A word of warning on flights out of MCO

[meuseman]

We learned that in the summer late afternoon flights can be dicey. Pop up thunderstorms are common and can cause trouble with on-time departures.

Just remember that 4-7pm is prime T-Storm time in the summer.

 

[bjakmom]

I hear you !! We've had the same problem out of O'Hare with late-day thunderstorms !

 

[Pinnie]

Yep, if there is a T-Storm/lightning within a few miles, the wingwalkers and baggage handlers do NOT go out on the tarmac for their own safety.

pinnie

 

[jiminy14]

We vacation in WDW every year for the first two weeks in August. Every afternoon around three o'clock there is a thunderstorm. Last year our flight home was scheduled for 3:00 in the afternoon on USAIR. While waiting for our flight to board, the USAIR plane at the gate next to us(bound for Raleigh/Durham) was struck by lightning. The powers that be at USAIR, gave our plane to the Raleigh/Durham passengers while we had to wait over four hours for THEIR plane to be checked out and cleared for service. Needless to say, there were a lot of very unhappy customers. The gate agents were scrambling to re-book flights for the dozens of international passengers on our flight.
This year we are flying Southwest and leaving at 9:30 in the morning. I will never book another afternoon flight out of MCO during the summer months.

 

[goofy4tink]

We arrived mid-day in August of 2003 at MCO....we were treated to an incredible lightening display while still in the air!!! Have to say that after that trip dd wasn't nearly as frightened of thunderstorms.

Than last year, late August, we got held up at MCO due to t-storms up in NE!! Figured we were better off booking a later flight. We were supposed to fly around 7ish. But we sat there at MCO until 9:30, waiting for the storms in the Boston area to subside!!! And the flight into NY was still sitting there when we left. They had been held 4 hrs by that time. They could still be sitting there!!!

 

[Lewisc]

This is one reason why guests with afternoon flights shouldn't be booking critical PS for the night you arrive. I'd avoid the dinner shows and even any "must do" meal like Chef Mickey's. Most restaurants will work with you if you're late but I'd avoid ones that can't/won't.

 

[goofyforlife]

Yes those afternoon storms are a $&%^#.....

What's worse is that one more than one occasional we saw our luggage out on the tarmac during a storm with no covers/flaps on the luggage carts.

Everything that was in our checked bags was soaked....

I realize my luggage wasn't watertight but I mean my clothes were wet.

Reasons that ALL photos/souvenirs come back as carry-on with me after that.

 

[goofy4tink]

Yes those afternoon storms are a $&%^#.....

What's worse is that one more than one occasional we saw our luggage out on the tarmac during a storm with no covers/flaps on the luggage carts.

Everything that was in our checked bags was soaked....

I realize my luggage wasn't watertight but I mean my clothes were wet.

Reasons that ALL photos/souvenirs come back as carry-on with me after that.

And that's why I have soooo many of those WDW plastic bags you get when you buy something. I save them and then use them to get my pictures home. I tape the edges, just in case. So far, so good!!

 

[Gillian]

We got stuck in Tampa overnight in July a few years ago because of storms in the northeast. The early flights, before noon, got out, but not ours, which was around 1 or 2.

Of course, you don't get anything for weather delays, but we were able to get an airline rate hotel room (had to ask).

Still, morning flights are better in the summer.

 

[kkozma]

We once had to sit out on the tarmac in Orlando for an hour then in Philly it was 2 1/2 hours all due to lightning. When we left Philly (finally) we were told we could not land in Portland due to resurfacing. We landed in Boston at 1 am and had to take a bus to Portland...Got there at 3 am. What a trip that was. We still had an hour drive so we were home at 4 :30 am.
Thoughts of this trip still haunt me...I am asking myself why did I schedule a late flight out for our July trip.Oh well Ju st keep my fingers crossed.

 

[beccasmom]

While waiting for my SW flight to leave MCO last August (I was there very early), the flight ahead of mine got held up because of thunderstorms in the area (this was on August 12; Hurricane Charley arrived the next day). This caused a bit of havoc in the gate area, especially since many folks were leaving town early to avoid the Hurricane.

And we have actually been on the runway a few times waiting for takeoff when the storms hit and takeoff was aborted until they passed. It’s fine with me – if the pilot feels it is unsafe to take off, I trust his judgement.

I’ve learned to take a good book or magazine with me to keep me occupied during these inevitable delays.

 

[debster812]

This is one reason why guests with afternoon flights shouldn't be booking critical PS for the night you arrive. I'd avoid the dinner shows and even any "must do" meal like Chef Mickey's. Most restaurants will work with you if you're late but I'd avoid ones that can't/won't.

Verrry good advice here.

I've spent many hours waiting in FL airports for storm cells to pass. Fortunately, we've not ever been held up arriving.

 

[manning]

We flew out of MCO on United one time in the afternoon. You could listen to the crew talk to FAA. There was a storm bearing down on the airport, it was mean looking, black sky. The captain advised the tower we were a go and hustled us out to the end of the runway. I think his constant chatter with the tower got us to the front of the line. He told everyone on the plane to NOT get out of their seat (from time to time there is someone who will do it and then the pilot will have to abort the start of take off, get out of line to wait for the idiot to sit back down.) He got us off the ground and later told us the airport was closed after we took off. We were the last one out before the storm.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

And we have actually been on the runway a few times waiting for takeoff when the storms hit and takeoff was aborted until they passed. It’s fine with me – if the pilot feels it is unsafe to take off, I trust his judgement.

It's funny watching Airline! when they deal with customers and weather delays. It's just like dealing with some guests at Disney during the Florida storms. Some people are just more concerned with getting to where they need to go, or doing what they want to do, and don't even take into consideration weather or safety. They seem to think they have more knowledge of weather safety by watching SuperDoppler Action Weather on the local news than the professional who does this for a living.

I remember one time, I was in line for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. We had JUST gotten up to the train. Our train pulled into the station, and then *BAAM* huge bolt of lightning, and the skies just opened up. Needless to say, the ride shut down. It was turrential downpours, constant lightning, yet some guests had the nerve to demand that they run the ride for them.

But at any rate... like everyone is saying... be prepared for it, have a book ready, and don't make any steadfast plans for day of arrival.

 

[bigsis1970]

I imagine this must happen to Tampa as well? I guess I should prepare myself for the possibility of this happening during our trip in July.. Michelle

 

[DebbieB]

Yep, if there is a T-Storm/lightning within a few miles, the wingwalkers and baggage handlers do NOT go out on the tarmac for their own safety.

pinnie

I found this out personally tonight. I flew Northwest from MSP to PIT, home from a business trip. Our flight was over 3 hours late leaving MSP due to a maintenance problem and subsequent aircraft change (3:23 flight took off at 6:45 CDT). We finally land in Pittsburgh during a thunderstorm (about 9:15 EDT) The gate is in sight, we're almost there, we dead stop. Pilot comes on, the good news is we finally landed in Pittsburgh, the bad news is the ramp is closed, the lightning is too dangerous for the ramp crew to guide us in. We sat for 15-20 minutes for it to pass. Then baggage claim was backed up because the baggage handlers couldn't get out there. I was expecting to be home between 7:30 and 8:00, it was 11:15. Ugh!

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Last July, we sat on the tarmac in Philadelphia for three hours waiting a storm out. I think we were then #70 for takeoff. That sucked. We got into Orlando 4 hours late. Missed our PS at Wolfgang Puck, but there wasn't any wait at 11:30 when we did get there, lol.