Southwest issues at MCO Sat, Aug 8

[Minnie824]

So, just wondering if any fellow DISers had to endure the annoying day as we did at MCO on Sat, Aug 8. We got to the airport for our trip home to Chicago and went to check our bags at Southwest. The line to check bags, not only exceeded the ropes, but wrapped to the atrium and back 6 times!! We stood in that line for 1 hour and 15 min just to check bags. At which point we had to rush thru security, take the tram to the gate, and barely made it. Then when we got back to Chicago, 3 of our 5 bags were not there. There were other families with bags missing at well...I would say at least 30 bags. Now, normally I love soutwest, but this was the worst travel experience I've had in a long time. The people at MCO said this was normal, but I've flown on holiday weekends home from MCO and never seen anything like this. Anyway, just wanted to warn others to make sure you have plenty of time to check your bags in.

 

[PSUGuy]

We were debating whether to use checked luggage on our Oct trip for 2 lasting 6 days, this story just might induce us to do 2 carry-ons instead.

 

[Jestocost]

How far in advance of your flight did you get to the airport?

 

[Minnie824]

How far in advance of your flight did you get to the airport?

That leads to my other issue...ME. Our flight was at 2pm. ME picked us up at 11am. 3 hrs...should be good. However they didn't tell us that we were stopping at 2 other resorts therefore not really leaving until 11:30. But even still, we got to the airport 2 hrs ahead of time. If ME would have mentioned the other stops (or I guess I should have asked) I would have requested an earlier ME pickup.

 

[DebbieB]

Were all the kiosks in use? When I was there in June, they only had half operating.

Was there a long line at curbside check?

 

[Jestocost]

That leads to my other issue...ME. Our flight was at 2pm. ME picked us up at 11am. 3 hrs...should be good. However they didn't tell us that we were stopping at 2 other resorts therefore not really leaving until 11:30. But even still, we got to the airport 2 hrs ahead of time. If ME would have mentioned the other stops (or I guess I should have asked) I would have requested an earlier ME pickup.

ME always picks you up approximately three hours before your flight time and most buses make stops at multiple resorts, so this is standard and two hours should be more than enough time. Who know what could have been going on with SWA on that date; could be any one of a number of things or, more likely, some combination of unrelated factors.

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

The line was crazy long on 8/1, too. Around the corner, back and forth 3-4 times. The line did move relatively quickly (30 or so minutes before we got to the kiosk).

 

[MScott1851]

The SWA checkin line at BNA (Nashville) has been atrocious the last few times we've flown out of there, too. I waited 25 minutes at the curbside check-in because there were literally hundreds of people inside in line. Half the kiosks didn't work, either.

My brother had a similar experience in Birmingham last month, so I don't think it's limited to MCO!

 

[loveswdw]

Yep, the last several times we've flown out of MCO on Saturday its been EXACTLY like that. Even the outside line for the skycap service is stretched all along the building.

Last trip (in March) we flew home on the only non-stop which was a 7:55 AM (so not happy) but luckily there was NO LINE then. Better not have been when I had to be at the airport at 6 AM anyway.

 

[DonnaL]

On our last two or three trips we've returned our rental car and the inside bag check line at SWA was extremely long and proceeded to walk outside to curbside.......we've waited maybe 10 minutes outside.....last trip was in May, trip before that was January and did curbside check-in both times because of the long line inside.

 

[pamjb]

I have always seen long lines at the kiosks inside the terminal. In my last 8 trips in the last 2 years, I have always used curbside. At most, there have been 5 people in front of me. Typically, I am the only one there. And I have seen those lines inside the terminal snake back and forth and makes me wonder why no one is using curbside.

 

[Missytara]

That's why I love using Airtran and have my bags taken to the airport by ME. I don't see any reason not to pay a few extra bucks (for me, it was $15.00 more) to not have to stand in line at MCO and just use the RAC at POR.

 

[photolover]

That's why I love using Airtran and have my bags taken to the airport by ME. I don't see any reason not to pay a few extra bucks (for me, it was $15.00 more) to not have to stand in line at MCO and just use the RAC at POR.

Here is my situation and hope someone can tell me what the best way to do:
I will stay at POP, return-flight with AirTran @2:30PM and have to return a car at Alamo.

1) In stead of waiting 3hrs with ME, should I check my luggages at POP using RAC, going for a nice breakfast at other resort, then drive to MCO around noon and return the car to Alamo @ airport?

2) Return the car at Disney Car Care Center early (i.e. eat breakfast at POP), then check luggages at POP using RAC & waiting at 11AM to take ME to MCO.

What time do I need to be at airport for a 2:30PM flight if I use Option 1 vs Option 2?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Lewisc]

Price your rental with a return at MCO and with a return at the CCC. Your decision may be easy

Assuming price isn't a factor I'd use RAC for my luggage but return the car at MCO. You won't have to get from your breakfast location back to POP. You can probably leave WDW a little before noon. 30 minute drive gives you 2 hours to return your car and make it to your gate. Many people would even leave at 12:30. Most of the time 2 hours will give you enough time to drive to MCO, return your car and get to your gate.

 

[dancin Disney style]

That's why I love using Airtran and have my bags taken to the airport by ME. I don't see any reason not to pay a few extra bucks (for me, it was $15.00 more) to not have to stand in line at MCO and just use the RAC at POR.

This thread has brought up a few questions for me.

The last time I used ME we flew SW and only had carry on so checking a bag was not an issue. This year we are going AirTran and will need to check 1 bag. How do I go about paying for the bag on my return home? I understand that I can't check it at the resort if it is not pre-paid. What if I take it on Me and check it at the airport, is there going to be a big line? Our flight is at 9:55am so we wanted to have time to get breakfast before we board.

Help !!!! What do I do about this bag????

Sorry for the hijack.

 

[dburg30]

And this is why most people suggest people not 'pushing' it on their departure day planning on getting to MCO like 60-90 min before their flight. This shows why DME gets you there 2 hours before, and why most here that have been flying alot will suggest you get to MCO 2 hours before. If you had tried to get that 30 minutes longer at a park, or eating, you probably would have missed your flight.

 

[photolover]

Price your rental with a return at MCO and with a return at the CCC. Your decision may be easy

Assuming price isn't a factor I'd use RAC for my luggage but return the car at MCO. You won't have to get from your breakfast location back to POP. You can probably leave WDW a little before noon. 30 minute drive gives you 2 hours to return your car and make it to your gate. Many people would even leave at 12:30. Most of the time 2 hours will give you enough time to drive to MCO, return your car and get to your gate.

Thanks Lewisc. I think I would go with #1 just as you suggested since price is not a factor.

Now I haven't used RAC before, can you please give me a 101 course of how it works? I read somewhere that I will have to call a company (name and phone number?) 24 hrs before my departure time to give them my Credit card to prepay checked baggage fees with AirTran. I will need to bring my luggages for checking with RAC the morning of my departure date (how many hours in advance???). Anything else? LOL you can tell that I have no clues

 

[mzlee]

We have a 1:45pm flight and decided to get there a little early. We returned the rental car at 11:08am, checked our luggage curbside as the lines were long inside, went through security, caught the tram, and made it to our gate by 11:42am. I believe that is the quickest I've made through MCO.

 

[seashoreCM]

All that counts is, did the airline deliver your bags to you who by then would be someplace other than the airport.

 

[disneylove69]

I have been to several airports in the last few months and had to wait long lines at SWA to check. Many times they had 2-3 people checking in bags but several associates just standing around talking. They know how many seats they have booked so you think they would plan accordingly. SWA is slacking on customer service lately.