Question about flying (another one!)...

[dudedisney]

I posted this somewhere but I lost it so I'm posting again. (How am I supposed to pack for Disney if I can't even find where I put my posts? )

We have our flights booked off Expedia which means no tickets. So, do I take one copy of the itenerary or do I need one for each flight? How does that work exactly?

Also, boarding passes. I saw where I could print out my boarding passes for Delta if I was signed up for SkyMiles. Is it too late to do that since I already have reservations or can I sign up now and be able to print when it's time? Or is it no big deal, just worry about it at the airport?

Can you tell I've only flown once before??????????????

That's why I didn't have a say in what flights we're taking. And which is why we have a 30 min. layover in Atlanta (with 5 kids) because even I know that's cutting it close but nobody asked my opinion.

Some words of encouragement here?

 

[rae662000]

Just take a breath, you're doing okay. If you have your iteneary you should be okay to check in at the airport and go ahead and signup for Delta's skymiles, you don't have anything to lose if you aren't able to access your ressie. Enjoy your flight and your trip and you should be okay with a 30 min layover. Happy trails.

 

[sue1013]

Don't worry about printing your boarding passes. It's worth it for the tip to do curbside checkin.

 

[Onceler]

A 30 minute layover in Atlanta is cutting things a little close. It can be done, but it would make me a little nervous. It all depends on the timeliness of your first flight and whether your connecting flight is in the same terminal or a different one.

There is something that I would recommend to improve your chances of making your connecting flight. When you board the plane, let the flight attendant know that you are traveling to Disney with your children and you only have 30 minutes to make your connection in Atlanta. They will understand the situation and will try to do whatever they can to help you make the connection.

I was on a flight where they announced that a family was on board with a short layover. They asked that everyone remain seated for a couple minutes while the family moved to the front of the plane in order to allow them to get off the plane first. Hopefully, something similar can be done for you.

 

[Tara]

A 30 minute layover in Atlanta is cutting things a little close. It can be done, but it would make me a little nervous. It all depends on the timeliness of your first flight and whether your connecting flight is in the same terminal or a different one.

There is something that I would recommend to improve your chances of making your connecting flight. When you board the plane, let the flight attendant know that you are traveling to Disney with your children and you only have 30 minutes to make your connection in Atlanta. They will understand the situation and will try to do whatever they can to help you make the connection.

I was on a flight where they announced that a family was on board with a short layover. They asked that everyone remain seated for a couple minutes while the family moved to the front of the plane in order to allow them to get off the plane first. Hopefully, something similar can be done for you.

I have to agree. If you are lucky, your flights will arrive and depart from the same terminal. But even in the same terminal, you could have a challenge -- I travel a lot and I can't think of any domestic airport that spaces its gates as far apart as Atlanta. I would seriously consider familiarizing myself with the airport layout (http://www.atlanta-airport.com/Default.asp?url=sublevels/airport_info/gmpage.htm) before going. The terminals are connected by an underground train, which runs along the middle of the terminals. Definitely let the flight attendants know about your challenge -- you might even see if you can get seated near the front of the plane. If you have a lot of snacks and toys to keep the kids occupied, make sure you get them packed up before you land so you are ready to bolt.

HOWEVER, I will add one thing that might make you breathe a little easier. The last two times I've flown to Atlanta, I've noticed that they've seriously padded the flight times. I was 30 minutes early arriving for one flight and 45 minutes early for another. (And several other business colleagues arriving from other cities for the same meeting had the same experience.) So your layover might actually be longer than 30 minutes. Just plan for it not to be.

Good luck!