Ot: Jan flight to pittsburgh

[Promomx2]

DD's due date is Feb 3, so I'm looking at flying up about the week before from Richmond, va. There are no direct flights. All the flight prices are about the same no matter where I have a layover. But I'm thinking of winter weather. Should I have a layover in Atlanta, Washington D.C or Philadelphia?

 

[DebbieB]

DD's due date is Feb 3, so I'm looking at flying up about the week before from Richmond, va. There are no direct flights. All the flight prices are about the same no matter where I have a layover. But I'm thinking of winter weather. Should I have a layover in Atlanta, Washington D.C or Philadelphia?

I traveled PIT-RIC a couple times over the past 2 months and it's not easy to get to! I connected in CLT both ways on USAir the first time and the second time in CVG and JFK on Delta. I would stay away from PHL, it's always a mess. Given a choice, I would take ATL because there are 9 flights a day on Delta and 3 or 4 on AirTran from PIT. If something goes wrong on one (time), there's always another one. I didn't go through ATL on my trip because the prices were higher.

 

[Promomx2]

Thank for the advice. How close are the gates when you go to make your connection in Atlanta or CLT?

 

[ancestry]

Weather wise Atlanta probably poses the least risk. This past year both DC and Philly were heavily hit with snow storms, but then again so was Pittsburgh. I've had the worst luck with winter weather and flying through Philly.

 

[Carriemel]

I think I'd probably have to kill myself if I EVER had another layover in Philly. It's the ONLY place where my luggage from a previous flight has failed to make its connection. And that was a 2+ hour layover, not some 30 minute land and take off connection, either.

 

[uva185]

DD's due date is Feb 3, so I'm looking at flying up about the week before from Richmond, va. There are no direct flights. All the flight prices are about the same no matter where I have a layover. But I'm thinking of winter weather. Should I have a layover in Atlanta, Washington D.C or Philadelphia?

February is a crapshoot for winter weather. Any of those cities could have snow, ice, or a combination of both!

Out of those 3 I would pick DC. Actually, are you talking about DCA (Reagan) or IAD (Dulles). I would pick Reagan on US Airways, it is VERY easy to connect there!!

 

[DebbieB]

Thank for the advice. How close are the gates when you go to make your connection in Atlanta or CLT?

The Charlotte connection was a long way because the planes to/from PIT were full size and the CLT-RIC plane was a regional jet (50 seats). So I had to go from B concourse to E. Atlanta is usually A or B.

 

[Promomx2]

Yea, I know the weather is going to be a crap shoot. Figures, MY daughter would get pregnant and be due the first of feb in pittsburgh. I've looked at the prices if I book now and around $90 but then I looked to see what this weekend's prices are and the prices are not much higher. So I think I'm going to tempt fate and wait until late Dec or Jan to book my flight, and that way I can see how the weather is.

 

[DebbieB]

I wouldn't wait more than 30 days ahead. When I priced my flights for August/September, I had to wait for approval at work and they jumped about 3 weeks before. As far as weather, that can change quick. We had warm weather last January and the snow on the ground melted before all heck broke loose at the beginning February. A 4 to 8 inch predicted snowfall turned into 21 overnight.

 

[uva185]

I wouldn't wait more than 30 days ahead. When I priced my flights for August/September, I had to wait for approval at work and they jumped about 3 weeks before. As far as weather, that can change quick. We had warm weather last January and the snow on the ground melted before all heck broke loose at the beginning February. A 4 to 8 inch predicted snowfall turned into 21 overnight.

Totally agree!! If a really bad storm is coming the airlines issue a travel waiver which allow you to change your trip (usually +/- 7 days) for free.

I booked a trip 2 weeks out last February. 5 days before the trip they were predicting 3-4 inches. We ended up getting 36" at my house and everything (including the airport) was shut down. I simply re-scheduled the trip for free.

 

[DebbieB]

Totally agree!! If a really bad storm is coming the airlines issue a travel waiver which allow you to change your trip (usually +/- 7 days) for free.

I booked a trip 2 weeks out last February. 5 days before the trip they were predicting 3-4 inches. We ended up getting 36" at my house and everything (including the airport) was shut down. I simply re-scheduled the trip for free.

I actually took advantage of that in February. I was in St Paul on a business trip and additional snow was forecast. My flight was not scheduled to land until late night, around 10:30. I was worried about getting a cab home that late (I didn't drive to the airport because of the bad roads). So I called Delta and was able to reschedule for the next morning and found a hotel near the airport at MSP.

 

[Promomx2]

Okay someone explain this to me. I was just checking dates and airports. For United departing dulles on Jan 29 coming back Feb 14 - $189, then I check a one-way ticket for the same day - $429. What is going on? Dh and I were talking and he is thinking of driving up to get me so that he can see the new baby.

 

[DebbieB]

Okay someone explain this to me. I was just checking dates and airports. For United departing dulles on Jan 29 coming back Feb 14 - $189, then I check a one-way ticket for the same day - $429. What is going on? Dh and I were talking and he is thinking of driving up to get me so that he can see the new baby.

Some airlines do not book one ways in discounted fare classes. The simple solution is to buy the one for $189 and don't use the return.

 

[LWQuestie]

I think I'd probably have to kill myself if I EVER had another layover in Philly. It's the ONLY place where my luggage from a previous flight has failed to make its connection. And that was a 2+ hour layover, not some 30 minute land and take off connection, either.

Philly and Atlanta are both no-go for me regarding connections now, so I vote DC!