Independence air; connecting flights question:UPDATED:I WAS RIGHT TO BE WORRIED

[funcinderella]

We are flying from newark, nj to orlando next week on Independence Air. We have to change planes in DC; the first flight is scheduled to land at 8:15 pm in DC and the second flight to Orlando is scheduled to leave at 9 pm. We are travelling with two 4-year olds and so have a stroller to gate check. Anyone foresee a problem with making the second flight? Are they usually able to switch the luggage on time? I've never changed planes before and so am a little nervous that all will go smoothly.

 

[funcinderella]

bump; anybody have any reassurances?

 

[PlutoPony]

You should be fine - unless a flight is running late (which can happen anywhere). Flyi is using Terminal A and B now. We've flown on them out of Terminal A several times so I suspect that's what they use for the RJ's, and Terminal B is used for the Airbus flights. A and B are connected by a walkway so you might have a bit of a hike but it should be doable, even with kids. The walk will probably help them to stretch their legs! There is kid friendly food available if you have time - think Burger King and McDonalds are in A, it's been a while since I've been in B. We love Flyi and use them whenever possible. Several of DS's friends parents work for them and they really emphasize customer service it seems...
Have a good trip!

 

[clkelley]

There is a bar and a Chicken Finger/Fries place in terminal A at Dulles. They had chicken fingers, fries, chicken sandwich, chips, and some other grill type stuff. Actually pretty good.

I just spent 5 HOURS in terminal A at Dulles last night being told every 15 minutes that they would have an update in 15 minutes. It was weather related and truly not their fault, just frustrating. I would have rather been told an hour from now, go get something. I could have then sat in the bar in terminal B and been comfortable. We had to stand right near the gate for two hours as we would be boarding any minute now.

To their credit, Independence did set out free sodas and chips at terminal A.

Fortunately, everything did clear up and planes were let go about the time the bar closed, otherwise there would have been war!!

Carol

 

[funcinderella]

Thanks for the replies!

 

[funcinderella]

Just back, and I was right to be worried! Flew out last Thursday (July 7) out of Newark. Our flight was suppposed to leave at 7:05, land by 8:15at Dulles, and catch the connecting flight at 9 to Orlando. The weather was bad in Dulles, and our flight was not allowed to take off because of that (weather was fine in Newark.) We didn't board until 8:15 and arrived in Dulles at 9:10. Needless to say, they did not hold the Orlando flight for us, which took off promptly as scheduled at 9 pm. Everyone else on our flight also missed their connecting flights. Aargh!!! We had to spend the night in DC, as the next flight out of the entire airport was not until the next morning. Cost an extra $74 for the room (although without the discount from the airline, it would have been 249!!) We didn't collect our luggage (there was no way we could get on and off a shuttle with two 4-year olds in a stroller plus all of our luggage.) My daughter was crying that we were supposed to be in Disney (not to mention it was pouring rain.) Arrived in Disney World in slept-in clothes, with unbrushed teeth at 12 pm on Friday. Made it barely in time for CRT lunch at 1:50 (10 minutes late). I won't do connecting flights again!! Not worth the savings!

 

[SB in KY]

Connecting flights are not so bad....just always make sure you are never connecting to the last flight of the day!! That is an invitation to be starnded....sorry your vacation got off to a rocky start but I hope the disney magic made up for it in the long run!!

 

[funcinderella]

Yeah, this was my first foray into the connecting flights thing. I didn't think about it being the last flight...When it goes sour your first time, you're hesitant to try it again. I was on my first cruise in a hurricane in 94 and it took me 8 years to try another one!!

 

[joanb]

Or fly with a large family...they have held connecting flights just for us-I guess they knew what a nightmare it would be geting o another flight together or put us up.