Flying with Continental Airlines

[Mystic's Lady Ebony]

Don't feel welcome so removing my posts.

 

[bavaria]

December 2010 is a VERY VERY long way away in the airline industry.

I would not make plans today for then, based on last week's events.

 

[Mystic's Lady Ebony]

See above

 

[bavaria]

The news media is an abysmal source of any factual information regarding airline travel at the moment. Expect many current restrictions to change in the coming weeks and months, once the holiday season ends and the adults in charge come back to work.

www.flyertalk.com

There you will find more information about specific airlines including about the specific questions you asked. You will also find far more factual discussion and first hand accounts (and they too stock a good supply of tinfoil too)

This is a Disney website, not a travel website, and for that I always recommend going to a more informed and more active source.

Remember too that over the next few months many things may change at CO since they joined with UA. We are already starting to see those changes. What was in place six months ago may no longer be relevant in six months, and again the frequent flyers on the CO board over there can guide you.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Continental is one of my preferred airlines. They have some of the newest planes, nicest domestic first class - especially on their domestic routes that use international jets.

That said, Newark is one of the worst airports to fly in and out of, there are always delays, but that also is true of the other two major airports in the area (LGA and JFK), there's just too much air traffic in that area.

 

[disneyag]

I agree with Bavaria---no telling WHAT can occur in the next month, let alone the next year.
That being said, we are elite status on Continental. We find their planes clean and comfortable. Their flight attendants are usually friendly and helpful. I think Newark is a nicer airport than JFK.

 

[Mystic's Lady Ebony]

See post 1

 

[bavaria]

And again, you will find more responses on FT, and more information over there.

I agree with jlewisinsyr. I would not forego a nonstop flight in order to fly CO and connect in EWR (or any other NYC area airport)

 

[Mystic's Lady Ebony]

See post 1

 

[bavaria]

Yes, but you are still connecting in Newark - even if overnight. And your plan is worse than just connecting from one flight to another, and includes potentially more cost and more delays.

It's truly one of the worst major airports in the US, and it is absolutely a pain to get off site to a hotel and back onsite again. The area is also very industrial and sketchy with little to do. I have spent months there at a time and would not recommend it.

Again, I WOULD NOT recommend what you are planning to do. Too many variables and especially at that time of year too many opportunities for delays.

Didn't you say that you were looking for input? We gave input. The two of us most likely fly that airline and through that airport more than almost anyone else here except maybe for people originating there. And originating is still different than passing through.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Did you even read my original post? I said we would be flying with a small airline out of Toronto the day before and spending the night in Newark. We would then be catching the Continental flight out of Newark the next morning and it is a direct flight from Newark to Orlando.

I think Bavaria is saying that, although it is not truly a connecting flight, you may want to anticipate delays flying in and out of EWR.

There are some things you can do to help avoid these situations, including arriving and departing early in the day. Once delays start in the tri-state area it usually results in flights being cancelled later in the day.

If you had the choice to fly from Toronto direct to MCO, Bavaria is stating, that it would probably be a better option then trying to connect or fly to, spend the night and then fly out of EWR the next day (and repeat for the way home).

The two of us most likely fly that airline and through that airport more than almost anyone else here.

I fly through and to EWR and LGA more then I'd like to admit. I can state with confidence I am almost always delayed, more so with EWR. Unfortunately coming from SYR, there are limited connection options for the majority of flights. Jetblue is JFK, US Airways is LGA, and Continental is EWR. There are some flights from Continental through DTW, but they are limited.

 

[TDC Nala]

It's really hard to base even a selection of an airline on observations made a year prior to the trip. There's not even any guarantee that Continental will still have that nonstop flight in December 2010.

It will be almost certain that even in a year, the more connections you make, the more chance you have for delays (usually related to weather that time of year).

 

[bavaria]

Here is a review on Porter (from flyertalk.com)

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip...gural-newark-toronto-city-center-airport.html

I don't believe that Toronto Island has preclearance (crashbb will be along shortly to correct me if needed)

So that adds another element to your plan; clearing immigration at EWR, potentially along with other international flights. That would be another major and very significant reason why I disagree with your plan.


Edited: Porter's website confirms that you will need to clear in the US

Where do I clear Customs and Immigration?

All passengers travelling to the United States from Toronto City Centre Airport are required to clear US Customs and Immigration upon arrival in the United States. There is no pre-clearance available at Toronto City Centre Airport.

http://www.flyporter.com/fly2/FlyPorter/FAQ?#7

 

[Mystic's Lady Ebony]

See post 1

 

[crashbb]

You know what? I've flown the Porter route and I've flown Continental. And I've flown into and out of EWR numerous times.

I have information that might be helpful. However, I am not willing to risk your
wrath if you don't like what I say.

Bavaria's posts were/are FULL of information about airlines/transportation. Apparently, however, they aren't worded exactly the way you'd like them to be. Rather than risk also getting yelled at by you, I'll just not post.

If anyone else would like information about these routes/airlines, please feel free to PM me.

ETA - you do realise, I hope, that you still have the "small purse" problem since you are still doing a CAN-US flight. The only way to avoid this would be to drive to the US and fly from there.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I am well aware that with Porter we have to clear customs once we reach Newark. I'm not an idiot.

Oh and if you don't want questions about airlines and transportation, maybe they should get rid of this board altogether.

I posted on here in the hopes of getting some opinions on an Airline. I can see now that it was a mistake since all I've gotten is grief about my possible route. Now I know why I stay away from this board altogether.

The ones who post in this forum are often construed as negative and your post supports why.

There are many of us who fly quite frequently and often posters forget that there is more to a comfortable flight then just the plane. Convenience, routes, planes, staff, code-share agreements, etc are all a piece of the overall flight process.

You mention you want convenience and are concerned about the carry-on baggage issue, the two reasons you are considering alternative travel arrangements. Bavaria and myself are trying to show you that in all honestly, the option you think is better, most likely is going to result in you having bigger headaches due to the airport choice and the customs issue. Bavaria actually offered some great resources as well which can help you make the most of your flight options including information about the carry-on changes that are forth coming and may change further.

A year from now, it is possible (although not reasonable) that the US will require all flights into the US be pre-screened via customs in their departure airport rather then on arrival. This could mean your flight you choose would be cancelled, funds returned to you because the airport won't invest in the pre-screen. The airline you choose could go out of business (a risk with smaller airlines). Overall there is still a lot of turbulence in the air industry that is being adapted.

There is nothing wrong with making plans, but do so while looking at the larger picture as well.

 

[bavaria]

crashbb can confirm (via PM if necessary) that Porter flies small aircraft. Those require airside checking of carry on luggage, except for the very smallest ones, such as those currently permitted by Transport Canada. A standard rollaboard is not permitted on such jets, and Porter still falls under Transport Canada regulations.

Reports over on www.flyertalk.com are that people may carry laptops on board their flights from Canada to the US so long as they are in a laptop bag, and that women may in addition carry purses the size of an A4 sheet of paper and no more than 4cm thick.

The Transport Canada website says that the regulations are in place for at least several days. http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/mediaroom/backgrounders-menu-5781.htm

Canada is the only developed nation to have this policy in place, and I suspect that they will not continue it if other nations do not join (or have already seen the folly of this decision)

 

[crashbb]

A year from now, it is possible (although not reasonable) that the US will require all flights into the US be pre-screened via customs in their departure airport rather then on arrival. There is still a lot of turbulence in the air industry that is being adapted.

Actually, lack of pre-clearance in Canada is consider a negative for many people when they consider flying Porter. From what I have read, Porter (or YTZ, I'm not sure who'd have to do it) are attempting to get US pre-clearance.

BTW - for those interested, it is not officially the "Island Airport". It is the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (recently re-names from the Toronto City Centre Airport).

ETA - yes, Porter flies small planes (I believe they are DH4)

 

[bavaria]

OP, can you perhaps clarify what it is that you are trying to achieve with your plan? Porter Airlines would still need to adhere to Transport Canada regs. Combine that with the frequent delays from YTZ and EWR due to weather and/or air traffic control, the lack of preclearance, and the need to go offsite and back onsite I don't see how any of this would end up saving time. Nor do I see how it would permit you to take on more carry on; if anything you would be permitted less on board the Porter flight than on a regular AC or WestJet flight as they fly Dash 8 aircraft.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Actually, lack of pre-clearance in Canada is consider a negative for many people when they consider flying Porter. From what I have read, Porter (or YTZ, I'm not sure who'd have to do it) are attempting to get US pre-clearance.

I don't disagree that its percieved as a negative, but right now its allowed. There is nothing to say that the US could not require pre-clearance for all inbound international flights though.