Wanted:BC/YC review of the SW + RAC experience.

[DISNEY FIX]

I would love to hear from anyone who has used the new service at the BC/YC concerning SW Airlines and the RAC program.

 

[DISNEY FIX]

Just fishing for details so back on the first page with ya.

 

[Lewisc]

Do you have any reason to think SW customers will have a different experience at BC/YC then customers of other airlines?

 

[goofy4tink]

One would assume that RAC, when flying SW, is going to be just the same as with any other airline...regardless of the resort.
Their system has worked just fine at the values, so why wouldn't it work fine at the other resorts??

 

[DISNEY FIX]

Do you have any reason to think SW customers will have a different experience at BC/YC then customers of other airlines?

One would assume that RAC, when flying SW, is going to be just the same as with any other airline...regardless of the resort.
Their system has worked just fine at the values, so why wouldn't it work fine at the other resorts??

I have read that people had travel tags and stuff hanging on there door and reports that people didn't. Will they have my boarding passes printed out already....I have never used RAC personally (SW flyer) and would like to hear a first hand account of what to expect from somewhere that this is a new service. Is this that taxing to the Transpotation board? I know this will help other people as well.

 

[goofy4tink]

Taxing??? Not hardly. BUT...it is not a SW feature to have boarding passes hanging off your door handle! It has happened with all airlines. It is also not the norm..not sure what the parameters are that gets this service.
Basically, since you have never used RAC before, this is how it works....
You will take your checked bags down to the RAC counter the day you are departing. They will weigh your bags, tag them, and print out boarding passes for you. This all has to be completely done no less than 3 hrs. before flight departure, and the RAC counter doesn't open until 5am. Those flying before 8:15ish, aren't going to be able to use RAC.
With SW, it is advisable to do one of two things...either pay the $10 pp, per flight, to get EBCI and then just allow RAC to print out the bp's, or go online at the 24 hr mark and get checked in. When you get to RAC the next day, they will then print out the boarding passes for you when they take your luggage.
Hope that helps.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Your boarding pass (regardless of the airline you fly) will never be hanging on your door.

If you are flying SWA, be sure you check in at the 24 hour mark (like you normally would) or utilize EBCI. On the morning of your departure, bring your bags to the RAC counter at the BC/YC. The BAGS RAC staff will tag and collect your bags and print out your boarding pass(es) for you. That done you can spend the day how you wish until you need to get to the airport.

I have read that people had travel tags and stuff hanging on there door and reports that people didn't. Will they have my boarding passes printed out already....I have never used RAC personally (SW flyer) and would like to hear a first hand account of what to expect from somewhere that this is a new service. Is this that taxing to the Transpotation board? I know this will help other people as well.

 

[goofy4tink]

Your boarding pass (regardless of the airline you fly) will never be hanging on your door.

If you are flying SWA, be sure you check in at the 24 hour mark (like you normally would) or utilize EBCI. On the morning of your departure, bring your bags to the RAC counter at the BC/YC. The BAGS RAC staff will tag and collect your bags and print out your boarding pass(es) for you. That done you can spend the day how you wish until you need to get to the airport.

There have been reports from people that have said that they had their boarding passes left on their doors. I just can't understand how this happens...what happens to that whole ID security issue??? Sure, I know that now only one adult has to be at the RAC counter and show ID for the rest of his/her family but I just don't understand how some people are getting bp's left on their doorknobs. Perhaps someone could enlighten me?

 

[brianm27]

Yes, this is correct. My experience with SW at POP was very different than previous experiences with other airlines and RAC.

We checked in for our departure on my BlackBerry at the 24 hour mark. We were scheduled for ME for our return to the airport. I believe the combination of the two triggered the "door hanger service" but I cannot confirm this.

On the morning of departure, an envelope containing both our boarding passes and airline luggage tags was hanging on the door.

These luggage tags would be our SW tags. The instructions told how to put them on and stated that we must retain the paperwork because it would be our claim check at our final destination.

When I took the bags to RAC I started to get in the long line. A staffer saw the tags and told me I did not need to get in line since I was on SW and had my tags. He verified my photo ID matched the tags, took my bags, and I was done. Easiest resort check in ever.

I am not too concerned about the boarding passes hanging on the door. I have left mine on the seat of the car at the airport and simply walked up the kiosk and hit reprint. They are useless documents without the matching photo ID.

 

[Tozzie]

There have been reports from people that have said that they had their boarding passes left on their doors. I just can't understand how this happens...what happens to that whole ID security issue??? Sure, I know that now only one adult has to be at the RAC counter and show ID for the rest of his/her family but I just don't understand how some people are getting bp's left on their doorknobs. Perhaps someone could enlighten me?

I have had my boarding pass left in a sealed envelope with a tag for my bags, either hanging from my door or under my door each of the 8 times I have used DME and RAC. As far as security I still have to show my drivers license with my bags at the RAC DESK and at MCO to the TSA agents.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

How did BAGS have your record locator number and the number of bags you were transporting? Even DME only requires your flight numbers/airline.

I have a real concern with regard to the liability involved with passing out luggage tags as opposed to airline personnel or an airline's agent placing tags on the bags directly and securing them. This would seem to breach the duty of care BAGS owes to its client, the airline.

Yes, this is correct. My experience with SW at POP was very different than previous experiences with other airlines and RAC.

We checked in for our departure on my BlackBerry at the 24 hour mark. We were scheduled for ME for our return to the airport. I believe the combination of the two triggered the "door hanger service" but I cannot confirm this.

On the morning of departure, an envelope containing both our boarding passes and airline luggage tags was hanging on the door.

These luggage tags would be our SW tags. The instructions told how to put them on and stated that we must retain the paperwork because it would be our claim check at our final destination.

When I took the bags to RAC I started to get in the long line. A staffer saw the tags and told me I did not need to get in line since I was on SW and had my tags. He verified my photo ID matched the tags, took my bags, and I was done. Easiest resort check in ever.

I am not too concerned about the boarding passes hanging on the door. I have left mine on the seat of the car at the airport and simply walked up the kiosk and hit reprint. They are useless documents without the matching photo ID.

 

[DISNEY FIX]

You guys are awsome.

We are so excited, it may seem like no big deal to everyone else but I dreaded schleping the luggage and 2 kids around, this is going to make the last day a lot more pleasant.
Do you guys take your own luggage down to the RAC or have Bell Services do it?

 

[Lewisc]

How did BAGS have your record locator number and the number of bags you were transporting? Even DME only requires your flight numbers/airline.

I have a real concern with regard to the liability involved with passing out luggage tags as opposed to airline personnel or an airline's agent placing tags on the bags directly and securing them. This would seem to breach the duty of care BAGS owes to its client, the airline.

I'm pretty sure you can get your BP (airport kiosk) with just your name and flight number. Makes sense that BAGS has the same ability. The system wouldn't work if it couldn't accommodate a guest who didn't know his confirmation number.

BAGS (Disney) may have some "issues" if a guest receives 2 tags, checks 1 bag and claims a second bag is lost.

I suspect these issues is the reason BAGS delayed adding SW. Cutting corners may be the only way to accommodate all those extra bags.

 

[BCV23]

How did BAGS have your record locator number and the number of bags you were transporting? Even DME only requires your flight numbers/airline.

I have a real concern with regard to the liability involved with passing out luggage tags as opposed to airline personnel or an airline's agent placing tags on the bags directly and securing them. This would seem to breach the duty of care BAGS owes to its client, the airline.

We've used RAC many times now and have never needed to provide a record locator. Just id and airline. It helps if you know your flight number but RAC can find it even without that. As Lewis said, it's just like the airport.

You guys are awsome.

We are so excited, it may seem like no big deal to everyone else but I dreaded schleping the luggage and 2 kids around, this is going to make the last day a lot more pleasant.
Do you guys take your own luggage down to the RAC or have Bell Services do it?

I understand your excitement. RAC is very, very sweet. It had entered into my choice of flights to WDW since 2005.

We've used it a number of times at the BC and it has been as Diane explained. We've never had our boarding passes and tags on our door. I wonder if that is linked to ME, RAC and early flights?? If you use ME coming in, they know how many bags you have and normally would have your departure info as well.

I'm pretty sure you can get your BP (airport kiosk) with just your name and flight number. Makes sense that BAGS has the same ability. The system wouldn't work if it couldn't accommodate a guest who didn't know his confirmation number.

Exactly.

 

[HelenParr]

For SW flyer using RAC, will golf clubs go too?

(Sorry if this is remedial. Always fly SW, and have never used RAC.)

 

[monarchsfan16]

I used RAC for SW at All Star Music in January. On check out day there was a boarding pass and a tag for my bag on my door (in a sealed envelope), however, the tag for the bag wasn't the true airline tag. It was what they called a "valet tag". It was shorter than a normal tag, had my name, resort, room number, airline and flight number (but wrong destination airport?) on it. When I brought my bag down to the RAC desk, they put a real luggage tag on it (typical luggage tag, and the destination airport was correct, with no comment from me about the error on the valet tag), after asking me for ID.

 

[Tara]

DVCMike asked at the Kidani RAC counter today and they had no idea when it would be expanded there.

 

[goofy4tink]

I'm pretty sure you can get your BP (airport kiosk) with just your name and flight number. Makes sense that BAGS has the same ability. The system wouldn't work if it couldn't accommodate a guest who didn't know his confirmation number.

BAGS (Disney) may have some "issues" if a guest receives 2 tags, checks 1 bag and claims a second bag is lost.

I suspect these issues is the reason BAGS delayed adding SW. Cutting corners may be the only way to accommodate all those extra bags.

But.....how do they know how many bags you are checking?? Yes, I can see where they could print out your boarding passes...especially if you already checked in. But, obviously it doesn't mean you don't have to go to RAC and get the bags 'checked' out...just to be sure they aren't overweight or too large. And you have to have your ID checked. I suppose this might save you a few minutes if they see that you have your door hung stuff in hand....but I have never waited in a line for more than 3 or 4 mins. But...I tend to check my bags really early in the morning...around 7ish.

I also have to wonder if it's only SW passengers that get to get those boarding passes hung on their doors...perhaps something in the system triggers that they have already checked in with SW??
I've taken DME back to MCO many, many times...and have never had my boarding passes delivered to my room/villa. But, I usually don't fly home on SW. Think I did just once, to date...and that was probably about 3 years ago.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

How is it that RAC knew you would be utilizing their services? Perhaps because we always rent a car and don't utilize DME that's where the communication is made. In 8 plus visits since we began using RAC in 2005 not once have those documents appeared on my door, even when we are flying on confirmed ticketing. Very interesting. The luggage tags still bother me.

Lewis - I believe the kiosks now require a record locator OR a major credit card with a magnetic stripe. I know they were altered within the past year because very little information was required to obtain a boarding pass and passengers under 18 need not produce ID. Security issue, certainly.

I used RAC for SW at All Star Music in January. On check out day there was a boarding pass and a tag for my bag on my door (in a sealed envelope), however, the tag for the bag wasn't the true airline tag. It was what they called a "valet tag". It was shorter than a normal tag, had my name, resort, room number, airline and flight number (but wrong destination airport?) on it. When I brought my bag down to the RAC desk, they put a real luggage tag on it (typical luggage tag, and the destination airport was correct, with no comment from me about the error on the valet tag), after asking me for ID.

 

[monarchsfan16]

I think it was because I was using DME. I probably still have the paper that was in the envelope with the boarding pass and valet tag at home, but I vaguely remember reading something about utilizing DME in there. As far as check in, I had EBCI for that flight, but the print time on the boarding pass was only 5-10 minutes after the 24 hour mark.