Okay, I get to show my ignorance now. Please advise.

[jennymouse]

This isn't my first rodeo, I've traveled by plane before, but apparently I'm a slow learner when it comes to some of this stuff. Can you help me with these questions?

1. What is a sky cap and how do you get one? Last year, I traveled to WDW with my DGD(7), just her and I. I had Mears. Well, once at the airport, my DGD and I lugged all our luggage, 5 pieces way down the hallway to the Mears stand, then down an escelator (where I just sort of let the luggage tumble down on their own) then outside to catch the bus. When I got back, I told of this nightmare here on this board and someone asked why I didn't get a sky cap....duhhhh, I didn't know there was such. Is it a real person, a cart or what is it? This year we're using Yourride, but are staying the first night at Hampton Inn near the airport and having Yourride pick us up there the next morning. I'm not sure, but I'm assuming we'll have to lug the luggage to where ever we have to get the HI shuttle and I don't want to go through last years fiasco.

2. I went to the airport here in Lexington and purchased our tickets in person. They gave me the card type tickets that I'm familiar with...all is well. (Got the same price that Delta sold them for online.) Anyway, they've switched our flights since then. I called an got that info and said they would send me some replacement tickets. Well, these tickets aren't really tickets as I'm used to tickets being, they're more like letters. Will I have to stand in line to get the other kind now? Last year, the man at the curb side checkin gave me boarding passes and all I had to do is go to the gate.

3. What's with this checking in online all about?

Okay, I've shown my ignorance now. Inlighten this Kentucky hick okay!

 

[DebbieB]

1. Skycaps are uniformed people who hang around baggage claim and offer to help. They expect a tip. We always just rent a cart for $2, pile our luggage on it, there are rack machines in baggage claim. We stayed at a Sheraton near the airport for one night last year when we got in late (didn't rent the car until the next morning). There are courtesy phones in baggage claim where you call and ask for the shuttle to pick you up (they are marked by hotel name). They will tell you where to go on the first level to be picked up.

2. Sounds like you got electronic tickets. You can still curbside check, they work just like a regular ticket.

3. Some airlines allow you to print a boarding pass at home. Not sure how that works.

Have a great trip!

 

[jennymouse]

Thanks Debbie. Do these rack machines take dollar bills or should I bring quarters for this?

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

A skycap is also one who takes your luggage and checks it and you in for your flight. Yes, they expect a tip, I usually go about 1.50 - 2.00 per bag. They expect a tip because that is how they are paid. If you don't mind being a "pack mule" and toting your luggage into the terminal to wait in line and move it everytime the line moves, then super, go for it. However, I am on vacation, I am NOT a pack mule and it is more than worth the tip to just have everything done outside. We do not do much in the way of carryons because of the pack mule thing and with security being what it is, I don't need to hold up the line to have everything checked. I have watched the boarding be held up because someone who was in the random check had EVERYTHING with her and they went through her bags before they would let anyone board. It delayed take off for about 15 mins. I would not be that discourteous to my fellow passengers.
At baggage claim there are porters, similar to skycaps. I have yet to use them, I do get one of those "smart carts" which take coin, bills or atm/debit/ credit cards. Load up the cart and go to the elevator furthest from the luggage pick up in use and go down one floor to the rental car area, check in there, cross to the garage, get the car and we are on our way.


Your "eticket" will give you no problems, just check in like they were the tickets you are used to.

I am not familiar with online check in as SWA does not use it yet, and that is who I primarily fly with.

 

[CarolMN]

....my DGD and I lugged all our luggage, 5 pieces way down the hallway to the Mears stand, then down an escelator...

LOL, jennymouse! 5 pieces of luggage for 2 people??? How long were you staying???

Seriously, the best advice is to take only the amount of luggage you can easily carry yourself. I know this is not always possible, but many people take WAY more than they really need. (It seems that you always need MORE $$ than you thought and LESS luggage).

The others have answered your questions and given good advice so I will only wish you a wonderful time!

 

[jennymouse]

LOL, CarolMN! I learned a LOT on that trip! We only stayed 4 nights!LOL We had one piece for our foofoo stuff, one for hang up stuff, two for folded stuff & a duffel with DGD's pool stuff(that they wouldn't let her use) snacks, & misc. I'm sure we were a site trying to get down that hallway to the Mears stand...and on the escelator! No one was in front of us so I just let go and let it roll!LOL

This trip, there will be three of us this time. We're staying double the nights, taking less luggage and taking lots more money!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

No one was in front of us so I just let go and let it roll!LOL

LOL, please, next time, use the elevator. The ones furthest away from the active carosel are very easy to get on. The ones near it are always impossible.

 

[jennymouse]

Gail, these escelators were way down by the Mears stand, not the carosel. (You are talking about the luggage carosel, right?) I checked in at the Mears stand and did what the lady told me too, which was to take the escelator. Now that I think about it, how would we get one of those luggage carts down an escelator? I bet that's a trick. But, to be honest, I never saw an elevator....I'll look for one this time as we won't be going to the Mears stand.

Oh, I don't do carry ons either....I've been talking about after landing at MCO. I hate it when people hold up lines in the airplane trying to find an empty overhead space to put thier bags. I know that some people have to though, but I don't.

Thanks for all the info, Gail!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Jenny,
I have not used Mears since 88 and usually am so excited about getting there that I have not paid attention to where Mears is these days. Are they on the same floor as the baggage claim area? If so, there are elevators all along that floor.

I figured you had been speaking about after landing re: the bags.
My comments were just in general. I feel bad about carrying on our laptop (who's sole purpose is to store our digital pictures).

Happy to help whenever I can.

 

[steph]

Just wondering what sort of price you got for airline tickets out of Lex to Mco, I will be flying out of Lexington on Sept. 5 and so far the prices are un real, a whole lot cheaper out of Louisville, but the drive....

Also, I used Mears once and said the heck with that since trying the towncar thing, to me that is the way to go, they take your luggage and load it and then unload it, it's worth it to me, I mean I am on vacation.

I am like you though get my luggage to the guy outside the airport and let them take it from there but when I get to MCO let the towncar driver do the rest.

Anyways nice to see someone from my neck of the woods.

Steph

 

[Chance's Mom]

Jennymouse-

I would suggest you try a towncar service! If you have more than 3 people, I don't think it is any more $$$ than Mears. The only time I have used Mears was when we stayed at the Grand Flo (there's some irony there!) I couldn''t believe how long it took .

The towncar is so wonderful. The driver will meet you in baggage claim and take care of you! He will be holding a little sign with your name on it (very exciting). They are very familiar with MCO, so you just have to follow them to the towncar. They will then wisk you to your hotel! It is wonderful! When it's time to go home, they will pick you up at your hotel and make sure they get you to the airport on time. It is a really relaxing way to travel.

I'm a bargain hunter (love those $59 rates at ASMo) but, I really feel that the towncar is a splurge that is totally worth it! The new edition of the Passporter has an $8 off coupon for Tiffany Town Cars. I have used them several times!


Jenny--I just saw on another post that you have ressies for a limo in Oct--way to go!!

 

[jennymouse]

Hey steph! We definately live close to one another...cool! We're flying out of LEX the 25th....for $238 per person. I've had this booked for months now with the idea that if they go down I could get vouchers...well, they've only dropped $2. We'll see. I probably could get cheaper flying out of Louisville, but don't want the hassel of getting someone to drive all the way there to drop us off & pick us up.

We're using Yourride stretch limo this time! We're very excited to be going during Halloween & the Food & Wine Festival!

Good to "see" you!LOL