Heading into a storm - need advice

[MaryKatesMom]

We're scheduled to fly from AVP at 6AM to PHL with a 7:40 departure with a snowstorm starting this evening.

What should I start to think about? I'm not nuts about sitting at PHL with two kids for 9 hrs.

What should I plan on bringing, besides patience.

Can we fly out early? Snow isn't scheduled until 10PM, will USAIR want to get rid of us?

What happens if we miss the connection in PHL?

Where can I get the latest information?

Any advice or information would be appreciated!! TIA!!

 

[canwegosoon]

I would bring snacks(several-2-3 pp) and some water, cards/crayons/paper, and a book or two, and one of those blue sheets(or something you can sit on if no chairs are avail), if you have a bath pillow that you blow up that might come in handy. A DVD movie player would be great. Most of these things I carry in my carry on. You can even have one of the kids carry a back pack with emergency(but you'll use most of them) supplies. Also have cell phone and list of numbers to call (eg. car rental or car transportation, WDW, and a friend or family member) ALso do not put your coats in you luggage, you might need them as a blanket or pillow. Also some things like blangets or pillows and extra snacks/water and books/ batteries for eletronics etc- you should be able to get to in your car in a parking garage(leave in back of car and it is there if you need it)

What ever you do....if it is a large storm, do not leave the airport. I did and got stuck in a car with very little gas and a velvet dinner jacket, and no blankets. A night of horror, being trapped in a car with no heat, 3 feet of snow, easily the worst night of my life.

 

[beccasmom]

I would check the airline's website and also contact directly by phone with the airline to see what their plan is. There are storms in various parts of the nation right now, so I'm sure they've been trying to get their planes where they need to be if they can. I live in the suburbs of Philly; about 15 minutes from the airport. Our snow is "scheduled" (hahaha) to start around 2:00 a.m. Friday morning according to KYW radio. They said the commute to work tomorrow will be awful because the snow will pile up quickly but that's anyone guess; they have been wrong plenty of times before and many Philly folks tend to panic at the mention of snow anyway. I would make sure to bring plenty of snacks and toys/books/audio tapes etc. to keep you and your family occupied just in case you do get stuck. And yes, patience would be a great idea. But also please check with USAirways - they may let you fly out early without a fee because of the weather conditions - it's certainly worth a try even if you do have to pay.

 

[rie'smom]

Print some kid's pages to color and word searches made up with Disney words.Here's are some links:
www.themouseforless.com/downloads/kidsdownloads.shtml
http://puzzlemaker.school.discovery.com/
www.superkids.com/aweb/tools/words/search/
http://lnx.ginevra2000.it/Disney/color_index.htm
www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=429399&page=1&pp=15

Ya'll have fun!! My DD is 11 and has asked for these again for our next trip in May.

 

[ducklite]

When you arrive in PHL, if there is room on another outbound flight they will put you on it. (This happened to me this past Sunday coming from BUF to MCO via PHL--I didn't even need to ask, they had already done it!)

They don't want to end up "stuck" with you anymore than you want to be "stuck" with them.

If your first leg is delayed and you miss your connection, they will put you on teh next flight with available seats.

Keep in mind that they are not at all obligated to you for meals or a room if the delay/cancellation is due to weather.

Luckily PHL is a nice airport to be stuck in. Tons of restaurants and shops. And lots of local hotels so if it comes down to it you should be able to find a room.

Anne

 

[beccasmom]

Another thought - there are lots of hotels/motels around the PHL airport. It might not be a bad idea to book one of them just in case you get stuck. You can always cancel if you need to. The Marriott is the closest, but also the most expensive. The Holiday Inn, Embassy Suites, Hilton and Renaissance are good choices, the Renaissance being the closest to the airport. Avoid the Ramada - too far and sadly in need of renovations.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

I called Usair and asked to move to the latest flight out this evening. I was told that I would have to pay $100/per ticket. If the flight is delayed or cancelled then they would move my flight. I asked if they would have that information before the last flight and they said no. They will move me if there is a cancellation but they won't have that information until it is too late.

All of the flights today and tomorrow have room so it doesn't make any sense to stick us in the PHL airport unneccessarily, not to mention flying in a storm. Why they wouldn't want to open those seats to other passengers is beyond me. Why not move us through the system faster, especially if we are willing to pay for a motel, just not $400.

 

[safetymom]

It may not be the weather in PHL that causes a delay. If your flight that you are taking to your final destination is delayed you could have problems.

Also take the 800 number for your airline with you. That way when everyone heads to the ticket counter you will be on the phone getting your seats.

Keep checking your airlines website to see if there are any delays.

 

[canwegosoon]

I would check with AVP..see if you can get on a flight to Phl and on to MCO. How much snow are you expecting? and How much snow is PHL expecting?

 

[safetymom]

Just keep checking the USAirways website. Sometimes when they know that a bad storm is coming they will post weather advisories on the website. I would imagine later this afternoon they would have a better idea and you might be able to switch flights.

Also try calling them several times and see if you get the same answer. There are agents that can do more for you just like calling WDW.

 

[beccasmom]

Also, PHL is a major "hub" for USAirways, which is good in some ways, but lousy in others. And bad weather has a domino effect - this storm is affecting lots of areas from the Ohio Valley onward - Boston, NY, Baltimore...... Although we often fly USAirways, it is far from our favorite airline. I have found them to be less than accommodating in situations like this. And they hedge their bets that the storm will not be as bad as predicted, which doesn't help their passengers with planning. They don't want to lose revenue, so they charge you because the weather is threatening and you're trying to be proactive. However, with possible freezing rain predicted as well as snow, chances are good that a fair number of planes will be grounded or on a major delay.

I would definitely book a hotel. We were in Dallas in October when our flight (USAirways) was delayed, delayed, delayed, then finally cancelled. This was at 8:00 p.m. They did put us up for the night and gave us vouchers for breakfast and/or dinner and shuttled us back to the airport. But we never did find the reason for the delay - not weather as far as I could tell - so, I'm assuming it was equipment issues. I believe that their policy is that weather conditions are beyond their control and you're on your own - stay at the airport or find a hotel. That could be tough at the last minute. If I had children with me, I'd rather be in a hotel waiting it out - cheaper than changing your flights!

 

[ducklite]

Maybe Priceline a cheap airport area hotel for the night and call it insurance?

Anne

 

[seashoreCM]

If you want to fly out early, show up at the airport early without calling in advance.

The airline won't modify your reservation over the phone for free but in almost all cases they will let you stand by for free if a storm threatens.

(Psst! If you show up in plenty of time to beat a storm and the airline refuses to let you stand by for free and the earlier plane departs with empty seats and and your booked flight is cancelled due to weather, then the airline blatantly failed to endeavor to get you to your destination per its contract of carriage.)

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[mbb]

book a room. We *always* book space in an airport hotel in our flythrough cities in the winter..and our last trip we used the rooms, going and coming home.

You just never know..traveling with 2 kids, and my parents, it's worth the peace of mind.

Good luck, travel safe

 

[beccasmom]

From USAIRways "terms of transportation" (also check out the PHL airport webiste - http://www.phl.org/ --- it occasionally is more helpful than the airline sites.......

http://www.usairways.com/customers/....htm#Amenities/Services for Delayed Customers -------

When a ticketed customer holds a confirmed reservation on a flight, US Airways may assume limited expenses incurred as a result of a flight cancellation or schedule irregularity resulting in a delay exceeding four hours, as outlined below. US Airways may also provide special amenities and services which, in US Airways' judgment, are required by certain customers such as unaccompanied children, customers requiring special assistance, and customers with medical conditions, in order to maintain the safety, health and welfare of such customers. Amenities will not be made available to a customer on any US Airways flight which is delayed or canceled in the metropolitan area where the customer resides or at the customer's destination.

When a flight is canceled or delayed by two hours or more, customers at connecting points in their itineraries will be provided upon request with a prepaid telephone card which can be used on a local public telephone, or access to a US Airways telephone.

US Airways will provide a food voucher to customers whose flights have been canceled or delayed for three hours or more during normal meal times, when the delay is not due to Air Traffic Control, weather, or other circumstances beyond US Airways' control. The food voucher may be used at a restaurant in the airport or a hotel restaurant for customers who are also accommodated overnight. The value of the food voucher will vary according to whether it is for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Food vouchers will not be offered to customers who are reaccommodated on a flight with meal service.

In the event of a delay or cancellation, overnight accommodations will be arranged by US Airways at their expense for customers at connecting points whose flights are delayed or canceled because of circumstances within US Airways' control for whom no alternate transportation is available. Overnight accommodations will not be provided for customers whose flights are delayed or canceled due to circumstances beyond US Airways' control such as Air Traffic Control or weather. Overnight accommodations include a hotel and transportation to and from the hotel selected by US Airways. Food vouchers will be provided if the delay or cancellation causes the customer to miss dinner and/or breakfast, or if a meal is not provided on the rerouted flight the next day. A prepaid telephone card or access to a US Airways telephone will also be provided.

In the unusual event that alternate transportation or overnight accommodations cannot be provided, US Airways will endeavor to provide for customers' comfort by making sure food is available and arranging for customers' trips to resume as soon as possible.

With respect to amenities made available by US Airways, including ground transportation and hotel accommodations, the vendor providing such service is not an agent, servant, employee, or in any manner under contract with US Airways to provide such goods and services. US Airways disclaims all liability for any acts or omissions of the vendor, its agents, servants, and employees resulting in personal injury or death, or loss of or damage to property.

Information about US Airways' accommodations policies are available from authorized US Airways agents or on the US Airways web site (usairways.com).

 

[beccasmom]

I would check with AVP..see if you can get on a flight to Phl and on to MCO. How much snow are you expecting? and How much snow is PHL expecting?

We're (PHL area) expecting - depending on whom you listen to - anywhere from 3-8 inches. However, it could change to freezing rain, tamping down the totals, but making the roads worse. And with all the de-icing they have to do with planes....

 

[MaryKatesMom]

OK. Now I'm just mad. I've been trying to get out this evening. There IS room on the flight. I'm not happy about spending a couple of hundred dollars on a hotel room I don't need but if it prevents us from spending 9 hours at the Philly airport but we can't afford $600. Really. Just get us on the way!!!

Ugh. I don't see the positive customer service benefit.

 

[beccasmom]

OK. Now I'm just mad. I've been trying to get out this evening. There IS room on the flight. I'm not happy about spending a couple of hundred dollars on a hotel room I don't need but if it prevents us from spending 9 hours at the Philly airport but we can't afford $600. Really. Just get us on the way!!!

Ugh. I don't see the positive customer service benefit.

You're right; there is none. Traveling this time of year is a bummer sometimes. 9 hours in an airport is really awful and with little ones - major aggravation. The airlines generally don't make it easier and certainly don't help make it less expensive. I'm not trying to be a fatalist, but I don't think airline traffic will be moving too well tomorrow. PHL will be affected by everyone else. At least you'll be ahead of the game if you are stuck....the hotels around DFW were full last night because of ice storms in Dallas. Chalk it up to bitter experience - although there's not much more you could have done! - and don't let it ruin your trip. Be safe, warm, and rested in your hotel room. Don't let USAirways get the better of you.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Just an update.

We got the call at 3AM that the 6AM was cancelled do to aircraft maintainence but were placed on the 6:20 out of AVP to PIT instead. PIT is better equiped IMHO than PHL for snow.

 

[safetymom]

Sorry to hear they did this but you are right PIT is much better than PHL. PIT was my home airport and it is very nice. If you have a laptop with you there is free wireless in the airside terminal.

I hope it all goes smoothly for you.