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

[Tozzie]

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.

I don't fly southwest I fly Delta to orlando and I always get my boarding pass and a luggage tag on my door. While they don't know how many bags you are checking most people, not all but most people these days are only checking one due to airline baggage fees. You still have to go to the RAC desk and show your ID so if you have more than one bag they can print another tag for your.

I was thinking that maybe they assume you are using RAC if you are using DME but that can't be true as Goofy4tink I believe uses DME and has not received her boarding pass on her door.

 

[goofy4tink]

I don't fly southwest I fly Delta to orlando and I always get my boarding pass and a luggage tag on my door. While they don't know how many bags you are checking most people, not all but most people these days are only checking one due to airline baggage fees. You still have to go to the RAC desk and show your ID so if you have more than one bag they can print another tag for your.

I was thinking that maybe they assume you are using RAC if you are using DME but that can't be true as Goofy4tink I believe uses DME and has not received her boarding pass on her door.

Correct. I've used DME at least 10 times since it's inception...probably 5 times in the past 24 months....haven't had anything on my door. But, my dh is flying home on SW in Aug...dd and I are flying home on JB several days later...we'll see what transpires then.

 

[n2mm]

Let's not forget that RAC is equal to curb side service at the airport. I didn't see any posts (sorry if I missed one) reminding people that the BAGs folks are NOT disney employees and will be expecting a tip per bag for this wonderful service. We generally tip $2 per bag. We have used RAC about 25 times since it began a few years ago and love this service. We always choose a participating airline for the flight home. We have never gotten our information on the door. Maybe this is more of a DME service, not an RAC service -- dunno.

 

[BCV23]

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.

Was your flight early morning?

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.

It could be that they just print the same # of baggage tags as the guest used on their incoming flight.

On a side note, we received someone else's boarding passes on our door at the GF about a year and a half ago. I called and eventually someone picked them up.

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.

If someone is using DME and had bags on the incoming flight, in most cases they would check them with RAC on the outgoing one as well.

We always have a rental car and have used RAC maybe 15 or so times since it started. Never received our boarding passes. Parts of my family have used ME on incoming flights but never outgoing.

You do need a credit card at the kiosks in my experience but not at a curbside checkin nor inside with an attendant. RAC seems to have the same info those people do. They can find your flight and you. Just picture id is needed.

I don't fly southwest I fly Delta to orlando and I always get my boarding pass and a luggage tag on my door. While they don't know how many bags you are checking most people, not all but most people these days are only checking one due to airline baggage fees. You still have to go to the RAC desk and show your ID so if you have more than one bag they can print another tag for your.

I was thinking that maybe they assume you are using RAC if you are using DME but that can't be true as Goofy4tink I believe uses DME and has not received her boarding pass on her door.

Do you always use ME as well as RAC. Are your flights in the am?

Let's not forget that RAC is equal to curb side service at the airport. I didn't see any posts (sorry if I missed one) reminding people that the BAGs folks are NOT disney employees and will be expecting a tip per bag for this wonderful service. We generally tip $2 per bag. We have used RAC about 25 times since it began a few years ago and love this service. We always choose a participating airline for the flight home. We have never gotten our information on the door. Maybe this is more of a DME service, not an RAC service -- dunno.

Great reminder!

I think you're right...we haven't discussed that on this thread. Safe and easy travels home today. We won't be back to BCV until May but could you leave a light on anyway?

 

[monarchsfan16]

No, my flight was at 6pm.

 

[BCV23]

No, my flight was at 6pm.

Well, that shoots that theory.

Hmm, new theory. Maybe you got them since RAC closes at 1pm.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

The kiosks are automated and unattended by airline personnel, which is why they now require some ID or a record locator number. Counter and curb (and RAC) personnel have always been able to pull up your information by name and checking it against ID you present. They just don't want people to be able to reprint other people's boarding passes at random at the kiosks.

You do need a credit card at the kiosks in my experience but not at a curbside checkin nor inside with an attendant. RAC seems to have the same info those people do. They can find your flight and you. Just picture id is needed.

 

[BCV23]

The kiosks are automated and unattended by airline personnel, which is why they now require some ID or a record locator number. Counter and curb (and RAC) personnel have always been able to pull up your information by name and checking it against ID you present. They just don't want people to be able to reprint other people's boarding passes at random at the kiosks.

Um, yes. That's what I said....twice I think. You seemed to doubt it in your reply to Lewis??? Just a miscommunication, I'm sure.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Wasn't doubting you OR me... just explaining why to Lewis, initially. But I'm sure you knew that...

Um, yes. That's what I said....twice I think. You seemed to doubt it in your reply to Lewis??? Just a miscommunication, I'm sure.

 

[Lewisc]

The kiosks are automated and unattended by airline personnel, which is why they now require some ID or a record locator number. Counter and curb (and RAC) personnel have always been able to pull up your information by name and checking it against ID you present. They just don't want people to be able to reprint other people's boarding passes at random at the kiosks.

Then why were you surprised that RAC is able to produce BPs without knowing the confirmation number?

I never noticed the change in the kios screens. It's easier to just swipe a credit card.

 

[Missytara]

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 leave on a Saturday and I go up to Guest Services and reserve it on a Thursday night; that way it gives them enough time to plan to pick me up. They have always been extremely prompt - be ready when they pick you or you may be surprised!!!

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Because when we've used RAC they have no idea we're using them until we show up at the counter with our bags!

Then why were you surprised that RAC is able to produce BPs without knowing the confirmation number?

I never noticed the change in the kios screens. It's easier to just swipe a credit card.

 

[Lewisc]

Because when we've used RAC they have no idea we're using them until we show up at the counter with our bags!

DME has our flight number. They use that to schedule our pick up time. Probably reasonable to assume those passengers would appreciate Disney printing their BP. Probably makes sense to assume SW passengers (2 free bags) would be using RAC.

I see "issues" with leaving actual airline baggage tags on guest doors. I guess this is the only way (or best) way of RAC handling a significant increase in the number of bags(SW passengers).

I misread your post. I thought you were surprised RAC was able to generate a BP with out the locator number.

 

[DISNEY FIX]

Do we have any testamonials?