Homer15

Hi,

We're traveling to Vieques later this month, and booked tickets with United that include connecting flights operated by Cape Air for the SJU-VQS leg. I noticed the connection on the return is 50 minutes, which seemed a little short, but I figured it was a domestic connection so not a real problem.

However, in doing some further reading on this board and others, it sounds as though passengers arriving in SJU from Vieques have to be screened by USDA, and if you check luggage, then your luggage needs to be picked up to be screened and then re-checked.

We were undecided yet on whether to check luggage (we don't mind packing clothes for week in carryon, but were thinking of bringing sunscreen for a week and maybe a set of snorkel equipment).

I am trying to figure out whether the 50 minute connection will be impossible to meet except under the best of circumstances (i.e. an early arrival), or will be possible to meet but only if we have carryon only. (I found a thread from someone who missed a similar connection on USAir, and then was told 50 minutes did not satisfy MCT, but didn't bump it partly because it's from 2010).

Last, it looks to me as though there is an earlier flight from VQS-SJU (but not a later flight from SJU home)-- if I call up United and ask to change because of the tight connection, will they charge me a change fee?

Anyone have any BTDT advice? (Mods-- feel free to move this if it belongs elsewhere).

thanks

WineCountryUA

Think the " Caribbean" forum with it discussions on Puerto Rico will be a better place for this question. However, if there is no use responses, please PM me and we get the thread moved back.

WineCountryUA
UA Moderator

andrewstahl

50 minutes is doable but very tight. Your checked bags will have to unloaded from Cape Air and brought up to agriculture inspection. A Cape Air person will escort you help you get through TSA security but if you flight is late or if the lines are long, there is a chance of missing your UAL flight.

mkt

It's doable, but very tight, especially since USDA inspection is done outside of security.

Granted, I regularly show up at SJU 45-60 minutes before my flight, and find myself sitting around at the gate for a few minutes, so it could be reasonable.

Lovethecabin

I agree, tight but doable. We fly through SJU to the USVI and BVIs. Cape Air runs a good operation.

Day of the week and time of the day will make a difference. Cruise ship turnovers on the weekend clog up the airport.

Homer15

Thanks for the responses. I ended up calling up United and they moved me to the earlier flight almost without me asking (my connecting flight had a change in the flight number, and it wasn't until halfway through the call that the person realized that the 50 min connection was the original connecting time and not caused by a change in the flight).

In the end, our Cape Air flight was an hour late, and I would say it took about 45 mins from landing to arriving at the connecting gate, so even with the earlier flight we almost didn't make our connection. While it might be possible to make the 50 minute connection if everything was perfect, in the future I would probably try to avoid booking less than a 90 minute connection.

I would fly Cape Air again, but I wonder whether it may be easy for them to fall behind on the schedule, because it seems there is very little room to make up time in the schedule if flights start to run behind for whatever reason.