SW has finally joined RAC! (updated NOT ALL RESORTS!!!!!)

[jlcd]

Here's hoping this is true! We used RAC last year for the first time when we flew Jet Blue and it was so nice. We are back to Southwest this year and would love to be able to use it again from AKL in April.

 

[DISNEY FIX]

Can any of the Mods beat the bushes and get any other confirmation?

 

[TeenaS]

Hi Everybody.

It's me ... just worked Sunday and Monday and we got an email from the managers confirming it. It is definitely true. Starting today, at the Y&B, if you are flying Southwest, you can check your bags at the resort and send them on through to your home airport.

YIPPPEEE Southwest. I just love that airline!!! As you all know, I fly out to Vegas every six weeks with loads of suitcases full of stuff for my daughter's second grade class (very poor school and the kids need everything). Since Southwest doesn't charge for the bags, I always fly Southwest. And now they are satisfying my guests at the Y&B so I couldn't be happier. Make sure you let Southwest know how happy you are with them!!!

 

[BCV23]

Great news, Teena! Thanks for confirming it.

 

[DISNEY FIX]

Hi Everybody.

It's me ... just worked Sunday and Monday and we got an email from the managers confirming it. It is definitely true. Starting today, at the Y&B, if you are flying Southwest, you can check your bags at the resort and send them on through to your home airport.

YIPPPEEE Southwest. I just love that airline!!! As you all know, I fly out to Vegas every six weeks with loads of suitcases full of stuff for my daughter's second grade class (very poor school and the kids need everything). Since Southwest doesn't charge for the bags, I always fly Southwest. And now they are satisfying my guests at the Y&B so I couldn't be happier. Make sure you let Southwest know how happy you are with them!!!

Thanks for posting Teena. I didn't want to post your PM.
Are they going to do this elsewhere?

 

[TeenaS]

Thanks for posting Teena. Are they going to do this elsewhere?

I believe also at the Boardwalk today. All I know for sure is it is starting today at the Y&B. I would assume (my assumption only) that very soon it will be at all the Disney resorts. It makes sense to me that they would have to do it piecemeal since Southwest is so huge. In my head, it would be overwhelming to do it anyway other than a few resorts at a time. Again, this is just my opinion. All I know for sure is it is definitely available at the Y&B starting today.

 

[Anjelica]

This is great news. We really only ever fly SW down and back to Orlando even when we are taking side trips out of Orlando.

Stupid question though - if you do RAC does that mean you MUST do ME? We are renting a car this next time and flying SW so I figured we would be handling our own luggage, etc.

 

[Tara]

This is great news. We really only ever fly SW down and back to Orlando even when we are taking side trips out of Orlando.

Stupid question though - if you do RAC does that mean you MUST do ME? We are renting a car this next time and flying SW so I figured we would be handling our own luggage, etc.

No, anyone can use RAC if their airline participates.

 

[Anjelica]

No, anyone can use RAC if their airline participates.

This is GREAT - so basically I can check in with SW, hand off my luggage and then get to the airport in my rental correct?

 

[MinnieVanMom]

Oh this is just great news! One less thing to worry about. BC in 1,2,3!

 

[ccgirl]

OMG!!! I just let out the biggest squeal at work and now everyone is looking at me. I am staying at the BWV from May 1 - May 8 and would LOVE if it was there by then. If anyone stays at the BWV soon can you confirm/deny??? I will try not to squeal again.

 

[twinklebug]

I traveled home via Airtran once and LOVED the ability to check our bags home (although I did needlessly doubt we'd see our bags again, hehe). I'm so happy to hear that SWA is finally expanding to the other resorts from the trial one!

Frankly, I really hope this is true because I do love the idea of not having to schlep my bags to the airport! Furthermore, I'm hoping that it is not only true, but that the schedule is off and the roll out to AKV happens by the 23rd so I can take advantage of it for this trip!

It's not so much the schlepping of the bags to the airport that bothers me as much as schlepping of them through the airport and that SWA bag check line that can add 1/2 day to the process.

Now we'll be able to go directly to shopping ... oops... I mean security

 

[Anjelica]

I've not read to much about RAC before as I knew it wouldn't apply to us since we use SW - so sorry if these have been repeated (I've done a search and read some things but still a bit confused).

RAC and DME are NOT the same thing and are mutually exclusive of each other? I read a thread where someone said they got their boarding passes and RAC tags attached to their door - how does the process work for checking in. Is there a thread specific to using RAC without the use of DME?

 

[Wigit12]

Oh, I pray BLT/Contemporary is next! Arriving in 12 days!

 

[DISNEY FIX]

I've not read to much about RAC before as I knew it wouldn't apply to us since we use SW - so sorry if these have been repeated (I've done a search and read some things but still a bit confused).

RAC and DME are NOT the same thing and are mutually exclusive of each other? I read a thread where someone said they got their boarding passes and RAC tags attached to their door - how does the process work for checking in. Is there a thread specific to using RAC without the use of DME?

I hear ya, let the education begin!

Oh, I pray BLT/Contemporary is next! Arriving in 12 days!

Call them.

 

[goofy4tink]

I've not read to much about RAC before as I knew it wouldn't apply to us since we use SW - so sorry if these have been repeated (I've done a search and read some things but still a bit confused).

RAC and DME are NOT the same thing and are mutually exclusive of each other? I read a thread where someone said they got their boarding passes and RAC tags attached to their door - how does the process work for checking in. Is there a thread specific to using RAC without the use of DME?

No, they are not the same. You do NOT need to ride DME back to the airport if you are using RAC. You can use RAC (as long as your airline participates) and then take a cab, use a car service, or drive yourself back to MCO.
I have used RAC many, many times and have yet to have RAC leave my boarding passes on my door. I have always taken my bags down to the RAC counter and checked them in there, in person. It takes about 15 mins. Now...it may depend on what time your flight. That could be the difference in the bp's hanging on your door vs going down in person. Early flights are not my favorite thing to do...usually I fly home after lunch-time.

Basically, you use RAC the same way, whether you ride DME or not. ..nothing is different.

 

[Anjelica]

No, they are not the same. You do NOT need to ride DME back to the airport if you are using RAC. You can use RAC (as long as your airline participates) and then take a cab, use a car service, or drive yourself back to MCO.
I have used RAC many, many times and have yet to have RAC leave my boarding passes on my door. I have always taken my bags down to the RAC counter and checked them in there, in person. It takes about 15 mins. Now...it may depend on what time your flight. That could be the difference in the bp's hanging on your door vs going down in person. Early flights are not my favorite thing to do...usually I fly home after lunch-time.

Basically, you use RAC the same way, whether you ride DME or not. ..nothing is different.

Thank You!!!

 

[pooch]

No, they are not the same. You do NOT need to ride DME back to the airport if you are using RAC. You can use RAC (as long as your airline participates) and then take a cab, use a car service, or drive yourself back to MCO.
I have used RAC many, many times and have yet to have RAC leave my boarding passes on my door. I have always taken my bags down to the RAC counter and checked them in there, in person. It takes about 15 mins. Now...it may depend on what time your flight. That could be the difference in the bp's hanging on your door vs going down in person. Early flights are not my favorite thing to do...usually I fly home after lunch-time.

Basically, you use RAC the same way, whether you ride DME or not. ..nothing is different.

last year at Pop we used SWA and EBCI on a 5:25 PM flight. Our luggage tags and boarding passes were hanging on the door, maybe the baggage fairy?

 

[castleri]

Do you tip the RAC people as you would baggage handlers at the airport? My son is taking his first solo trip in May and hopefully RAC will be in place at AKV by then. I just want to be able to tell him what he has to do to use the RAC system.

 

[BCV23]

Do you tip the RAC people as you would baggage handlers at the airport? My son is taking his first solo trip in May and hopefully RAC will in place at AKV by then. I just want to be able to tell him what he has to do to use the RAC system.

Yes, you do tip the RAC people as you would curbside at the airport.

This thread explains participating airlines and RAC:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=944813