Frustrating Misconnect at SEA (8/3/2019)
Aug 5, 2019, 12:22 pm
#31
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Thanks!
Aug 5, 2019, 2:08 pm
#32
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Did you explicitly accept the new itinerary? If not, call up AS and ask for the later flight if you feel nervous.
Aug 5, 2019, 2:16 pm
#33
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Given the schedule change, AS will likely rebook you onto the later flight. I would do that sooner rather than later. Just because there may be availability today doesn't mean it will be there tomorrow.
Aug 5, 2019, 2:55 pm
#34
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Sorry. I thought I was clear, but the metrics I was referring to were the internal AS/QX metrics, not the DOT ones. It's the same reason why they routinely refuse to list/clear standbys under 15 minutes before departure, including company pilots. Heck, some new GAs won't deal with standbys under 20 minutes because "there's not enough time to clear you and close the flight!"
Aug 5, 2019, 3:20 pm
#35
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It all depends on where one sits. Delaying flights is a poor idea. It leads to lengthier delays, particularly at larger airports, and that leads to crew time outs and other passengers missing meetings.
Aug 5, 2019, 5:21 pm
#36
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Aug 5, 2019, 6:12 pm
#37
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Sorry for the terrible experience. SeaTac traffic is horrendous this summer. Every time I have a close call I call the Gold line to make sure they are aware the situation and give them an estimated time. Not sure if it helped or not but I had a few times that I was the last passenger to board and the door was shut right after.
Aug 5, 2019, 6:22 pm
#38
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There are certainly flights where a delay for a single - or even multiple - misconnecting passenger is the wrong choice. In this case, last flight of the day, crew and plane presumably staying overnight in BOI, flight departing ahead of schedule and arriving 17 mins early... and likely no other passenger missing a meeting at midnight ... it seems this would have perhaps been a candidate for delaying the departure by a few minutes (and perhaps still get there on time).
Aug 5, 2019, 9:53 pm
#39
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UA, for one, disagrees with your broad statement. As mentioned earlier, they are instituting a new program to be smarter (and more customer friendly) about this.
There are certainly flights where a delay for a single - or even multiple - misconnecting passenger is the wrong choice. In this case, last flight of the day, crew and plane presumably staying overnight in BOI, flight departing ahead of schedule and arriving 17 mins early... and likely no other passenger missing a meeting at midnight ... it seems this would have perhaps been a candidate for delaying the departure by a few minutes (and perhaps still get there on time).
Aug 6, 2019, 9:12 am
#40
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UA, for one, disagrees with your broad statement. As mentioned earlier, they are instituting a new program to be smarter (and more customer friendly) about this.
There are certainly flights where a delay for a single - or even multiple - misconnecting passenger is the wrong choice. In this case, last flight of the day, crew and plane presumably staying overnight in BOI, flight departing ahead of schedule and arriving 17 mins early... and likely no other passenger missing a meeting at midnight ... it seems this would have perhaps been a candidate for delaying the departure by a few minutes (and perhaps still get there on time).
The "program" is nothing more than carriers have done for years.
Aug 6, 2019, 6:37 pm
#41
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Aug 7, 2019, 5:15 pm
#43
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ok, you guys have me freaking out. In 2 weeks, I fly JFK - SEA (AS 349) with 1 hour layover then SEA - ANC (AS 57). I had a longer layover and AS changed the flight schedules a few months ago. Any way for me to know which gates I will arrive and depart from? This trip has been in the works for a year. If I miss the second leg, friends who are meeting me in ANC will be stuck without a car, hotel, etc.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Having multiple apps tell me the same gate info gives me peace of mind.... still no guarantee though!
Aug 8, 2019, 8:43 am
#44
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In general, the smaller your plane, the more likely for delay or bus gates. The Q400s, esp. the Portland shuttle are most frequently cancelled due to low ceilings / ATC - fewer passengers impacted and with Portland, almost always another flight later. The E175s also get the short end of the stick in ATC delay to Alaska scheduling decisions. I also found that later at night the gates are typically already filled with planes staged for the morning flights so the late inbound flights go to the ramp by the cargo area and you get bussed in.
Aug 8, 2019, 2:39 pm
#45
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Sorry. I thought I was clear, but the metrics I was referring to were the internal AS/QX metrics, not the DOT ones. It's the same reason why they routinely refuse to list/clear standbys under 15 minutes before departure, including company pilots. Heck, some new GAs won't deal with standbys under 20 minutes because "there's not enough time to clear you and close the flight!"
This is an example from AA. I was running late and got to the gate 8 minutes before departure (fully expecting to wait until the next flight). The flight was fully boarded and closed, but the GA upgraded me to F, grabbed an extra F meal, and re-opened/re-closed the flight. We still left 4 minutes early. But that was about 10 years back...certainly wouldn't expect it today.