This may be a stupid airplane question about our flight to SNA...

[jacobsmommy]

We have a flight with American Airlines to SNA from St. Louis on June 22nd. We have a layover in Dallas-one hour and on the same plane after the layover. I've never had a layover before, so not sure what happens. Can we get off the plane to get breakfast? If we get off the plane, do we have to take our carryons with us? We will be gate checking a stroller. Will we have access to that? Sorry for all the questions, but I've never had a layover before...

Trying to decide if we should do four carryons and less checked luggage (first time with a luggage fee). I don't want to do that though if we have to cart all of our carryons to go get breakfast w/o a stroller.

 

[ConnieB]

Technically you CAN get off the plane, but with such a short layover it's not usually a good idea. If you miss your flight the airlines will NOT do anything about it because you already boarded. Best to pack some breakfast items to eat during the flight or layover (within the liquid rules of course).

If you do decide to leave the plane I would definitely take my carryon, because others will be on the plane and moving about and there is no telling who might decide they like something in your bag. The flight attendants won't watch it for you. Now, if you have 4 people including little ones, I'd suggest that just one adult go grab some breakfast to bring back on the plane. You can move much quicker without children, less people, even adults means less crowd at the food line, and no worry about your carryon.

You will NOT have access to anything that you checked as those items will NOT be removed from the cargo hold (only the bags for those ending their flight on that particular plane will be removed).

 

[Duchie]

If I am understanding correctly, you have a layover where you do not change planes. In other words, your flight number does not change in Dallas.

You will be allowed to get off of the plane but you must have your boarding passes with you to get back on. I don't believe you have to take your carry-ons with you if you exit the plane, but I would not feel comfortable leaving them there (my personal preference). I'm not 100% certain about this, but I believe if you are gate-checking the stroller, they will not bring that up for you in Dallas. I was told that gate checked items are treated just like other checked items, so they would remain below until you got to your final destination. I could be wrong about this as I've never had to do it, so it's worth asking the airline.

 

[jacobsmommy]

Thank you for the reply! I think I'll go get bagels and cinnamon rolls the night before at Panera (St. Louis Bread Co.) and we can get drinks once we get through security right? It helps my little ones' ears to be able to drink during take off. If we are starving during the layover one of us could get off, but I've never been in the Dallas airport, so it might not be a good idea...

 

[bumbershoot]

Sounds like you aren't going to plan on getting off the plane. Yay. This was my reply before I saw your last reply.





You *might* be allowed to get off. But you have to break that hour down.

If they are counting gate-to-gate time, that is a longer amount of time. If they are counting the plane touching down to the plane taking off, that's almost NO time.

Let's assume it's gate to gate. First, everyone has to get off who does NOT continue on the plane. They ask for people to sit still so they can get a "through count". So once the plane is just about empty, they walk through and count. Then you can move around, switch places...IF they allow you off, that's when that happens.

However, that's been 20 minutes or so.

Then you get off the plane, run to wherever you're going, hope the line is short. Run back to your plane...the plane will likely be boarding, because they like starting boarding around 30 minutes before the plane takes off.

You can see taht that hour really gives you MAYBE 10, possibly 20, minutes. And I've never really been in a food line at an airport that's under 10 minutes...

I personally wouldn't risk it.


And yes you can get all sorts of food and drinks after security at your first airport, that you'll have access to on your plane. As long as you put it under the seat, of course.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Thank you for the reply! I think I'll go get bagels and cinnamon rolls the night before at Panera (St. Louis Bread Co.) and we can get drinks once we get through security right? It helps my little ones' ears to be able to drink during take off. If we are starving during the layover one of us could get off, but I've never been in the Dallas airport, so it might not be a good idea...

Even if you DO get off the plane, you won't want to go out beyond security. You'll just walk around by the gate. Whether to get off the plane or not is sort of a comfort-level with flying. Ex: I have traveled a lot. When we have had a layover, I get off the plane to walk around and get "non-airplane air" for a bit. Use a roomier restroom, etc.... DH (who has traveled much less) does not get off the plane, hates that I get off the plane, worries until he sees me back on the plane.

A PP mentioned that if you get off the plane you will need to be sure you have your boarding pass. Make sure you have your ID as well.

- Dreams

 

[PigletGurl]

Yes, they will allow you to get off. I have been flying with American Airlines for 20 years, and I have had this same situation happen. Just stay near the gate area, and you should be fine. The dallas airport is huge and there are lots of near fast food stores in lots of areas.

In fact, I don't think they'll allow you to stay on the plane.

 

[01spirit750]

I would be concerned about:

1. Will your original boarding pass work to get you back on the plane?
2. You might have to wait to board until they do the general boarding of the Dallas people.

 

[Disney Dreams]

...In fact, I don't think they'll allow you to stay on the plane.

I was thinking the same thing so the plane could be cleaned, etc.... However, with only an hour, they might.

 

[aurorae]

Note that sometimes, on some airlines, a flight will be on multiple aircraft.

In other words, even though it is the same flight number, you might have to get off and change planes. I have had that happen to me more often than having the continuing flight be on the same physical plane, actually.

The crew should announce it sometime during the flight, and let you know if you will be staying on the plane or changing planes.

 

[LavenderPeach]

I was thinking the same thing so the plane could be cleaned, etc.... However, with only an hour, they might.

I had a flight once (long time ago) with a short layover and they cleaned the plane with several of us still on the plane. They just didn't let us use the bathroom until they were done cleaning it.

 

[specialks]

If you talk to the gate agent when you get your gate check tag for the stroller they will mark it so it is brought up when you land in Denver. Then you park it again and it goes back down to be brought up again in SNA. We have done this many times before (although not on AA). As a mother of young kids I would absolutely use the opportunity to get your kids off the plane. Like the OP said, even if you just let them walk up the ramp and go walk around the gate it lets them stretch. I think 1 hour is PLENTY of time to get some stretching and even a bathroom break. But, we travel a lot and I feel very comfortable moving around airports. If you are worried you should just stick to the gate area.