My Flight was cancelled..need help!

[ShellyL]

I was checking the United site yesterday to see if the prices were still going up and when I did I noticed that our flight was not listed. Well I looked around on the site and could not find anything to check flights so I called. The guy on the phone informed me that our flight had been cancelled and we were put on a later flight out. He offered me the earlier flight but did not want to take it until I had more info from the experts! ( He told me I could call back and change it later)
Here's my question. We are flying out of Dulles the day before Thanksgiving which is supposed to be the busiest flight day of the year. We now have a 5:45pm flight with arrival at 8:05pm. We could have a flight leaving at 3:55 pm and here is why I hesitate. My DH can not be home until 11:30 to leave that day and Dulles is approximately 1hour and 30 minutes from our home. I am afraid that would not give us enough time to get there and get checked in on time. I did check the United site and they have online check in that we could do but I have not used it. Has anyone used this? They also have the baggage check you can do online so you can do the curbside check. I am afraid of getting stuck in traffic and not getting there on time but then I think if we check in at home maybe that would help. What do you guys think. I hate the thought of getting there at 8:15 and not to the resort until 9:15 or later and not to your room until 10. We would have left at 4:50 before not that much of a difference but some.
sorry this is so long
Michele

 

[gmboy95]

an hour and a half puts you there at 1pm, a full 2 hours and 55 minutes ahead of departure.....seems reasonable....i mean i would not leave my house for at least 12pm if that where the scenario

 

[bavaria]

I fly UA out of IAD all the time. Curbside check in there is insane - I would use the online check in and then bag drop inside.

IAD security lines are also insane, so if you are not an elite member, allow a LOT of time. Lines can be an hour or more on a regular Friday afternoon or Saturday morning, so will be much longer that day.

Fall schedule changes have just been loaded at UA; you most likely won't have another one before your flight but there is no guarantee.

As to drive time to the airport, it depends from where you are coming - on a holiday everyone is going to leave work early. A few years ago a drive in the SEA area which normally takes me two hours took me five hours on the day before Thanksgiving.

 

[ShellyL]

We will be coming from Hagerstown area. Do you think we are smarter just to stay with the later flight? I am jsut as worried about getting there on time as I am waiting in line at the airport and missing our flight.
michele

 

[bavaria]

Well, I would prefer the earlier flight, and I do think that you have time so long as you don't hit traffic. Check in online at the 24 hour mark. If you can, don't check luggage - either ship items ahead or use carry on only.

If you DO need to check luggage, don't use the curbside check in if the lines are long, but look for baggage drop inside. There is usually a UA employee expediting the lines, so ASK if you can't find the kiosk - don't just join a long check in line.

Then go immediately to security, and on to the gate. Remember, you'll most likely need to take one of the 'mobile lounges' to the gate as well.

 

[bab31]

I would go with the later flight. There are too many "if's" Your vacation would probably get off to a better start if you are not under so much stress to make it to the airport- and dont forget parking .... being around the holiday- well you know the airports will be insane.

just another thought- is DH's work closer to the airport- would you shave some time by picking him up?

 

[ShellyL]

There are 10 of us traveling. 5 adults 5 children. I will definately have luggage. Does it help any to do the online baggage tags?
Michele

 

[bavaria]

I fly UA almost every week and have no idea what you mean by 'on line baggage tags'?? even when you use OLCI you still need to have your bags tagged and dropped at the airport, whether curbside or inside

 

[bavaria]

or you all go to the airport and drop all the bags, including your husbands, and have him join you there.

 

[bavaria]

Also IAD has a 45 minute NOT 30 minute bag drop cutoff for UA, FYI

 

[bavaria]

Here's the info on using the baggage kiosks at IAD

http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,51933,00.html?jumpLink=/bagcheckIAD

 

[tiki23]

I'd take the later flight.

A group of people will always take longer to do things than a single person. Add holiday travel, children and lots of luggage to that mix...and the possibility for delay really climbs.

If you miss your flight, there's probably a good chance that you won't get out until the next day. On the day before T-Day most likely all of the flights will be sold out.

 

[LoriZH]

I would do earlier flight, even if you're stuck in traffic, you'll be there approximately 2 hours before your flight.

 

[seashoreCM]

About the earlier, 3:55, flight:

Can you get the family to the airport without DH?

Can DH get directly to the airport by himself?

Are there buses that go to the airport that DH could take?

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

 

[kaytieeldr]

Also IAD has a 45 minute NOT 30 minute bag drop cutoff for UA, FYI

And 45 minutes means MORE THAN 45 minutes, not AT 45 minutes.

Another possibility: Can the nine of you take the earlier flight, and your husband stay on the 5:45 flight? Even if you're renting a vehicle (or two), as long as you're staying on site, he can use Magical Express. This way, you all can leave in plenty of time for the earlier flight.

 

[ShellyL]

I really wish DH would just tell his boss that he is leaving a little earlier and be done with it. He has given them 25 years and never asks for anything extra. In the 16 years we have been married he hasn't taken but 2 sick days

Anyways if I could be sure to get there in time I would go with the earlier. I just hate taking the chance. I will think a little more on this. I am thankful for everyones advice. Sure glad to have you guys!
Michele

 

[bavaria]

Are there buses that go to the airport that DH could take?

From their area, SuperShuttle or similar is the best option, but I would rather poke a needle in my eye than ever take them again. I have had many tours of rural VA and MD and suburban DC over the years.

OP, I do use a great car service but it depends on your HUSBAND'S location. Will he be coming from further south in MD? It's pushing $100 to IAD from so MD

 

[ShellyL]

We are actually right over the PA?MD line so he would have to drive.
Michele

 

[bavaria]

Ugh. So then I would say that it may be MORE difficult/expensive to have him come later and meet you. I would just all leave as early as you can; online check in the day before at the 24 hour mark if you can; drop your lugagge at the kiosk; make sure that you know what can be taken through security in advance; and hustle to the gate.

There are a few more options now for food etc at the UA gates, so don't dawdle until you get to the gate area.

 

[Lewisc]

Assuming no extra traffic delays you'll get to the airport almost 3 hours before your flight. Should be OK. I don't know where work is in relationship to the airport but you might pick him up at work and drive directly to the airport.

What about parking? Is there any chance the lot garage could be filled? You might have your DH drop you off with the kids and luggage. Check the bags while he parks. I think the real problem might be traffic and parking in the vicinity of the airport.