NWR: I need travel help; layover advice

kimmiinthemitten · October 2015

I am taking a work trip to Charlotte NC (from Detroit) and have a Stevie Wonder concert the night I return so I want to be one million times safe here!

The best flight right now is through United and has a 40 minute layover in Dulles. I have never flown into or had a layover there so I'm not sure if that's enough time! Anyone have experience at this airport they care to share?

TIA

Maggie0829 · October 2015

I have never flown into Dulles, but I have had short layovers in the past. The only downside is if your first flight is delayed then you run a greater risk of missing your connecting flight (or if for some reason your plane is held up on the tarmac or in a long line to get to your gate). For example I had a 40 minute layover when I landed in Denver. My first flight was late leaving so when I got to Denver I literally had to run from one end to the other to get to my connecting flight. I made it but it was pretty close.

kimmiinthemitten · October 2015

Thanks @maggie0829 - Obviously delayed flights will kill even the best laid plans!

Most of my flights include the same layover locations (Midway, Atlanta or Charlotte ironically) and I know I can manage any of those airports in 40 minutes, but my last random layover was in Philly and between their bus system and rude gate staff that was never happening!

lyndausvi · October 2015

Dulles isn't that big of an airport compared to other airports. There are only 22-35 gates per terminal. As long as your connecting flight is in the same terminal then you should be okay. While it's always subject to change you can always check the flights for today to see where they are coming in and leaving from to get an idea of you might have to change terminals or not.

40 minutes is pretty tight. Especially when they start boring 30 minutes out. I recommend trying to get a seat as close to the front as possible so you can get out faster.

arrippa · October 2015

I was in DC a few weeks ago and flew out of Dulles. I had to take a Aerotrain to get to my terminal. I have never connected through there though, it may be different.

Edited: It's Aerotrain not Eurotrain.

redwoodoriginal · October 2015

Midway is tiny and rarely late unless it's a weather wide issue (unlike ohare). Super easy to rush through, IMO

labro · October 2015

I think it should be fine, especially if you are doing carry-on. I think the one time I had lost luggage was when I had a tight-layover and a late flight and my luggage didn't make it on the plane. It was NBD because I still made my flight and I had clothes where I was going, but yeah, it was still a pain.

I'm sorry you had a tough time in the Philly airport. H and I had a connecting flight through there back in July and I actually thought the airport employees were some of the nicest and most polite employees I had ever encountered. The bus system was annoying, but it didn't take a ton of time to manage either.

kimmiinthemitten · October 2015

labro said:

I think it should be fine, especially if you are doing carry-on. I think the one time I had lost luggage was when I had a tight-layover and a late flight and my luggage didn't make it on the plane. It was NBD because I still made my flight and I had clothes where I was going, but yeah, it was still a pain.

I'm sorry you had a tough time in the Philly airport. H and I had a connecting flight through there back in July and I actually thought the airport employees were some of the nicest and most polite employees I had ever encountered. The bus system was annoying, but it didn't take a ton of time to manage either.

That's funny because FFIL travels almost weekly for work and avoids the Philly airport if he can. I had a 40 minute layover and had to take the bus. I asked the FA on the plane if we can call the next gate and let them know I landed, she said to ask the employee at the tarmac. She refused and then didn't let me get my bag, so I got mine last. I ran, literally including a fall, to the next gate and the employee at the gate said she called the first to see if we landed and no one answered::(.

thisismynickname2 · October 2015

I'm late to this and you may have already decided, but I wouldn't do this. Dulles has the shuttles between terminals and United has flights in and out of more than one terminal.

Plus, getting a seat near the front, on United, means paying extra for economy plus (which isn't a bad thing if your employer is paying!).

It sounds like you're more concerned about getting out of North Carolina, right? Because my concern is the Detroit to NC part; with Detroit weather, getting out on time is dicey. But, getting out of NC is probably a lot easier.

On the other hand, Dulles has so many flights, if you miss one you may be easily redirected to another flight the same day.

kimmiinthemitten · October 2015

thisismynickname said:

I'm late to this and you may have already decided, but I wouldn't do this. Dulles has the shuttles between terminals and United has flights in and out of more than one terminal.
Plus, getting a seat near the front, on United, means paying extra for economy plus (which isn't a bad thing if your employer is paying!).

It sounds like you're more concerned about getting out of North Carolina, right? Because my concern is the Detroit to NC part; with Detroit weather, getting out on time is dicey. But, getting out of NC is probably a lot easier.

On the other hand, Dulles has so many flights, if you miss one you may be easily redirected to another flight the same day.

Thanks, I decided to give it a whirl, but only because row 10 had a seat available! I'm worried about Dulles to Detroit - only because I have a Stevie Wonder concert that night and that is the last thing I need to do before I die so I have to be there:).

I took Lynda's advice and checked the history and they seem to leave on time, and 21 other people have booked the same itinerary as me so fingers crossed!

Thanks for the advice!

ryanandjoe4 · October 2015

On our way to HM we stopped in Dullies, had no issues getting to the next terminal, it was like an hour layover. It isn't small but it is not huge..

ksj10032782 · October 2015

Hi- I'm late to this and normally only a lurker, but I travel quite regularly and would have suggested not to do this. As others mentioned, there is a shuttle of sorts at Dulles. I flew United into one terminal and took the shuttle to another. Traveling on my way home, I sat waiting for my connecting flight for over 3 hours due to various delays, it would have be shorter for them to drive us to my final destination.

I wish you best of luck, but I would look into later flights to have a back-up plan.

lyndausvi · October 2015

ksj10032782 said:

Hi- I'm late to this and normally only a lurker, but I travel quite regularly and would have suggested not to do this. As others mentioned, there is a shuttle of sorts at Dulles. I flew United into one terminal and took the shuttle to another. Traveling on my way home, I sat waiting for my connecting flight for over 3 hours due to various delays, it would have be shorter for them to drive us to my final destination.

I wish you best of luck, but I would look into later flights to have a back-up plan.

Well that can happen regardless of your layover. I've had 3 hours delays with no connections. I've had flights cancelled right before my eyes. I've be re-routed 2 hours away and then driven by bus because of weather at the airport where I was flying into. You name it, I've experienced it. It's part of flying.

You just have to take your chances and hope for the best. Sure more than 40 minutes would be ideal, but a Stevie Wonder concert is worth the risk in my opinion.

ETA - I've noticed in the last year or so that United pads their times. 90% of the flights I have taken have gotten in a good 20+ minutes ahead of "schedule". Now I do not bank on that padding, but assuming there is good weather, no mechicial issues, you might find you will be getting in sooner then you think.

thisismynickname2 · October 2015

lyndausvi said:

ETA - I've noticed in the last year or so that United pads their times. 90% of the flights I have taken have gotten in a good 20+ minutes ahead of "schedule". Now I do not bank on that padding, but assuming there is good weather, no mechicial issues, you might find you will be getting in sooner then you think.

Yup, they sure do. I'm glad for it. Departure is when the plane pushes back from the gate. Arrival is when it pulls into the gate. Anything can happen in between- bad weather requiring spacing out the planes on the runway, runway changes due to changing winds, flight path changes, whatever. I'd definitely rather have them do that and be "early" than not do that and have upset customers who don't get to where they're going when they need to be there. I think it's particularly working out well for customers who connect... but definitely do not rely on that!

kimmiinthemitten · October 2015

lyndausvi said: Dulles isn't that big of an airport compared to other airports. There are only 22-35 gates per terminal. As long as your connecting flight is in the same terminal then you should be okay. While it's always subject to change you can always check the flights for today to see where they are coming in and leaving from to get an idea of you might have to change terminals or not.
40 minutes is pretty tight. Especially when they start boring 30 minutes out. I recommend trying to get a seat as close to the front as possible so you can get out faster.
-----STIB---- Yeah, my alternative was a 1 hour layover in Midway, but I have never flown in or out of Midway on time. My last flight to Chicago (I usually drive but this time the gas + parking was more than the flight!) was totally cancelled and I had to drive there anyways.

arrrghmatey · October 2015

Sorry, I'm also late to this. I'm a season traveler and have flown out of Dulles many times. I know you've already mad your decision, but I would have taken the following into consideration:

What day of the week are you leaving? If you are leaving on a Friday or a Sunday, be prepared to deal with more crowds to navigate through in Dulles because of all the government travelers. You won't have to deal with the security lines since it is a connecting flight, but there will be a lot more people.

When are you going? I would be concerned about delays and missing my flight in Dulles during the winter season.

I personally would have suggested to go with the Midway layover because I've had some issues in Dulles with my luggage never making it on the plane (bring a carry-on) and delays.

Good luck!

kimmiinthemitten · October 2015

arrrghmatey said:

Sorry, I'm also late to this. I'm a season traveler and have flown out of Dulles many times. I know you've already mad your decision, but I would have taken the following into consideration:

What day of the week are you leaving? If you are leaving on a Friday or a Sunday, be prepared to deal with more crowds to navigate through in Dulles because of all the government travelers. You won't have to deal with the security lines since it is a connecting flight, but there will be a lot more people.

When are you going? I would be concerned about delays and missing my flight in Dulles during the winter season.

I personally would have suggested to go with the Midway layover because I've had some issues in Dulles with my luggage never making it on the plane (bring a carry-on) and delays.

Good luck!

Thanks for the advice! I'm going in mid November and it's a Friday flight home from a work trip. The day I leave the expected high is 56 so I shouldn't have to worry about snow, but you never know! I will probably check a bag since I'll be gone for 5 days and need to bring steel toe boots, but I will make sure I carry on the things I don't have duplicates of at home like my glasses! Just keep your fingers crossed for me!

There is one other flight after that gets me home in time for the concert. FI will just have to pick me up and take me straight there LOL.

NWR: I need travel help; layover advice

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