Changing Planes, What if we are late? Luggage?

[CrazedDisFan]

We are flying Northwest, here's the itinerary:

Detroit to Columbus
43 minutes to change planes in Columbus (another Northwest flight)
Columbus to Orlando

Orlando to Columbus
52 minutes to change planes in Columbus (another Northwest Flight)
Columbus to Detroit

What happens if we are late getting to the gate at the plane change? We aren't going to do anything but race to the next gate after we figure out where we should go, but what if we get there late? Should 43 minutes be enough? Should I be freaked out by this like I am?

Also, what are the odds they lose our luggage with a plane change? Should I pack a carry-on with bare neccessaties?

Thanks for the help! We fly non-stop every flight, but I had vouchers from a bump and this was the only flight we could get. I am thankful for the vouchers, but nervous! This trip includes dh, myself, dd10 and dd7.

THANKS AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Jestocost]

That should be plenty of time for you to make your connection if everything runs close to schedule, especially in a reasonably sized airport like Columbus. If your incoming flights are late, however, that frequently can mean that outbound flights are delayed too, so don't lose hope until you know what's happening on that end. The gate agent at your originating city should be able to tell you if flights are being delayed out of Columbus. If you are delayed and your connecting flight isn't however, there's always a chance that you and/or your luggage will miss the connection. I never travel without a carry-on full of necessities (maybe two carry-ons if I'm traveling with my family), just in case.

 

[Carrieberry]

Kee in mind also, that you [robably won't be the only ones going from that flight to the next one, and since it is the same airline, they will know you are on the incoming delayed flight along with any others. They will collect the boarding passes and see yours are missing, look you up in the computer and see you are on the incoming flight, and hold the plane for you guys as long as they can without causing an issue. This happens all time. I see it all the time on the Southwest TV show! Also, a lot of times when you switch planes with the same airline you are only 1-2 gates over in the exact same terminal. Every time we have changed planes in St Louis, Dallas, LAX, or here in PHX, we would arrive ant one gate and our other departing gate was two or three over from us so you should have plenty of time regardless of being a little late. In fact I have noticed that they often over estimate travel time going from places to FL. The winds usally make flights come in earlier than the estimate, unless of course it leaves very late, you could be right on time even if you leave a little late.

 

[CrazedDisFan]

Thanks guys! I am so freaking nervous about this!

I hope it all works out okay. I have only changed planes on one other trip and that was 13 years ago. It was a nightmare that time, but we did this

Detroit to Chicago to St. Louis to Tulsa to Las Vegas to Los Angeles.

A change and a layover of at least an hour in every city. It was BAD!

 

[PlutoPony]

The only way I'd be concerned about connection time in Columbus is if I had to go back thru security to make the connection....and I don't think there are any gates there that would necessitate that (we went thru there last month)....

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

The baggage handlers in connecting cities know how to handle connecting luggage quickly.

In the rare case that your luggage does not make it onto the connecting flight, the airline will put your bags on the next flight and will have them delivered to you.

Just make sure you carry on any medications and enough clothing to get you through 24 hours.

 

[cbrfan]

I agree with the above posters. I've been on delayed flights where they've held the outgoing flight for us. I've also had my luggage delayed where they've delivered it to our hotel. I always pack a bag with the assumption that I may not have my luggage for the first 24 hrs.

 

[CarolA]

Luggage often has less actual ground to cover then you do. It can go from plane to plane while you hike up and down the airport. I have had my luggage make connections I have missed!

I genarally don't pack an overnight supply, but if it makes you more secure then do it.

 

[ktglads]

You can sometimes find out the gate numbers in advance and can plan for how far you have to go. The airport maps are available online and you can see where the gates for particular airlines are.

I too have physically missed connections and met up with my luggage in Orlando. My bags were locked in the Delta office and I needed my claim tickets to get them but my friends' bags were stacked in the middle of the luggage area waiting for them. It was actually a whole lot faster than having to wait for the bags to make it to the carousel. I think quite a few people missed the connection that day due to a weather delay in Atlanta since there were quite a few bags waiting for their owners.

 

[dis sjw]

i changed planes one time i had a 30 min layover when i went to orlando from newark via clevand ohio and i had plenty of time.Hope this helps.Dis Sjw

 

[TarheelTraveler]

With very tight connection, don't bother waiting until last bag goes on carousel to find out one or more of your bags didn't make it. Go straight to the NWA baggage dept, give them your tags and they can trace the bags to confirm whether or not they made it on the plane. You can fill out a delivery request and be on your way sometimes even before the bags are unloaded.

 

[Mady/Sophiemom]

Columbus is a fairly small airport. We fly from there often. Your gates will be close together, Prob next door, or across the aisle. I think you will be fine.