US Airways lately?

[Jillpie]

I fly US Airways almost every week because I fly in the northeast and it is the only airline where I can get direct flights. US Air has its ups and downs. Lately it's been pretty good for me but I have had times when it has been terrible.

When I fly US Airways to the south, if I have a choice of connections I will choose Charlotte, then Washington National, then Philadelphia. I hate the Philadelphia airport (why they switched from Pittsburgh as a hub is beyond me - that was the best). I have not had an ontime flight into or out of Philadelphia in a long time. I also try to avoid connections where I switch from a commuter flight (US Airways Express) to a full size jet (US Airways). This is often impossible as US Airways seems to be continuously increasing the number of commuter flights and decreases the larger jets to save money I am sure.

An extra word of caution - If you fly into Philadelphia on a commuter plane you come into terminal F and will need to get to B or C for connections to Orlando - allow for a long connection. It is really far and the bus between the terminals can be a big bottleneck and a very unpleasant experience. On a good day it is tollerable. Washington National has moved many of their commuter flights out to an airplane parking lot in the middle of nowhere - this will require a bus trip to or from the terminal too - but the bus will be just for your flight - mostly tollerable.

The people at the airport who work for US Airways are different from the people who work for US Airways Express - and they don't always communicate well.

You seem very knowledgable about this airport...we will be flying into PHL from MCO for the first time, on our way home to Boston next April. Okay, we're on a USAIR Airbus 321, 7:30 flight, last one out of MCO, connecting into PHL and catching a USAIR Boeing 737-300 to Boston. Do you have any idea the logistics of catching that connecting flight, will the gates be close by to each other. I am panicking after reading this thread. Do you think it will be difficult? We have a 45 minute layover, please tell me its doable, because as you know, the tickets are non refundable and the change fee is out of this world.

 

[minie_meese]

I wouldn't panic about things you can't change. Most people make their connections so don't let the idea of missing ruin your trip. I make most connections and chances are you will be fine to, so go with that assumption. Just do what you can to make your conneciton. There are things you can do to increase the liklihood of making a tight connection. Also, airlines don't like to strand people in connecting terminals at night but it can happen. Chances are there will be a number of people making the same connection.

Full size jets on US Air all come into terminal b or c. You never know which one. Connectiung gates can be next to each other or at the end of the other terminal in PHL. There is a moving walkway between the 2 terminals so you can make a connection of 45 minutes even when the flights are at the far ends as long as things are on time. Be prepared to hustle.

Ahead of time - find the PHL airport on the web. The terminal map is there. Look at it to get some bearings. Get seat assignments as soon as you can. Whenever I have a connection under an hour I try to get seats as far forward for my first flight.

Don't think about the connection until you get to the airport to go home. When you board, get on as soon as they call your zone. Make sure your carry ons are either under the seat in front of you or in an overhead the is not behind you so you can get off quickly. Listen for your arrival and connection gate when the flight attendent announces them while you are gettng ready to land. As soon as you can, get your stuff, get off the plane, check the monitor to make sure the gate has not changed, don't stop at the restroom and make a bee line for the connecting gate even if someone tells you the plane has departed. I have made connections that I have been told I wouid miss. If you have someone who can run ahead to the gate, send them to the next flight hate and have them tell the gate agent that the rest of your party is rushing. The airport does have electronic carts that can get you to a gate quickly but only if they are at the gate when you get there. Often you need to wait for them.

Have a great trip and try not to worry.

 

[Jillpie]

I wouldn't panic about things you can't change. Most people make their connections so don't let the idea of missing ruin your trip. I make most connections and chances are you will be fine to, so go with that assumption. Just do what you can to make your conneciton. There are things you can do to increase the liklihood of making a tight connection. Also, airlines don't like to strand people in connecting terminals at night but it can happen. Chances are there will be a number of people making the same connection.

Full size jets on US Air all come into terminal b or c. You never know which one. Connectiung gates can be next to each other or at the end of the other terminal in PHL. There is a moving walkway between the 2 terminals so you can make a connection of 45 minutes even when the flights are at the far ends as long as things are on time. Be prepared to hustle.

Ahead of time - find the PHL airport on the web. The terminal map is there. Look at it to get some bearings. Get seat assignments as soon as you can. Whenever I have a connection under an hour I try to get seats as far forward for my first flight.

Don't think about the connection until you get to the airport to go home. When you board, get on as soon as they call your zone. Make sure your carry ons are either under the seat in front of you or in an overhead the is not behind you so you can get off quickly. Listen for your arrival and connection gate when the flight attendent announces them while you are gettng ready to land. As soon as you can, get your stuff, get off the plane, check the monitor to make sure the gate has not changed, don't stop at the restroom and make a bee line for the connecting gate even if someone tells you the plane has departed. I have made connections that I have been told I wouid miss. If you have someone who can run ahead to the gate, send them to the next flight hate and have them tell the gate agent that the rest of your party is rushing. The airport does have electronic carts that can get you to a gate quickly but only if they are at the gate when you get there. Often you need to wait for them.

Have a great trip and try not to worry.

Thank you so much, as we have never connected before. So as far as the attendant telling us the gate, will everyone on our plane that is connecting, will they be going to the same connecting plane? So we'll all be going as a group? Also, at PHL, are the gates clearly marked, so we can make a run for it? So if we do miss it, or it is cancelled, where do we go next? thanks.

 

[minie_meese]

Gates in PHL are clearly marked. When you have a connecting flight people will be going to all different gates. Don't wait to find out who else is going, just head to your connecting gate. It's pretty much everyone for themself. If I know there is someone behind me who is trying to get to my gate too I tell the gate agent att eh connecting flight. If it's someone in my group I will plead and beg them to wait if they say the flight neads to leave. That actually works sometimes.

If you miss a flight talk to the gate agent where you get off (if they say the flight is cancelled) or at the conneciton gate. They may send you to cusotmer service.You will be re-booked on the "next available flight". If it is a maintenance problem that caused the problem they should give you a hotel and meal voucher. The good news with Boston, there are plenty of flights between PHL and BOS so you shouldl get out early the next day. At the very worst, you will be stuck in the terminal overnight. Not pleasant, but there are worse things.

Again, don't stress over it. Do what you can to minimize the risk and don't let it interefere with having a good time on your vacation.

Next time, try to get at least an hour connection and go through Charlotte or fly direct. I think Jet Blue is direct from BOS and Southwest from MHT or PVD.

If you need any more specifics PM me and I'll be happy to help.

 

[Jillpie]

Thanks a million, I really appreciate all your help on this. I won't worry, I was stuck over night at JFK in March on the floor, nothing can be worse than that. And I dealt with that just fine. Thanks again!

 

[DebbieB]

Thank you so much, as we have never connected before. So as far as the attendant telling us the gate, will everyone on our plane that is connecting, will they be going to the same connecting plane? So we'll all be going as a group? Also, at PHL, are the gates clearly marked, so we can make a run for it? So if we do miss it, or it is cancelled, where do we go next? thanks.

Sometimes they read off the connecting gates on the plane, but you should double check with the attendent (if there is one) or the monitors in the terminal. Everyone will not be connecting to the same gate, they will probably be going to several different cities.

If there is a problem, they may try to send you to special services. That happened to me one night in PHL and there were probably 50 people in line. Instead of standing in that line, get on the phone to reservations to get rebooked. I would program that number into your cell phone.

 

[Jillpie]

Sometimes they read off the connecting gates on the plane, but you should double check with the attendent (if there is one) or the monitors in the terminal. Everyone will not be connecting to the same gate, they will probably be going to several different cities.

If there is a problem, they may try to send you to special services. That happened to me one night in PHL and there were probably 50 people in line. Instead of standing in that line, get on the phone to reservations to get rebooked. I would program that number into your cell phone.

Yes, I have heard that advice before about calling res. instead of standing in line. But that is a great idea to program the number, thanks for that .

 

[PlutoPony]

The USAir on board magazine should have a detailed diagram of the Philly airport at the back.... look at it to get the general layout before you land so you have an idea of what's where. The airport website will also have the same type map if you want to familiarize yourself before leaving home.

 

[Jillpie]

ok, thanks!