Originally Posted by
FlyFreakquently
There is zero chance I'd do that. The LAX-SYD routinely leaves from TBIT, whereas there is an extremely high chance your PHL-LAX arrives in T5 which is a 10 minute walk to the international gates. Add in the fact that you have a checked bag and need wheelchair assistance and this further jeopardizes a smooth connection. Lastly, the East Coast (particularly from Delaware to Massachusetts), has been getting hammered by evening storms this summer. Taking any evening flight out of the Mid-Atlantic with a tight connection right now is a recipe for disaster.
Unless you want to get to SYD a day or two late, I'd absolutely try to switch to an earlier flight.
Thanks, this is exactly what I was looking for. I agree with you. As soon as I wrote it out and hit 'post' I shook my head and said 'this sounds like a stupid gamble, even to me lol'.
The flight is actually in November but the weather on the East Coast last winter certainly doesn't bode well for a smooth & timely connection either.
I guess this is why the award miles are so darned attractive. I'm too risk adverse though.