US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - PHL connections T-F to T-A help??

Hello dear FT helpers! What would I do without this board.
I am in need of some help in navigating through PHL, its our first time at this hub. I have read the entire 48 pages of this US board and am still confused.

We are leaving on a Thursday from (YUL)Montreal Canada on a US Airways Express flight (CRJ yup... Blah!) arriving in PHL terminal F and connecting to a US Airways flight to Cancun in Terminal A-West. How do we go about doing this without having to go outside of the secured areas? And to make matters worst we have a tight connection of only 1 hour. We go through US customs in Canada, so at least this saves some time.

On our return, we arrive US Airways from Cun in T A-West and connecting to T-B. We shall probably go through customs in Canada? This is usually the case but I don't know if its different in PHL?

I have read about a shuttle bus between terminals, but wouldn't this option put us out of the secured areas? If not, can we pick it up from T-F to T A-West? Where and what is this shuttle called?

Would walking inside the airport connecting from terminal to terminal be quicker or easier? And is this even a solution?

Any thoughts would be really appreciated! Thanks to all who reply.

I have connected from an Express flight to a mainline flight at PHL (not international, but coming from Canada it shouldn't matter). I took a bus to another terminal (don't remember which one) and then walked down some moving sidewalks to my terminal. I did not have to re-clear security at any time.

On the way back, from A to B, you can walk that (also have done that transfer). Couldn't be easier. Just follow the signs.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by voyageuse:


Would walking inside the airport connecting from terminal to terminal be quicker or easier? And is this even a solution?
</font>

I cannot address the Customs question for Canada. However, the shuttle operates from Terminal F Gate 10 to Terminal C, "Gate 16" (no longer a gate, but simply a shuttle stop). You are within the security boundary and don't need to be screened again. From C to AWest is still quite a haul though, I'm sorry to say. The shuttle from F to C will save you some time (and energy) to walk to A. The PHL website has a graphic to help you visualize http://www.phl.org.

Good luck!

&gt;"The shuttle from F to C will save you some time (and energy) to walk to A."
When you get to C-16 there will be carts to take you to A. It's a long trek.

Jane in PHL

I knew I could count on you savvy people! Many thanks to JS, PHL Buddy, and Jane for your informative replies. Greatly appreciated!

Now I am less stressed about the tight connection knowing I don't need to exit the secured areas, what a relief! So I'll just keep my fingers crossed about the bagagage problem at this airport. Is it really that bad? Arg! Will just have to pack extra clothes in our carry ons to get us through for a day upon arrival just in case they mess up with the bags.
Once again thank you so much! Gee I love these boards! Maybe one day I'll be travel savvy enough to be able to help someone out in return, for now I am a lurker but also a learner! Have a great Valentines day!

Is it possible though to walk with in the secure area from F to A?

No it is not...you either have to take the shuttle bus from Term F to C or leave the secured areas and then walk...but can't do it within the secured areas...there is no connecting walkway from Term D to E, and I dont think theres one from E to F within security...

N674UW

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by N674UW:
No it is not...you either have to take the shuttle bus from Term F to C or leave the secured areas and then walk...but can't do it within the secured areas...there is no connecting walkway from Term D to E, and I dont think theres one from E to F within security...

N674UW</font>

You cannot go from Term F to E or from E to D inside security.

I think there are plans to revise security for D to E that my change this, but for the foreseeable future, Terminal E is isolated from the rest of the airport, which is all linked past security.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by voyageuse:
On our return, we arrive US Airways from Cun in T A-West and connecting to T-B. We shall probably go through customs in Canada? This is usually the case but I don't know if its different in PHL?</font>

When you land in PHL on your return, you are going to have to clear immigration, claim your luggage, clear customs, re-check your luggage, re-clear security (since you've touched your luggage, you are now outside of the secure area), and travel from terminal A-West to terminal B prior to connecting to your PHL-YUL flight. Since you'll be stuck in the "other passports" line, where a lot of people will be getting fingerprinted, leave yourself enough time for this (1.5 hours?)

- notam

I don't go to A often but I thought you still needed to clear security if you go to A or Awest when coming from b/c?

A West is a long walk from everywhere

&gt;"A West is a long walk from everywhere"

Except Wilmington, Delaware

Jane in PHL

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by phillyguy:
I don't go to A often but I thought you still needed to clear security if you go to A or Awest when coming from b/c?</font>

No...you can stay behind security walking from B/C to A. It looks like you're going to have to go through again, but as you approach, there's a pathway behind security that allows you to scoot right on by.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by JanePond:
&gt;"A West is a long walk from everywhere"

Except Wilmington, Delaware</font>

Hilarious. The A-West Club is indeed a nice place to break up the trek from A-West to the rest of the world called PHL. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thumbsup.gif

-JC