When to make alternate plans for 8/2018 award w/ likely connection issues?
Jan 17, 2018, 10:30 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 58
When to make alternate plans for 8/2018 award w/ likely connection issues?
My mother wanted to go to Spain, so I found her a scarce business Saaver (SMF-LAX-PHL-BCN) at the end of August. The first leg is on Eagle and only has a 37 minute connection, which at LAX in the remote terminal is almost certain to be an issue.
I'm trying to decide between:
-Just moving the first leg to the night before now. LAX-PHL-BCN is on the A330 so she'd like to keep it.
-Waiting until a later date (June/July?) to move the flight given the risk of schedule changes between now and the end of August.
-Letting the chips fall where they may but having multiple back up plans ready for her (this runs the risk of downgrade the day of.)
Any sage advice?
I'm trying to decide between:
-Just moving the first leg to the night before now. LAX-PHL-BCN is on the A330 so she'd like to keep it.
-Waiting until a later date (June/July?) to move the flight given the risk of schedule changes between now and the end of August.
-Letting the chips fall where they may but having multiple back up plans ready for her (this runs the risk of downgrade the day of.)
Any sage advice?
Jan 17, 2018, 10:42 am
#2
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Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
My mother wanted to go to Spain, so I found her a scarce business Saaver (SMF-LAX-PHL-BCN) at the end of August. The first leg is on Eagle and only has a 37 minute connection, which at LAX in the remote terminal is almost certain to be an issue.
I'm trying to decide between:
-Just moving the first leg to the night before now. LAX-PHL-BCN is on the A330 so she'd like to keep it.
-Waiting until a later date (June/July?) to move the flight given the risk of schedule changes between now and the end of August.
-Letting the chips fall where they may but having multiple back up plans ready for her (this runs the risk of downgrade the day of.)
Any sage advice?
I'm trying to decide between:
-Just moving the first leg to the night before now. LAX-PHL-BCN is on the A330 so she'd like to keep it.
-Waiting until a later date (June/July?) to move the flight given the risk of schedule changes between now and the end of August.
-Letting the chips fall where they may but having multiple back up plans ready for her (this runs the risk of downgrade the day of.)
Any sage advice?
It depends on the risk level you are willing to take
Jan 17, 2018, 11:46 am
#3
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
My mother wanted to go to Spain, so I found her a scarce business Saaver (SMF-LAX-PHL-BCN) at the end of August. The first leg is on Eagle and only has a 37 minute connection, which at LAX in the remote terminal is almost certain to be an issue.
I'm trying to decide between:
-Just moving the first leg to the night before now. LAX-PHL-BCN is on the A330 so she'd like to keep it.
-Waiting until a later date (June/July?) to move the flight given the risk of schedule changes between now and the end of August.
-Letting the chips fall where they may but having multiple back up plans ready for her (this runs the risk of downgrade the day of.)
Any sage advice?
I'm trying to decide between:
-Just moving the first leg to the night before now. LAX-PHL-BCN is on the A330 so she'd like to keep it.
-Waiting until a later date (June/July?) to move the flight given the risk of schedule changes between now and the end of August.
-Letting the chips fall where they may but having multiple back up plans ready for her (this runs the risk of downgrade the day of.)
Any sage advice?
- SMF-LAX running late
- Arriving runway 24R and taxi delays to remote stand
- Remote gate not available upon arrival
- Waiting in a queue for shuttle bus to T-5 (or T-5 or even TBIT if the flight to PHL should be molded there
- Shuttle bus delayed on the apron by aircraft traffic or bus port bus queue
- Boarding nearly over when she arrives if everything runs smoothly, possible lack of overhead space and Bag checked
Jan 17, 2018, 11:51 am
#4
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: South Park, Metropolis
Programs: AA LT PLT 3MM, Hilton/Marriott/SPG/Club Carlson GLD, IHG PLT
Posts: 4,608
Along with the already mentioned saged advice, most likely you will have at least 3 schedule changes between now and trip date. This giving you ample opportunity for better routing.
Jan 17, 2018, 1:21 pm
#5
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
You have a lot riding on the high risk ofI’d certainly change that flight if you can.
- SMF-LAX running late
- Arriving runway 24R and taxi delays to remote stand
- Remote gate not available upon arrival
- Waiting in a queue for shuttle bus to T-5 (or T-5 or even TBIT if the flight to PHL should be molded there
- Shuttle bus delayed on the apron by aircraft traffic or bus port bus queue
- Boarding nearly over when she arrives if everything runs smoothly, possible lack of overhead space and Bag checked
Id say with such a short connection time, OP you are asking for Trouble, can it work yea but Id say the odds are way against you
Jan 17, 2018, 1:31 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 58
Would moving the first leg a day earlier now (from Wednesday AM to Tuesday PM) mean that later rerouting due to schedule changes would be based off of the earlier day departure day (Tuesday) rather rather than the majority of flights on Wednesday?
I've never had to deal with an award ticket being negatively changed due to schedule issues, so I'm not sure how much of a hassle it would be getting alternate Wednesday flights if they eventually rebooked her on a Tuesday AM or on a Tuesday PM red-eye without lie-flats (neither of which are options).
I've never had to deal with an award ticket being negatively changed due to schedule issues, so I'm not sure how much of a hassle it would be getting alternate Wednesday flights if they eventually rebooked her on a Tuesday AM or on a Tuesday PM red-eye without lie-flats (neither of which are options).
Jan 17, 2018, 3:35 pm
#7
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: San Diego, Ca
Programs: AA 2MM LT PLT; AS MVP Gold75k; HHonors Diamond; IHG PLT
Posts: 3,502
I would not wait until July for final changes, which will likely occur T - 60 / 90 / 120 days. If it helps you / mom sleep better at night, there is little harm in changing now - other than risk not having to stay overnight in LAX if the LAX-PHL-BCN is pushed back and hour or so, LAX-PHL aircraft change between now and then.
Jan 17, 2018, 4:25 pm
#8
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: AA PLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,405
My mother wanted to go to Spain, so I found her a scarce business Saaver (SMF-LAX-PHL-BCN) at the end of August. The first leg is on Eagle and only has a 37 minute connection, which at LAX in the remote terminal is almost certain to be an issue.
I'm trying to decide between:
-Just moving the first leg to the night before now. LAX-PHL-BCN is on the A330 so she'd like to keep it.
-Waiting until a later date (June/July?) to move the flight given the risk of schedule changes between now and the end of August.
-Letting the chips fall where they may but having multiple back up plans ready for her (this runs the risk of downgrade the day of.)
Any sage advice?
I'm trying to decide between:
-Just moving the first leg to the night before now. LAX-PHL-BCN is on the A330 so she'd like to keep it.
-Waiting until a later date (June/July?) to move the flight given the risk of schedule changes between now and the end of August.
-Letting the chips fall where they may but having multiple back up plans ready for her (this runs the risk of downgrade the day of.)
Any sage advice?
Jan 17, 2018, 8:55 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 58
Thanks for the info, especially first hand experiences, it should help me pitch the change. I've gotten way too lucky and therefore nonchalant about my own short connections recently and realize it's probably not a great idea to pass on that risk to someone who will later blame me for any problems.
Jan 17, 2018, 9:34 pm
#10
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: TUL
Programs: AA EXP 2MM; Marriott Titanium; Hilton Diamond; Hyatt Explorist; Vistana 5* Elite; Nat'l Exec Elite
Posts: 6,177
Thanks for the info, especially first hand experiences, it should help me pitch the change. I've gotten way too lucky and therefore nonchalant about my own short connections recently and realize it's probably not a great idea to pass on that risk to someone who will later blame me for any problems.