Sep 12, 2014, 6:12 pm

FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides

Last edit by: dordal

As this thread has gotten quite big, here is an index of links to the relevant posts for quick reference, sorted by airport code. If you are unsure of the airport code please use the FT airport code lookup.

Key

e = link to post external to this thread
w = link to post within this thread
> = transit
< = turnaround
APT = airport code

e/w >/< APT airport name, country [specific airline, terminal or type of connection here]

INDEX

Code:


 A
 w < ACC Accra, Ghana
 e < ADE Aden, Yemen (warning difficult to do)
 w < AKL Auckland, New Zealand on CX
 e > AKL Auckland, New Zealand
 e < AKL Auckland, New Zealand
 w < AKL Auckland, New Zealand on TG
 e > AMM Amman, Jordan
 e > AMM Amman, Jordan
 e > AMM Amman, Jordan
 w < AMS Amsterdam, Netherlands
 e > AMS Amsterdam, Netherlands
 w < AMS Amsterdam, Netherlands on UA
 w < AMS Amsterdam, Netherlands on SQ
 e < ANC Anchorage, USA
 e < ANC Anchorage, USA
 w < APW Apia, Samoa
 e < ARN Stockholm, Sweden
 w < ARN Stockholm, Sweden on TG
 e < ATH Athens, Greece
 e > AUH Abu Dhabi, UAE on BA
 
 B
 w < BCN Barcelona, Spain on SQ
 w < BDL Hartford, USA
 e > BEG Belgrade, Serbia
 e < BEY Beirut, Lebanon
 e > BEY Beirut, Lebanon
 w < BHM Birmingham, USA on NW
 w < BIO Bilbao, Spain
 e > BKK Bangkok (Don Muang), Thailand
 w < BKK Bangkok (Don Muang), Thailand
 e < BKK Bangkok (Don Muang), Thailand
 e > BKK Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi), Thailand on SQ
 e > BKK Bangkok, Thailand TG -> TK
 e > BKK Bangkok, Thailand LH -> TG
 e > BNE Brisbane, Australia domestic to international on QF
 e > BOM Mumbai, India international -> international
 e > BOM Mumbai, India domestic -> international
 e > BOM Mumbai, India
 e > BOM Mumbai, India international -> domestic
 w < BOM Mumbai, India
 w < BOS Boston, USA
 w < BQN Aquadilla, Puerto Rico on UA
 e < BRU Brussels, Belgium
 w < BZE Belize City, Belize
 
 C
 e < CAI Cairo, Egypt
 e < CAI Cairo, Egypt
 w < CAI Cairo, Egypt on QR
 e > CCS Caracas, Venezuela international -> international
 w < CCU Kolkata, India
 w > CDG Paris Charles de Gaulle, France
 e < CDG Paris Charles de Gaulle, France
 w < CGK Jakarta, Indonesia
 e < CGK Jakarta, Indonesia
 e < CGK Jakarta, Indonesia on SQ
 w < CGK Jakarta, Indonesia
 e < CGK Jakarta, Indonesia on SQ
 w < CGK Jakarta, Indonesia on SQ
 w > CGK Jakarta, Indonesia
 e < CGK Jakarta, Indonesia on JO/JL
 w > CGK Jakarta, Indonesia on TG
 w < CGK Jakarta, Indonesia
 e > CHC Christchurch, New Zealand international -> international on NZ
 w > CLT Charlotte, USA
 w < CMB Colombo, Sri Lanka
 e < CMB Colombo, Sri Lanka on SQ
 e < CMB Colombo, Sri Lanka
 e < CMB Colombo, Sri Lanka
 e < CMB Colombo, Sri Lanka
 e < CMB Colombo, Sri Lanka
 w < CMB Colombo, Sri Lanka on SQ
 e < CMN Casablanca, Morocco on LH
 w > CNS Cairns, Australia
 e < CNS Cairns, Australia international -> international
 e > CNS Cairns, Australia domestic -> domestic
 e < CNS Cairns, Australia international -> international
 e > CPH Copenhagen, Denmark
 w < CPH Copenhagen, Denmark
 e < CPH Copenhagen, Denmark on BA
 e > CPH Copenhagen, Denmark
 w > CRK Clark, Philippines on OZ
 
 D
 e < DAC Dhaka, Bangladesh on TG
 w > DCA Washington National, USA
 e < DEL Delhi, India
 e < DEL Delhi, India
 e > DEL Delhi, India
 e > DEL Delhi, India domestic -> international
 e < DEL Delhi, India
 w < DEL Delhi, India
 e > DEL Delhi, India international 9W -> AA
 w < DEL Delhi, India
 w > DFW Dallas Fort Worth, USA
 w > DFW Dallas Fort Worth, USA
 w < DME Moscow, Russa
 e < DOH Doha, Qatar on BA
 e < DUB Dublin, Ireland on AA
 e > DUB Dublin, Ireland
 e < DUS Dusseldorf, Germany
 w > DXB Dubai, UAE
 w < DXB Dubai, UAE
 e < DXB Dubai, UAE on BA
 e > DXB Dubai, UAE with children during Ramadan
 
 E
 e < EBL Erbil, Iraq / Kurdistan
 w < EWR Newark, USA
 e > EWR Newark, USA
 e > EZE Buenos Aires, Argentina
 e < EZE Buenos Aires, Argentina
 e > EZE Buenos Aires, Argentina
 
 F
 e < FAT Fresno, USA
 e > FCO Rome, Italy on BA LGW-FCO-LHR
 e < FCO Rome, Italy on BA
 w < FCO Rome, Italy
 w < FCO Rome, Italy
 w < FPO Freeport, Bahamas
 w < FRA Frankfurt, Germany on NW
 e > FRA Frankfurt, Germany
 w < FRA Frankfurt, Germany
 e < FRA Frankfurt, Germany
 e < FRA Frankfurt, Germany
 e < FRA Frankfurt, Germany on AA
 e > FRA Frankfurt, Germany nonschengen on LH
 e > FRA Frankfurt, Germany nonschengen on LH
 e > FRA Frankfurt, Germany nonschengen on LH
 e > FRA Frankfurt, Germany nonschengen on LH
 e > FRA Frankfurt, Germany nonschengen on LH
 w < FUK Fukuoka, Japan on SQ
 
 G
 e > GOT Gothenburg, Sweden
 e > GRU Sao Paulo, Brazil
 e > GRU Sao Paulo, Brazil Delta to Gol
 e > GRU Sao Paulo, Brazil BA to JJ (Tam)
 w < GUM Guam, Guam on NW
 e < GUM Guam, Guam on JL
 
 H
 e > HAN Hanoi, Vietnam
 w < HAN Hanoi, Vietnam
 e > HEL Helsinki, Finland
 e < HKG Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
 e < HKG Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
 e < HKG Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
 e > HKG Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR CX -> 5J
 e > HKG Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR QF -> OZ
 e > HKG Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR LX -> OZ
 e > HKG Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR OZ -> QF
 w > HKG Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
 e < HKT, Phuket, Thailand
 w < HYD Hyderabad, India
 
 I
 e > IAD Washington Dulles, USA
 e < ICN Seoul Incheon, South Korea
 e < ICN Seoul Incheon, South Korea
 e < ICN Seoul Incheon, South Korea
 e < ICN Seoul Incheon, South Korea
 e > ICN Seoul Incheon, South Korea
 e > ICN Seoul Incheon, South Korea
 w < ICN Seoul Incheon, South Korea
 e < IKA Tehran, Iran
 e > IQQ Iqique, Chile
 e > IQQ Iqique, Chile int->dom
 w < IST Istanbul, Turkey
 e < IST Istanbul, Turkey
 w < IST Istanbul, Turkey on BA
 e > IST Istanbul, Turkey international -> international on TK
 e > IST Istanbul, Turkey international -> international on TK
 e < IUE Niue, Niue
 
 J
 w < JAX Jacksonville FL, USA
 w < JAX Jacksonville FL, USA
 e < JFK JFK New York, USA on CX
 w < JFK JFK New York, USA on UA
 w > JFK JFK New York, USA
 w > JFK JFK New York, USA
 e < JFK JFK New York, USA international -> international
 e > JNB Johannesburg, South Africa int->int
 e > JNB Johannesburg, South Africa international -> international
 
 K
 e < KIX Osaka Kansai, Japan on SQ
 e < KTM Kathmandu, Nepal
 e < KUL Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
 e > KUL Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
 e < KWI Kuwait City, Kuwait on BA
 
 L
 e > LAX Los Angeles, USA
 w > LAX Los Angeles, USA
 w > LAX Los Angeles, USA
 w < LAX Los Angeles, USA
 e > LAX Los Angeles, USA NZ -> LH
 w < LAX Los Angeles, USA on TG
 e < LDH Lord Howe Island, Australia
 w < LED St Petersburg, Russia on LH
 w < LGW London Gatwick, UK
 w < LGW London Gatwick, UK
 w < LGW London Gatwick, UK
 w < LGW London Gatwick, UK
 w < LGW London Gatwick, UK
 w < LGW London Gatwick, UK (September 2006)
 e < LGW London Gatwick, UK
 w < LHR London Heathrow, UK
 w < LHR London Heathrow, UK
 w < LHR London Heathrow, UK
 w < LHR London Heathrow, UK on UA
 w < LHR London Heathrow, UK (October 2006)
 w < LHR London Heathrow, UK on AA
 w > LHR London Heathrow, UK
 e > LHR London Heathrow, UK international -> domestic
 w < LHR London Heathrow, UK CO turnaround beware
 w < LHR London Heathrow, UK
 w < LHR London Heathrow, UK
 e > LHR London Heathrow, UK T5->T3
 e > LHR London Heathrow, UK T3->T5
 e > LIM Lima, Peru
 e > LIM Lima, Peru AA->LA
 w > LIM Lima, Peru
 e < LIR Liberia, Costa Rica AA
 e > LIS Lisbon, Portugal
 e > LIS Lisbon, Portugal BA->TP
 w < LON London, UK
 e < LPB La Paz, Bolivia
 
 M
 e > MAA Chennai, India 9W -> LH
 w < MAA Chennai, India
 w < MAD Madrid, Spain
 w > MAD Madrid, Spain RJ->BA
 w < MAD Madrid, Spain
 e > MAD Madrid, Spain nonschengen IB -> BA
 e < MAN Manchester, UK on SQ
 e < MAN Manchester, UK on SQ
 e < MAN Manchester, UK
 e < MAN Manchester, UK
 e > MAN Manchester, UK international -> international
 e < MCO Orlando, USA
 e < MCT Muscat, Oman on BA
 e < MCT Muscat, Oman
 e < MCT Muscat, Oman on BA
 w < MEL Melbourne, Australia
 e < MEL Melbourne, Australia
 e > MEL Melbourne, Australia NZ -> SQ
 e > MEL Melbourne, Australia SQ -> NZ
 e > MEX Mexico City, Mexico
 e < MLA Malta, Malta
 w < MLA Malta, Malta
 e < MLE Male, Maldives
 w < MNL Manila, Philippines
 w < MNL Manila, Philippines
 e < MNL Manila, Philippines on SQ
 e < MNL Manila, Philippines on TG
 w < MNL Manila, Philippines on UA
 
 N
 e < NCE Nice, France
 e < NGO Nagoya, Japan
 w > NGO Nagoya, Japan - international to international
 e < NLK Norfolk Island, Norfolk Island
 w < NRT Tokyo Narita, Japan
 w < NRT Tokyo Narita, Japan
 w < NRT Tokyo Narita, Japan
 e < NRT Tokyo Narita, Japan
 e < NRT Tokyo Narita, Japan
 e > NRT Tokyo Narita, Japan
 e > NRT Tokyo Narita, Japan AA to other oneworld airlines
 e > NRT Tokyo Narita, Japan, international -> domestic
 e > NRT Tokyo Narita, Japan OZ -> NZ
 e > NRT Tokyo Narita, Japan international -> international on JL
 
 O
 w < OAK Oakland, USA
 e < OOL Coolangatta Gold Coast, Australia int->int
 w > ORD Chicago, USA
 w > ORD Chicago, USA
 e < OSL Oslo, Norway
 w > OSL Oslo, Norway on TG
 w < OTP Bucharest, Romania
 e < OTP Bucharest, Romania
 e > OTP Bucharest, Romaia TK -> LH
 
 P
 w > PEK Beijing, China
 w < PEN Penang, Malaysia
 w > PER Perth, Australia
 w > PER Perth, Australia
 e < PER Perth, Australia domestic
 w < PNH Phnom Penh, Cambodia
 e < POM Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea international
 e > POS Port-of-Spain, Trinidad
 e < PPT Papeete, Tahiti on NZ
 e > PRG Prague, Czech Republic
 w > PUJ Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
 w > PVG Shanghai, China
 e < PVG Shanghai, China on NZ
 e < PVG Shanghai, China
 
 R
 e > RAR Rarotonga, Cook Islands
 w > RDU Raleigh-Durham, USA
 w > RDU Raleigh-Durham, USA
 e > RUH Riyadh, Saudi Arabia tricky
 w < RUH Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
 
 S
 w < SAN San Diego, USA
 w < SAN San Diego, USA
 w > SBP San Luis Obispo, USA
 e > SCL Santiago, Chile
 e > SCL Santiago, Chile int->int
 e > SCL Santiago, Chile int->int
 e > SCL Santiago, Chile dom->int
 w < SEA Seattle, USA
 w < SFO San Francisco, USA
 w < SFO San Francisco, USA
 w > SFO San Francisco, USA
 w < SFO San Francisco, USA on SQ
 e < SGN Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on SQ
 w < SGN Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
 w < SIN Singapore, Singapore
 e > SIN Singapore, Singapore
 w < SIN Singapore, Singapore
 w < SIN Singapore, Singapore
 w < SIN Singapore, Singapore
 e > SIN Singapore, Singapore SQ -> UA
 w < SIN Singapore, Singapore
 e > SIN Singapore, Singapore SQ -> LH
 w < SIN Singapore, Singapore on UA
 w < SJU San Juan, Puerto Rico
 e < SJU San Juan, Puerto Rico
 w < SJU San Juan, Puerto Rico
 w < SJU San Juan, Puerto Rico
 e < SKG Thessaloniki, Greece
 w < SMF Sacramento, USA
 e < SOF Sophia, Bulgaria
 e < STN London Stansted, United Kingdom on AA
 e < STN London Stansted, United Kingdom
 e < STN London Stansted, United Kingdom
 e < STR Stuttgart, Germany
 w > STL St Louis, USA
 e > SYD Sydney, Australia int->dom
 e > SYD Sydney, Australia dom->int
 e > SYD Sydney, Australia
 e > SYD Sydney, Australia international -> international on QF
 e < SYD Sydney, Australia on NZ
 e > SYD Sydney, Australia NZ -> TG
 e > SYD Sydney, Australia TG -> NZ
 e > SYD Sydney, Australia NZ -> NZ
 
 T
 e < TBU Nuku'alofa, Tonga
 w < TGU Tegucigalpa, Honduras on UA
 e < THR Tehran, Iran
 e > TIP Tripoli, Libya
 e < TLV Tel Aviv, Israel
 e > TLV Tel Aviv, Israel
 w < TPE Taipei, Taiwan
 e > TPE Taipei, Taiwan CX->UA
 w < TPE Taipei, Taiwan on MH
 e < TUN Tunis, Tunisia
 e < TUN Tunis, Tunisia
 
 U
 e < UIO Quito, Ecuador
 w < USM Koh Samui, Thailand
 
 V
 e < VCE Venice, Italy on BA
 w < VCT Victoria, USA on CO
 e < VIE Vienna, Austria
 w > VNS Varanasi, India
 
 W
 e < WAW Warsaw, Poland
 e < WDH Windhoek, Namibia
 
 Y
 w < YEG Edmonton, Canada
 e > YHZ Halifax, Canada
 w > YUL Montreal, Canada
 e > YUL Montreal, Canada
 w > YVR Vancouver, Canada
 w < YVR Vancouver, Canada
 w < YVR Vancouver, Canada
 w < YVR Vancouver, Canada
 e > YVR Vancouver, Canada
 w < YVR Vancouver, Canada
 w > YVR Vancouver, Canada
 w < YYC Calgary, Canada
 w > YYC Calgary, Canada
 w < YYC Calgary, Canada
 w < YYZ Toronto, Canada
 e > YYZ Toronto, Canada
 w < YYZ, Toronto, Canada
 w > YYZ Toronto, Canada
 w < YYZ Toronto, Canada
 w < YYZ Toronto, Canada
 
 Z
 e > ZRH Zurich, Switzerland
 
 Misc no problems at these airports postsApril 2003 ALB, DCA, EZE, GIG, JAX, JFK, LAX, LHR, MCO, MIA, NRT, PVD, SAN, SDF, SFO, ZRH
April 2003 BRU, DTW, FLL, LAX, LHR, MCI, MEM, MSY, PHX, SEA, SIN, SMF, TPA, YEG, YUL, YVR, YYC, YYZ
April 2003 DUS, FRA, LHR, MXP, PVG, SEL, SIN
May 2003 ANC, DPS, DXB, MCT, SFO, SIN
May 2003 CDG, FRA, LGW, LHR, ZRH
May 2003 Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand, Australia and Korea
June 2003 ANC, DTW, EWR, HNL, IAH
December 2003 ALB, BOS, CDG, JFK, LHR, MAD, NRT, PVD, SDF
 
 Misc cautionary tales in these countries posts
 e < Canada customs problems
 e < Middle East turnarounds

updated to post #565

Mileage Runs turnarounds / turnabouts / transits:- Experiences please

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Apr 15, 2014, 2:34 am

#436

Kiwi Flyer

Moderator, Hilton Honors

Join Date: Nov 2003

Location: on a short leash

Programs: some

Posts: 71,419

Quote:

Originally Posted by henwood

In checking other visa requirement sites and phone calls to them, they assure me that there should be no problem.
One requirement is that you confirm with the airline that boarding will be permitted.
Several calls to AF say that there is no problem. Many checked with others to be sure. Was just told by AF that with itinerary in hand I should be able to go to transfer desk for return boarding passes without leaving airside or going through immigration.
Anyone with first hand knowledge of doing that to confirm it?

Of course agents have been known to be wrong too.

Anything else that I should be asking or checking that will relieve me?

BTW not ticketed yet because I want to clear this up.

Strictly you don't qualify for transit without visa as you are not travelling to a third country. This means any airline is within their rights to deny you boarding for not having proper documentation for the arrival country.

Could you get lucky and be allowed to board? Perhaps. Nothing anyone says in advance can help you though as there are no guarantees - you can still be denied boarding quite legitimately regardless of what anyone tells you now.

Apr 15, 2014, 2:38 am

#437

Kiwi Flyer

Moderator, Hilton Honors

Join Date: Nov 2003

Location: on a short leash

Programs: some

Posts: 71,419

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbq

You don't have to say anything to Saudi authorities as the transfer desk/counter is before immigration counters.

When I transited through RUH several years ago (going to a third country) there was no open transit desk and it was quite a hassle to get the transit door opened for me so I could go to the departures area. For a while I was stuck in no mans land - not allowed through immigration and transit door locked.

Apr 25, 2014, 12:08 am

#438

DLDFW

Join Date: Nov 2012

Posts: 371

VISA info for MR for MCT

I'm a US citizen, do I need a visa for MCT(OMAN)? I have a quick layover before taking a flight to UAE.. anyone know if I even need to get VISA? Just wanted to make sure if any particular makes a difference whether EY or Oman AIR?

Apr 25, 2014, 12:28 am

#439

Epicura

Join Date: Jan 2014

Posts: 1,265

I was in MCT last year and as a EU-citizen (think it will be the same for US) you can just buy a visa at the airport. For people just in transit, there is a different route and they obviously don't need to get a visa. If you want to enter Oman, you will have to buy a visa.

I was flying Oman air but it's a small airport so I don't think that flying EY will make a difference.

Price of the visa was about 20 dollar (or something like that).

Apr 25, 2014, 4:41 am

#440

DLDFW

Join Date: Nov 2012

Posts: 371

Quote:

Originally Posted by Epicura

Thanks!

Apr 25, 2014, 6:25 am

#441

IAN-UK

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Aug 2000

Location: London

Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK

Posts: 17,006

oops! duplicate

Last edited by IAN-UK; Apr 25, 2014 at 6:43 am

Apr 25, 2014, 6:42 am

#442

IAN-UK

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Aug 2000

Location: London

Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK

Posts: 17,006

Fee for a short stay tourist visa on arrival (10 days?) is OMR5 or about EUR10.

That's for those on Oman's list of favoured nationalities. Other travellers need to get a visa before travelling.

Transit staying airside requires no visa.

I think the visa fee waiver still applies for those arriving from Dubai (i.e. with a Dubai arrival stamp/visa). I guess you are not going to re-jig your travel simply to avoid the visa fee, but I added this for completeness.

Royal Oman Police www.ROP.gov.om will have chapter and verse on all this.

May 2, 2014, 11:52 am

#443

wh6cto

Join Date: Nov 2013

Location: IAD/DCA/BWI

Programs: Hyatt Globalist (2020:Exp), United Gold

Posts: 1,525

SBP (San Luis Obispo)

SBP (San Luis Obispo): Does anyone know if this airport is "MR friendly"? (i.e. does not require rescreening.) Flying thru there tomorrow, with a 26-min layover.

I'm hoping it's not like the SAN (San Diego) regional terminal, where you need go thru TSA screening again to get to the gate. These types of situations typically don't have Pre-Check, so it's even more of a pain.

May 2, 2014, 3:05 pm

#444

Mike Jacoubowsky

Join Date: May 2003

Location: Redwood City, CA USA (SFO/SJC)

Programs: 1K 2010, 1P in 2011, Plat for 2012,13,14,15 & 2016. Gold in 17 & 18, Plat since

Posts: 8,824

Quote:

Originally Posted by wh6cto

Are you flying through (connecting), or is this your turnaround point? If connecting, I can't see any issue unless your arriving flight is late. If it's your turnaround and they require that you re-screen, perhaps to get back onto the same plane, then you might have to go through security again, but security at SBP... just can't imagine there's much going on. Don't think I'd worry. What's the itin though? Are you getting back onto the same plane? If not, and your arriving flight is late, do you have any other options for getting back?

May 2, 2014, 8:23 pm

#445

wh6cto

Join Date: Nov 2013

Location: IAD/DCA/BWI

Programs: Hyatt Globalist (2020:Exp), United Gold

Posts: 1,525

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Jacoubowsky

UA5384 LAX-SBP EMB-120 #581 (N581SW)
UA5418 SBP-SFO EMB-120 #581 (N581SW)
SFO layover: 3h11m

Same aircraft, so no concern about delay. Worst case, there is one more flight later in the day. I'm sure you're right, not too much to worry about. But sounds like I should post the results tomorrow.

May 2, 2014, 10:06 pm

#446

Mike Jacoubowsky

Join Date: May 2003

Location: Redwood City, CA USA (SFO/SJC)

Programs: 1K 2010, 1P in 2011, Plat for 2012,13,14,15 & 2016. Gold in 17 & 18, Plat since

Posts: 8,824

Quote:

Originally Posted by wh6cto

Sleep well, you will have ZERO issues. I've done this sort of thing often, usually LAX-SBA-SFO. Same EMB-120. Same crew. One time I didn't even have to deplane (how that works, don't know, but the miles did credit, something I didn't think about at the time but should have).

A bit more problematic, but not enough to actually cause a problem, is when you do a turnaround on the same plane. Hey, done that one before too! The crew kinda wonders what's up.

May 2, 2014, 10:21 pm

#447

fslarry

Join Date: Oct 2013

Location: SAN

Posts: 58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Jacoubowsky

I had that happen a few months ago, I just said I learned my meeting was cancelled when I got off of the previous flight, so I was ready to go home early. I few weeks ago, I asked the FA when I got off the flight if they were "turning around" and he said there was a crew change. So, no explanation was necessary.

May 2, 2014, 10:37 pm

#448

Mike Jacoubowsky

Join Date: May 2003

Location: Redwood City, CA USA (SFO/SJC)

Programs: 1K 2010, 1P in 2011, Plat for 2012,13,14,15 & 2016. Gold in 17 & 18, Plat since

Posts: 8,824

Quote:

Originally Posted by fslarry

It's a lot more fun telling the truth. You can ask them "Are you familiar with mileage running?" and go from there. It's a lot of fun when you get a noob at the other end, someone who might have heard about such things but never met someone actually on one. And invariably you are very, very well taken care of. I think it's because they like the idea that you're not flying to get somewhere... you're flying because you WANT to fly, and that's something they don't get often enough. People who are happy to be "Up in the air" and probably less-stressed than typical.

May 4, 2014, 2:14 am

#449

YEGcg

Join Date: Apr 2013

Programs: Yes, I belong.

Posts: 361

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Jacoubowsky

I agree; you're not a VBIT on a bi-annual 168 hr vacation with their cranky kids. You're there to be there, on that plane. Unless you're on a RTW MR with checked baggage, just lean back and relax!

May 4, 2014, 9:33 am

#450

wh6cto

Join Date: Nov 2013

Location: IAD/DCA/BWI

Programs: Hyatt Globalist (2020:Exp), United Gold

Posts: 1,525

SBP Immediate Turn (San Luis Obispo): MR friendly (9 out of 10)

SBP Immediate Turn (San Luis Obispo): MR friendly (9 out of 10)

Just got back home from my MR to SBP, and here's what I learned about this airport:

Once you get off the plane, you walk into the terminal up a concrete walkway/ramp:

You enter the building at the gate (no gate number--there's only one), where you normally are diverted by the gate agent to the baggage terminal to the right. I gave the gate agent my boarding pass, and explained I am connecting. He walked over to his terminal, verified the info, then pulled back the nylon belt thing (like you normally see at airports--sorry I don't know the proper name of it) and let me into the secure passenger waiting area on the left.

Even if I had to exit the secure area, it wouldn't have been a problem. During the 20 minutes I was there, I saw only one person get screened by the 3 TSA personnel there. Would have taken two minutes to get through.

So I would score this location 9 out of 10 for MR-friendliness. (I deducted one on the off chance you may need to leave the secure area.)

Boarding my flight was the reverse of the same path...go thru the gate, walk down the ramp, walk into the plane. Easy.

On a side note...the main waiting are is very tiny, maybe 30 seats--it's actually smaller than the security screening station! (Sorry, no photo...can't do it without taking photos of the security area, which is prohibited.) There's an adjacent room that seems to accommodate another 30-40 passengers.

One more thing...the LAX-SBP-SFO route seems to often be the same plane, but the last flight on May 3, those two segments were on different planes. Where connections are tight, you may want to verify that they are on the same plane, or make allowances for missed connections.

Thanks to everyone who put my mind at ease before this MR. You were right--nothing to worry about! Now I just need to figure out where to go for my next MR...

Last edited by wh6cto; May 5, 2014 at 6:01 am Reason: Updated image link to remove advertising (hopefully)