Have you ever risked a 45 minute layover?

[loriwvu]

We are flying from Charleston, WV to MCO in June on Delta. (not too concerned about the merger right now). We are using Skymiles and Delta changed our flight to a later time. I notified Delta and they gave me an earlier flight but there is only a 45 minute layover in Atlanta. Has anyone ever tried this? Our kids are 6 and 9 and have flown several times. I am just concerned that we may not make the connection but Delta offered the times.

Lori

 

[bumbershoot]

In Atlanta? Absolutely NO chance I would ever even think about doing that. no no no no.

 

[TDC Nala]

I have a 50 minute one on Thursday (Chicago Midway), hope it works.

 

[bumbershoot]

I have a 50 minute one on Thursday (Chicago Midway), hope it works.

I was going to add to my post that the two places I will not risk such a short layover are Atlanta and Chicago. It was just O'hare on my list, but then I got to sprint, with 3 then co-workers, through Midway catching a flight to DC I believe, and now all of Chicago is on my list.

 

[DisMN]

Two years ago we had a 50 minute in Atlanta. We were very prepared with our bags and boarding documents and we ran our BUTTS to our departure gate. We were so close they closed the plane door on our heels.
Was a bit too close for comfort and I'm not sure we'd do it again. I think you can change your flight for free if your layover isn't long enough.

 

[canwegosoon]

Have done a 30 minute(not by choice)...and it was not fun. Running through some airport-not Altanta- that I remember. What is your connecting flight? Is it on the same carrier, or a code share(and you are really on a different airline)? IF you are on the same carrier I would not worry as much as different carriers. I would do every thing I could to minimize the time(almost no carryons-so you can jump up and go). Speak to Gate attendent at your 1st flight...see if they can put you near the front of the plane-make sure they know you have a very tight connection and are traveling with children. Speak to the flight attendents when you get on the flight(very nicely) again mention how nervous you are that you will not make your connection. I have been on many flights where they have let passangers with tight connections off first(they ask the coach passangers to please wait for a few moments).

Make sure you know Atlanta's lay out...you don't want to waste time looking for gates. Confirm the correct gates with the flight attendants or gate attendants. Then try not to worry...it is out of your hands. I hope you have a great trip.

Check to see where you Airline usually is: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hartsfield-Jackson_Atlanta_International_Airport

Here is the gate layout: http://www.atlanta-airport.com/Default.asp?url=sublevels/terminal/termmap.htm

 

[canwegosoon]

double post

 

[canwegosoon]

We are flying from Charleston, WV to MCO in June on Delta. (not too concerned about the merger right now). We are using Skymiles and Delta changed our flight to a later time. I notified Delta and they gave me an earlier flight but there is only a 45 minute layover in Atlanta. Has anyone ever tried this? Our kids are 6 and 9 and have flown several times. I am just concerned that we may not make the connection but Delta offered the times.

Lori

Looks like you are going to be in COncourse C for your flight from Charleston WV...now where is your other flight coming from?

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

A 45-minute connection in Atlanta is fine -- if the first leg is on time.

In fact, airlines typically build in a 15-minute fudge factor, so that if your flight leaves exactly on time and there are no unusual weather or air traffic issues, you might even arrive at the connecting airport 15 minutes early.

But we all know that delays of up to an hour are very common. That's not a problem if you have a 90-minute connection. But it's clearly a problem with a 45-minute connection. Of course, delays of over an hour also happen, but they're less common than shorter delays.

There's no way to guarantee enough connection time, but I try to avoid connections of under an hour anywhere.

 

[uva185]

The shortest scheduled connection I had in ATL was 37 minutes. I thought there was no way I would make it. Turns out not only did I make it but I had time to hit up the Crown Room Club for a Crown and Coke Delta adds padding to the flight times. You will more than likely arrive early. HOWEVER, if you are delayed then it wont leave you with much flexibility. If you do miss your connection you will be put on the next open flight to MCO. It won't matter that you are on a Skymiles ticket, you will be taken care of. Often if Delta knows I will misconnect they automatically rebook me. If it is a morning flight I think you will be fine. If it is an afternoon flight there is a much greater risk of delays and cancellations due to summer thunderstorms.

 

[eeyoreiscool]

I have had scheduled layovers of 45 minutes and not had a problem. I have had a non-scheduled layover of 15 minutes and still made the plane with a little time to spare.

 

[CarolA]

In Atlanta? Absolutely NO chance I would ever even think about doing that. no no no no.

Used to do it all the time. You should be fine.

Rule 1 Go directly to the NEW gate. Do not stop for food, bathrooms, magazines etc. Once you get to the gate you can see what's going on and then run your errards. I can't tell you how often in Atlanta I see people FURIOUS that they missed thier plane and claiming thier connection was too tight... while holding the Wendy's bag They spent 10 minutes in line for food LOL! (The food folks in the airport are not exactly state of the art efficent!)

 

[hercamore]

Usually when I fly out of our small town, I have two connecting flights.

At least one of them is usually less than an hour. Only once did I miss a flight and then I was put on another flight out right away. That was in Memphis.


herc.

 

[Kazzy1548]

We did that last August... What a mistake. We barely made our flight from Atlanta. they were closing the doors when we boarded. we made it, but our luggage didn't . If I were you I would change your flight.

 

[bubba]

I agree with a previous poster. Go directly to your connecting gate and check on things there, then do what you need to do if you have time. I have done 45 minute connections in Atlanta and had ample time.

 

[rgf207]

I've had a 30 minute layover in Atlanta. I made it

 

[Charleyann]

I had two 35 minutes layovers and I had a child in a wheelchair and made it!

I was nervous!


Charleyann

 

[wezee]

I knew there was a reason, I only book non-stop flights! Having limited vacation time, I hate to waste extra time making flight connections. We fly out of Detroit and could have saved about $15.00 per person, but it's not worth it to me....it would stress me out in the worst way!

 

[anabelle]

I was going to add to my post that the two places I will not risk such a short layover are Atlanta and Chicago. It was just O'hare on my list, but then I got to sprint, with 3 then co-workers, through Midway catching a flight to DC I believe, and now all of Chicago is on my list.

If you are in the same terminal at Midway, you shouldn't have a problem.

 

[TDC Nala]

it's Southwest, they usually stick to the same terminals. if the flight leaving Dulles is on time shouldn't be problematic.