OMG Recently flew Delta and was at check-in ONE MINUTE before 45 minute cut off and..

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Why are there baggage cut off times? Glad you asked! One way airlines can keep on-time performance is to make sure bags are checked-in early. Why? Because, as you may notice, all those bags are loaded onto luggage carts and hauled to each plane once they leave the TSA inspection areas. If several bags are late, handlers would have to drive all the way back to the baggage make-up area and get the remainder. Completely inefficient. Once the 45 minute pre-scheduled flight time period begins, a large block is placed on the baggage conveyor that indicates the 'last bag' for a particular flight is now through, and tells them to haul the bags to the plane for loading. Even if someone were to be REALLY nice (and dumb) to bend the rules for you, the bag would be unlikely to accompany you, unless it was a small airport with very few flights.

Clearly, the OP did not make it within the 45 minute deadline. Lesson learned, hopefully.

 

[sweetapril73]

sweetapril73,

I have to agree with Lewisc on this one. Orlando is one of several airports at which Delta's cut-off for checked baggage is 45 minutes before departure.

See Delta's "When to Arrive at the Airport" information at http://www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/itineraries_checkin/requirements/index.jsp

That means you must reach the front of the line -- and the skycap or counter agent must print your baggage tags -- at least 45 minutes before the flight is scheduled to depart. After that, the computer will not generate baggage tags (or boarding passes if you have luggage to check) for your flight.

It's not the airline employee's choice. No matter how much a passenger pleads, the airline employee can't do anything if the cut-off time has been reached. This isn't just the case with Delta. I know that American works the same way, and I wouldn't be surprised if all major airlines have such a system.

It's not enough to be at the curb or at the counter more more than 45 minutes ahead of time. You also have to allow for the fact that there will be people ahead of you.

The estimate that your room was only "15 minutes away" appears to have been inaccurate.

Personally, I would never want to check in only 45 minutes ahead of the flight time at Orlando International. It can easily take more than 30 minutes to get from the airline counter to security, through security, to the people-mover, and to the gate. If you arrive at the gate less than 15 minutes before flight time, your seats may be given to standby passengers or the aircraft door may be closed (or both). In other words, you could check in 46 minutes ahead of flight time, and still miss your flight.

At least you were able to get home the same day. If the airline had been unable to accommodate you that day, you could have been stuck in Orlando until the next day. You would have been responsible for all your expenses.

A $25 per passenger processing fee for a confirmed seat on a later flight does not seem unreasonable. Many airlines also charge a $25 per passenger fee for a confirmed seat on an earlier flight. (Most airlines don't charge for standby, but standby is usually a bad choice because so many flights today are filled to capacity.)

I'm sorry. I'm not trying to beat you up more after your disappointing experience. It's an expensive lesson learned.

Thank you for posting on this board. You may have helped someone who is reading this thread avoid the same mistake.

As well, thank you for your post. However, the point I am trying to make is being missed.

Your quote: (That means you must reach the front of the line -- and the skycap or counter agent must print your baggage tags -- at least 45 minutes before the flight is scheduled to depart. After that, the computer will not generate baggage tags (or boarding passes if you have luggage to check) for your flight.) Where did you find that information? It is NOT that explicit on Delta's site. Nor was it on my ticket. I do not walk around with the internet readily available on my hip. I was on vacation. Besides, we were at the front of the line, at the counter, checking in at 8:44am. 46 minutes prior to take off. We were within the 45 check in time. If they want to be more specific then it should be posted upon arrival at the airport and DEFINITELY ON the tickets.

Does this mean that if Delta doesn't get me off the ground the EXACT minute my ticket says they will that I should charge them a nominal fee for my inconvenience? There was NOTHING on my tickets stating that if baggage was not checked in, completely checked in from beginning to end, on it's way to the plane that we could not fly. We have flown Delta several times and have NEVER had this problem. I am not stupid, I understand that arriving an hour before my flight may have been cutting it close but we made it....to the front of the line, to check in, with our baggage. Being put on a delayed flight was inconvenient enough with two kids but having to PAY them more money because THEY caused me to be beyond their limitation period is crazy.

We felt that is was none the less than POOR customer service. I had two other people come up to me during the discussion and tell me that the same thing happened to them when they were delayed checking in due to lack of help and obviously competent help. Delta did not offer any other solution or wasn't even willing to meet us half way. They weren't budging, which leads me to believe that their customer satisfaction is not their priority, it's prolly paying off their bankruptcy by making travelers late at baggage check in.

 

[Poly Pal]

Delta does not offer stand-by anymore. They have "same day confirmed for a $25 fee". Sounds like the OP was charged the $25 for each of the 4 people in his/her party.

And as someone stated, the security lines at MCO can be very long. Twenty minutes would be normal in my experience, but I've also waited 45 minutes in the security line. Then you have to take the tram to the airside, walk to the gate and be there at least 15 minutes before departure.

I sympathize with the OP's situation, but they just did not plan for enough time to get to and negotiate through the airport.

 

[sweetapril73]

Why are there baggage cut off times? Glad you asked! One way airlines can keep on-time performance is to make sure bags are checked-in early. Why? Because, as you may notice, all those bags are loaded onto luggage carts and hauled to each plane once they leave the TSA inspection areas. If several bags are late, handlers would have to drive all the way back to the baggage make-up area and get the remainder. Completely inefficient. Once the 45 minute pre-scheduled flight time period begins, a large block is placed on the baggage conveyor that indicates the 'last bag' for a particular flight is now through, and tells them to haul the bags to the plane for loading. Even if someone were to be REALLY nice (and dumb) to bend the rules for you, the bag would be unlikely to accompany you, unless it was a small airport with very few flights.

Clearly, the OP did not make it within the 45 minute deadline. Lesson learned, hopefully.

So I didn't make it before the 45 minute cut off or the 46 minute cut off? Which is it? And how was I supposed to know that if we were THAT close to the cut off, we couldn't fly on our scheduled flight? Can you tell me that? Orlando airport doesn't even come close to being as busy as my hometown ATL airport and this has never been a problem. I have never gotten held up in security and after checking my luggage, making to the terminals is a breeze. We are usually there way early. Now, again the question is the 45 minute rule, is it REALLY 45 minutes, or before. And don't you agree that the "rule" isn't explained to travelers by having a sign posted that says, "In order for us to better serve you on Domestic flights, baggage NEEDS to be checked in 45 mins prior to departure." That alone does not tell me that you run a risk of not flying if not done so with a nomimal fee. If it tells you that then we comprehend differently.

 

[safetymom]

When traveling you bear some responsibility for knowing the rules. To keep insisting because they didn't tell you isn't going to get you very far.

Did you read the Delta website before you booked, did you read the terms and conditions for the tickets you purchased before you bought them?

Yes ATL is busy but sometimes MCO is very very busy also. Just because you haven't been stopped in ATL doesn't mean that it doesn't happen.

 

[sweetapril73]

Atlanta's rule is 45 minutes. So you must have just made the cut off or someone bent the rule.


(There are signs at the kiosks and check in counters at Atlanta stating the 45 minute rule! So you should have seen it there.)

I know you think you are getting bashed but I am amazed that you thought this was a good idea. Both ATL and MCO have HORRID security lines. Now at ATL I can use the DL "express" line, but if you can't use that then the line can easily be 30 to 45 minutes. If this is your normal operating pattern I am shocked that this is the first flight you missed. People post on here all the time that you need more time at MCO.....

Generally DL will offer you free standby in this case. However, the OP probably had kids which makes the situation harder. (Free standby means you have to be willing to split. The agent may have thought this was the only way to get them all on one flight. I have talked to DL "non-revs" who have waited ALL day for standby seats on MCO-ATL)

I don't feel bashed, I honestly wanted other's opinions on the situation. Also, it's not that I thought it was a good idea, that's just how it happened. We left our room at 7:00am., had incorrect directions to Hertz and my husband had to figure out how to get there from road signs. This was our first time in Orlando, not familiar with the area. We left 2 and a half hours early for the airport and just happen to run into some obstacles but still made it to check in within the time given. I never thought about checking in baggage before hand and then returning the car, should've thought of that. But we really didn't think we would be late to check in.

Yes, we learned a valuable lesson but if Delta doesn't make this situation right, we will never fly them again. And yes, we know that our business doesn't pay their bills but in all my years of customer service, I have never been treated so badly. It was ridiculous!

Thanks for your comments.

 

[maxiesmom]

Your luggage was not checked in 45 minutes prior to your flight leaving. It takes more than 1 minute for all of your luggage to be checked. Therefore, you did not leave enough time for your luggage to make the flight. Why do you not get that?

And Safetymom is right. You have the responsibility of knowing what you purchased, and what the terms of the agreement are.

You may have been lucky in the past, and did not need to show up 1.5 hours before you flight left. Which is what is the recommended time. This time your luck ran out. You are the only one responsible to get yourself to the airport on time, and with time to get your luggage all the way checked in before the cut-off. And you didn't. Not Delta's fault.

 

[dudspizza]

When traveling you bear some responsibility for knowing the rules. To keep insisting because they didn't tell you isn't going to get you very far.

Did you read the Delta website before you booked, did you read the terms and conditions for the tickets you purchased before you bought them?

Yes ATL is busy but sometimes MCO is very very busy also. Just because you haven't been stopped in ATL doesn't mean that it doesn't happen.

I think the OP is missing the point here, at least when it comes to the baggage check in. The skycap, who does not work for Delta, "said" it was 8:44, but obviously the computer he was using wouldn't let him print the boarding passes. So obvioulsy, the OP was not there at least 45 minutes ahead of time.

Everytime I fly I check to see when the luggage cutoff is on my airlines web site. It is not hard to find. There is no way that the airline can print all of the info you think you need. It is there for you to find, as people have already posted links to that info.

I personally never arrive less than 2 hours before a flight. It is way better to be early and relaxed than "running through the airport".

Duds

 

[sweetapril73]

When traveling you bear some responsibility for knowing the rules. To keep insisting because they didn't tell you isn't going to get you very far.

Did you read the Delta website before you booked, did you read the terms and conditions for the tickets you purchased before you bought them?

Yes ATL is busy but sometimes MCO is very very busy also. Just because you haven't been stopped in ATL doesn't mean that it doesn't happen.

Yes I read the terms and conditions and although I didn't mean to be cutting it so close, we made it. What is so hard to understand about that? If you checked in your baggage, got to the terminal within 16 minutes of departure, would you expect to board your plane? You should, because the rule of thumb is to be there 15 mins prior to departure, sometimes people make it and sometimes they barely make it.

Example, when we left ATL airport, our tickets had the wrong gate on them. We sat there and waited until about 15 minutes before our flight and never saw our flight, when we asked the counter help, she said, "oh yeah, that gate has been changed and THEN preceded to make an announcement". Everyone was rushing to get to the right gate.

 

[Lewisc]

We understand your point. Every other poster in this thread, and every Delta agent you spoke with basically said your interpretation is wrong. You already know you're wrong, the computer wouldn't complete the baggage checkin once you hit the 45 minute mark.

WHY DON'T YOU TAKE THE TIME TO READ THE LINK WE GAVE YOU?

The rule says you must be checked in 45 minutes before, not get to the front of the line 45 minutes before and not begin to checkin 45 minutes before your flight. It's probably hard to weight the bags and complete the check in process in less then a minute. A previous poster told you at that "magic time" the system is flagged so that Delta can begin final baggage handling for your flight. By your own admission you weren't checked in 45 minute prior to your flight and the computer wouldn't allow the sky cap to bend the rules.

I still think Delta could have waived the fee but you still don't get it:

You decided not to allow the 1.5 hours suggested by the TSA. Your luggage wasn't checked in 45 minutes before your flight, you missed it by a minute or two YET YOU STILL BLAME DELTA FOR YOUR MISTAKES



I genuinely thank you for this thread. It will serve to warn other passengers who don't think there are consequences for not allowing enough time at the airport.

As well, thank you for your post. However, the point I am trying to make is being missed.

Your quote: (That means you must reach the front of the line -- and the skycap or counter agent must print your baggage tags -- at least 45 minutes before the flight is scheduled to depart. After that, the computer will not generate baggage tags (or boarding passes if you have luggage to check) for your flight.) Where did you find that information? It is NOT that explicit on Delta's site. Nor was it on my ticket. I do not walk around with the internet readily available on my hip. I was on vacation. Besides, we were at the front of the line, at the counter, checking in at 8:44am. 46 minutes prior to take off. We were within the 45 check in time. If they want to be more specific then it should be posted upon arrival at the airport and DEFINITELY ON the tickets.

 

[sweetapril73]

Your luggage was not checked in 45 minutes prior to your flight leaving. It takes more than 1 minute for all of your luggage to be checked. Therefore, you did not leave enough time for your luggage to make the flight. Why do you not get that?

And Safetymom is right. You have the responsibility of knowing what you purchased, and what the terms of the agreement are.

You may have been lucky in the past, and did not need to show up 1.5 hours before you flight left. Which is what is the recommended time. This time your luck ran out. You are the only one responsible to get yourself to the airport on time, and with time to get your luggage all the way checked in before the cut-off. And you didn't. Not Delta's fault.

Considering I had two bags, they had time and it was BEFORE the cut off. Again, NOTHING says all the way, completely to a "T" checked in and on the plane waiting for departure. You guys are reading more than they have posted. I arrived one hour before flight, walked up to curb side service where about two people were in line in front of me. Don't think it takes 30 minutes to check in luggage for 3 people. I was on time sweetheart. It says 45 MINUTES that's all and if you approach check in before it says 45 MINUTES you made it based on their sign/rule. And contrary to anyone's belief, that important informatoin SHOULD be on their tickets.

We allowed enough time and ran into some issues that you allow time for, however we made the cut off and should not have been rescheduled. I admit it was cutting it close, but we DID leave in enough time to make it w/or w/o obstacles. Delta chose to make a quick $100 from me and a quick $200 from another family the day before. It's just poor business practice. I see why they went bankrupt!

 

[safetymom]

Yes they did go bankrupt and they came back better than ever.

I fly Delta quite a bit and haven't had any problems. Delta isn't the only airline that enforces the rules.

The only time that matters is the time in the computer. You need to allow plenty of time no matter what just in case something happens.

 

[sweetapril73]

Yes, happened to us on AA about 8 years ago (before 9/11, TSA rules, and security delays). We had been in the curbside line for 45 minutes when we made it to the desk at 75 minutes out, and the Skycap then said, "I can't check your bags, you'll have to go to the line inside." Unfortunately he didn't tell us why, so we stood in line inside and ended up missing the cutoff at the counter by exactly 1 minute. (At that time the AA baggage deadline was an hour, but 75 minutes if the Skycap handled the checkin, and no, there was no signage explaining that.)

Our situation was worse, actually, because we happened to have purchased those tickets through Hotwire, and the fine print on that prohibits going standby or making ANY changes. We ended up speaking to supervisor after supervisor about changing to another flight, and *finally* someone decided to grant us the generous favor of selling us 3 one-way tickets to Los Angeles at the amazingly discounted rate of $350/each and allowed us to keep our return tickets without cancelling them because we did not make the original outbound flights. (No credit for the original purchase, of course, because that money was paid to Hotwire instead of AA.) The irony was that our original flight connected through at ORD, while the new flight was non-stop; we boarded two hours later but arrived in LAX 3 hours earlier than our original flight. (The new flight was also dang near empty; there were only about 50 people on the plane, which was a widebody.)

Since then DH has flatly refused to EVER use curbside checkin anywhere or any time. Won't use Hotwire for air, either. The original purchase price of those tickets was $260 each r/t -- in the end the they cost about $700 each with tax, for a total of over $2K. It was definitely the priciest 4-day trip I've ever taken.

OMG that is terrible! What is strange is that we also purchased our tickets through Hotwire and not a word was mentioned about that.

 

[sweetapril73]

Yes they did go bankrupt and they came back better than ever.

I fly Delta quite a bit and haven't had any problems. Delta isn't the only airline that enforces the rules.

The only time that matters is the time in the computer. You need to allow plenty of time no matter what just in case something happens.

You are right and the COMPUTER said 8:44am. and the rule is 45 minutes before departure and it was 46 minutes based on the COMPUTER'S time. So there wasn't any rule to enforce.

And leaving your resort 2 and half hours before departure when it's only 15 minutes away was enough time. We just happened to cut it close this time. That's all, not late at all. Just in the knick of time!

 

[maxiesmom]

You stated in your op that you arrived one hour prior to your flight. But you were not call up to the check in desk until 46 minutes before your flight. That left one minute for you and your luggage to get checked in. NOT ENOUGH TIME. And you can try and blame Delta all you want, but it is your fault, not theirs. Once again, you need to know the rules of the carrier that you choose to fly on. People have explained it to you, and have provided you links. But you prefer not to understand. You may not want to accept responsibility, but it is yours none the less.

 

[wdwstar]

Your luggage was not checked in 45 minutes prior to your flight leaving. It takes more than 1 minute for all of your luggage to be checked. Therefore, you did not leave enough time for your luggage to make the flight. Why do you not get that?

I was just about to post the samething ...... and it probably took the skycap 1 min. to explain to you that it would take him longer then 1 min. to check you and your luggage. we use skycap all the time, but we also arrive about 2 hours early to the airport for our flight, by the time we check our luggage with skycap and then return our rental car, go through security ( not vey pleasant at mco airport) then take the tram to the otherside of the airport, walk down to our gate, get a water or two and sit at the terminal with about 45 mins. to relax before boarding. we dont want to be that family running to the gate with everyone watching us, and then explaining to the kids that we will have to sit in the airport for the next 5 hours until the next flight, instead of waiting 45 min. to an hour in the first place.

 

[MrsNick]

Everyone has their own way of doing things, but when flying, I don't give a rat's patootie about principle. All I care about is getting my family on the flight we're scheduled on.

When I travel, I much prefer to be two hours early rather than one minute late. What's on my watch or anyone else's watch doesn't apply. The only clock that matters is the airline's computers, so shaving it as close as one minute prior to deadline is a gamble. YMMV.

Based on some of the op's replies, I'm not sure op really wanted to hear what some of the other posters had to say.

 

[maxiesmom]

I just went to Delta's site. And the way I read the rules is they have to have possesion of your luggage 45 minutes prior to your flight leaving. That means you cannot be checking it in on the 45th minute, but they have to have it by then. Just thought I would add this, as the one minute is what seems to have messed the OP up. And I don't think anyone could check you and your luggage in all in 60 seconds.

Plus, they also recommend adding extra time to get thru security, beyond being checked in 45 minutes prior to your flight.

 

[wdwstar]

And leaving your resort 2 and half hours before departure when it's only 15 minutes away was enough time.

which hotel were you staying at that it took 15 mins to get to the airport?

 

[wdwstar]

Everyone has their own way of doing things, but when flying, I don't give a rat's patootie about principle. All I care about is getting my family on the flight we're scheduled on.

i totally agree with you, everyone has their own methods arriving/checking in,
its what ever works for you/them.