Sequester And Flights...Anyone worried?

[iheartmickey1111]

I've been reading a lot of news stories lately about how if the whole sequester cuts end up happening (which it looks like they will), that travelers can "expect major flight delays, up to 90 min. during peak times" beginning in April due to having to furlough air traffic controllers at least one shift per month. I happen to be a huge worrier and now I am really stressing that this will impact my April 13th trip. I only have a 34 min. layover as it is, so that crap needs to be on time! Also, I am "picking up" my mom in Denver and she has never been to Disney before, so its really important that we get on that flight together!

What are your thoughts? Do you think it will be a problem?

 

[Polydweller]

You have to take anything at times like these with a large grain of salt. The media tries to attract eyes to their pages by reporting the extreme case. They do that with everything and the reality is almost always far less than the extreme. Then there's the political theatre going on and there are always things 'leaked' to the press to try and influence the political proceedings. Wait a while until the game has played out more and the real situation becomes clearer.

 

[iheartmickey1111]

You have to take anything at times like these with a large grain of salt. The media tries to attract eyes to their pages by reporting the extreme case. They do that with everything and the reality is almost always far less than the extreme. Then there's the political theatre going on and there are always things 'leaked' to the press to try and influence the political proceedings. Wait a while until the game has played out more and the real situation becomes clearer.

That's what DH keeps reminding me too...I love hearing it from someone else too though! As long as I GET there on intended day, nothing can be too bad anyways I suppose!

 

[jsilvers]

FAA and DOT have made a couple of public statements about the effects of sequestration. See http://fastlane.dot.gov/2013/02/on-...l-aviation-administration-and-air-travel.html and http://www.faa.gov/news/updates/?newsId=71078. As a PP said, take them with a grain of salt, but the government agencies that regulate aviation certainly say that there will be delays and disruptions.

 

[Alice Sr.]

I've been reading a lot of news stories lately about how if the whole sequester cuts end up happening (which it looks like they will), that travelers can "expect major flight delays, up to 90 min. during peak times" beginning in April due to having to furlough air traffic controllers at least one shift per month. I happen to be a huge worrier and now I am really stressing that this will impact my April 13th trip. I only have a 34 min. layover as it is, so that crap needs to be on time! Also, I am "picking up" my mom in Denver and she has never been to Disney before, so its really important that we get on that flight together!

What are your thoughts? Do you think it will be a problem?

I admire your spunk, for a being a huge worrier and still booking a 34 min connecting flight lol. My DD her BF and I will be flying in on the 13th also, at various times. If things do develop in an unfavorable way feel free to PM me, we will help get her to the Disney bus location or settled somewhere at the airport until you get in.

 

[Lizard Valley]

Is there any way you can try to change one of those flights? Most airlines don't allow less than a 45 minute connection, so I'm not quite sure how your 34 mins happened.

For my upcoming trip, the airline changed one of our flight times (about 2 months before the flight), such that we had :45 min's instead of 1:05 to connect in Atlanta. I called them, and they put me on the flight leaving an hour later. I get in later to Orlando, but I have peace of mind, which is worth a lot.

 

[Alesia]

Where is your layover? I would be way more concerned about a 34 minute layover than I would any impending problems with the airlines. There's no way I would risk a layover that short.

 

[DVC-Don]

For me that 34 minute layover is way too short reguardless of the security/FAA issue.

 

[izzy]

Where is your layover? I would be way more concerned about a 34 minute layover than I would any impending problems with the airlines. There's no way I would risk a layover that short.

I agree with you 100%!!

 

[Laz]

Another few days of political finger pointing and panic talk

Then I bet they kick the can down the road another 3-6 months

Things will probably remain status quo.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Most airlines don't allow less than a 45 minute connection, so I'm not quite sure how your 34 mins happened.

Connection times are set by airports, not airlines. Many have set the legal connection time for domestic-domestic flights from 25-30 minutes.

Denver is a huge airport. I would not be comfortable with a 34 minute connection time.

 

[seashoreCM]

My stance is that if the airline changes its schedule and makes my connection time shorter and also too short for my liking, it should give me a free change to other flights of my choice, or if no suitable flights are available, a full refund.

 

[ilovemk76]

I've been reading a lot of news stories lately about how if the whole sequester cuts end up happening (which it looks like they will), that travelers can "expect major flight delays, up to 90 min. during peak times" beginning in April due to having to furlough air traffic controllers at least one shift per month. I happen to be a huge worrier and now I am really stressing that this will impact my April 13th trip. I only have a 34 min. layover as it is, so that crap needs to be on time! Also, I am "picking up" my mom in Denver and she has never been to Disney before, so its really important that we get on that flight together!

What are your thoughts? Do you think it will be a problem?

I am personally not worried. I would be that your connection would be delayed as much, if not more, than the flight you are on.

 

[Anal Annie]

Where is your layover? I would be way more concerned about a 34 minute layover than I would any impending problems with the airlines. There's no way I would risk a layover that short.

Ditto!! I never book anything less than an hour between flights.

If your originating flight departs on time YOU may make that next flight in 34 min. (if it's at the next gate) but I would be surprised if your luggage makes it with you!

 

[LadyBeBop]

My eldest DD is an ATC. She totally expects furloughs starting the first week in April.


I'm also a worrywart. I see at least a two week period in which Congress won't react while flights are being cancelled and such. They'll act, but it will probably not until about April 15 to 20.

In other words...can't you get an earlier flight to Denver?

 

[dmiller64152]

I have a similar concern. 45 mins in Atlanta. I'm hoping since I'm flying Air Tran, the gates will be fairly close together.

 

[iheartmickey1111]

Earlier flights aren't an option, my first flight is the first flight of the day leaving at 6 am. I have had a 30 min layover before, but it was in Salt Lake...didn't have any problems at all though! And Denver doesn't worry me- that's my "home" airport and I find it easy to navigate. I have had these flights booked LONG before any talk of furloughs in aviation talk started coming up. Guess I will just hope for the best.

 

[iheartmickey1111]

Okay...now I am FREAKING OUT!!! I just went and read the faa links someone posted and checked the list of air traffic control towers that may be closing and guess what.... the one here in Idaho that I leave from is on that list!!! What do I do if it closes!?!?!?

 

[DizDaD7]

Well That link doesn't list MCO as one of the potential ones being affected....I'm guessin it's probably most of the airports that aren't the busiest???

We're also returning in Laguardia LGA in NYC too...None of those airports are on the list as of now either..

But 1 thing that I do have to say is, that I'm soo annoyed w/ Delta Airlines.

We used to fly Continental for hte most part but switched to JET Blue about 8 years ago...Jet Blue = the best IMHO

Well this upcoming trip I couldn't get good deals roughly at the7 month mark. So we ended up finding great deals for Delat if you sign up for AMEX. They also waived the baggae fees if you're a cardholder too.

Long story short: Originally we were supposed to leave LGA at 6:30 AM and arrive roughly 2 1/2 hrs later. Well 2 months went by & an Email was sent saying that flight was switched to 7:05...Not a huge deal but whatever.

Return flight from MCO 8 days later was originally set for 2:55 PM. once again E mail stating that they put us on a 4:05 pm. Then a month later from that they switched us to a 6:00 pm flight....At this point I was livid. We originally had 9th row seating Iand now we're in row 36... They said there's nothing they could do...I spoke w/ a supervisor only to have him say is the best they could do was put us in the preferred section but charge us 39.00 more a person..I was like How is that helping us... Well finally this past Monday they did it again!!! E mail this time changing it back to 6:55 PM....Needless to say I now was on the phone for a total 45 mins. this time, only to find that they did move me up to the 28th row (preferred) with no extra charge....But as we were about to hang up she stated , :
"Don't be surprised if you get another change between now n then." LoL I'm thinking why 4 times isn't enough??? My question is this. I've been flying for at least 35 years now, Has anyone ever had this or anything close to this happend, because I certainly haven't?

 

[mikehn]

Which doomsday scenario is this? There are so many out there I lost track.