Flying the day before Thanksgiving???

[kimpossible]

Well Airtran cancelled my flight home on Thanksgiving day. To take another flight would either mean getting up at 4:00 am or missing dinner at my parents (neither of which I want to do).

We cancelled and got our $$$ back. Everyone elses flights are more expensive for Thanksgiving day.

How bad would it be to come home the day before T-day? The flights are a bit cheaper. I was wondering if we check our luggage at the hotel and take USAirways home.

Anyone have experience flying home on that day?

 

[beccasmom]

We did it a few years back; had to attend a funeral in Pittsburgh and travel back to PHL. The plane was packed (as you can imagine), but otherwise it was a non-event. Happily, the flight from PIT to PHL is very short, so it was okay.

 

[Missytara]

Remember carwise, it is the heaviest travel day for the year practically. You may be okay on the plane, it will just be the drive home that could be bad.

Either people are driving home from work, or people have left early and starting to get to their destination. Be prepared to sit in traffic getting to the airport and then home from the airport.

My grandparents lived in CT, we lived in DE. A normal trip to their house would be about 7-1/2 hours. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving, it turned into a 12 - 13 hour trip..... ugh.

 

[kaytieeldr]

That Wednesday is one of the busiest travel days of the year. Each plane can 'only' be 100% full - but expect crowds and long lines at the airport.

 

[kimpossible]

You know, now that I figure in the extra baggage fees with USAir as apposed to SW, I think we would only save $35. So I guess it is a no brainer...stay in our Happy Place one more day and enjoy a quiet trip home on T-day.

Thanks

 

[onelilspark]

If you're flying into Philly, here's a VERY useful tip for that time of year (and keep it on the downlow!) We have Thanksgiving in the Philly suburbs, I drive in, my parents & brother fly in...I get to pick them up. If someone is picking you up, tell them that you're NOT going to meet them at Baggage Claim. Have them wait in the cell phone lot, after you get your bags, go upstairs to ticketing and give them a call. Tell whoever is picking you up to go to departures and not arrivals. Oh my goodness, you should see the mess downstairs at arrivals! The back-up is ridiculous, meanwhile, no one is at departures....well, this is if you fly in after around 8pm. Earlier in the day it isn't the same mess, but oh my goodness at night it's horrific.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

You know, now that I figure in the extra baggage fees with USAir as apposed to SW, I think we would only save $35. So I guess it is a no brainer...stay in our Happy Place one more day and enjoy a quiet trip home on T-day.

Thanks

If you choose Southwest, here is a tip.....Watch your fares carefully the next few months. If they go down, you can modify your reservation and keep the extra $$$ in the "bank" for your next trip.

We travel the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend each year. This time we are heading to DL instead of WDW. Last year we booked early and our flight costs went DOWN three times!!!

With no change penalities - Southwest becomes a bargain. Ok, you have booked a restricted (cheep) fare and you will not get immediate $$$ back....but you WILL have no penalties so you will have ALL that $$$ to use on another trip.

We saved a little over $100 with the changes last Thanksgiving trip.

Actually, the day of Thanksgiving is not nearly as busy as the day before.....most are where they want to be already. Keep an eye on those fares.....they will go down if the flights are not full.


We had looked at an Airtran flight out to DL on Nov 28 (T-giving Saturday). It was the PERFECT non-stop flight for us.....but have decided no because Air Tran changes their flight schedules so often....we didn't want to go through the same mess.

I'm sorry it happened to you.

 

[kimpossible]

If you choose Southwest, here is a tip.....Watch your fares carefully the next few months. If they go down, you can modify your reservation and keep the extra $$$ in the "bank" for your next trip.

We travel the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend each year. This time we are heading to DL instead of WDW. Last year we booked early and our flight costs went DOWN three times!!!

With no change penalities - Southwest becomes a bargain. Ok, you have booked a restricted (cheep) fare and you will not get immediate $$$ back....but you WILL have no penalties so you will have ALL that $$$ to use on another trip.

We saved a little over $100 with the changes last Thanksgiving trip.



Actually, the day of Thanksgiving is not nearly as busy as the day before.....most are where they want to be already. Keep an eye on those fares.....they will go down if the flights are not full.


We had looked at an Airtran flight out to DL on Nov 28 (T-giving Saturday). It was the PERFECT non-stop flight for us.....but have decided no because Air Tran changes their flight schedules so often....we didn't want to go through the same mess.

I'm sorry it happened to you.

Yes, I do love SW for their change policies. I have quite a few credits I am using for the flight down. But since I am using credit, I want to wait for those prices to drop. If I book too soon, I will not be able to take the credit because it will expire along with my present credits.

This is the 2nd time Aitrtran has cancelled my flight home. I think I am done with them.