What will happen to our luggage?

[lionqueen]

We will be flying into MCO in April and have about 3 hours to kill until my parents fly into the airport. We will meet up and rent a car out to Vero Beach. I thought we would have an early lunch at the Macaroni Grille. My question is can we look around the shops at the airport and have a quick lunch without picking up our luggage? What would happen to the luggage if it's not picked up immediately at the belt? Is it a better idea to go claim our luggage and then take it up to the restaurant? Any advice would be appreciated. TIA

 

[Alesia]

It will either go around on the carousel until an employee takes it to the unclaimed luggage office, or it will go around on the carousel until someone figures out that the owner isn't around and steals it.

You need to go get it right away.

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

I would recommend picking up your luggage after your flight and carrying it around with you. Keep in mind you will be outside of the security point by then so you would only have access to shops and food prior to security. Once the baggage carousel finishes, I believe the airline pulls the left over luggage and sets them aside. Where they put it seems to be dependent on the airline. Once our luggage was sent on an earlier flight and left in the middle of baggage claim and one of the bags ended up being taken. (this was at MCO).

 

[BadPinkTink]

as an experienced flyer who has flown extensively in Europe and USA. I strongly recommend you collect your bags from the carousel as soon as they come through.

Not only are you risking someone STEAL your bags, you are also causing a possible security risk. Airlines only leave the bags on the carousels the minimum time. Depending on how busy the airport is, they will either move unclaimed bags to a pile in the middle of the concourse or they will take them to a holding area. Then depending on the airline policy for dealing with unclaimed bags, there could be a delay finding and claiming your luggage.

Also about shops in the airport. In the arrivals part of airports there is very few shops and facilities. There will be some eating places or small shops, depending on the size of the airport. These facilities are provided for those waiting to collect passengers.

 

[lionqueen]

I thought I had read there were a bunch of shops on the "non secure" area of MCO and food court/sit down restaurants??

 

[BadPinkTink]

@lionqueen I was speaking generally, different airports have different facilities. I found this on the official MCO website

http://www.orlandoairports.net/concessions/images/shopping_landside.pdf

 

[jtowntoflorida]

I'd get the luggage, go get your rental car, put the luggage in the rental car, and then hang out at the airport until your parents arrive. There are plenty of shops to peruse outside of security...many more than inside the security perimeter.

I would not eat at Macaroni Grill (blech). The Hyatt right in the airport has pretty decent food and you can eat there, relax in the lobby bar, and wait for your parents to arrive.

 

[ibob52]

The HYATT Hotel at MCO ... should be able to hold your bags at Bell services (for a small fee)

 

[lionqueen]

thanks for all the info and advice!