stairs, etc are within an eyeshot). At the top of the escalators you will see the cattle chutes to go through for x-ray/ scanning carry-ons. Proceed, and just past this you will get the monorail to your boarding gate. Very easy!

The security checkpoints and monorails to the gates are on the same level as the check-in counters (level 3). Baggage Claim is down one level (level 2). The car rental counters are on level 1 (street level).

http://www.orlandoairports.net:/goaa/images/diagrams/terminal_layout_l.jpg

 

[riu girl]

Thanks you both so much for all the info. I will combine all the info and print it out for him. I will also make sure he gets to the airport about 3 hours prior to his flight.
Suzy V.

 

[ElleBelle]

The security checkpoints and monorails to the gates are on the same level as the check-in counters (level 3). Baggage Claim is down one level (level 2). The car rental counters are on level 1 (street level).

http://www.orlandoairports.net:/goaa/images/diagrams/terminal_layout_l.jpg

Wow- you're right! sorry- I added another set of escalators in there. oops!