Travelers can have their luggage checked at an Orlando hotel instead of the airport.
By Associated Press
Published August 12, 2003
ORLANDO - The nation's first system allowing air travelers to check luggage outside an airport was announced Monday.
The pilot program Baggage Airline Guest Services, or BAGS, will be used by Orlando International Airport passengers who are staying at the Rosen Centre Hotel, adjacent to the Orange County Convention Center, one of the busiest exhibition halls in the country.
"The hassle factor associated with checking your bags is eliminated with our concept," said Craig Mateer, president of BAGS.
Offsite baggage checking was eliminated after the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, but the Transportation Security Administration worked closely with BAGS to ensure security. After the luggage is checked at the hotel, it is secured in a safe location until trucked to the airport for screening by federal security officials.
TSA officials believe wide use of the system could save tax dollars by reducing peak demand on screeners. Charles Lutz, federal security director at Orlando International, said luggage currently arrives in waves: business travelers' in the morning and tourists' in the afternoon.
"We're then able to stagger the screenings throughout the day when we have the resources available to do it," Lutz said. "Therefore, there's not a lot of pressure placed on us."
Added U.S. Rep. John Mica, R-Winter Park, chairman of the House Aviation Subcommittee: "This saves the TSA money because now we don't have to hire thousands of additional people for peak times and then have them standing around."
The airlines participating in the program are American, Continental, Delta and Song, with United soon to follow. Other services deliver luggage to travelers' destinations, but this is the first to work with the airlines.
"Anything to reduce the lines you stand in at airports is appreciated," said David S. Stempler, president of the Air Travelers Association.
Bags can be checked as early as 12 hours and as late as 21/2 hours before departure at $10 per passenger. It's the first TSA-approved system of its kind, the federal agency said.
BAGS, which is beginning with 20 employees, will grow if the pilot project proves to be viable. A second check-in location at the convention center is planned, and expansion into the Rosen chain of hotels is being discussed.
"This shows that the private sector can come up with great solutions and probably make money at the same time," Mica said.
