Misconnections/Stand-By Options

[SV24]

I want to discuss what my options would be if we miss our connection in Atlanta. We're crossing our fingers not to be put on a later flight. Many of the alternative flights are filling up already (two months prior)

I'm noticing that the "first class" and "preferred" seats aren't budging. Will those be made available to misconnected passengers? I'm guessing that those seats will not move as they are more expensive. I'm just a little nervous. I don't want to pre-emptively switch flights in case our scheduled one works out... but I'd like to feel fairly confident about arriving to Disney at a reasonable time. We paid for that day and stand to lose a good chunk of daylight if we are delayed. It's my own fault for not considering all of this before booking. We are scheduled to arrive in Orlando at 12:30. There is another flight that will arrive in Orlando at 1:30. That would be an acceptable alternative but it's filling up incredibly fast. There are some scattered one seaters and quite a few "preferred" seats. Last but not least, the elusive first class seats are wide open. Will they give those up to misconnected people if there are no other openings?

Sorry for the rambling.... I appreciate any advice!

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

What is your connection now? There may not really be any reason to panic. While Atlanta

Now... the first class seats will disappear. If no one buys them about a week in advance they start giving them to frequent flyers who move out of seats in the back of the plane to the front. But those "perferred" seats will move. THat's how we got to be frequent flyers.. we don't buy months and months in advance but wind up buying much closer to the flight and paying a lot more (For example, I bought a ticket for travel on 3/28 yesterday 3/15 and compared to some of my fellow frequent travelers that was early)

However, a seat map is generally a lousy indicator of what's going on. I have had flights with "empty" seat maps where it went out with every seat taken.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

In December 2008 when my family and I had to go Stand-By on Air Canada from Toronto - Orlando, ourselves and all the other passengers were able to get seats in Business Class since those seats weren't sold. Now I am not sure how the process works when Airlines in the United States when it comes to First Class, however that was our experience.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

I want to discuss what my options would be if we miss our connection in Atlanta. We're crossing our fingers not to be put on a later flight. Many of the alternative flights are filling up already (two months prior)

I'm noticing that the "first class" and "preferred" seats aren't budging. Will those be made available to misconnected passengers? I'm guessing that those seats will not move as they are more expensive. I'm just a little nervous. I don't want to pre-emptively switch flights in case our scheduled one works out... but I'd like to feel fairly confident about arriving to Disney at a reasonable time. We paid for that day and stand to lose a good chunk of daylight if we are delayed. It's my own fault for not considering all of this before booking. We are scheduled to arrive in Orlando at 12:30. There is another flight that will arrive in Orlando at 1:30. That would be an acceptable alternative but it's filling up incredibly fast. There are some scattered one seaters and quite a few "preferred" seats. Last but not least, the elusive first class seats are wide open. Will they give those up to misconnected people if there are no other openings?

Sorry for the rambling.... I appreciate any advice!

What airline are you flying? Each airline has specific rules about the assistance they give to misconnected passengers.

I remember one Christmas, lots of United passengers were stranded in Denver due to a snow storm, but once the storm was over, passengers willing to pay for first class could get out immediately as United does not consider FC seats to be available for misconnected coach passengers. That was years ago, however, and may not even apply to United any more. -- Suzanne

 

[SV24]

Hi again

My airline is Delta and the layover is 59 minutes. I'm sure I'll make that connection with no problems IF the flight arrives on time. I just wanna cover my bases. I've been tracking the gates and so far most flights from my airport arrive in Gate B. The Orlando flights SEEM to depart mostly from T, A & B. God willing I won't really have to trek across the entire airport. We didn't have a layover last year so this is very new to me.

So... most of those preferred and FC seats will be unavailable? I wonder how that's going to work if all seats are taken on every flight to Orlando. Do that many people go to Orlando on satuday afternoons to fill up every business and preferred seat? It's nice to talk to frequent flyers since I'm a newbie. I was a little impulsive when selecting this flight. I badly wanted to arrive in Orlando somewhat early.

Thanks!

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I definately wouldn't count on First or Business class seats being available if you miss your connection.

 

[SV24]

My flight is scheduled to arrive in Orlando @ 12:30 (assuming I make the connection)... There is another flight scheduled to arrive in Orlando for 1:30. I wouldn't want to arrive @ MCO much later than 2. So far the 1:30 flight has many open preferred & FC seats. There are only 9 open economy seats (none next to eachother & alot of them between preferred seats for some reason). This is two months prior to my trip so it's not looking good. My only prayer was if they opened the FC and Preferred seats to misconnected folks. I guess that's probably not the case. Lesson learned if this doesn't work out Dear God I hope this works out!!

Offtopic... why is there an emoticon doing laundry?? What are the common uses for that? hee hee

 

[seashoreCM]

Help reduce the chances of this problem by booking with a longer connection time.

 

[prncess674]

The will move elite or high paying Y/B fare customers to First/Business before letting the el cheapo flyers into those cabins. I think you need to really chill out about a flight two months from now. Saturday AM is a very slow time so it is unlikely that the airport will be super congested. Even if your plane pulls up to the jetway at 30min before your next plane's departure you are still VERY likely to make your flight.

If you have an internet enabled mobile phone then bookmark mobile.delta.com and you can check the gate/status of your connecting flight. 59 minutes is plenty of time if both of your flight are on time. 30 minutes is still fine (but hustle) if your arriving flight is on time. You will be able to check your phone for departing gate information while you taxi to the gate, this will give you up to date info where you need to go. Print out the map of ATL airport so you aren't wandering.

If the worst happens and you do miss your flight, remember that the contract of carriage does not guarantee you seats together or any particular seats in a particular part of the plane. The COC says they will get you in a seat from A to B.

 

[Ed J]

I have made my last 2 connections through Atlanta with less than 30 minutes layover time due to arriving late. The last one was in December and I had to travel past 3 terminals via the train and still had time to grab a hot dog to take on the plane with me.

Don't sweat it, the odds are on your side.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I have made my last 2 connections through Atlanta with less than 30 minutes layover time due to arriving late. The last one was in December and I had to travel past 3 terminals via the train and still had time to grab a hot dog to take on the plane with me.

Don't sweat it, the odds are on your side.

I'm impressed, I had a 25 minute connection and there was NO chance to even make it (same type scenario, but I didn't even attempt to stop and get food). My arrival was very delayed and my departure was spot on. Was your departure on time?

 

[Ed J]

Boarded behind the time on the ticket, but left on time, 9ish out got in to PHL around 11 PM. But I made the gate on time, hence the dog.

I book 45 minute layovers through Atlanta without hesitation. Last fall we had 6 of use all delayed out of Oklahoma City all with different destinations going through Atlanta and everyone made it. 1 guy had less than 20 minutes, they were closing the door behind him, but he made it.

Did you hustle and get to your gate and find the door closed, or not bother with the short amount of time you had?

 

[Mary976]

OP, are both legs of the flight Delta? Sometimes if the delay on the first flight is not too long, you can speak with the attendant and ask if they can call ahead and have the other flight held for you. Sometimes works, sometimes not. At the very least, the flight attendant can verify you have the correct gate so you know where you are running too. Also, on occasion the attendant can let those people with quick connections get off the plane first. It never hurts to ask, especially if the delay is only a small one.

Mary

 

[DebbieB]

I was on a flight today PIT-ATL that arrived in ATL about 20-25 minutes late. The FA made an announcement saying if you were not connecting, to remain seated and allow those late for connections to get off first. I was not connecting, so I waited. That happened last week too (I'm on a 4 for 4 streak for late Delta flights).

 

[SV24]

Thanks everyone.

I'm just trying to be prepared for whatever happens. I've been tracking arrivals on the Atlanta website to see how often PWM flights are late. They fly Portland to Atlanta only a couple times a day but most have been on time. There was a significantly late arrival yesterday and that was in the evening. It must have been one of the last flights of the night so connections probably weren't a concern. Plus this is Spring Break, right? I'm sure delays are more common now.

I'm willing to at least ask FA's for help if needed. It can't hurt! They are there to help if they can.

 

[prncess674]

Thanks everyone.

I'm just trying to be prepared for whatever happens. I've been tracking arrivals on the Atlanta website to see how often PWM flights are late. They fly Portland to Atlanta only a couple times a day but most have been on time. There was a significantly late arrival yesterday and that was in the evening. It must have been one of the last flights of the night so connections probably weren't a concern. Plus this is Spring Break, right? I'm sure delays are more common now.

I'm willing to at least ask FA's for help if needed. It can't hurt! They are there to help if they can.

You can ask an FA for help, but it is doubtful that they can really do anything. So many times, I hear "please stay seated, so those with tight connections can make it" yet 95% of the people pop up as soon as the seat belt sign is off and the entire announcement falls on deaf ears. Sure we all wish the world was a smiley happy fantasy world, but we as a country aren't that polite. Don't depend on the help of the FA or ticket agents, be prepared with your own information. As soon as you touch down and are taxing in to ATL boot up your phone and check the departing flight info. You will have your map of the airport in your pocket so be prepared and know where you are going.

If I had a tight connection there is no way I would loiter and wait at the ticket counter asking them to hold a flight. Airlines don't typically hold flights where they have frequent service. More than likely there will be people holding tickets for the later flight that will be waiting for a standby seat on your flight so if you misconnect they will take your original flight which then opens up seats on the later flight. There is no point in holding a flight ATL-MCO when the airline has other flights that day.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Help reduce the chances of this problem by booking with a longer connection time.

No kidding. If you are so worried, start booking flights with 3+ hours connection time! Or pay extra for non-stop flights, if they are available.

I'm willing to at least ask FA's for help if needed. It can't hurt! They are there to help if they can.

Sadly, not really. I too have been on flights where FAs ask PAX to let off people first with tight connections, it never happens.

 

[ironz]

One more thing you can do is to make sure you are seated as far forward on your first flight as possible. Check the seat chart and get seats that will help your situation. Better to be in row 10 than row 26...that can make up 5-10 minutes or more.
I don't recall the makeup of your travelling party (kids/adults)....if there aren't forward seats for all of you and you can be split up, seat one adult up there, who can be out of the plane, off to the next gate, and letting them know the rest of you are on your way.

And....if you misconnect...hopefully you'll be on the next flight. If not, just chill. I know you'd like to be at MCO by 2, but if it doesn't happen, the world will not stop spinning.

 

[tlenzendorf]

Maybe it's just the luck of the draw or how you are when you miss flights or how you treat the gate attendant if you will be bumped up or not

Once I missed my flight from San Francisco to Madison due to an oil tanker tipping over on the interstate on the way to the airport. I got there 2 hours after my departure time. I was upset, but ready to pay and they said no, they had an empty seat on a flight. I was put in a business seat to Chicago, then a puddle jumper back to Madison. This was last fall.

Then the trip before that one was in the spring. I was going from Madison to San Francisco. I had a 6:00am-ish departure time. The flight kept getting delayed to our plane having mechanical issues in Michigan and it couldn't come in. Around 10:00am they cancelled our flight and started rebooking everyone. I was probably the 10th in line, after the gate agent had just been reamed out 9 times before me for something that wasn't her fault. I was just nice and polite and even asked to be put into Sacramento instead of San Francisco. I was very surprised when I was in business class from Madison to Dallas and first class from Dallas to Sacramento.

Some great pixie dust even though I wasn't at Disney!

 

[prncess674]

Then the trip before that one was in the spring. I was going from Madison to San Francisco. I had a 6:00am-ish departure time. The flight kept getting delayed to our plane having mechanical issues in Michigan and it couldn't come in. Around 10:00am they cancelled our flight and started rebooking everyone. I was probably the 10th in line, after the gate agent had just been reamed out 9 times before me for something that wasn't her fault. I was just nice and polite and even asked to be put into Sacramento instead of San Francisco. I was very surprised when I was in business class from Madison to Dallas and first class from Dallas to Sacramento.

Yes, you usually catch more flies with honey, but more than likely they had just assigned all economy class seats to the 9 passengers ahead of you and the only thing left was a premium cabin. I am not sure what airline you are flying, but then again I don't know of any airline that flies a non stop much less a 3 class international (first, biz, eco) configured plane from MSN to DFW.