Anyone so fed up with airline prices that you are actually considering driving?

[mamapajama]

My flights actually did drop down to $95 each way, which I consider a good price but everyone has their hearts set on driving.

 

[Donut23]

Some of the posters are missing something. Flying gets many of us to Orlando in 2-3 hours vs 20+ hours driving. Airlines charge by the passenger. Our car expenses are virtually the same, regardless of the number of people in the car.

Flying should cost more. The fact that we can even have this discussion suggests fares are very low. People who think there a way airlines can profitably offer $100 R/T fares are living in fantasyland. Some customers may be able to grab a sale and get money losing fares but you shouldn't budget your trip with the assumption you'll be able to find that kind of fare.

edited to add There is nothing wrong with driving. Some people do it to save money. People who are within an 8-12 hour drive might do it for convenience. Leave exactly when you want. Pack what you want. I wouldn't drive 20+ hours but different people have different priorities. The point is airlines don't owe us deeply discounted, money losing fares. Sorry but airline employees shouldn't have to take large pay cuts so we can book such fares. It's not realistic to think airlines can "fleece" business fliers to subsidize our fares to Orlando.

Airlines, including SW, are reducing the number of flights to Orlando. Spirit is facing a pilot's strike. People holding out for $100-$150 fares may get lucky but more likely won't.

Thank you so much for speaking the truth. The former head of American Airlines once said - on camera - Airline Stock is throwing away your $$$$. They struggle to make a profit and they somehow MUST make a profit.

I flew from BWI - MCO over 15 years ago for $129 RT (Metrojet before I became addicted to Southwest). Guess what, I'm betting UsAirways and Southwest's operating expenses have gone up a bit since then. I don't expect them to offer outlandish discounts unless there are flights which appear to need help.

Rising airfares are our new reality. That reality turns some into drivers to WDW....it did for us and you know what.....we had a BALL!

 

[honeymo78]

We're driving in September, not really because airfare is too high. We could have bought it at about $500 rt for preferred times for the two of us plus baggage fees or business class upgrade - now the flight is sold out but we could go a day early for about $50 cheaper per person. However, we would like to save money overall for this trip since my job just took away my overtime.

Flying would cost the following:
Airfare - minimum $460 including bag fees (we would probably skip the business class upgrade)
Parking at the airport - $100 with coupon
Transport to the port for our cruise - $140
Meals at the airports - $40
Total = $740

Driving
Gas - $255 (2120 miles at 25mpg per gallon at $3/gal)
Port Parking - $40
Tolls - $25 high estimate
Food on the drive - $100
Total = 420

While it will take us appox 16 hours each way vs approx 6-7 hours each way for a flight, saving over $300 and being able to pack a little easier for the cruise will help. Plus we will be gone for 2 weeks so it seems a little more worth it. Also I will have a new Mariner with plenty of room that I can't wait to take for a nice drive.

 

[DebbieB]

Thank you so much for speaking the truth. The former head of American Airlines once said - on camera - Airline Stock is throwing away your $$$$. They struggle to make a profit and they somehow MUST make a profit.

I flew from BWI - MCO over 15 years ago for $129 RT (Metrojet before I became addicted to Southwest). Guess what, I'm betting UsAirways and Southwest's operating expenses have gone up a bit since then. I don't expect them to offer outlandish discounts unless there are flights which appear to need help.

Rising airfares are our new reality. That reality turns some into drivers to WDW....it did for us and you know what.....we had a BALL!

Many are not making money.

http://blogs.wsj.com/middleseat/2010/01/28/which-airlines-made-lost-money-last-year/

Southwest barely made a profit in the first quarter. Penny a share.

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2010-04-22-southwest-profit-q1-earnings_N.htm

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Nope, not fed up at all. I knew back then those cheap fares wouldn't last long and that's fine. We won't take so many long weekends. Our upcoming Sept trip will probably be our last. Still got $86 each way after SW's $25 coupon. No luggage fees and no change fees.

I think it depends on perspective too. Some posters complain about having to arrive 2 hrs before their flight and waiting at the airport. We are totally relaxed at the airport gate, walking around, eating snacks, watching a movie on the portable, etc. To me this is more desirable than battling traffic on 95 and around Washington area. Having traffic suddenly come to a screetching halt for no apparent reason, detours, accidents, etc.

A pp a few pages back kept saying how cranky and tired their 4 kids would be after flying. Unless it's cross country, I don't see how tiring it is. Even a 4 hr flight is easier for kids to sit buckled compared to 20 hrs right? The same dvd player people love in their minivans comes portable too. For us our flight is just enough time to watch 1 movie. How tiring is that? My kids have been flying since age 3 and 1.5. We've always carried on a small bag of things to do quietly: coloring books, snacks, video games as they got older, now ipods. I guess they're used to it.
We no longer take super early am flights anymore since we have kids; it makes us all cranky later but we all do great with a 7 pm flight. Kids can still get a full day of school in. We leave by 4:30, get to PHL by 5, plenty of time to eat and relax. We're in Orlando by 9:30. We all get a good night's sleep. Next am we're well rested and ready for fun.
So for us it's 5 hrs total travel time vs 20 hrs by driving. I don't need to bring a ton of stuff though I could flying SW with 2 free bags pp. So our family of 4 could check 8 bags for free. Even on our most 'stuff-required' 7nt cruises, we've only checked 4 at most and that included formal wear for 4, casual dinner clothes, various types of shoes for all 4, beach toys, pirate costumes w/accessories for the Pirate Night party, Halloween costumes, etc.
Oh wait, last Oct Phillies were in the World Series so ds had to bring Phillies hat, tshirts, jersey, etc to wear while watching the game on the ship, in addition to all the other stuff.

Maybe for a savings of $2-3K I might consider driving but for $300? No way! Not even for $1K. My vacation time and sanity are priceless. Believe me, we are not wealthy but when trying to save $ on my vacation makes the vacation a hassle instead of a vacation, I might as well skip it and just go to work.

fwiw, friends of ours just got RT for their family of 5 on Spirit out of AC for $373 total. non stops both ways, for Sept.

 

[Tara]

I think it depends on perspective too. Some posters complain about having to arrive 2 hrs before their flight and waiting at the airport.

I didn't quite get that, either. We live 15 minutes from a small airport where there's no reason to ever be there 2 hours early unless you're flying the day flights resume after a snowstorm or something. We give ourselves 25 minutes to drive to the valet park & fly service and take the shuttle to the terminal. If we're checking bags, we add on another 15 minutes. That's 40 minutes. If we want time to eat, then we take our flight time, subtract 100 minutes and that's when we leave the house. That gives us plenty of time to do all those things and still be leisurely about how we move.

Our flight is 3 hours on paper, but often really 2.5 hours as it's very common for us to arrive 30 minutes early. That extra 30 minutes is all we need to get our luggage if we checked it and use the Alamo kiosk (if we didn't prepay).

On the return, we usually leave Disney 2.5 hours before our flight so we aren't rushed and we allow for whatever security mess there might be. (this is when I really miss the CLEAR registered traveler program!)

I only get to the airport 2 hours early for international flights.

So for us it's 5 hrs total travel time vs 20 hrs by driving.

For us I figure it's about the same - though it would be more like 24 hours of driving each way.

I can get that if you don't have $1000-$2000 to spend, you don't have it, so it isn't a money vs. time discussion. It's a time vs. not going discussion. We are fortunate to not be in that situation, but I can understand families that are. When it becomes an issue of driving or not going, then there's really no need to consider if driving or flying are better - going becomes better than not going. I just don't happen to think the time at the airport justification holds a lot of weight if you live 20+ hours away by car. I think once you get beyond about 14 hours away, that justification loses its power. But that's just my opinion which I apply to my travel - everyone has to do what works for them. What works for other people is irrelevant.

fwiw, friends of ours just got RT for their family of 5 on Spirit out of AC for $373 total. non stops both ways, for Sept.

And that's why you can still get Southwest for $86 each way with the coupon without a DING fare. In our area, SWA has no n/s competition here and $99 DINGS are the best we ever see, and those are few and far between!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I think once you get beyond about 14 hours away, that justification loses its power.

True. Those in the Carolinas are already halfway there in my eyes.

But that's just my opinion which I apply to my travel - everyone has to do what works for them. What works for other people is irrelevant.

Exactly. No right or wrong way.

 

[Snow Shoe]

We're driving from N.E. Texas for the first time since 1986. We had always flown because it got us to Disney faster and some times even cheaper than driving. However we are now empty nesters, and decided because the airline prices were to high, with charging for luggage and food now, we would drive this time. So Monday week, we will head out on our great adventure.

 

[wdisneyaholic]

To each their own. You got to do what works best for you and your family. Fly and save time or drive and save money. We also like to drive because we enjoy the ride down, the ride back not so much.

 

[Library Minnie]

I have been looking at JetBlue Fares and had been reluctant to book, as I hadn't yet secured my dates for travel. Now that I have, I am looking at November-December prices that are in some cases double what they were two weeks ago. Does anyone know if the flight costs will fluctuate back down again, or they are staying where they are. We're six months out, so I have some time to wait, but don't want to risk the price getting even higher. Does anyone have any experience with this issue they would be so kind as to share? Thanks!

 

[kaytieeldr]

1) JetBlue doesn't reduce prices. Once a fare bucket is sold out, they go up to the next price and don't go back (policy).

2) JetBlue has fare sales

3) You have PLENTY of time. Look periodically, and check theses boards constantly, but plan to look seriously after the summer.

4) Al the above is opinion and observation only, except number 1. This poster accepts no responsibility for errors in judgment or if JetBlue goes against past practices and truly does not offer any lower fares between now and November December. Readers agree to hold harmless this poster for any errors in judgment or opinion. This poster hopes to be correct, given that her own travel plans are for the end of the year and she will fly only on JetBlue but she is willing to suck it up and pay what they ask.

 

[Tara]

My husband bought a new SUV with navigation so while we were playing with it, I put in "Walt Disney World." Turns out the drive down for us wouldn't be 24 hours. It would be 23 hours, 6 minutes. I think I'll continue to let Southwest do the driving.

 

[edk35]

It is not because of airfare but our kids (19, 16 and 11) are so gung ho about a ROAD TRIP. I must admit that Airtran and SW are not as cheap as they used to be a couple of years ago...but I do ENJOY getting to MCO in 2 hours from BWI. We drove in Nov. 2002 and have flown since. Who knows after this trip...it might be another 7 1/2 years before we drive again.

 

[vandort]

Since the addition of all of the "fees", the overbooking and the cramped space on the plane, I feel very frustrated when I book airfare these days. It always makes me want to travel in a different way.

I have booked train tickets instead of plane tickets in the past: the train fare was cheaper, I didn't have to pay to take my luggage, there is plenty of leg room, and I could use my computer when the person in front of me had their seat reclined.

I just booked my flight for my upcoming WDW vacation and I went through the whole experience again. I ended up booking SW. The fare was un-beatable ~$50 one way per person before taxes. These days, this is the only airline I find where the flight experience is actually pleasant. SW also doesn't charge a whole bunch of extra fees, which I also appreciate.

 

[Daddio]

Not only the air fares but rental car prices too. We wanted to do a last minute trip at the end of this month but the airfiare was up there and the rental car prices were outrageous. So a road trip it is with a first time stopover at Hilton Head.

David

 

[Lewisc]

You know your local airport. I wouldn't suggest others follow your advice without checking the websites of both their airline and their local airport. A couple of flights leave at the same time and there could be security lines. Large airports have more passengers but also have more TSA agents. At least one small airline has an early cut off time to check bags. The person who checks bags closes the line early because he has another job, either GA or may even help load the bags.

I must be missing something.
You leave your house 25 minutes before your flight? It's a 15 minute drive? That gives you 10 minutes to clear security and get to the gate. That allows zero time for traffic, road temporarily closed so an accident vehicle can be towed. Chances are you'll be arriving at the at the gate late, past the deadline. Flight is overbooked, or there are passengers standing by, and you could be bumped or your seat might go to a standby passenger. The airline wouldn't owe you any compensation.

I hope your exaggering to make a point.

I didn't quite get that, either. We live 15 minutes from a small airport where there's no reason to ever be there 2 hours early unless you're flying the day flights resume after a snowstorm or something. We give ourselves 25 minutes to drive to the valet park & fly service and take the shuttle to the terminal. If we're checking bags, we add on another 15 minutes. That's 40 minutes. If we want time to eat, then we take our flight time, subtract 100 minutes and that's when we leave the house. That gives us plenty of time to do all those things and still be leisurely about how we move.

Our flight is 3 hours on paper, but often really 2.5 hours as it's very common for us to arrive 30 minutes early. That extra 30 minutes is all we need to get our luggage if we checked it and use the Alamo kiosk (if we didn't prepay).

On the return, we usually leave Disney 2.5 hours before our flight so we aren't rushed and we allow for whatever security mess there might be. (this is when I really miss the CLEAR registered traveler program!)

I only get to the airport 2 hours early for international flights.



For us I figure it's about the same - though it would be more like 24 hours of driving each way.

I can get that if you don't have $1000-$2000 to spend, you don't have it, so it isn't a money vs. time discussion. It's a time vs. not going discussion. We are fortunate to not be in that situation, but I can understand families that are. When it becomes an issue of driving or not going, then there's really no need to consider if driving or flying are better - going becomes better than not going. I just don't happen to think the time at the airport justification holds a lot of weight if you live 20+ hours away by car. I think once you get beyond about 14 hours away, that justification loses its power. But that's just my opinion which I apply to my travel - everyone has to do what works for them. What works for other people is irrelevant.



And that's why you can still get Southwest for $86 each way with the coupon without a DING fare. In our area, SWA has no n/s competition here and $99 DINGS are the best we ever see, and those are few and far between!

 

[Tara]

You know your local airport. I wouldn't suggest others follow your advice without checking the websites of both their airline and their local airport. A couple of flights leave at the same time and there could be security lines. Large airports have more passengers but also have more TSA agents. At least one small airline has an early cut off time to check bags. The person who checks bags closes the line early because he has another job, either GA or may even help load the bags.

I must be missing something.
You leave your house 25 minutes before your flight? It's a 15 minute drive? That gives you 10 minutes to clear security and get to the gate. That allows zero time for traffic, road temporarily closed so an accident vehicle can be towed. Chances are you'll be arriving at the at the gate late, past the deadline. Flight is overbooked, or there are passengers standing by, and you could be bumped or your seat might go to a standby passenger. The airline wouldn't owe you any compensation.

I hope your exaggering to make a point.

No, I'm not exaggerating to make a point. And yes, you are missing something. If you read my post again, you'll see that I take the flight time, subtract 100 minutes and leave then.

I'm not suggesting anyone else follow what I said. It was not offered as advice, just my experience.

 

[NancyIL]

My podunk airport is about 10 minutes from my house, and I have dropped off my husband for many business trips 30-45 minutes before the flight. He usually doesn't check a bag. When I fly from there, as I'll be doing next week, I like to arrive an hour in advance.

 

[Lewisc]

No, I'm not exaggerating to make a point. And yes, you are missing something. If you read my post again, you'll see that I take the flight time, subtract 100 minutes and leave then.

I'm not suggesting anyone else follow what I said. It was not offered as advice, just my experience.

You said you leave your house 100 minutes before your flight (an hour 40 minutes) if you're planning on getting something to eat at the airport. Sounds reasonable to me.

You said it's a 15 minute drive, you allow 25 minutes if you're not checking luggage. I think leaving your house 25 minutes before your flight is cutting it close for most people.

I think I either misinterpreted your post, or you didn't post what you meant.

 

[Tara]

You said you leave your house 100 minutes before your flight (an hour 40 minutes) if you're planning on getting something to eat at the airport. Sounds reasonable to me.

I think I either misinterpreted your post, or you didn't post what you meant.

No, I think you are misinterpreting it. I allow 25 minutes for driving to park & fly and taking the shuttle. I allow another 15 minutes for checking baggage. That is on top of the 60 minutes I allow before the flight. Add 25+15+60 and you get 100 minutes, which is what I use to tell me the time I need to leave my house.

What I didn't include is the fact that if we want something to eat, we get something to take on the plane, and arriving a solid hour before our flight gives us time to get something. Usually one of us goes to get food while the other takes the kid to the restroom.

You said it's a 15 minute drive, you allow 25 minutes if you're not checking luggage. I think leaving your house 25 minutes before your flight is cutting it close for most people.

No, read again. I said we allow 25 minutes to drive to park & fly and take the shuttle. We ADD ON 15 minutes is we are checking baggage. What you are seemingly choosing to ignore is the part where I take the time for park & fly/driving AND the time for baggage check and adding that to 60 minutes, the magic number that represents arriving 1 hour before the flight.