Possible flight delays/connection

[ls1222]

I booked our flight to MCO about 6 weeks ago on Southwest with a connection in Nashville. I have been tracking that particular flight lately and noticed that it is late more often than not and usually by about an hour. It didnt have and statistics when I bought the tickets but now this flight is showing late 50% of the time with an average of 80 min. After tracking it this week, I realized that we would have missed our connection 3/4 times. I called SW today with my concern (and this is the last flight of the day)! The rep told me she wasnt showing any stats on the flight because it is a new flight time for this month and that they would put us up for the night if we would miss our connection. However, I am trying to head off the problem before it becomes one...... I cant switch for an earlier flight because the prices have gone up considerably. Should I pursue this with SW to see if they will switch my flights for no cost?? I am just nervous and worried about the whole thing. BTW...the flight is 17 days away. Thanks so much.

 

[seashoreCM]

Does not hurt to ask, but do not go through with the change if you have to pay a change fee.

Since you picked the flights we start with the fact you have to live with the consequences. But if the airline changes the schedule and makes the conneciton time any shorter then the airline should let you hand pick any other flights of your choice and make the change with no additional charge.

 

[sam_gordon]

I thought Southwest didn't have any change fees to begin with. Isn't that why many people like them (in addition to no luggage charge)?

Also, what would you change to? The next morning? You say there's no earlier flights that work for you.

 

[ls1222]

Your right....I picked the flight, but in my defense, it didnt have any flight stats when I purchased (as it was a newer flight time) now that it has been going for a few weeks the stats are terrible I said that I couldnt pick an earlier flight because the prices have been up 114.00 since I purchased. I am checking religiously really hoping I can switch!! SW does not charge a change fee but you do have to pay the difference between what you purchased and what you want to switch to! Thanks for you help..... our trip is only 5 days, and I dont want to miss out on a minute of it!!!

 

[Letsbgoofy]

I understand the OPs problem very well. Delta changed my first flight time and gave me a very short (but technically do-able) connection for the last flight of the night. I was lucky enough to catch the change while seats were available on earlier flights because I did not want to spend the night in Detroit (and flights from our airport are always delayed). They were great about switching my flights.

To the OP, did you call SW to ask them about letting you get on an earlier flight without paying the higher price for tickets?

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

To the OP, did you call SW to ask them about letting you get on an earlier flight without paying the higher price for tickets?

The fact that this flight is posting poor on time statistics is not a valid reason to be given a free flight change.

OP - Now you know why it is a bad idea to book the last flight of the day, especially on an airline such as SWA, which doesn't have interline agreements with other airlines. I suggest that you just hope for the best and be aware of your rights if you miss your connection.

 

[ls1222]

Thanks! Thats what I was afraid of (not a good enough reason to let me change flights). Yes, I called SW, but no help there...... It never crossed my mind about the last flight of the day when I booked. I am just trying to be proactive!! I guess, I will keep my fingers crossed. I was hoping the Disboards people would have a magical answer )

 

[vacationclub]

Don't get too concerned about those stats. You have to also overlay wx conditions for the time those stats represent. Also, they may be late on the connection but it doesn't mean the outgoing (the flight you're trying to catch) isn't late as well. Also they sometimes will hold a flight if there are a lot of people going to miss it, especially if it's the last of the day and they have nothing to lose. They'd rather have late people at the termination point than pay for hotels. I've seen crazy SW layovers of 35 minutes and stats that indicated I'd never make it, but I did.

At this point you're stuck....just cross your fingers.

Just curious though, why the last flight of the day....and not the first?

 

[mb187143]

Don't get too concerned about those stats. You have to also overlay wx conditions for the time those stats represent. Also, they may be late on the connection but it doesn't mean the outgoing (the flight you're trying to catch) isn't late as well. Also they sometimes will hold a flight if there are a lot of people going to miss it, especially if it's the last of the day and they have nothing to lose. They'd rather have late people at the termination point than pay for hotels. I've seen crazy SW layovers of 35 minutes and stats that indicated I'd never make it, but I did.

At this point you're stuck....just cross your fingers.

Just curious though, why the last flight of the day....and not the first?

we were the last flight of the day out of Orlando on SWA, and they held our flight 4 hours to allow people who were connecting to get to us - there were serious weather delays that day from Chicago, so their flight to MCO was seriously delayed. Don't stress, it will all end up working out

 

[ls1222]

Vacaclub----LOL, because of my job My DH and I are flying down for a short get away and I am off school thurs, fri and taking a personal day on Monday but I have to work the day we are leaving (at least part of it)! I am all about getting there first thing but we thought we would go late on Wed to be there on Thurs! MB-thank you, I am so trying not to stress over this!! I will never book the last flight of the day again!

 

[Rabscuttle]

If there are a lot of passengers connecting to MCO from your flight, I wouldn't be surprised that they hold the flight to enable that. I have been on Delta where the departing flight has been held for a large number of people.

 

[Brer Chump]

I think I can reassure you but I have made some assumptions.

I believe you are flying from CLE to MCO with the connection in BNA. The first flight is SWA 1082 and the second is SWA 1071.

Currently Southwest does show the delay stats as you described; HOWEVER, currently flight 1082 starts in San Jose, CA and goes to Phoenix, Albuquerque, Houston, Newark and finally to Baltimore. On 10-25-2011, the final leg was 2.5 hours late and the 7 day average is that the last leg is 42 minutes late.*

The current flight number for the 5:50- 6pm flight from CLE to BNA is SWA 3602. On 10-25-2011 it was 11 minutes late and the 7 day average is 18 minutes late.* In case you were wondering this flight starts ion Kansas City goes to Orlando, Baltimore, Cleveland, Nashville and ends in Tampa. I do not know if the new SWA 1082 will follow this route.



Basically the stats you were seeing was for a cross country flight with stops in 3 busy air centers, not what you will be flying. I don't think you have to worry about changing flights or missing a connection.

* Late times are from the flight plan of the flights to ATC and not what is given to passengers. Airlines build in wiggle room to their gate times so a small delay won't get them a DOT hit.

 

[ls1222]

Brer chump---- thank you so much! Wow, you know your stuff! This makes me feel so much better! I appreciate your research.