Connecting flight question-HELP!!!

[kjs1976]

We are traveling to DL in October. We are flying into Long Beach and staying there because of a race my DH and I are in inbetween our DL time. I just checked our flight times and our flight from MSP to Dallas-Fort Worth is leaving almost 1 hr. 1/2 later now which means we only have 36 min. to make our connecting flight to Long Beach!!! I checked on AA website and there is an 8:30 flight leaving MSP (our departure city) so I don't understand why they changed our original 8:04 AM flight to 9 something and didn't put us on the 8:30 flight which would give us an hour and 50 min before we need to make our connecting flight. What should I do? I have never flown AA before and don't know how on time they are or how friendly their reps are. Do I call and ask to see if they would put us on the 8:30? Would they change without hassle or would I have to pay the change fee? I'm not sure what the change fee is, but would it be worth it for the peace of mind????

So confused, so befuddled with this stupid change!

Any help you can offer will be GREATLY appreciated!!!!

Kassi

 

[PCFriar80]

It's been my experience, primarily with Delta that when the airline changes your flight they are more flexible in accommodating you on another flight within the general timeframe of original flight, if the one they've chosen causes you an inconvenience. Having said that, I would call AA direct, explain the situation and give them the flight you want to be changed to. They should not charge you a change fee since it was their change, no yours. The other caveat is seat availability on the flight you want. Call soon, be polite but direct.

If all else fails, I personally think that 36 minutes is enough time for your connecting flight, especially since you are flying early out of MSP and more than
likely will be early or on time. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[paulmc80]

Absolutely give them a call to get the flight time you prefer.

If they changed your booked flight on their own, then they are in most cases very willing to change you to another flight that more closesly suits you on that same day. I've never had a problem doing this with any airline that changed my flight due to a scheduling change on their part. As long as the flight you want to change to isn't filled up it should not be an issue.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

36 minutes is not enough time for a connection in DFW. The distances between gates there can be enormous. Also, it's normal for flights not to arrive at the exact, scheduled arrival time. Most flights arrive at the scheduled arrival time, plus or minus 15 minutes.

With a scheduled 36-minute connection time, the chance is too great that you'll miss the second flight segment.

Call AA. They'll take good care of you, and there will be no charge for the change. At least that's been my experience.

 

[paulmc80]

Definitely took me a lot of time to get around DFW from one terminal to another this past January. The clunky train they were running then seemed so slow. Thought I had time, but when I got back up to the terminal I heard them announcing my seat section boarding on the flight. Whew! Just made it in time.

I'm wondering if they got that new, Skytrain I think it is, running yet. And, if it is any easier getting around. Doesn't look like it would save a lot of time from the plans I've seen.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

kjs1976 --

Did you call the airline? Did they change your flights? How did they handle it?

 

[kjs1976]

I was out of town yesterday and had to wait until this afternoon to check for replies!!!! It was a loooong wait!

I called AA today and she switched us to the earlier flight with no problem!!!! She explained that the computer put us on the other flight when our original flight was cancelled/changed and it just put us on the next flight. Now we have an hour and 53 minutes between flights!!!! BIG SIGH OF RELIEF!!!!!

I just want to thank all of you for taking a moment to respond to my post. I had never had to deal with this before, as we always take direct flights when we fly to WDW, and hadn't a clue what to say to AA when I called. I just wanted to be prepared and know my options. I hate to have "travel" stress when we go on a vacation. And never having been to California, we are exploring a lot of new territory from our comfy annual WDW trip! That is what I love about these boards...I can always count on someone for good advice or if they don't know, I'm always pointed in the right direction!!!!

THANKS A MILLION!!!!!!!!!

Kassi