question for the airline experts

[hercamore]

My adult son and I are flying in to chicago next week on AA from different airports in Mn and then continuing on to MCO on the same flight.I have a 60 minute connection time and he has a thirty minute connection time. I am really afraid his plane is going to be late and he will miss the Orlando flight.

What are my options if his plane is late. Do they ever hold flights for a few minutes, or is he out of luck. I assume he will be put on the next flight out to Orlando.BTW, the Orlando flight is really full.

Anybody been in this situation before.This is his first trip flying alone.

[travelcoupons]

Normally they don't 'hold' flights unless a sizeable percentage of the people on that flight are on late connecting flights which are due in.
Reasons they don't hold flights - They have to keep their 'on-time' flight average up.
- That flight to Orlando has to turn around and fly people somewhere else from Orlando (unless it is a late evening flight). SO there would be a domino effect...those people would be late for their flights...etc.etc.
They will put him on the next available flight.

[AllanJ]

Next time it is agood idea never to book flights with such a tight connection, I suggest 90 minutes at least. Remember you can stand by for an earlier flight if you book a later vlight and get in earlier.

Other Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

[thewiz49]

Holding a flight is rare. Are both flights on AA? that would help (close to each other in airport). Have your son ask the stewardess to tell him which gate his connecting flight is at and directions to it from the gate he is arriving at. They'll do that much for you and it can save much needed time. Also morning flights are much more likely to be on time than later flights, just makes sense all late arrivals or departures are cumulative.

[kda]

One thing that has helped me out in "making" connecting flights is that so many flights leave late these days that often the connecting flight is late, too. It would help if he has a carry on bag so he doesn't have to worry about luggage and he can try to get an aisle seat as close to the front as possible, in case he does have to make a mad dash. 30 minutes isn't an unrealistic time to make a connection, so it's not hopeless. Someone else already mentioned stand-by. Any chance he could try to get on an earlier flight by going stand-by, and this would reduce your worry.