Flight Delay questions

[ethanwa]

Hi everyone -

We are supposed to leave Seattle at 8:20AM on Wednesday morning, but significant snowfall (maybe 6+ inches) is expected from Tuesday night through Wednesday morning.

I have travel insurance on both the flight (non-Disney booked) and the Grand Floridan (Disney). If our flight is significantly delayed and we can't check in until the next day (Thursday), what kind of compensation does Disney Travel Insurance offer for missing one day on our trip due to weather?

The flight was booked via Travelocity with insurance through them, so if anyone knows about that too that would be awesome.

Significant snow in Seattle is rare so everything gets shut down here when we get any large amounts. We're all hoping that everything is on time!

Ethan

 

[DebbieB]

Hi everyone -

We are supposed to leave Seattle at 8:20AM on Wednesday morning, but significant snowfall (maybe 6+ inches) is expected from Tuesday night through Wednesday morning.

I have travel insurance on both the flight (non-Disney booked) and the Grand Floridan (Disney). If our flight is significantly delayed and we can't check in until the next day (Thursday), what kind of compensation does Disney Travel Insurance offer for missing one day on our trip due to weather?

The flight was booked via Travelocity with insurance through them, so if anyone knows about that too that would be awesome.

Significant snow in Seattle is rare so everything gets shut down here when we get any large amounts. We're all hoping that everything is on time!

Ethan

I found a copy of Disney's travel insurance for Washington residents, see attached.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/me...Type/VacationPackage/CT 004258 P1 0810 WA.pdf

It could be covered under "Trip cancellation or interruption", see page 11 & 12, it lists inclement weather.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

It is extremely likely that your flight will not be leaving Wednesday morning. Keep a very close watch on your airline - if the snow forecast holds, they will probably soon be announcing flight changes can be made at no cost. Unfortunately, by booking your flight through Travelocity rather than directly with the airlines, you have added a level of complication to changing your flight - it's much easier to deal directly with the airline. You will have to do this through them (and they add a $30 fee for doing so):

http://us.custhelp.com/app/answers/...sion/L3RpbWUvMTMyNjcyOTQ3Mi9zaWQvNHE3MWFpT2s=

When you are allowed to make flight changes without fees, do this asap or due to canceled flights and many, many rebooking passengers, you may not make it out of Seattle for several days. You might want to start on making alternate plans if you can't make it to Disney for several days.

 

[snesguy]

Which airline and flight number are you on? If the airline issue a travel waiver I would think you could get them to reroute you directly without going through the travel agent. If you know the flight number it's probably possible to look up where the plane used will be coming from. If the plane is overnighted at the airport (early morning flight) then you may still get out. They should just deice it and be on their way.

If you are pretty sure this weather will cancel your flight I would:

1) Get on the phone ASAP trying to get my travel changed to get out a day earlier and beat the storm. Or, see if you can get them to reroute you out of PDX and drive down there before the snow hits.

2) Unless all flights out your travel day are cancelled the day before your travel (meaning so long as any flights are getting out) I would make sure I could get my family to the airport in time for my flight in case it was able to leave. I would go so far as to book a room at an airport hotel the night before to make sure I could get there without being stuck in the snow.

If you get stuck behind the masses being rebooked you may not get out for a while. Stay ahead of the masses. Try to get out before the snow shuts down the airport.

 

[ethanwa]

Which airline and flight number are you on? If the airline issue a travel waiver I would think you could get them to reroute you directly without going through the travel agent. If you know the flight number it's probably possible to look up where the plane used will be coming from. If the plane is overnighted at the airport (early morning flight) then you may still get out. They should just deice it and be on their way.

If you are pretty sure this weather will cancel your flight I would:

1) Get on the phone ASAP trying to get my travel changed to get out a day earlier and beat the storm. Or, see if you can get them to reroute you out of PDX and drive down there before the snow hits.

2) Unless all flights out your travel day are cancelled the day before your travel (meaning so long as any flights are getting out) I would make sure I could get my family to the airport in time for my flight in case it was able to leave. I would go so far as to book a room at an airport hotel the night before to make sure I could get there without being stuck in the snow.

If you get stuck behind the masses being rebooked you may not get out for a while. Stay ahead of the masses. Try to get out before the snow shuts down the airport.

Alaska Airlines Flight 18 on Wednesday morning from SEA to MCO.

Please let me know if you can look up this info for me.

 

[snesguy]

Looks like flights are getting in and out today. AS 18 left today for MCO. www.flightaware.com can track a flight and sometimes (if its coming from another city) tell you when it will arrive. For AS 18 it looks like it was overnighted at SEA. I can't find the info but from looking at the Alaska Airlines schedule I would guess that AS 18 (SEA->MCO) turns into AS 19 (MCO->SEA) and returns to SEA in the late evening and sits there overnight to await departure again as AS 18 the next day. This doesn't mean it always happens this way. They can substitute in a plane for a maintenance problem or other reasons.

Keep an eye on the AS 19 tonight (Alaska Airlines website can track it), and if it arrives tonight in SEA I'd say there is a good chance your AS 18 will be able to leave OK on Wednesday if you can get to the airport. Do you have a 4 wheel drive / all wheel drive vehicle to get you there?

Checking with the airline frequently is advised. If it does get cancelled and you still want to travel you'll want to make alternate arrangements as soon as possible.

 

[snesguy]

As of right now there are no delays at SEA. From the airport website:

http://www.portseattle.org/Sea-Tac/Pages/default.aspx/

Has a banner at the top:

Winter weather update
Conditions at Sea-Tac are currently bare and wet, with no snow accumulations. Sea-Tac is not experiencing any weather related delays at this time, however, delays around the country may effect the arrival and departure times of aircraft to/from other locations. Before departing for the airport, passengers should check with their airline for any flight delays. Check flight status below.

 

[snesguy]

Conditions just updated:

Winter weather update
Conditions at Sea-Tac include periods of light snow, with no accumulations. Sea-Tac is not experiencing any weather related delays at this time, however, delays around the country may effect the arrival and departure times of aircraft to/from other locations. Before departing for the airport, passengers should check with their airline for any flight delays. Check flight status below. Keep updated on the weather advisory.

 

[bumbershoot]

OP, since the forecast is for the real snow to hit tonight, if you still want to try to get out, I'd head to an airport hotel NOW. I'd get one of the really really close ones, so that it's not the driving that keeps you on the ground.

The nice thing about our airport is that it has "street" pricing, so as long as you're not going to a boutique place unique to that one airport, you're getting normal prices on food and coffee etc...so having a delay there isn't as bad as it is in most other airports, in terms of buying things.

 

[dtstampz]

I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you, ethanwa!
Only a bit of snow here in the SE corner of WA, but ferocious winds today.
If we get snow, it's going to be a mess...

 

[snesguy]

OP, since the forecast is for the real snow to hit tonight, if you still want to try to get out, I'd head to an airport hotel NOW. I'd get one of the really really close ones, so that it's not the driving that keeps you on the ground.

The nice thing about our airport is that it has "street" pricing, so as long as you're not going to a boutique place unique to that one airport, you're getting normal prices on food and coffee etc...so having a delay there isn't as bad as it is in most other airports, in terms of buying things.

I Agree, book a hotel next to the airport right now. I'd get one with a free shuttle. Unless you have 4WD or AWD, park your car at the airport tonight before the storm and use the hotel shuttle (book a hotel with a shuttle) from the airport to shuttle to the hotel and back.

Just found a nice article on the snow situation:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/travel/2017260353_trairtravel18.html

It looks like the airport plans to stay open with 2 out of 3 runways at all times. Alaska Airlines is booking their employees at airport hotels so they can be ready to fly so there is a good chance your flight will depart tomorrow. If you want to be on it and you don't have a vehicle that will navigate the snow to the airport you need to prepare.

Many airport hotels are booked already for tonight so if you want a hotel near the airport right now is the time to book it.

Edit:
I just noticed in the article above that Alaska has a travel waiver so you could rebook your flight for no charge until Sunday...but, Friday might be your best bet to avoid the snow but a lot of people already realized that and those flights are pretty full. I'd try to get out on your current flight tomorrow. It looks like it will go. You'll have to decide if you can get to the airport. If you can't get to the airport you may be able to get the airline and Disney to shift your travel dates (including the return) but you would have to spend some time on the phone to figure that out. Let us know what happens. Good luck!

 

[snesguy]

OP, I saw your posts at flyertalk and it looks like you are covered with a hotel at the airport tonight and might take tonight's flight since Alaska is waiving change fees now. I think you'll be fine either way. If you stay at an airport hotel tonight I'd try to confirm that their shuttle can get you there through snow in the morning (including that their driver can make it to work through the snow). You can always take a taxi so long as you have enough time.

 

[ethanwa]

Hi all, OP here.

Me and the wife/kids are in a hotel within 2 minutes of the airport and it has a free shuttle. I can assume it will have full chains on and ready to go. The hotel confirmed that it will be running the shuttle every 30 minutes.

We're going to get the 6AM shuttle and try to get to the airport by 6:30AM, right when the real snow comes in, so hopefully the shuttle will have no major problems.

Our flight leaves at 8:45AM. I hope to god they can get it off the ground! I will post later to let you know if we made it or not. Wish us luck.

Ethan

 

[snesguy]

You have done well. You jumped on the situation early and have an optimal plan. I feel pretty strongly that your flight will depart tomorrow and you will be rewarded for your efforts. I'll be keeping an eye on it and wishing you a good journey. Have Fun!

 

[ethanwa]

You have done well. You jumped on the situation early and have an optimal plan. I feel pretty strongly that your flight will depart tomorrow and you will be rewarded for your efforts. I'll be keeping an eye on it and wishing you a good journey. Have Fun!

New forecast models just came out 10 minutes ago: http://twitpic.com/88mouz

Looks like 4'' or less at the airport now for Wednesday. If the model holds, or even drifts south 20-50 miles, I am pretty confident we will get out tomorrow, even if just a slight delay.

 

[dmoore718]

Good Luck!!! I know this feeling very well!! We had major snowstorms at the beginning and end of our Jan. 2011 WDW trip and then Hurricane Irene caused us to have to get an earlier flight out of Philly, with less than 12 hours notice. We stayed up all night and packed to get to the airport at 5AM!

Have a great trip!

 

[snesguy]

I'm monitoring it to see if the flight gets off OK. It is scheduled to depart at 8:45 AM but it's now after 9 AM and it is not showing as departed yet. It still looks like it will though.

Maybe it's a snow runway delay? Or maybe Alaska is waiting for passengers to make to the gate who were delayed by the snow? I wish I knew.

The airport is open. Some airlines have cancelled flights, but not the OP's.

From SEA-TAC:
Winter weather update 1/18/12

Sea-Tac Airport crews are keeping up with snow accumulation on the airfield. The runways are open for operation, however, some flights have been proactively cancelled by airlines.

Edit: Just found this which may explain it:

Seattle-Tacoma Intl is currently experiencing departure delays of 16 minutes to 30 minutes (and increasing) due to snow and ice.

Edit 2:
I was checking on flightaware and all the flights that have been leaving have been delayed by around hour or so, so I'm hoping things are OK for OP. So far it looks OK, flight is still scheduled to depart, it just hasn't departed yet.

 

[snesguy]

Now the Alaska Airlines site is saying they will have a "DEPARTURE UPDATE AT 9:55 AM".

Edit:
Now showing ETD 10:00 AM! Yeah! Looking good for departure.

Edit (10:12):
Now showing ETD 10:30 AM. These guys at Alaska just can't seem to get it going.

Edit (10:51):
Now showing DEPARTURE UPDATE AT 11:15 AM. Poor OP waiting through long Alaska Airlines delays. Hopefully they get out.

 

[coopersmom]

Edit (10:51):
Now showing DEPARTURE UPDATE AT 11:15 AM. Poor OP waiting through long Alaska Airlines delays. Hopefully they get out.

Echo your sympathies to the original poster and add mine. A long, frustrating day seems to be ahead of them. Hope they finally get to take off and the long delay is just a bad memory. Hope flight isn't cancelled altogether. Either way, not a fun way to start your vacay.

 

[snesguy]

Their flight left the gate at 12:57. It looks like it had a tarmac delay of about another 50 minutes before taking off but now they are wheels up and on their way after only a 5 hour delay!

Other flights were leaving with only 45-60 minute delays. Alaska did something wrong on this flight but at least it got off finally. Have a great trip OP!