Update on Southwest Baggage Check Lines?

We have tickets for next week on Southwest to Vegas and had read some earlier posts about very long waits to check in baggage there. Wondering if they have streamlined things at all- we%26#39;ll be going Vegas to Ft. Lauderdale on Friday Sept. 1 and trying to decide whether to check baggage with some toiletries in it or do carry on only and remove all our liquids and discard them. Everything is very smooth here in Lauderdale- I got through TSA checkpoint in 5 minutes and no wait whatsoever for curbside check in. Just wonder how things are now at the Vegas check in end - any recent experiences to report?

Update on Southwest Baggage Check Lines?

I made two trips to LV in August. One prior and one after the terrorist event in England. I tend to travel on non-peak days (to LV on Sundays, leave LV on Thursdays) and I found it about the same both times except that the check-in baggage lines were a little longer after the terrorist scare. However, SWA had plenty of agents on duty and it took less than 30 minutes to get my bag checked.

The security line was very short my last trip. I went to the airport 3 hours early expecting the worst and ended up spending 2+ hours reading a book in the terminal. I expect that is not always the case on peak LV travel days (Friday arrival, Sunday departure).

Update on Southwest Baggage Check Lines?

I just got back from Vegas yesterday via Southwest. I would say that it is controlled chaos getting through the check baggage line and security. It took me about 15-20 mins to check my bag (I had already print my ticket) and about 1/2 hr -45 mins to get through security. My flight was at 12:10 and I got their at 9:20ish and was in the terminal at about 10:30ish. Of course, my flight was delayed 2 hours but that%26#39;s neither here nor there.

Doesn%26#39;t one of the major hotels on the strip have a SW checkin on site?

On the Southwest website it says you can check your luggage at the Venetian or Convention Center for a cost of 20.00.

southwest.com/help/offsite_checkin_faq.html

I would call first to make sure they are still doing it since the terrorist scare.

After staying at the Venetian I wish I had known that! When we left on the 22nd it took about 45 minutes to get through security at Gate C. The lines snaked quite a bit. What was annoying was that there was no line for Gate D and about 6 agents just standing there. COuldnt they have pulled some of them over? Anyway - it seems that its hit or miss and its probably best to still allow yourself the 2 hours.

As far as checking baggage..I returned from Vegas Thursday, the 24th..Got to the Airport about 10:30 a.m...There are two lines for baggage check-in..One for people with tickets and checking baggage only..It is a touch screen check in for getting your baggage tag%26#39;s..There are 4 row%26#39;s of three screens...You do your check in and then wait for a SW representative to call your name..It was very loud and hard to hear them call your name....Once called, they put the tag on , weighed your luggage and then you were instructed to take your luggage for screening..The luggage was taken by TSA and then you are on your way to the gate...

First of all, the SW check in area is too small for the amount of people passing thru ..It is loud and there is a fair amount of confusion, with people running over your feet with their luggage..

As far as going thru security going to C terminal..It went fairly well, about a 15 min wait..There was a person that kept the lines moving, taking down and putting up barriers to direct passengers to the shortest lines..

2 hour%26#39;s should give you time to go thru the process and still have time to make you flight, with time to spare..