We just got back from our holiday in the Caribbean so I thought I'd give an update. There are no lockers in the non-secure area of the terminal. There are several banks of lockers in the secure side, and they look big enough to fit almost any size of luggage, not just carryon, but they are locked until you pay and I didn't feel like spending $2 just to see how big they were inside.

That said, we took a cab from the airport to our hotel and back on the way down to the Caribbean. We had decided that we didn't want to take the LRT to the hotel with all our luggage. It took about 25 mins. and cost $30 each way, which was okay since the hotel was a FFN from Hyatt. On the return from the Caribbean, we were caught up in the US Airways day of delays when they switched to their new reservation system. We made it to MSP but our luggage didn't. We didn't get in until after midnight and didn't really feel like LRTing it and then walking to the Hyatt so we went by taxi. We had plans on having a nice dinner at one of the many fine restaurants downtown but ended up just collapsing into bed sans dinner.

In the morning, we tried the LRT and it worked great. It took about 30 mins. to walk the skyway to the LRT station, and we walked most of the way with a friendly Minneapoliser (?), who showed us the way while sharing his knowledge of your fine city. We arrived at the station just before the LRT and arrived at MSP in about 20 mins. A very enjoyable and relaxing ride.

Since our luggage didn't arrive with us but came in the next morning, I was able to see how leaving luggage at the airport overnight and picking it up before flying would work. It actually worked very well. We checked in and told them that, although we had luggage to check, it hadn't arrived yet from CLT. The agent said that was not a problem and just to come back with it when it arrived. We went through security and waited in the RCC for the scheduled arrival of the first flight from CLT. I walked down to the baggage area, picked up our luggage, took it up to the checkin area, showed them our boarding passes and they checked the luggage in with no problems. It didn't take more than 10 or so minutes. When I went back through security, the agent there remembered me and so I explained why I was coming back through. No problems. Back to the RCC for refreshments and a short wait for our flight.

Next time, I'll definitely leave luggage at the airport and just take my carryon downtown to the hotel. I much prefer the downtown shopping and restaurants to anything near the airport. Thanks for all the advice.

I vote for downtown everytime simply because of the tax-free(clothes) shopping at Neiman Marcus.^ ^ ^ Marshall Fields(RIP) used to be pretty good too. Bloomingdales/Nordstrom or anything else at MoA doesn't compare at all IMO.