RAC & SW Pilot Program

[wdwnomad]

It looks like the much rumored RAC and SW trial is going to start...


Disney World, Southwest launch Magical Express test
posted by Jason Garcia on Jun 1, 2009 9:23:36 AM

Walt Disney World has finally reached a deal to add Orlando International Airport's busiest airline to its popular Disney's Magical Express shuttle-and-luggage service — at least on a trial basis.

Beginning today, Disney and Southwest Airlines will launch a pilot program in which guests staying at Disney's Pop Century Resort and flying on Southwest will be able to check in for their flights and drop off their luggage before departing for OIA.

The goal is to eventually expand the service to Southwest passengers staying at other Disney resorts, though a Disney spokeswoman said there is no timetable to do so. "The purpose [of the pilot program] is to see how our systems will work together from a technology standpoint," Disney spokeswoman Kim Prunty said.

Every other major domestic airline at OIA already participates in Disney World's remote check-in service.

 

[dacky041208]

That would be nice, but it isn't the first time I've heard of SW starting a trail period, none of them worked out or actually happened. I guess we'll see if it is for real this time.

 

[Lewisc]

That would be nice, but it isn't the first time I've heard of SW starting a trail period, none of them worked out or actually happened. I guess we'll see if it is for real this time.

The OP was copied from the Orlando Sentinel website. It indicates the trial period started today.

Previous reports were internet rumors/speculations.

Although the report is real, time will tell how well RAC works with SW.

 

[n2mm]

This would be nice. I hope it works for them. This is the one reason we don't fly home on SW. We fly to Orlando on SW and home on Jetblue, (sometimes if the price is right). This will be an incredible increase of luggage handling since you are allowed 2 bags pp on SW. Just a tip for those SW flyers using this perk....it is "curb side" so don't forget to tip accordingly.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

ARRGGHH!! We just switched from Pop to CR too!

 

[TDC Nala]

I do not believe this is a trial. The signs at the RAC desk at Pop Century were altered to include Southwest as a participating airline and the guy who checked me in this morning says it's permanent. Of course maybe at this time it is only Pop Century and they are running that as a trial, because I did not go to any other resorts today.

 

[dburg30]

Well, I have to admit that would be a darn good resort to test SW and RAC, if it works there, it should work just fine!

 

[pyrxtc]

it would be nice since I am flying SW in September.

 

[n2mm]

Hey, maybe this is why the value resorts are trying to stop the frig swaps because they need the extra room for the luggage from SW. And since SW allows 2 bags pp, that could amount to ALOT of luggage. I agree, Pop was the perfect place to test this pilot program. If it works there, then it'll work anywhere, plus the BAGs folks have been doing this for awhile and have a good understanding of the system.

 

[gsmag]

I hope it works. SW is usally good with luggage anyway.

 

[mom2two2]

I am staying at POP Aug 16-23 and flying with SW both ways. Does this mean that I will be able to check my bags in the lobby on the way home as I did with Air Tran last time?

How does this affect the whole 24 hr check in process? I was planning to ask someone at home to check me in online at the 24 hr mark in an attempt to get a decent boarding order...will the resort check me in 24 hrs ahead/ Do I do it from the lobby somehow myself 24 hrs ahead? Or am I handing over my luggage at the airport?

TIA

 

[Jestocost]

I am staying at POP Aug 16-23 and flying with SW both ways. Does this mean that I will be able to check my bags in the lobby on the way home as I did with Air Tran last time?

How does this affect the whole 24 hr check in process? I was planning to ask someone at home to check me in online at the 24 hr mark in an attempt to get a decent boarding order...will the resort check me in 24 hrs ahead/ Do I do it from the lobby somehow myself 24 hrs ahead? Or am I handing over my luggage at the airport?

TIA

It sounds like you should be able to use RAC at POP as long as the trial is still going on when you are there. In previous trials with other airlines there were warnings that the service might not be available at all times, but that would seem to be only a slight risk.

AFAIK, however, it will not affect the value of doing an online check in 24 hours ahead of your flight on SWA. I am GUESSING that RAC will do an actual check in for you to get a boarding number, but since the earliest you can use RAC is 12 hours ahead of your flight you would be pretty late for getting the lower numbered boarding passes. The resort front desks and the guest relations desks in the parks and at DTD will do an SWA check in for you now (and have for some time) if you would like. I would still do the 24-hour check in, then go to check my bags at RAC unless the instructions you get indicate that it won't work to do that. If you can't do online check in 24 hours in advance AND use RAC with Southwest, it's not going to be a very useful service.

 

[Jestocost]

Hey, maybe this is why the value resorts are trying to stop the frig swaps because they need the extra room for the luggage from SW. And since SW allows 2 bags pp, that could amount to ALOT of luggage. I agree, Pop was the perfect place to test this pilot program. If it works there, then it'll work anywhere, plus the BAGs folks have been doing this for awhile and have a good understanding of the system.

Actually, I think it will reduce the amount of luggage that the resort will have to store. SWA passengers are storing their bags with bell/luggage services now because they can't use RAC. When bags are checked with RAC, I don't think they go into that storage area, but are loaded into the rolling cages and then onto a truck that goes to MCO.

 

[Lewisc]

Actually, I think it will reduce the amount of luggage that the resort will have to store. SWA passengers are storing their bags with bell/luggage services now because they can't use RAC. When bags are checked with RAC, I don't think they go into that storage area, but are loaded into the rolling cages and then onto a truck that goes to MCO.

Obviously this is nothing more then speculation.

Airlines don't generally accept bags more then 4 hours before a flight. Passengers generally check in 1-3 hours before their flight.

Some passengers use RAC up to 12 hours before their flight. We don't know how long RAC holds those bags at the resort before shipping them over to MCO. It was previously posted that RAC has held bags at WDW, until closer to the flight, at the request of airlines.

It isn't clear if RAC will need more room at the resorts. SW still accepts 2 free bags per passenger. I suspect RAC will be getting more bags per SW passenger then from passengers of other airlines.