PHL and Southwest--Skycap??

[eangel12]

At PHL does Southwest have Skycap service? We are driving to the airport and our plan is to leave the husband, mother-in-law, two kids and luggage on the curb while I drive to the long term parking place. It will take me a good 10+ minutes to get back. I was hoping to pull up, let hubby unload luggage, show ID to Skycap person, start checking bag. Then mother-in-law can show ID, check her bags, then I can get out and show my ID to check myself in.

After we do all of that, we can get the boys out of the car, put them into their seats with wheels to wheel them through the airport and then get carry on luggage out. They will wait inside airport until I get back.

Wondering if that will work? We won't be luggage heavy, but we have a big bag with our double stroller and then 2 suitcases plus our 2 carry on bags.

Thought Skycap might make this all easier!!

 

[msmayor]

There is a place on the curb for checking luggage, but that plan will ONLY work if there is no line of people waiting for the same service. They move cars that pull up to drop off very quickly, and I doubt that you will be able to stay at the curb long enough for everyone to get checked at the same time.

Are you using PHL's long term parking or one of the other services? We've used Pre-Flight and what we've always loved is the shuttle comes right over to our car after we've parked, grabs our luggage and we board the bus. We get dropped off right at the curb where we check in and then we go. Upon return, we just walk out of the terminal to the stop on the curb for the shuttle back to the lot. They ask where our car is parked and literally drop us off right at the car. No need to mess with driving up to the curb yourself at all, and the family stays together.

 

[richmo]

You do exactly what we normally do at PHL. I drop everyone off with the luggage, then go park in economy parking and take the bus back. There is skycap service at PHL, but one of them would have to be totally available when you arrive. That usually isn't the case. PHL is pretty touchy about letting you hang around the dropoff area with a car, so you likely wouldn't be able to wait.

My opinion: let everyone wait inside with the luggage, go park the car and all check-in when you get back from the parking lot. Alternatively, as a PP mentioned, there are various services that would allow you to drive to their lot and they'll bring you into PHL with your car.

One final hint: after you drop your family off, sometimes you can park in the economy lot quite close to the F terminal (Southwest is in D/E). If the weather is decent, its a short walk (maybe 5 minutes) and you can skip the bus. (You can also walk in F, go upstairs and connect to D/E, if you'd rather walk inside).

 

[PSUGuy]

We haven't used the PHL parking lot in years so I don't know the cost, but we've parked at Winner and for a little more they will drive you to the terminal in your own car, pick you up when you return and you just drive away, no need to shuttle back to get your car. If sleep n fly isn't reasonable this Oct, this will be our plan.

Bill From PA

 

[rwdavis2]

Unless you are each checking 2 bags (SW limit) then let one of the others check your bag(s) as one of theirs. Southwest won't care as long as there are no more than 2 checked bags per person. That's how we do it.

That way when I return from parking the car I can go straight to security and meet everyone at the gate.

 

[eangel12]

We are using Preflight. Our flight leaves on a Wednesday morning at 7am so we will be at the airport at 5am. I thought it might be pretty empty at that point...guess not?!

Our plan is to try and do Skycap. If it is crowded, then I will drop the hubby, mother in law and two kids with luggage (hope there is a luggage cart!). They will wait inside until I get back on the bus and then we will all check in together. We don't like the idea of separating and the boys would be upset if daddy or mommy wasn't with them.

Hoping everything goes smoothly!!

 

[richmo]

You should be fine. I've taken that 7 AM flight out of PHL. It's funny, after getting up 3:30ish (I have a 1 hr drive to PHL) and seeing almost no one on the road, you get to PHL and there's all kind of activity. But, arriving at 5ish, you'll be in good shape. And Wednesday, relatively speaking, is usually a fairly quiet travel day. You'll still have enough time, even if the skycap thing doesn't work out, but don't waste too much time either. You'll be surprised at the number of people going thru security when you go upstairs.

 

[dsnymomof4]

There wasn't skycap service when we were there in December. We arrived at about 12:30 pm and there wasn't anyone outside at the stands. Maybe because it was freezing out? Not sure.

 

[eangel12]

Good to know. This will be August so hopefully someone will be out. If not, it looks like Preflight can get me back to the airport in 10 minutes so the family can cool their heels for 10 minutes. I told them to get in line to check in and then I would join them.

 

[Mkrop]

We are using Preflight. Our flight leaves on a Wednesday morning at 7am so we will be at the airport at 5am. I thought it might be pretty empty at that point...guess not?!

Our plan is to try and do Skycap. If it is crowded, then I will drop the hubby, mother in law and two kids with luggage (hope there is a luggage cart!). They will wait inside until I get back on the bus and then we will all check in together. We don't like the idea of separating and the boys would be upset if daddy or mommy wasn't with them.

Hoping everything goes smoothly!!

We have been there that early to get a west coast flight and the skycap line outside was long even then, now this was the weekend so maybe that makes a difference.

I would use one of the parking lot services if I were you.

 

[eangel12]

We have been there that early to get a west coast flight and the skycap line outside was long even then, now this was the weekend so maybe that makes a difference.

I would use one of the parking lot services if I were you.

What parking lot service? What do you mean? Like Preflight?

 

[dsnymomof4]

OP - we have used Preflight many times and it is very easy just to drive everyone there and let them bring you all to the airport. It would be much quicker than you driving all the way to the airport first. The van will follow you to a parking spot, unload all of your luggage off of the car and put it on their van, then drive you to the airport and unload all of the luggage. And it's not very far at all. It's very convenient!

 

[Mkrop]

What parking lot service? What do you mean? Like Preflight?

Yes although I have never heard of them...I was mentioning Wallypark or Winner

 

[FLIPPER11986]

Check Groupon if you are considering off site parking. Got a great deal for Park n Jet when we went to Disneyland two weeks ago

 

[eangel12]

OP - we have used Preflight many times and it is very easy just to drive everyone there and let them bring you all to the airport. It would be much quicker than you driving all the way to the airport first. The van will follow you to a parking spot, unload all of your luggage off of the car and put it on their van, then drive you to the airport and unload all of the luggage. And it's not very far at all. It's very convenient!

My husband will not let the boys (4 & 2) ride on the bus without car seats!! Which is why we are renting a minivan at Disney.

From Preflight location, does minibus go onto 95 or a smaller road? That might help convince him...but probably not....haha!

 

[DCbride]

We use Winner several times a year. You pick the guy up he unloads everyone and luggage at curb then takes your car to the lot. That way everyone stays together. At pick up you call, winner brings your car to baggage and you drive away.

 

[dreaming4disney]

We use winner too. Just got back from Disney this past Monday. It was nice to have the car all warmed up. It only takes them about 10 minutes to get there once you call.

We left for Disney on a Thursday morning. We had a 6:30am flight and arrived at the airport about 5am- it was very busy and crowded and took 30-40 minutes to get through security

 

[eangel12]

I did see Winner. I was worried about the liability issues if an accident should happen while they are driving my vehicle.

Yes, I am a worrywart!!! I think I'm going to try and convince the husband to use Preflight and let the boys ride on the bus. We will see how that works out. If not, I'll see what he says about Winner!

 

[paults]

At PHL does Southwest have Skycap service? We are driving to the airport and our plan is to leave the husband, mother-in-law, two kids and luggage on the curb while I drive to the long term parking place. It will take me a good 10+ minutes to get back. I was hoping to pull up, let hubby unload luggage, show ID to Skycap person, start checking bag. Then mother-in-law can show ID, check her bags, then I can get out and show my ID to check myself in.

After we do all of that, we can get the boys out of the car, put them into their seats with wheels to wheel them through the airport and then get carry on luggage out. They will wait inside airport until I get back.

Wondering if that will work? We won't be luggage heavy, but we have a big bag with our double stroller and then 2 suitcases plus our 2 carry on bags.

Thought Skycap might make this all easier!!

Check out this site http://expresspark.reachlocal.net/C...achlocal&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=homepage
We use them all the time. They will follow you to your parking spot ,load your bags and you and drop you off at your airline (SW) with skycap right there. Print the coupon and call them to book. When you get back just call and they will pick you up and go right to your car.
If you do use them use the SOUTH LOT MUCH NEWER . They are secured lots and you drive your own car.

 

[TamaraQT]

Another vote here for ExpressPark. A friend referred me to them back in 2007 and I have been a satisfied customer ever since. I make my reservation with them online. I also prefer the SOUTH lot on Tinicum. Once you enter the gate, they follow you to your car, you park and they load your luggage and you are off to the airport. I am not a fan of companies who drive the customers car. I know they are screened employees, and I'm sure they provide good service too. I just prefer to drive and park my own car.