V-Flyer

Just got an email from a contact of mine at Orlando regarding the second bag drop:-

"Yes, that is correct. International passengers arriving on Airside 4 (Gates 60-99) that have rolling luggage may now keep their checked baggage with them after clearing Customs. They are then kept “sterile” (separated from departing passengers) until they exit the AGT (train) in the Main Terminal.

Early next year this process will be further improved with the addition of an escalator directly from the Customs hall to the AGT station, and for those who choose to return their baggage for transfer to the Main Terminal, baggage carousels located on Level 1 adjacent to the Rental Car counters and other Ground Transportation options."

Excellent!

Now that you mention that, I was given the option a couple of weeks ago to keep my bag after leaving customs.

I was that used to it being grabbed of me, I had already put it on the belt and then was told I could have kept it.

The "system" on leaving the satelite has now been different each of the 4 times I have been there this year.

I just assumed that they were playing their usual silly games.

David

This is great news for MCO bound passengers. I hope the option of keeping my bags with me - if I am prepared to carry them onto the AGT train - is there in November. I normally fly out to Orlando with just one piece of checked luggage [not over large / heavy, but has to be checked due to liquid quantities within it] and a laptop size carry-on. I could easily carry both to the main terminal to save the long wait for the secondary bag reclaim.

It's nice to see a US Airport doing what it can to ease the passage through it for incoming international passengers. True, the second bag drop that MCO has is fairly unique to only a few US airports, but they could have easily avoided spending the money they are behind the "security" banner. I am assuming that the major tourist status that MCO has had a lot to do with the decision - I have always found the US Immigration staff in MCO to be very friendly compared to some of the other US airports I have been through.

James

I posted a note about this just after arriving at MCO on Saturday. Check Here for full info plus some extra on some further changes planned.

Paul

This is truly music to my ears[^][^]

Thanks Alan & Paul

buns

Was already in operation for the Condor flights in August. I watched the whole 767 flight arrive and then see all the Germans struggle to get on the train with luggage.

I wonder how much of this descision has to do with Airtran flights moving into the 100+ gates in the satalite. They were in August using the same baggage carousels as the VS flights for the 2nd bag pick up and it was manic, there was something like 3 744 flights and 4 717/737 flights coming off the same carousel at the same time.

I think this is a fantastic move but it will be interesting to see how they work the train arrangements. surely the frequency of trains available to sterille pax will need to be increased?