Originally Posted by
mwarden
Really? I have a 1 hr 48 mn connection CLE-EWR-LGW in May on a Wed around 5:30p. Is this going to be a problem? I wasn't expecting it to be, because it's a domestic connection. But, then again, I've only connected in EWR once (and it was a mess due to weather).
I have not traveled internationally since the goo ban. Is there some "new" reg what requires the extremely long layover? Or are you just being cautious and enjoying the PC?
CLE-EWR-LGW is no problem. You don't have to clear Immigration and Customs in EWR. And you don't have any additional security. At worst, you have to go from one end of Terminal C to another. 1 hour would be ample time. Of course this assumes no delays. Delays are what could kill you.
The good news is if you misconnect, there is a later flight on CO to LGW. And they could potentially reroute you onto a VS flight.
I'm pondering scheduling a return flight from LGW to MCO via EWR. Is 1 hour 35 min suffecient time to clear customs and make it to my domestic flight? Last time i was there you came into one terminal for customs and switched to terminal C. I'm scheduling this return for late june and am a USA citizen. Comments / Advice would be apprecitated. thnx
I assume you're flying LGW to EWR on CO metal; in that case your arrival and onbound departure will both be Terminal C. About 5 years ago, before an international facility was built in Terminal C, you would have flown into Terminal B. Or if you flew in on VS or BA, you will still fly into Terminal B.
1:35 is OK but tight. 35 minutes should be enough to clear immigration and pick up your bag at customs and drop it off, which would leave you 10 minutes to go through TSA security and then you'll still be 50 minutes before your flight, assuming all goes smoothly.
But if it doesn't go smoothly, I wouldn't fret. CO has about 11 flights a day to Mickey Mouse-land so in the worst case, they'll just put you on the next flight down. I would rather take the 10% risk of a misconnection than to schedule an unnecessarily long layover in EWR. Just make sure that the itinerary is a single ticket; if it is, CO has the responsibility to reaccommodate you; if not, it is up to their discretion and they could charge you change/cancellation fees, etc.
But I have no idea why anyone in their right mind would want to fly to MCO; this is the flight with the highest % of "gate lice," amateur travelers, screaming kids, talkative AARP member seatmates insistent on showing you pictures of their grandchildren and drunk college kids going to Florida on Spring Break. Shudder.
A three-hour layover is a much better bet; four hours is better still.
If this were the last flight to LGW in the day, I would maybe agree with you but since it isn't, scheduling such an excessive layover would be like wearing suspenders AND a belt.
However, if you feel wont to schedule a 4 hour layover in EWR enroute to Europe, then here's a suggestion: if your flight gets to EWR on time, just hop a cab for 10 minutes and go to the Ironbound (Spanish/Portuguese/Brazilian) section of Newark. Have a lovely and inexpensive and bountiful Iberian meal at Casa Vasca, Forno's of Spain, Brasilia, Tony da Caneca, Spain, Spanish Tavern or Don Pepe. Drink at least a bottle of wine each, stuff yourself. That way you board and go to sleep and miss what passes for a "meal" ... and arrive in Europe ready to hit the town.