Prepare me-Transferring planes at RDU with 35 min layover and KIDS!

[krystalleigh1]

We will be going to WDW in 2 weeks and flying Southwest.

On the way there we have a 35 min layover at RDU. I am looking at the terminal and it doesn't look too bad. We will be checking everything but 1 carry-on and DD's car seat. Kids are 2 and 7 and DH and I will be with them.

Please tell me we can do it!!?!?!?

 

[RMAMom]

Since they start boarding 30 min or so before take off you may not have any down time at all. Once you get off the plane you'll want to get to the gate of your connecting flight ASAP.

 

[keishashadow]

OP I look for at least 40 minutes, but it ultimately depends on: how quick you can get your troops moving; if the 1st leg departs on time and if the gates are in same terminal for connecting flight.

my advice:

If this is the last connection you could possibly make out of RDU, switch it to earlier flights if possible JIK you are delayed

Alert the gate agent before you board the 1st flight that you have a connecting flight to catch

When you deplane 1st leg, grab the 1st SWA person you see & tell them you have a connecting flight to catch.

w/SWA, pay to get EBIC & snag seats in front of plane of on 1st flight

good luck

 

[Diegosmom]

At RDU they pretty much have 3 terminals (technically 2 but it is kind of split). All the southwest flights are right at the same spot. You will probably walk like 2 min to get to your next terminal (or you might be right next to it). I really don't think you will have a problem at all. But again I would head right to your terminal because with a family you will want to board early so you get seats together. You might or might not have time to go to the bathroom. But there is one right there. I have found at RDU they really dont start boarding into like 20 min before the flight (well when I fly and we usually fly 3 or 4 times a year). I think you will be good.

 

[taylor3297]

I live 5 minutes from RDU and it is a small airport. Since you are flying Southwest, all of their gates are at one section of Terminal 1. You will walk out the door of the gate and probably just walk across the seating area to another gate. Their gates are A21 -A28 and you can see all of them from the seating area.

As long as your plane isn't real late, (more than 20 minutes) you will be fine.

 

[maxiesmom]

Did you purchase EBCI for your flights? I'm thinking it may come in handy, as you want to be as far towards the front of the first place as you can be. That will cut down the amount of time you spend waiting for everyone else to get out of your way, or errr, deplane.

 

[krystalleigh1]

Did you purchase EBCI for your flights? I'm thinking it may come in handy, as you want to be as far towards the front of the first place as you can be. That will cut down the amount of time you spend waiting for everyone else to get out of your way, or errr, deplane.

No I didn't purchase early boarding. Our flight is at 6:15am out of Omaha with the RDU connection before MCO.

IF I purchased early boarding how exactly does that work? We just board in the frist group, or do we get assigned seats in the front of the plane?

 

[seashoreCM]

If you purchase early boarding, you will tend to get boarding passes that let you board earlier. The boarding passes look the same as regular boarding passes, are more likely to be A group boarding passes, and yuou line up to board following the same procedures.

 

[Dreamingin2010]

As long as your flight is on time landing at rdu you should be fine.

 

[merrybee]

Hi - I travel frequently out of RDU on Southwest. All of the Southwest gates are located at one end of Terminal 1. There is no concern for wasted time connecting gates. The only issue would be if your in-bound flight is delayed.

Make sure to check-in online 24 hours prior to your first flight to get the best boarding number.

Safe Travels!

 

[TagsMissy]

And no potty breaks between flights... make certain the kids know ahead of time.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

When you board the flight that is going to RDU make sure to sit in the front of the plane. You don't want to wait for people ahead of you to get off the plane which will eat into your connection time.

** don't want you to be surprised but I just checked your flight and you only have a 25 minute to catch your connecting flight!

 

[krystalleigh1]

When you board the flight that is going to RDU make sure to sit in the front of the plane. You don't want to wait for people ahead of you to get off the plane which will eat into your connection time.

** don't want you to be surprised but I just checked your flight and you only have a 25 minute to catch your connecting flight!

You're right

Thanks for pointing that out to me.

I have my fingers crossed that since we're on one of the first flights out of OMA that there won't be any delays. And that when we get to RDU at least one parent can sit with each kid.

I guess we'll find out soon . . .