Airport times sound awful!! Should we drive instead?

[C.Ann]

Bewteen the lengthy time delays at the airports, security searches thru luggage, long lines to rent and return vehicles, I'm now beginning to second guess our choice of flying as opposed to driving..

It will be me (Grandma ), grown DD, and then-to-be 5 yr. old granddaughter heading down for the first 2 weeks of December. We will be traveling from upstate NY - I have a mini van - and DD & I can share the driving.. I have Triple AAA and although I don't use credit cards, DD would have one if heaven forbid something major happened with my vehicle..

I HATE the idea of adding 2 days on to our trip each way - but the hassles involved with flying don't sound appealing either. My DD ALWAYS overpacks - BIG time - and of course there's all the stuff we're sure to purchase down there that will need to come home..

I've thought of shipping everything down ahead of time to our hotel (when we finally decide on one) and shipping it all back before we leave, but DD is afraid that the stuff will get lost.. If we did ship everything ahead of time I would send everything except our carry-on's and the double stroller that we're bringing..

What do you think my best move would be in this situation?

If we fly, it will definitely be SW and I'm hoping for a special of around $135 RT (for DD & I - including taxes) and either the same or a little less for my granddaughter.

Any thoughts - ideas - suggestions??

Thanks!!

 

[prncess674]

Fly if you can get reasonable airfare. The airports are not THAT bad. Even if you wait 2 hours each way it is still way less than 2 DAYS each way to drive. Also think about that you will need to have hotels and food along the way there into your budget.

My vote is to fly!

 

[prncess674]

Here are SWA's rules on luggage. Since there will be 3 of you travelling you will be allowed a total of 9 pieces of checked luggage. I don't think your DD could possibly pack THAT much.

Baggage Allowance
For each ticketed Customer, Southwest allows three (3) checked pieces with size limitations for each individual piece.

Excess Baggage
Excess baggage will be charged at the rate of $40.00 each for the fourth (4th) and fifth (5th) pieces of checked baggage; $60.00 each for the sixth through ninth (6-9) pieces checked; and $110.00 for each piece checked thereafter.

Weight and Size Allowance
Maximum weight is 70 pounds and maximum size is 62 inches (length + width + height) per checked piece of luggage. Overweight items from 71 to 100 pounds and oversized items (i.e., surfboards, bicycles, vaulting poles) will be accepted for a charge, ranging from $35.00 to $70.00 per item. Fishing rods will be accepted as baggage at no extra charge if properly encased in a manufacturer's container or for a charge of $10.00 if encased in a container furnished by carrier. Any item weighing more than 100 pounds must be shipped as Air Cargo, however, Customers cannot use SWA Cargo unless classified as a Known Shipper as defined by the FAA or FAA approved Indirect Air Carriers (IAC). For all Cargo inquires please call the Cargo Sales and Service Center @ 1-800-533-1222.

 

[Lewisc]

If your driving time was under 8 hours (Atlanta maybe) I could see considering it but the airport wait isn't bad enough to drive that far. You were always supposed to be an hour early, at most you waste 2 extra hours (1 hour in each direction).

 

[dandelion]

Where in upstate NY would you be flying from? I haven't seen rates that low (from Albany) in quite a while. If you do find them - nab them!

It was due to the same concerns as yours - airfare expense and airport hassles - that we decided to drive for our trip 2 weeks ago. At almost the last minute we got the bright idea to try the Autotrain. We loved it! Because of our late booking we couldn't get onto the train for the trip back. Believe me, driving 8 hours from NY to DC to get on the train was *much* better than driving 22 hours to get back home.

For four of us a standard car (minivan are more) it was about $400 one way. Amtrak has deals all the time, I've heard they change daily just like airfares. The next time we're considering a big trek we'll be looking into it again, because we also saved on car rental in Orlando.

Good luck whatever you decide.

 

[safetymom]

I would fly. Getting through everything at the airport isn't that bad. Once you are seated on the plane you will just relax and before you know it you will be in Orlando. So much better than sitting in a car from NY.

 

[mcnuss]

Let me ease your mind. I fly every week, at least one r/t. The lines are not bad. At most, I have waited about 30 minutes, and that was during the Orange alert phase. I guarantee that no matter how long the line at Security, it will not take you 2 days to clear it!!

I have not seen long lines ever for rental cars. I use Hertz & Avis. I think the longest I ever waited was 3 minutes.

The best advice I can give you for moving through the airport quickly is to be prepared. Pack as much as you can in your checked luggage. It's going to be screened without you standing there so it will not add to your waiting time. Don't wear a lot of metal so you won't set off the machines at Security. Put everything from your pockets into the buckets provided. Join your airline's frequent flyer plan and you'll be less likely to qualify for extra screening. In over 150 flights last year, I was only selected 3 times for extra screening. Generally, I am through Security in under 10 minutes.

As for prices, I think you are setting yourself up for disappointment. $135 from upstate is going to be very hard to find (and BTW, I don't know any airline that charges less for a 5 yo except on int'l flights.)

I don't think you'd save any money by driving, factoring in food & hotels and especially factoring in your idea of shipping your luggage. I think that would be a major and unnecessary haedache.

Lots to think about, but losing 4 days of your vacation to driving sounds highly unappealing to me!

 

[CarolA]

C.Ann,
I can't figure out where these people are going because I fly all the time and never get to an airport (including MCO) earlier then 90 minutes. I would NOT drive 2 days just to avoid the airport. If your daugther overpacks, give her the airline rules and make sure she understands that she is responsible for ANY charges if she can't make get her act under thoses limits.

I find it hard to belive people actually NEED so much stuff that they are over the baggage limits. (Maybe medical equipment I could buy, but not clothes etc.) What are they taking?? Do they use all of it (NO WAY!) I see these people at the airports STRUGGLING to drag their bag off the carsouel and taking out 10 people around them in the attempt. You are going to Orlando, it is a major destination, they will have most everything you need there. You don't need 6 weeks worth of hair spray etc.....

 

[tonysgal34]

Hello C. Ann!! I am also from Upstate New York and have wondered over and over again if we should drive or we should fly. We are going the first week in November. I have checked the airfare prices every day. The best that I found so far was $200 per person including taxes and fees. We have four in our family, so that would be $800. Add on car service from the airport to your hotel and that's another $100. There is no way that you could possibly spend that much driving your own car. On the other hand, who wants to spend 2 days driving? We have weighed both options and took these things into consideration:

1. Although we have AAA, we have older vans (96, 94) and we aren't sure that they would make it and don't want to waste more time getting them fixed and take even longer to get there.

2. Renting a car to drive seems like an oxymoron or something.....might as well fly by the time you pay for a week renting a car with gas, insurance, etc.

3. If we drive, we can take anything we want and save more money in the long run, by bringing food, coolers, etc. as well as emergency things that you might have to leave behind if you fly(i.e. laundry detergent).

4. If we fly and don't rent a car when we get there(just take car service to WDW)then we are stranded there, relying on the shuttles to get to each of the kingdoms, but no way of getting out to a McD's for a cheap dinner or anything.

Believe me, we have thought of alot more. We are very budgeted and this will be the one and only time we go(I can't believe that some folks can afford to go every year)and we are trying to decide if we can spend the extra $1K or so to fly. As for the folks saying that you'll spend extra on hotels, etc. on the way down, if you stay at a cheap place, you can get a night for $30 or better and if you and your daughter switch off driving and let her daughter sleep whenever she wants, you can drive straight through and not stay at a motel at all. Food can be packed in the car for the way down and when we went back in '79 with my folks, they made it educational, stopping at the wax museum in Gettysburg, etc.

Sorry this was a bit long......just wanted to let you know that you aren't the only one wrestling with what to do here. It doesn't help that I have never flown and the whole idea makes me a bit nervous. To leave here and get there in 3-6 hours(depending on layovers)is awful tempting, but just don't want to take away from souvenir spending and stuff cause we flew down. Good Luck!!

 

[Jen D]

If you just love driving, or think it will save you money, that's one thing. Go for it. But time and hassle-- gee, airports just aren't that big a deal. 60-90 minutes early is usually fine to arrive, and security is a little more stringent, but it goes fast.

All I know is: Taking a direct flight from NYC last February that left at 7:30am-- my car picked my up at 5:30am, got to the airport at a little after 6, took off at 7:30, arrived at MCO somewhere around 10:30am, had a grocery stop with the towncar, and was at my resort by a little before noon. Door to door in six and a half hours, and I got to nap on the plane. Comparison to the stress of 20+ hours behind the wheel (and the recovery time upon arrival) is no contest for me.

As far as the overpacking, hey, we do it too. Bring an empty duffel bag for the purchases on the way back. So you check another bag. It is really no big deal.

 

[C.Ann]

Thank you, everyone for all of the great suggestions!!

I'm just SOOOOO confused.. If it were JUST me, there would be NO problem at all.. As far as I'm concerned, I'd be willing to buy clothes in a garage sale before we left and then throw them away down in Florida rather than hauling them back with me.. LOL

My grown DD is AWFUL.. She thinks she has to have EVERY possible weather scenario covered (for both her and her DD) - she always brings umpteen pairs of shoes (that she doesn't wear) and - well - you get the idea..

We definitely need to bring the double stroller (she packs just as bad for a day at the park) so that means whatever we bring, it will be just the two of us lugging it around the airport..

Now please don't make fun of me, but what do those guys do that stand around outside like they want to take care of your luggage for a fee? Could someone explain how that might work for us? And when we have to get the luggage after arriving in Orlando, could we use one of those people then? (Okay - you can all stop laughing now - obviously I've only flown a few times and always had a "man" with me that we could load up like a pack mule..LOL)

I HATE the idea of wasting two days in each direction, but I really don't know what to do..

Please, please keep the suggestions coming!!

Thanks!!

 

[DebbieB]

One thing I would be concerned with in early December is bad winter weather along the way which could make your trip even longer.

Those people who help you in the airport are skycaps or porters. Tip them $1 per bag they handle. We always rent a cart in baggage claim for $3.

 

[OHIO VIKING]

The last 2 times we have flown have been awful. Our last fight out of Orlando 3 years ago was the worst. We live in Ohio ,flew to Disney for a week rented a car drove to Palm Beach for a week and were to leave from Orlando at about 9 am. We woke up at 5;30 and drove back to orlando to return car and make flight. We should have been home by about 5pm. When we got to the airport we found our plane was delayed in the city or origination because Clinton was in the airspace. It was now finally supposed to arrive about 11am. At about 11:30 the gate agent anounced that because a thunderstorm was moving in the plane had to be sent to Jacksonville It seems it had sat in a holding pattern in Pittsburg for so long it also needed to be refueled before it could come to Orlando. All during this time we were kept at the gate because when the plane did arrive they said that we were to be boarded quickly . When the plane finally did make it to Orlando we were boarded quickly(at 4pm) but then had to sit on the runway until 5pm to wait our turn to take off. Of course our connection was missed in atlanta so we had to be put on another flight. This flight was supposed to be a nonstop to Cleveland but they had about 30 people ,including us, who needed to go to Dayton. So they put us on that plane ,which Had been held up for an hour making all of the cleveland people livid. We were a family of 5, at the time a 3 year old a 6 year old and a 15 year old, my husband and myself. We were rushed on to the plane shown to seats from one end to another and I told them that was fine with me but I didn't think some hapless passenger wanted to sit with my two youngest so the big seating shuffle had to be accomplished. Our 15 year old was seated next to a very drunk very, angry man in the back of the plane. Our son said he was swearing at him because our arrival on the plane had messed up his schedule. we didn't hear about this until we had landed at Dayton . We made it back to our home at 2:30 am. We had flown to and from San Diego just a few months earlier and had some of the same problems, missed connections, surly agents, little communication about when and what was going on. It became apparent that this has become the standard for the airline and their tx of passengers.

Driving to Orlando takes 17.5 hours .......
Flying from Orlando took us 21 hours.

We will never fly again if at all feasable to drive.

 

[kitnrose]

Good heavens, Ohio Viking, what arline did you fly and where did you fly out of??? I lived in the Dayton area for three years for college and flew out of Columbus at least twice a year to get home and never had a moment's worth of trouble. Though once I did decide to drive back to school with a friend because it's almost the exact same time commitment to fly from Columbus to BWI as it is to drive between the two points... but with my poor, dying car, flying was much safer!

 

[Kitty 34]

Hi C.Ann! We flew to Orlando last summer from Detroit and really didn't have much of a problem at all. We waited in a longer security line but I would say it was maybe 15 minutes longer than the times before security got tighter.

So I would definetly suggest flying!!!

 

[C.Ann]

Okay - talked to DD today and unless air fare ends up being like $400 per person, we're FLYING!!!

I hate the idea of wasting all that time in the car - would be different if we had all the time in the world to sightsee along the way and such, but that's not possible..

I will pack for my DD and my granddaughter MYSELF so she doesn't go overboard (LOL) and I'll grab a sky cap (or some guy walking past us) and give them money to lug our stuff around - LOL!!

Now...to find a reasonable rental car... LOTS of planning left to do!

 

[LeftCoaster]

Originally posted by C.Ann
Okay - talked to DD today and unless air fare ends up being like $400 per person, we're FLYING!!!

I hate the idea of wasting all that time in the car - would be different if we had all the time in the world to sightsee along the way and such, but that's not possible..

I will pack for my DD and my granddaughter MYSELF so she doesn't go overboard (LOL) and I'll grab a sky cap (or some guy walking past us) and give them money to lug our stuff around - LOL!!

Now...to find a reasonable rental car... LOTS of planning left to do!

Good for you. =) If I can fly, I fly. I sit in the car enough as it is, and I don't want to waste my vacation time driving. As for your DD, you might want me and my dad to have a talk with her. "Pack everything you want but, YOU have to carry it. YOU have to handle it. I will not carry it for you." I'm an overpacker too (OK I enjoy overpacking and just can't help it) but, if it's too much for me to handle, it gets axed down.

 

[mcnuss]

C.Ann - great decision.

Here are some airport tips to make the whole thing easier.

1. Check your bags at the curbside so you don't even have to bring them in. We usually do it by DH driving up to the curb, pulling the luggage out, then going to park the car. Meanwhile, DD & I check the luggage and then wait for him to return. You do need to tip these guys - I usually give them $5 for the 2-3 pieces we travel with.

2. Keep your carry-ons to a minimum. The rule should be if you can't lift it over your head, check it! As it is, you are limited to 1 piece of small luggage (like a rollie) and a purse, backpack 0r briefcase. When we travel for pleasure, we do not bring any luggage on, just the backpacks each of us carry. Also, do not wear a lot of jewelry and slip-on shoes are easiest. You should prepare the little one for what happens at Security so she is not upset or confused if she sets off the detector. (My DD never has, btw...)

3. At MCO there are loads of carts and porters. No problem there.

4. Rental cars: Hotwire and Priceline are good sources. I also use Orbitz & Expedia to compare the rates of multiple companies at once. If you know a good TA, that's your absolute best resource. Last year, my TA got us a car from Dollar for $14.95/day!

Have fun!