RAC and early morning flight

[disneymarie]

We have an 8:30 AM flight, how would I get the luggage to RAC for the checkin time? Can it be done the night before. We will make the flight okay for security at MCO correct? Not sure I want to rent a car,

 

[BrerMama]

I don't think you can use RAC. Just take the bags with you on DME. We had an early flight home once. Had to board DME at some ungodly hour like 4 am. I think the flight left at 7, maybe 7:30. Just took the bags with us. The driver stowed them under the bus. We got to the airport, checked our bags and ourselves in, went through security, grabbed some breakfast and boarded the plane. No problem.

 

[sam_gordon]

I think it is TECHNICALLY possible to use RAC. IIRC, the rules are:
1) RAC is open from 5am-1pm.
2) You can only check in for flights THAT day (no checking in the day before)
3) Check in must be COMPLETE (ie: walking away from the desk) 3 hours before your flight.

The rules for ME:
1) Your assigned pickup time will be between 2:45 - 3:15 before your flight.
2) You need to be at the DME pickup point 15 minutes before your pickup time.

So, assuming your ME pickup time is 5:30-5:45, you can be at RAC when it opens at 5am. Checkin complete by 5:10 (hopefully), then go straight to the ME pickup site. If, for whatever reason, you don't think checkin will be done (long line?), get out of the RAC line and bring your bags with you to ME.

Of course, if your pickup time is 5:15, this won't work (since you're supposed to be at the ME pickup 15 minutes ahead of time). Whatever you do, DON'T miss your ME bus.

 

[goofy4tink]

If you are at the RAC counter, right at 5am, you should be able to check your bags. Be sure there are no weight issues or over sized bag issues. Otherwise, it will take longer than it should to get checked in.
For an 8:30am flight, your p/u time will be between 5:20 and 5:40. So, if it's the earlier time, be sure you are at RAC right at 5, then head directly to the bus stop. You may even want to have the family at the bus stop after dropping bags, then you can check them in and if the bus comes early, the family can tell the driver you're coming. I don't recommend doing that on a regular basis, but if your pickup time is really early, it may be tight.

 

[disneymarie]

Thanks so much for the info. Traveling with two mobility challanged adults with two kids is a handful and to be able to check the larger 2 cases and smaller will be a heaven send help.
I will likely end up all night anyway, Sleep a few hrs on the direct flight.
If not able to get the bags on, I will figure it out at the airport. At least I can be there early and be doable.