SW on Magical Express

[pamkas]

Does anyone know if there are plans in the works for SW to be
part of hotel check-in for departure on ME?
thanx,
pam

 

[bradk]

only SWA and perhaps Disney know for sure. I don't see it happening any time soon unless they make some extreme changes to how they operate. I can only imagine what a mess it'll be when people start clamoring around the RAC desk to get group C boarding passes.

 

[salmoneous]

Every few months we get posts from people with really good inside knowledge that SW has everything thing in place to be a RAC member and that we should expect an announcement is a few weeks. Never happens.

I suspect SW may be a RAC member someday, but not a peep will be heard ahead of time. In the meantime, don't get your hopes up if you read any rumors.

 

[Lewisc]

For several months there have been reports that SW signed up and they are in the process in getting the computer software to work. SW doesn't do inter-line baggage transfers and doesn't use the same computer system that other airlines use. The remote checkin service SW particiaptes with in Las Vegas only does Southwest.

Just ask at the RAC desk when you get to your resort. Someone, sometime, will be part of a test pilot.

 

[pamkas]

whenever we fly SW we print our boarding passes at the concierge desk the night before so thats not an issue. it would just be nice to be able to check
the luggage. oh well...
-pam

 

[bradk]

yes, except you can't do that with RAC.

i'm not even clear on how AirTran handles it.

 

[pamkas]

I know I can have my boarding passes printed for SW. We've done that
before.

 

[pamkas]

i just read on the resorts board that someone flying SW was able to print boarding passes AND check their luggage at the BW. it said there was a
seperate desk set up. hopefully this trial is working and it will spread
throughout all of the resorts.

 

[DVC Grammy]

I also wonder how SW would handle th 24/hour check-in for "A" passes and the departure-day RAC check-in (which would pretty much exclude getting "A" passes).
IMHO, many SW fliers would opt for an "A" pass over the return-trip baggage convenience.
It will be interesting to see if and when SW becomes a participating airline.

 

[pamkas]

seems to me you could still get your boarding pass 24hrs in advance &
just check your luggage at the resort before you leave.

 

[tjmw2727]

i just read on the resorts board that someone flying SW was able to print boarding passes AND check their luggage at the BW. it said there was a
seperate desk set up. hopefully this trial is working and it will spread
throughout all of the resorts.

I wasn't able to find this - can you elaborate or post a link?

The only post I can find is thos one:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1432998
It mentions the normal RAC at the YC and the normal 24hour check in at BWI but nothing about SW and resort bag checks??

We always fly SWA and since I am usually the solo adult with two kids ME and luggage delivery is GREAT! I am hoping for SW to participate in the RAC option of Magical Express at some point. It would be great not to deal with luggage either way As of our last trip, 4/6 - 4/15/07 SWA did not partipate in the RAC program but we were able to check in 24 hours in advance at POFQ guest services. Hopefully by our next trip SWA will be onboard although it wasn't a big deal bringing our bags via the bus.

Thanks,
TJ

 

[pamkas]

The post is titled "BWI and SouthWest Airlines" it says they were at
the YC and SW had a seperate both set up outside and you could check
your luggage from the resort. I'm sure this was some kind of a trial, but
I'm not sure. I'd like to find out more.

 

[tjmw2727]

The post is titled "BWI and SouthWest Airlines" it says they were at
the YC and SW had a seperate both set up outside and you could check
your luggage from the resort. I'm sure this was some kind of a trial, but
I'm not sure. I'd like to find out more.

I did read that post and I am pretty sure the poster was referring to an airline that is already participating not SWA.

Here is the info on the participating airlines - http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=944813

Unfortunately despite occasional rumors SWA still isn't among the participating arilines.

HTH
TJ

 

[goofy4tink]

SW is still not among those airlines participating in the RAC system. Yes, you can 'checkin' 24 hrs before your flight at any of the resorts, but you can not use the luggage transfer to MCO. That is only doable with RAC. So, as of now, those flying SW will have to take their bags with them, on the bus, to MCO.

 

[lsayd]

I asked about this a few weeks ago and was told by a CM (I think it was in Epcot while I was checking into our flight) that the hold up is a luggage storage space issue. He said once that was resolved SW would be added to Magical Express. By the way, if you need to check into your SW flight while at Epcot go to Guest Services - they will escort you to a computer in a room in the back with a printer connected you can use to check-in and print boarding passes.

 

[Lewisc]

I'll respectfully suggest posters in this thread didn't read the applicable post
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=18330281&postcount=3 The poster left WDW on 4/23

edited to say I received a PM from the poster. The poster flew with Jet Blue. I guess SW is still sometime in the indeterminate future.

 

[pamkas]

I asked about this a few weeks ago and was told by a CM (I think it was in Epcot while I was checking into our flight) that the hold up is a luggage storage space issue. He said once that was resolved SW would be added to Magical Express. By the way, if you need to check into your SW flight while at Epcot go to Guest Services - they will escort you to a computer in a room in the back with a printer connected you can use to check-in and print boarding passes.

Thanks for the tip, Isayd! we usually rent a car so the luggage issue
isn't that big a deal, but it still would be nice to check it at the resort!