Hey. I wanted to know if anyone here would be able to tell me what I should expect when I fly in F/C from PHL to MCO next week. In particular, I have the following two questions:

1) Is the flight full of infants who "want to see Mickey?"

2) Do you get a meal? I went from FLL to PHL the other day and we got nothing. However, the flight left at 6AM in the morning...

Thanks!!!

Hey. I wanted to know if anyone here would be able to tell me what I should expect when I fly in F/C from PHL to MCO next week. In particular, I have the following two questions:

1) Is the flight full of infants who "want to see Mickey?"

2) Do you get a meal? I went from FLL to PHL the other day and we got nothing. However, the flight left at 6AM in the morning...

Thanks!!!

1.) Yes. Though F is usually better. F upgrades are hard - most flights are 757.

2.) Nope - used to but not anymore

I doubt that as a CP you would consider it, but...

I have had a very nice experience with FL (AirTran) on PHL-MCO and vv.

1. Most FL flyers are Florida-based, so you see mostly old fodies visiting relatives up north and MCO-blue collar types. Less screaming PA kids on their way to see the Mouse.

2. Aircraft are clean and new. Both the 717 and the 737 should have free XM radio by now, which is awesome. The 717's legroom in the back is a little tighter than US, while the 737 is the same as US.

3. Upgrades are easy to purchase at the gate. This is not a heavy biz route as most upgraders/biz fares are to/from ATL. I think the price is $35 (may have gone up).

4. Mileage program is relatively easy to use. 8 one-way trips in coach get you 1 free one-way. As an elite, however, you get better value out of DM (I would think).

5. FL boarding is very organized. Seats are assigned (at online check-in). Better than US boarding - or WN.

6. Change fee is $50.

I've found upgrading both on the 321 and 757 easy. on 757 you make that left turn after boarding which means you get less foot traffic but not as comfy as 321. more than the noise (which i don't notice as a problem), i'd be more inclined to take some vitamins or airborne to avoid catching a cold. there is no meal. it's 2.5h.

Just returned from MCO.
Yes, it is usually the kiddie express, even in f/c. Sat behind 2 teeangers who were giddy that they were in f/c and couldn't stop bouncing around.
No food.
Security at MCO rots!

I doubt that as a CP you would consider it, but...

I have had a very nice experience with FL (AirTran) on PHL-MCO and vv.

1. Most FL flyers are Florida-based, so you see mostly old fodies visiting relatives up north and MCO-blue collar types. Less screaming PA kids on their way to see the Mouse.

2. Aircraft are clean and new. Both the 717 and the 737 should have free XM radio by now, which is awesome. The 717's legroom in the back is a little tighter than US, while the 737 is the same as US.

3. Upgrades are easy to purchase at the gate. This is not a heavy biz route as most upgraders/biz fares are to/from ATL. I think the price is $35 (may have gone up).

4. Mileage program is relatively easy to use. 8 one-way trips in coach get you 1 free one-way. As an elite, however, you get better value out of DM (I would think).

5. FL boarding is very organized. Seats are assigned (at online check-in). Better than US boarding - or WN.

6. Change fee is $50.

Wow you have to be kidding. I did Airtran once and would never do it again. I've never felt so cramped in a jet as I did on their 717. I should've paid to upgrade, I can't remember why I didn't.

And Airtran is still just valujet in a different package.

Sean

I flew the Saturday BUF-MCO n/s back in December and the flight was like God's waiting room. Old people, handicapped people, mentally challenged people, fat people, obnoxious children, screaming babies, white trash adults...you name it, this flight had it! They filled the F cabin with op-ups and I was one of the few passengers "legitimately" in F. You knew who the op-ups were because they acted as if they had never flown before. The only great thing about the flight, apart from it being on time, was that the F/A was super nice. She kept serving me drinks and even gave me a doggie bag filled with Finlandia miniatures for me to enjoy in my hotel room! I think the main reason why all of us here on FT still tolerates US is the nice surprises we get from time to time :)

MCO is my home airport. It truly is amazing how many people have no clue when they are going through this airport. Security has been a nightmare for quite a while. I did the Fly Clear program and it is the best $79 I ever spent. I can get through security very quickly now.

MCO is my home airport. It truly is amazing how many people have no clue when they are going through this airport. Security has been a nightmare for quite a while.

It's an easy decision to drive the extra 20 miles to TPA from my house, rather than to MCO.... and it's not due to the $5 in toll savings, either :)

Just did this round-trip last week in Y. Yeah, there were a few more kids and old folks (i.e., over 45) than usual, but my seat wasn't kicked, no one threw up, and there was no screaming, at least by kids -- all in all, a normal flight. Frankly, there was less pre-boarding crowding at the gate by elites than I'm used to at PHL.

My flight MCO-PHL was Sunday evening at 7:35. MCO security at that hour was a snap. Consider flying late to avoid the crowds. And good luck.

Mornings are pretty bad here at MCO.

I flew the Saturday BUF-MCO n/s back in December and the flight was like God's waiting room. Old people, handicapped people, mentally challenged people, fat people, obnoxious children, screaming babies, white trash adults...you name it, this flight had it! They filled the F cabin with op-ups and I was one of the few passengers "legitimately" in F. You knew who the op-ups were because they acted as if they had never flown before. The only great thing about the flight, apart from it being on time, was that the F/A was super nice. She kept serving me drinks and even gave me a doggie bag filled with Finlandia miniatures for me to enjoy in my hotel room! I think the main reason why all of us here on FT still tolerates US is the nice surprises we get from time to time :)

As long as we aren't picking on the fam back in Buffalo, I would tend to agree... took a similar flight to MCO via BOS and if someone hadn't invented noise canceling headphones and vodka, I might have tried to flush myself down the toliet.... BTW, anyplace on a Saturday to MCO has got to be bad, but I'ld like to meet your flight attendant friend. I was on the shuttle on sunday and I got two Finladia's for 30 minute flight!

That said.. the idea of going to TPA sounds pretty good by the OP

I have this general sense that US is considering moving their focus city from FLL to MCO for the carribean, but we'll see that in the next few schedules...

Old people, handicapped people, mentally challenged people, fat people, obnoxious children, screaming babies, white trash adults...you name it, this flight had it!

She kept serving me drinks and even gave me a doggie bag filled with Finlandia miniatures for me to enjoy in my hotel room!

Hmm. Sounds like a cross section of society...

As for the doggie bag - well that's kind of "white trash", if you think about it.

I'm guessing the upside to MCO is that it's easier to secure upgrades since their are fewer business travelers with status?

5. FL boarding is very organized. Seats are assigned (at online check-in). Better than US boarding - or WN.



I saw a FL flight boarding at FLL the other day, and while it was organized, the Gate Agent gave a final call at 6:20 for a 6:40AM departure. Her final call lasted about 15 minutes (until I boarded my 6:45AM departure) as people kept running towards the plane. Despite her early boarding of the flight, our CLT flight departed in front of the FL plane.

2) Do you get a meal? I went from FLL to PHL the other day and we got nothing. However, the flight left at 6AM in the morning...

Thanks!!!


Good news, you WILL get a meal!

If on US, it will be potato chips and biscoffs for breakfast! Before I became enlightened and switched to the skyteam I found the chips and 2 oj's w/vodka quite delicious! :mad: :mad: :mad:

Now on the skyteam it would be hot omelet, hot muffin, sausage, potato, and drinks in a real glass. ^ ^ :)