layovers/changing planes?

[monalsw]

i'm looking at flights and discovered that we will arrive earlier if we do layover at atlanta.

i've never done this before...how difficult is it? will i have time (1.25 hr layover) to change planes and move luggage (do i have to do it? does it all have to be rechecked? do we go through security again?) without losing my kids? i will be alone with 14 yr and 4 yr olds!

thanks for any info!

 

[ducklite]

You'll have PLENNTY of time

Once you've cleared security at the first airport you've gone into what they call a "Sterile concourse". that means that everyone and everything has cleared security, so you don't need to do it again (except at some really small airports and in a few rare other circumstances--like a breach.)

At any rate, you'll clear security at the first airport, go to your gate, get on yoru plane take off, land, get off, walk to the next gate at teh new airport never having left a sterile concourse, get on the plane, take off, land, get off, and walk out of the sterile concourse into the main concourse where you'll claim your luggage.

Your luggage will be checked at the first airport, and unless you are flying international and have to clear customs or there is some freak situation it will be transferred to the connecting flight for you.

I'm assuming you're flying on Delta. Atlanta is a large airport, and it's possible that you'll have to go to another terminal for the connection, but it's still within the same secure area, so you won't have to go through security. Even in Atlanta you'll still have more than enough time to make your connecting flight.

Have fun!

Anne

 

[Minybear]

ducklite

What happens when you have a different type of airline for the connecting flight (AW/HawaiianAir)? What happens then? Do you have to go get your luggage at baggage claim and check in again with Hawaiian airline and go through security again?

 

[5infam]

Same procedures as if you were on the same airline. You just walk over to their terminal. You will probably want to check in at their desk (usually located where you board the plane) just to make sure they know you are their (and they may need to assign you a seat). Other than that...off you go!! Good luck

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Minybear
ducklite

What happens when you have a different type of airline for the connecting flight (AW/HawaiianAir)? What happens then? Do you have to go get your luggage at baggage claim and check in again with Hawaiian airline and go through security again?

If it is a different carrier (airline) you will need to claim your baggage and check it in with the new carrier, also, you will need to check yourselves in and pass through security.

 

[ducklite]

Gail--If it's a code share then does that still apply?

The only times I've ever flown two different carriers in one trip was when I wsa travelling internationally in which case I had to claim my baags and clear customs anyhow, or when I did a you-know-what a couple of times.

Anne

 

[mcnuss]

If it is a different carrier (airline) you will need to claim your baggage and check it in with the new carrier, also, you will need to check yourselves in and pass through security.

This is not entirely true, and will depend on how the flights were booked. I have been on numerous inter-airline flights where I am checked in at the first airport with the first carrier, get my boarding passes for all legs, and never see my luggage until my destination. This has happened in code-share situations, as well as when the airlines have agreements, such as when I went to Hawaii, when I switched from AA to either Aloha or Hawaiian (sp?) - can't remember which.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by mcnuss
This is not entirely true, and will depend on how the flights were booked. I have been on numerous inter-airline flights where I am checked in at the first airport with the first carrier, get my boarding passes for all legs, and never see my luggage until my destination. This has happened in code-share situations, as well as when the airlines have agreements, such as when I went to Hawaii, when I switched from AA to either Aloha or Hawaiian (sp?) - can't remember which.

Well then, thanks for the lesson, you do learn something new each day. I guess the best course of action is to call and ask.
I like this code share thing, never have had to use it, obviously.
I have been lucky enough to have the same airline all the way through my travels.
Again, thanks for the info.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by ducklite
Gail--If it's a code share then does that still apply?

The only times I've ever flown two different carriers in one trip was when I wsa travelling internationally in which case I had to claim my baags and clear customs anyhow, or when I did a you-know-what a couple of times.

Anne

According to Mcnuss, I guess not. Not sure what a "you know what" is, but, you certainly have raised my curiosity.

 

[ducklite]

Gail--Back-to-Back

Anne

 

[prncess674]

Make sure when you check in at your originating city that they are aware that you are connecting on to separate carrier. it does not have to be a code share flight. I have booked two completely separate tickets with two different airlines that have no code share agreement and have never had a problem. This type of luggage transfer / ticketing is called interlining. The only problem you would have is if you were going from a budget airline (ie, JetBlue, Southwest, etc) and connecting to a mainline carrier (ie, Delta, United, American). The major mainline carriers do not have interline agreements with the budget carriers and you would have to reclaim your luggage and reclear security in this case. If you originating carrier and connecting carrier are two separate airlines they may or may not be able to issue your boarding pass for the connection. You don't need to exit security though in your connecting city just to get a boarding pass. Read the TV monitors find out what gate your connection is leaving out of and ask the gate agent at the counter to please print your boarding pass for the flight and that is it.

Whenever you are connecting whether interline or a regular connection. Double check the actual tags that they put on your luggage and your ticket stubs that it has your final destination on them. If you are going to orlando you want to see MCO on the tag. I learned the hard way when they once only tagged my bag to my connecting city and not my final destinaiton.

I assume the original poster is on the same airline all the way to MCO she just has a connection in ATL, so none of the info above applies to her. The ticket agent in the originating city will issue boarding passes for all flights and tag her luggage to her final destination (MCO). ATL is well marked but is rather large. Go to the website for the airport and look at the maps so you have some idea how things are laid out.

 

[Minybear]

Thanks everyone for your help. I was wondering when we fly over to Hawaii for our 1st non disney vacation if we have to personally go get our baggage and then recheck in on the other carrier. I hope we do get the "interline" (like prncess674 said) for our flights.

 

[CarolA]

In most cases the original airline checks your bags thur.

IF you buy TWO tickets. (for example, one ticket on SW to from Dallas to Houston and another ticket on Contiental from Houston to Orlando) then you will have to go pick up your luggage and recheck. If the airline sold you one ticket then it is their job to deal with the luggage.

 

[Minybear]

Thanks CarolA for your info

 

[prncess674]

Originally posted by CarolA
In most cases the original airline checks your bags thur.

IF you buy TWO tickets. (for example, one ticket on SW to from Dallas to Houston and another ticket on Contiental from Houston to Orlando) then you will have to go pick up your luggage and recheck. If the airline sold you one ticket then it is their job to deal with the luggage.

this is not exactly true. If I buy a ticket on American Airlines from Dallas to Houston and then buy a second ticket on Continental from Houston to Orlando they can interline your luggage. You will check in with American for the Dallas-Houston leg but you will also give them your confirmation on your Continental flight from Houston to Orlando. American will check your baggage all the way to Orlando. American however will not be able to issue your boarding pass for the Continental segment. You will need to check in at the Continental gate and receive your continental boarding pass in Houston.

The reason your example is correct because you are flying one budget carrier (SWA which doesn't interline) and one major airline. If both segments are major airlines then they will interline your luggage to your final destination. I am positive this works because I have done it on few times due to crazy work schedules. Even if the two major airlines don't have a code share agreement and each sold you a separate ticket they can still transfer your luggage.

 

[CarolA]

I know the airlines used to interline if you had two tickets. However, I was thinking that under the new guidelines that might be harder now. Has anyone done TWO tickets and checked bags lately?

(And yes, SW does not interline with anyone, but they won't issue you a ticket on anyone else's metal either!)

 

[prncess674]

Originally posted by CarolA
I know the airlines used to interline if you had two tickets. However, I was thinking that under the new guidelines that might be harder now. Has anyone done TWO tickets and checked bags lately?

(And yes, SW does not interline with anyone, but they won't issue you a ticket on anyone else's metal either!)

I have interlined on TWO separate tickets. I have done this both internationally and domestically post 9/11 on airlines that are neither partners nor did they have code sharing agreements. Sometimes regular "Joe Agent" doesn't know how to handle it but an experienced CSR can handle this. There is no reason to pickup and recheck your luggage.

 

[LAinSEA]

Anytime my DH or I fly and we check bags, we also carry on a bag that has essentials for that night and the next day. Although we have had nothing more than skis delayed on a return trip - I have friends and associates who have had to deal with lost luggage while on vacation and business travel.

A co-worker of mine that has to travel for work frequently also recommends having a detailed list of what is in your checked luggage with you. You are not allowed to "lock" your luggage anymore and the detailed list helps you figure out immediately if something is missing. She also packs with a series of space bags that are transparent and keeps her things together if they need to search her checked luggage.

travel safe!