Southwest Baggage near National?

[DMRick]

In case we just can't "stuff it all" on Tuesday, in carryon's...anyone know how far the Southwest baggage pick up is from National EA? Thanks in advance,
Doris

 

[Beverly Lynn]

not that far. but you do need to go down one escalator to get to them. are you using EA?

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Down one floor and about 150 yards to the right will be the counter and about the same distance will be the doors on the left to take you to the garage. Cross the street, take the elevator to the National floor walk another 100 or so yards and there you are.
There are signs everywhere and the people are friendly, so, you can just ask if you feel unsure.
BTW, I think you have to pass baggage anyway, so, why not just check your luggage? It is there almost as fast as you are. SWA is big on not being a "bin hog" and have become very strict with enforcing size. Just an FYI.

 

[DMRick]

Thanks for the info..since we have to pass it anyway, we might as well not try to stuff the carry-ons. As long as your carry-ons fit close to their little check-in area, they are pretty good about carry=ons..but with the mugs, and the cold water bottles. and the mister, and the rain coat, and the back packs..I'm running out of room for clothes LOL.
Doris

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Doris,
Not to belabor a point, but, when the bins fill on SWA, they go through the line and "gate check" the baggage. Even the ones that fit the requirement. They have been much more strict with guidelines lately, no more "close" it has to be exact. At least out of Bradley and MCO.
Try curbing or checking the luggage once, walk unencumbered to the gate and trust me, you will never carry on again. We carry one little tote bag onboard, it is wonderful not to be a "pack mule" on vacation. It is a nice start and end.

 

[skeezixspud]

Which means try hard not to leave any space unused in your luggage. Refillable mugs? Stuff them with clean socks first.
Backpacks for the park? Use them as your carry-ons.

As for water bottles, I'd buy them in Orlando if at all possible, but I certainly would not attempt to carry a supply of them onto the plane. The parks won't be much fun if you hurt your back schlepping luggage. Check everything except valuables and one change of clothes, but put your resort name and number on your luggage.

I like to take advantage of UPS. If we are taking things we expect to use up in the course of the trip, I box them up and ship them; timing it carefully and marking them clearly for delivery on the day we check in.

 

[DMRick]

I appreciate your concern for the size of my bags..I didn't mean to say they don't fit the luggage sizer..I meant if I overstuff them, they have to be pushed down in it. I have flown Southwest a number of times, and they have never had a problem with our carry-ons, and I'm not expecting them to this time. So far, everyones luggage has always fit even though it's always a full plane, so they haven't had to request people chekc theirs because of full bins.
I just wanted to know, if I did bring checked luggage, where the National was in ref to the bagagge area (we usually have to take a shuttle to our rental). I usually am much happier doing just carry-on, as I find that is freedom for me, and I don't feel like a pack mule, with a wheeled carry-on..just the opposite..I grab it and go. We are bringing our wonderful insulated water bottles and "stuff" with us, which is the only reason I asked about checked luggage..we don'twant to spend time in line buying stuff we already own. I would never attempt to put more luggage on the plane than is allowed.
Thanks for the suggestions.
Doris

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Doris,
Then go for it. I also fly SW a lot and have seen them gate check the luggage because people have been "bin hogs". Just trying to alert you to the possibilities. Nothing more.

 

[jsmla]

If Southwest is still loading the way they've done in the past just get there early and grab an early boarding pass. I found that the later you board the stricter they get about carry-ons. I don't like checking luggage since I've had lost luggage 3 times (thanks American!). TWA tried to make me check my one way-under-legal size bag but I stood my ground since I had seen people carrying on steamer trunks earlier (I was seated up front). Anyway my luggage went 1st class! That's why I love Southwest!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

I guess I am very sensative about carry ons. So, if I seem strident about checking them, please, forgive me. But.....I have nearly been decapatated by someone who just HAD to get that "steamer trunk" down from the overhead, been actually whacked in the head by a breifcase that some idiot had to walk back ten rows to get (hear of swimming against the tide) been bruised by others who just had to roll that luggage down the aisle and whacked me in the leg (there were where they belonged, he just swerved). Have seen people who can drag it on but cannot lift it to the overhead, hence the need to hold everything up while someone helps them out. (if you cannot lift it into the overhead, then check it). And, of course we have the people that have to stand in the middle of the jetway (after stopping dead in front of a bunch of people) to pull the handle up on the darn thing. Then.....we have the children, who's parents think the pull along luggage just made for their little darlings is adorable, who love to zig zag along, try to avoid one of those, that is a ton of fun.
i think SWA is making great stride in the carry on department. They are very strict (kudos to them) and their flight attendants are pretty good at letting folks know that they are not going to lift their overweight carry ons into the overhead, you are not going to hold people up by retracing 10 rows to retrieve your luggage, etc. Personally, I cannot wait till they ban anything larger than a briefcase.
Sorry for the rant, but, I do have pretty good reasons to dislike carryons.

 

[DMRick]

And I can understand, since you have had problems. However, so far (and we usually only take two trips a year..you prob have a lot more experience than us..although with all the specials on SW lately, and recently retired, we have upped the average amount of trips), that hasn't been a problem. The airline has rules, and if someone is bringing on a steamer trunk, it's up to the airline to police it, and make THAT person check it. I sure wouldn't want to be hit by a steamer, and if I had been nearly decapitated, you better believe a letter would have gone out to the airline. If you read my original post..the point was, that the carry-on was getting full...and that was why I wanted to know where the luggage pick up was. I consider myself considerate, and wouldn't try to take up more than what the airline tells me I am entitled to..however, though, until they change the rules...I remain entitled..JMO. : )

Doris

 

[jsmla]

I am in complete agreement over the carry-on thing. I almost ALWAYS carry on and I am always well under my size limit. It's just not right that just because you have a certain seat assignment the "powers that be" won't allow your legal luggage when 75 people have been allowed to "carry on" their luggage with a truck dolly before you. That's why I stand up for my rights when they refuse my legal (1 small duffle and 1 large purse) stuff. That's also why I like Southwest. I can get my preferred seating (up front) and my carry on by just showing up early for my flight. This is a very un-Disney like post but one of my soapbox issues so please excuse the rant (just don't try to bring your super-size-rolling-closet-on-wheels as carry on!)
What's in there anyway?

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Doris,
I believe the "steamer trunk" was an exaggeration. I was, in all honesty, a large carry on type bag. The point was this idiot just had to move a bunch of rows to the back of the plane to retreive it, causing everyone a large amount of discomfort, as he squeezed by, and a delay while he was getting his bag. If he had hit me, it would not have been the airline that I would have written to. It is not their fault that that buffoon was on the plane.
Yes, you are, indeed entitled to carry ons and I certainly did not mean in any way to imply that you would be less than considerate. I was trying to explain why I am so "down" on carryons.
I do fly a lot, Delta and SWA mostly. These incidents, btw, happened on Delta, not SWA. They are VERY strident and strict about carry on size.
Have a great trip and I hope you get to travel more, it is a wonderful thing.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

jsmla
Just because you have a seat assignment does not guarantee you overhead space or carry on stuff. The only space you are truly guaranteed is in front of your seat. Read your ticket. It does have a disclaimer about capacity.
From Southwest: "Try to limit your carryon luggage to one bag that will fit underneath your seat. The maximum size allowed for any carryon piece is 16x10x24 inches -- height, width, and length. Although Southwest allows up to two pieces of carryon luggage, overhead bin space is very limited and once it has been filled, any carryon that will not fit under your seat must be checked. "
A few preboarded families of 5 can really take up space this way.
From Delta:
"Delta may limit carry-ons based on available space".