Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,854
Yes, the use of busing does occur but is not common. It can be used if an aircraft has landed at an alternate airport, for example. Busing from WAS-NYC is pretty unusual but for some, it may have been the preferred situation. A couple of hours of busing may be preferred vs being pushed out to the next day for a flight.
I have been bussed (2 hours) from SFO to a nearby UX outstation when weather prevented flights.
Separate tickets always carry a risk of a major delay -- it is easy to get comfortable with the idea air travel as regular as the trains in Japan or Switzerland, but it isn't.