Southwest questions

[Pixeldust Fairy]

I was reading the southwest website and it states that for each ticketed passenger you can have 3 bags not to exceed 50 lbs each. Most other airlines only allow 2 checked bags per person. Is this infact the case? My other southwest question is, How has your DME experience with this airline played out for you? We are flying out July 1 and arriving in Orlando at around 2:00 pm and just wondering how the inbound and the out bound went for you. Is it a big deal to have to manage your own luggage?

 

[helenk]

I can not help you with the # of bags allowed, because we generally only take one bag per person.
But as far as your DME experience goes, it really does not matter which airline you use. You land at the airport, go to the DME desk check in and wait for your bus and then you are off to your resort. Your luggage will be delivered to your room later.
Going back is where the airline would make a difference, here is some info from the sticky post above:

Anyone who flies out of Orlando International Airport with a Disney resort reservation can take advantage of Disney's Magical Express ground transportation.
Only those flying participating airlines may check thier luggage & get boarding passes at the Resort Airline Check-in Desk. EVERYONE must be present (exceptions: Adults over 18 can check in for spouse & kids). Bags may be checked 12 to 3 hours prior to flight departure time. Desk is open from 5am-1pm, daily.
Those who are not flying a Participating Airline may still recieve thier boarding passes at thier Lobby Concierge desk, so long as the airline has internet check in.
Non-participating and international airline guests will have to bring thier bags onto the motorcoach, and check it at the airport itself.

 

[Pixeldust Fairy]

I can not help you with the # of bags allowed, because we generally only take one bag per person.
But as far as your DME experience goes, it really does not matter which airline you use. You land at the airport, go to the DME desk check in and wait for your bus and then you are off to your resort. Your luggage will be delivered to your room later.
Going back is where the airline would make a difference, here is some info from the sticky post above:

Anyone who flies out of Orlando International Airport with a Disney resort reservation can take advantage of Disney's Magical Express ground transportation.
Only those flying participating airlines may check thier luggage & get boarding passes at the Resort Airline Check-in Desk. EVERYONE must be present (exceptions: Adults over 18 can check in for spouse & kids). Bags may be checked 12 to 3 hours prior to flight departure time. Desk is open from 5am-1pm, daily.
Those who are not flying a Participating Airline may still recieve thier boarding passes at thier Lobby Concierge desk, so long as the airline has internet check in.
Non-participating and international airline guests will have to bring thier bags onto the motorcoach, and check it at the airport itself.

Thank you for responding to my post.
I know how the DME works for outgoing, I was just wondering how your experience was personally with a non participating airline was. I have 6 traveling together and I just like to be prepared and hearing about others experiences really helps me out.
Thank you again for your response.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I know how the DME works for outgoing, I was just wondering how your experience was personally with a non participating airline was.

There is NO SUCH THING as a "non-participating" airline on the INBOUND flight to MCO.
EVERY commercial airline participates - see the "What Participating Airline Means" sticky thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=944813
You attach the yellow DME tags to your luggage before you check it at your home airport.
You check your luggage at that airport.
You fly to Orlando.
You check in at the DME Welcome Center.
You take the bus to your resort.
Your luggage MAGICALLY appears in your room several hours after you arrive.
Period.

 

[HappyHappy]

We had 10 in our party last year and used DME with SWA. The bus, no problem. I grabbed a porter at the terminal (several waiting where the bus pulled in) to handle luggage. It was worth every penny of the tip. Besides dealing with bags (which I hate), I think the porter saved me money with SWA. One of my bags was over the weight limit. The porter and SWA agent exchanged glances and head nods. Bingo! No charge!!

 

[I'mNoPrince]

We always use SW and had up to 5 people on some of our trips with no problem . We leave late so we just let Bell services hold our bags until about 45min before the bus is to arrive . Never had one problem then at the airport there is always a porter waiting in the area and if not send 1 in the party to find one.

As far as the 3 bags this was done with new TSA carry-on restrictions and when they lowered there 70lb. weight all around the same time.

I have heard it will be going back down to 2 but the web still says 3 so thats what I would go by check right before you leave maybe even print it out.

 

[Pixeldust Fairy]

There is NO SUCH THING as a "non-participating" airline on the INBOUND flight to MCO.
EVERY commercial airline participates - see the "What Participating Airline Means" sticky thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=944813
You attach the yellow DME tags to your luggage before you check it at your home airport.
You check your luggage at that airport.
You fly to Orlando.
You check in at the DME Welcome Center.
You take the bus to your resort.
Your luggage MAGICALLY appears in your room several hours after you arrive.
Period.

I do understand how it works, Im not debating that issue. I apologize if thats what you thought. I was simply wondering how other peoples experience was. By no way did I mean to imply that I do not underestand the process of DME. I DO. I know that all airlines are eligible to use DME on both inbound and outbound. I DO know that if you fly with SW you have to handle your own luggage back to the airport. I just appreciate all the dis experience out there and was interested in their past experiences.

 

[Pixeldust Fairy]

We had 10 in our party last year and used DME with SWA. The bus, no problem. I grabbed a porter at the terminal (several waiting where the bus pulled in) to handle luggage. It was worth every penny of the tip. Besides dealing with bags (which I hate), I think the porter saved me money with SWA. One of my bags was over the weight limit. The porter and SWA agent exchanged glances and head nods. Bingo! No charge!!

Cool, thank you for sharing your experience. I really appreciate your time in posting. I did not know about the porter. I think we will also take advantage of that. I have a 2 year old and twins so I will need all the help I can get. Thanks again.

 

[Pixeldust Fairy]

We always use SW and had up to 5 people on some of our trips with no problem . We leave late so we just let Bell services hold our bags until about 45min before the bus is to arrive . Never had one problem then at the airport there is always a porter waiting in the area and if not send 1 in the party to find one.

As far as the 3 bags this was done with new TSA carry-on restrictions and when they lowered there 70lb. weight all around the same time.

I have heard it will be going back down to 2 but the web still says 3 so thats what I would go by check right before you leave maybe even print it out.

Thank you Thank you Thank you, I was just reading the website and it stated 3 bags, I only ususally need 1 per person, but I have never stayed for 10 days and dont know how much luggage we will need. Again thanks for posting

 

[kaytieeldr]

I do understand how it works, Im not debating that issue. I apologize if thats what you thought. I was simply wondering how other peoples experience was. By no way did I mean to imply that I do not underestand the process of DME. I DO. I know that all airlines are eligible to use DME on both inbound and outbound. I DO know that if you fly with SW you have to handle your own luggage back to the airport. I just appreciate all the dis experience out there and was interested in their past experiences .

My apologies, then. I misunderstood your questions

 

[helenk]

My apologies, then. I misunderstood your questions

I did as well, from the initial post it appear as though the poster was specifically asking how DME worked with Southwest.