AHHH totally crappy Priceline layover- anything to do?

[MichelleinMaine]

Yeah, I know, get what you pay for and all that. We're way overdue for a visit to the inlaws and could really only schedule it for week of Thanksgiving. Actually got a decent rate on Priceline- BUT....

We only have a 35 minute layover at JFK. HA! I'll add too it's the last NYC-MSP flight, for any airline, for the night. How screwed are we? I figure, worst absolute case is spending the night at the airport, but DH is totally spazzing out.

Anyone familiar with JFK- is Delta all together in one terminal? Flights both in and out are on RJ's (the little jets)- maybe those are together?

Any suggestions on how to make this speedier? Would it be really rude to ask to get off first? Send DS (12) and DH off at a sprint to the gate to try to hold it while I get the gear and DD (7)?

There is a flight that leaves for JFK 3 hours earlier. Any chance Delta might let us on that if there is space, even though we're ticketed for another flight?

And here I thought the actual visit WITH the inlaws would be the stressful part... ugh!

 

[pilgrimage]

Priceline has to offer LEGAL connections. I seriously doubt if 35 minutes
is legal at any airport, much less JFK!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I would suggest calling Delta and talking to them.

It sounds as if the gates will be very close together, you can probably look at Delta's website for their map of JFK. Also look at "today's" flight tracking; often it will give the arrival and departure gate numbers.

The airline sets minimum transfer times, which includes for baggage to be transferred.

And it would not hurt, while on the flight to JFK, to talk to one of the crew members and explain the ticght connection. I have been on flights where the crew has announced that there were some people with tight connections and asked the other passengers to remain seated so they could get off the aircraft first.

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

I'm pretty sure Delta is all in one terminal at JFK.

Since it's the last flight of the day, at JFK, in late November, your flight will most likely be late anyways. As the day goes on they get farther and farther behind schedule. Hopefully your flight in will be less late than the one out, so your layover will get longer.

JFK is an airport where rain will cause 3 and 4 hour delays on all flights. And if it snows...

 

[justplaingoofy]

You might want to try when getting to the airport trying to see if there are any seats available in the front of the plane.

Also, FYI, domestic flights typically start boarding about :30 minutes prior to departure. The times listed is their "push back" time. Meaning the time they push back from the gate.

As other posters have said you should probably call Delta.

 

[santa's surpriz]

Are you actually switching planes? Maybe it just a stop and you are not actually unboarding and reboarding another plane? Does not seem feasible for you to switch, but what about your luggage. Some how I do not see the baggage handlers transferring your luggage in that little of time.

 

[snowbunny]

Since it's the last flight of the day, at JFK, in late November, your flight will most likely be late anyways. As the day goes on they get farther and farther behind schedule.

Exactly true. I would call Delta as well - there is a good chance you will not make that connection.

 

[checkwriter]

Delta appears to occupy two connected terminals at JFK:

http://www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/airport_information/airport_maps/new_york_jfk/

I would do a "pretend" flight check using today's date (or an upcoming date that is analogous to your travel date) and the same flights you're scheduled to be on. See which gate the incoming flight is scheduled to use, and which the outgoing flight is scheduled to use. There's no guarantee, of course, that you'll get those same gates in November, but it will give you some idea at least.

I also would have no problem under the circumstances with telling your cabin crew on your incoming flight that you have a very tight connection, and asking whether they can help you disembark quickly when you arrive.

[I see that I basically just repeated the good advice that Cheshire Figment gave you above! Oops!]

 

[Tozzie]

I'm pretty sure Delta is all in one terminal at JFK.

Since it's the last flight of the day, at JFK, in late November, your flight will most likely be late anyways. As the day goes on they get farther and farther behind schedule. Hopefully your flight in will be less late than the one out, so your layover will get longer.

JFK is an airport where rain will cause 3 and 4 hour delays on all flights. And if it snows...

At JFK Delta has two connecting terminals, as for flight delays there is a good chance that both your inbound and outbound flight at JFK will be delayed, when there is a lot of air traffic entering NY airspace the FAA institues what they call is an air traffic management plan and what they do is hold flights at gates that are headed to NY or they will put them into a holding pattern in the air so their aren't too many flights trying to land at the same time. It happens all the time when I fly late in the day weather I am leaving NY or flying back to NY.

I would really suggest calling Delta and see if they will connect you to someone at the NY office or JFK because they will be familiar with the issues and airport.

 

[CarolA]

Priceline has to offer LEGAL connections. I seriously doubt if 35 minutes
is legal at any airport, much less JFK!

It's LEGAL in Atlanta where DL is much more spread out..... it's legal in JFK!
This is the risk on PL

IMHO DH is probably right to "spazz" Since you are a priceline customer IF you do miss the connection then you go to the BOTTOM of the list for "rebooking"

Ways to make the connection faster... cut down on the gear. Seriously I see people trying to run via airports all the time with everything they own.. it slows them down. Luggage actually often has a more direct route then you and I....

I am not sure why the advice to "call Delta"? The general rule is that if you book via a TA then they are your "contact" until the first flight when the airline takes over. In this cae the agent is Priceline.

 

[Microcell]

To add to this, it might be worth it for you to ship some of your stuff to your inlaws ahead of time so you are carrying less or so you at least have some clothes there for you already in case you make the flight but your luggage doesn't.

 

[OKW Lover]

I've got to agree with Carol A. I fly about 8 times a year on average; I know Carol flies more than that.

A 35 minute connection is a legal connection at JFK, the ticket couldn't have been sold if it wasn't. Since you are arriving and departing on a regional jet, its highly likely that your walk to the next gate will be about 2 minutes.

Calling Delta most likely won't do you much good. You may have better luck with your travel agent (Priceline), but I doubt it.

Sorry for the bad news, maybe some pixie dust will help.

 

[bab31]

I would make a reservation someplace to stay that night just in case- dont hold it with the credit card because then you get charged. hopefully the hotel wont be full.

I agree ship some things to your folks so you dont have to do carry on.

sorry to say but good luck with letting the cabin crew know you have a tight connect- I did , they announced - everyone was out for themselves- couldnt get off the plane quickly.

I agree try to get seat assignments moved up towards the front- call delta and see if they can help you with this, while you are getting all your ducks in a row with delta

who knows about your connecting flight- hopefully it will be delayed- this past summer we got delayed in Milwaukee connecting in Dallas to Arkansas - we were delayed for a thunderstorm in Dallas- about an hour- we rushed to our gate in Dallas and our flight was still there- it was not delayed for the storm but needed a repair! yea we were probably the only ones happy for the delay- there were a number of returning soldiers from Iraq on that flight!

 

[snowbunny]

Oops, that is correct as stated by others, calling Delta won't help much (except possibly seat assignments up front- you might have to pay extra too for those), as your travel agent is Priceline.

I'm from Maine as well, I go through JFK about once a month and would never try to connect there with less than an hour - especially the last connection of the day. Legal connections don't mean that much if you miss the last flight out. Anything air traffic or weather related is not something the airline will take responsibilty for.

Great suggestion from another poster to line up a hotel room just in case. Stranded at PHL last month, I called the airport Marriott there from the tarmac when it became clear I would miss the last plane home - completely booked. I don't know about Delta but JetBlue staff at JFK were not helpful as far as identifying hotels when I missed last plane home one night in July due to a late arrival for the connection. Also there is no in-airport hotel at JFK as there is at MCO or ORD for example. I ended up camping in the terminal rather than leaving and coming back.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

Thanks all for the thoughts (and pixie dust, I think we're going to need it!)

I did pick seats at the front of the plane (2nd/3rd row). Hopefully we'll still have those come November. I'm going to plan on being nice as can be and begging the flight crew to help us out!

I did check the gates at JFK and it appears the RJ's do all come to one wing of one terminal. Our exact flight #s aren't on there currently, but similar ones. That's hopeful anyway.

We will only each have a small backpack (schoolbag) as a carryon. I know anything much bigger than a loaf of bread has to be gate checked on an RJ so we won't be doing that! We'll each bring a swap of clothes. At least we're visiting relatives/easier to "make do" without our luggage for a day if need be. (Already done that one once before there. )

I emailed Priceline and they sent an auto-response saying it would be better to call them. I called and, because of the hurricanes, they are asking that anyone who is not travelling this week to call at another time. Can understand that. Will try them again later in the week.

Of course, the way airlines go, we could end up with entirely different flight times (for better or worse!) by November, right? I feel like any travel these days is a crap shoot.

I'm thinking the best thing may be to hold a hotel room (though I'm not sure how to do that w/o a credit card? I didn't think a hotel would hold it without one?) For those with JFK knowledge- are that are any more-accessible than others? Shuttle bus,public transport or anything from any of them? Cheaper cab fare? It doesn't have to be anything fancy so long as it's not a total dive...

Thanks!

 

[rewok]

You're on a RJ? I don't know if it's the norm at JFK, but last year we deboarded our Delta RJ at JFK on the tarmac (usual), but we had to walk like minimum 5 minutes through canvas just to get to the bottom of the stairs, and climb back into the main terminal, feeling like we were coming through an emergency exit.

Be prepared to run, do not bring large carry-ons that have to be stored underneath (even thought you have to wait for the cart to be unloaded before you can get out), and talk with the flight attendant when you get on, so they can help you if possible.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

Exactly true. I would call Delta as well - there is a good chance you will not make that connection.

I throw in my 2 cents about calling Delta as well. The gates can be side-by-side but all it takes is for your original flight to be late and you could be screwed. Delta may have a solution - you never know until you ask!

I will also say....be seriously prepared to not see your bags until the next day (if it's the last flight from JFK that night). Take everything you need in for at least 24 hours in your carry on.



As silly as it sounds, I would also bring along food in case flights are late. You are not going to have time in the terminal to find food or snacks. If you will be flying a long time....it's not a bad idea anyway.

My DH and I leave in 8 days for DL (from Baltimore). Our flight time is just under 7 hours with one stop (no equipment change). I am going to use my small soft-sided cooler I carry for work and fill it with great sandwiches. We will also carry on snacks, fruit and drinks (and just ask for ice). When we arrive in California we will be comfortable and well fed.....not a bad way to pass the time either!

Also pack your patience and sense of humor.



edited to add.....

Don't worry --- it will be fine. When you are well prepared trouble never seems to find you!!!

Have a fabulous trip!

 

[Lewisc]

I'd rather rush for a 35 minute layover rather then get stuck with a "crappy" 4 hour layover. I'd just try to make a reservation on Delta's website. If the website lets you book the flight then the connection is "legal".

 

[crashbb]

My DH and I leave in 8 days for DL (from Baltimore). Our flight time is just under 7 hours with one stop (no equipment change). I am going to use my small soft-sided cooler I carry for work and fill it with great sandwiches. We will also carry on snacks, fruit and drinks (and just ask for ice). When we arrive in California we will be comfortable and well fed.....not a bad way to pass the time either!

Don't forget that you'll have to buy your drinks at the airport - or stick to really small juice boxes and stick them in your baggie. The same holds for condiments for your sandwiches (e.g. mustard or mayonnaise) - either already on the sandwich or in small packets that are in your baggie.

Just wanted to reiterate that, for those that may also want to bring on food.

 

[snowbunny]

I'd rather rush for a 35 minute layover rather then get stuck with a "crappy" 4 hour layover.

In the morning - maybe. Last flight out at night with a 35-minute window at JFK? Nope. The OP has a good chance of using her priceline savings for a hotel room, but she knows it and is ready.

Four hours is just about enough time for a comfortable connection at JFK.