Misconnections/Stand-By Options

[SV24]

Yeah... well it's definitely a shoulda-woulda-coulda situation now. I'll definitely use my noodle more next time. US-Air offers some flights with REALLY early arrival times. Pretty sweet. I'll look at all of my options next time.... and there will be a next time. Disney's the best. Even if my flight doesn't work out, I know Disney will be great! I couldn't believe how smoothly that place operates!

 

[tlenzendorf]

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.

It was American. We were supposed to go from Madison to Denver to San Francisco originally. Dallas and Sacramento were never even in the picture, so not sure where/how the previous jerks ended up getting to their destinations. I felt bad for the lady because it most certainly wasn't her fault. When the person who was picking me up said it would now be easier to get picked up in Sacramento due to the timing/traffic of SFO I said I would ask, so I did and they made it work. Maybe my flight from Madison to Dallas was first class, I just remember it said BUS or something like that in the class section of the flight

 

[prncess674]

It was American. We were supposed to go from Madison to Denver to San Francisco originally. Dallas and Sacramento were never even in the picture, so not sure where/how the previous jerks ended up getting to their destinations. I felt bad for the lady because it most certainly wasn't her fault. When the person who was picking me up said it would now be easier to get picked up in Sacramento due to the timing/traffic of SFO I said I would ask, so I did and they made it work. Maybe my flight from Madison to Dallas was first class, I just remember it said BUS or something like that in the class section of the flight

Maybe you just got sat in the now defunct MRTC (more room throughout coach) section of the plane but the only non stops from MSN-DFW are on ER4's which have coach only seating.

 

[tlenzendorf]

Maybe you just got sat in the now defunct MRTC (more room throughout coach) section of the plane but the only non stops from MSN-DFW are on ER4's which have coach only seating.

Not sure. It was nice, though. My seat was a recliner and I had a movie screen right in front of me. It almost makes it harder to sit in coach now knowing what I'm missing out on. Even harder after getting to sit in first class once

 

[DebbieB]

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.

There's really no point in checking the times everyday. It could be ontime everyday for a month before your trip and then on your day be late. I was at the airport yesterday and the PIT-ATL flight before mine was delayed 3 hours because they needed a part and it was being flown in from ATL on the plane I got on.

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

Happened to me yesterday and people did wait. Some of those rushing off did say Thank You. Maybe Pittsburgher's are more courteous...

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

The thing is... 90% of the plane in Atlanta probably DOES have a connection too. (And by the way jumping up while the plane is on the taxiway to get your luggage does NOT speed the process up, it creates the exact OPPOSITE issue while everyone waits for you to sit down )

I am assuming OP is flying Delta and she should NOT count on that upgrade that others are "crowing" about. It's a fight for upgrades out of ATL and the "elite" level folks sit around the gate and mointor it like a hawk to be sure they get their's (GO over to www.flyertalk.com and just read the Delta forum...)

OP, step away from the computer... ALL you are doing by checking flight arrivals is adding stress. What happens today has no impact on your flight next month....

 

[SuzanneSLO]

And since it hasn't been mentioned, Delta does have a policy for same day confirmed changes to your nonrefundable flight. You pay $50 per ticket and confirm seats on a different flight up to 3 hours in advance.

We have used this option when flying AA to take an earlier flight when it looked like there might be a connection problem. Although with AA you can confirm up to 12 hours in advance, so it is much easier to plan. -- Suzanne

 

[SV24]

And since it hasn't been mentioned, Delta does have a policy for same day confirmed changes to your nonrefundable flight. You pay $50 per ticket and confirm seats on a different flight up to 3 hours in advance.

We have used this option when flying AA to take an earlier flight when it looked like there might be a connection problem. Although with AA you can confirm up to 12 hours in advance, so it is much easier to plan. -- Suzanne

Interesting. What if a delay causes you to change your flight? Do they still charge you? $100 for 2 people isn't that bad compared to potentially losing a whole day @ Disney. I guess it all depends on how booked the flights are on this particular day. Thanks for the heads up!

 

[goofy4tink]

Okay...take a deep breath. You are flying in May it would seem? You are flying in the early part of the day. Weather is most likely not going to put you behind time...unless it's a huge weather event, but that will most likely not happen. So, your chances of arriving in Atlanta late are less than if you were arriving around 5ish (when storms start cropping up). An hour should be plenty of time. As already mentioned, try to get seated as far to the front as you can. But, it is probably too late to make any seating changes. I certainly wouldn't be thinking about being put into first class/business seats on the next flight if you miss your connection.
I do know that when I had a connection in Atlanta last year, I had a ton of time. I actually ambled around the area to check it out after finding where my departure gate was. and it wasn't particularly close to where we arrived at!! With Atlanta being a hub for Delta, there are going to be a ton of gates. So, get your group together (try to have as little carryon stuff as possible) and make no stops along the way. Get to that next gate as soon as possible...then once you find the right departure gate, then think about rest room stops and food. Do NOT make those stops along the way!!!

But I would most certainly stop checking on flight statistics now. They aren't going to tell you anything. Mechanical or weather issues are what will make you late in arriving in Atlanta...and there is no way to predict those. If you have to take later flight, so be it. That's just the way it is when flying. If you lose a few hours in Disney, and that's the worst thing that happens on your trip, then you're doing great!! We all like to get to WDW as soon as humanly possible. But it sure as heck isn't worth all the stress you're giving yourself.

 

[SV24]

If you lose a few hours in Disney, and that's the worst thing that happens on your trip, then you're doing great!! We all like to get to WDW as soon as humanly possible. But it sure as heck isn't worth all the stress you're giving yourself.

You are right. One way or another, it will be fine. Thanks for your Disney wisdom.... Disdom? :0)