Question about taking earlier flight

[jlw29]

Background -- We will be flying continental for our christmas week trip. We have a 3 1/2 hour layover in cleveland but there is a flight out that leaves 10 minutes after our flight is scheduled to get into the airport. If the stars align and we get there early (not unheard of on this route) and there are still available seats (there's still lots) and the gates are close (remember I said if the stars align - I'm not expecting it, just thinking hypotheticals) can the 2 of us take the earlier flight? What do we need to do? I've had luck flying standby before, but it's been awhile and never with this close a turnaround! I dread the thought of spending an extra 3 1/2 hours in the airport if I can get around it any way!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

The likelyhood is doubtful. You have to consider that you have to allow time to get off of your plane and make it to the gate. Continentals rules is that a flight closes 15 minutes before the schedule departature time. That means you would have to be at the gate 15 minutes before the flight is schedule to leave.
In Cleveland Continental has two concourses c & d which are no where near being close. It is a very very long walk between those concourses.

Since you don't have a ticket for that flight the gate agent would have to process the paperwork to issue a ticket and there would not be time to do that.

If you end up at Cleveland for 3 1/2 hours you could take the rapid transit train into downtown cleveland. You can catch the train right at the airport and the fare is $2 per person each way. It takes 25 minutes to ride downtown. Get off at the Terminal Tower stop - it is the only stop that is underground. When you get off there you can shop/eat. Then catch the read airport train back to the airport.

 

[shoes99]

Even if here are seats, and enough time, unless you are Elite or flying on a full fare ticket, Continental will charge you to change, usually $50 per ticket.

 

[murcor]

10 minutes is impossible

It would be nice rather than a 3.5 hr layover, but dont risk it as you will miss it for sure

 

[crashbb]

Unless you only had carry-on luggage, you'd have to wait at MCO for the 3.5 hours until your luggage arrived (no way it would make the new flight).

Though, I suppose if you were taking DME (and used the yellow tags), you wouldn't have to wait for you luggage.

Highly, highly unlikely to happen though (as mentioned upthread).

 

[Brian Noble]

The doors usually close more than 10 minutes prior to departure. I don't think you could do it.