Quickest way to IAD
 

Hi there,

I have a small predicament, I am booked on the 10.20pm from IAD to LHR.
My problem is, I wont be able to finish a job before 9pm in downtown Washington, and I also have to be in Europe the next day. I know it looks undoable with car/train. Do you know if there is a helicopter shuttle or charter to IAD available or is there sort of an express/vip service at the airport that against a fee can get you quicker from the front door to the plane?

TX for any tips.

Er, no. You're cutting it close.
Taxi or limo is your only option(s).
If you are flying premium class, you can go in the (sometimes) shorter security line. But lines at that hour shouldn't be too bad.
Make sure you do OLCI. If you leave at 2100 you can be at Dulles by 2135-ish.

This is likely a 40% chance of working, but it's the best hopeL

1. Have a car service at your pickup point (have them come early and pay the wait time just in case you get done early).

2. Tell the driver there's a significant amount in it for him such as $50 cash, over and above all charges, if he hoofs it to IAD.

3. In a mad dash hitting all DC lights and no traffic, you can make it to the curbside in 35 mins.

4. Have your BP and docs. in hand, do not check bags and make a bee-line for premium security (presuming you've got access).

5. Call BA when you are enroute and let them know you're enroute. In a true overbooking this won't help, but if there's a judgment to be made, a note in your PNR may just save you having your seat given away to somebody else while you're running down the concourse.

This is about all you can do. I would also have a backup plan ready (where will you stay at IAD overnight and people to call to let them know you won't be in UK on time).

While I have no personal experience with the service, this may be an option: http://www.washingtonhelicopterchart...urs_rides.html

I think Often1 about nailed it. If you can get to IAD that fast--traffic shouldn't be an issue on I-66 and the Airport Access Road that time of night--you can get to your gate relatively quickly late at night. Two Mondays ago, I made it from the entrance to a gate in the C concourse in about 25 minutes (8:35-9 p.m.), and that included an opt-out screening and a longer AirTrain ride followed by the requisite hike back to C from the train station. Fifteen minutes seems possible if you accept getting x-rayed and run instead of walk.

But if you get onto 66 and it's a river of brake lights... enjoy your bonus day in the Washington area :(

1) AFAIK, there are no public heliports for people other than those who are surrounded by large guys who wear "earpieces".

2) Even though you would think that I-66 and the IAD connector road would be lightly traversed that time of night, the Silver Line construction can lead to significant delays and closures.

3) Getting there also depends on where you are going to be within DC. If you're on the west end of DC, you can probably get to IAD in good conditions in 35 minutes. If you're over by the Capitol, Penn Quarter, or even Metro Center, you're going to be delayed by an additional 10 minutes.

4) I also put your odds of success at 40-45%

5) I agree with Often1's suggestions. I would add 1) PREPAY the sedan or put it on account, and 2) waive a $50 or $100 in front of the driver as a bonus. Regardless of how fast he goes on I-66, he will HAVE to SLOW down on the IAD connector road as MWAA police have been in high ticketing mode on that road (all needed to pay down the cost of the Silver Line).

If you plan on hightailing it from DC to IAD, tell driver to take 267 (toll road) instead of airport access (non-toll road). Do it if they will have an EZ-Pass so you can drive through the tolls as opposed to stopping to pay. These roads run parallel to each other and you can take the left airport exit when you are a few miles from IAD. Why? Because you are more likely to get pulled over if you are speeding on the non-toll road rather than the toll road. It will cost $2 or $3.

I was going to add something along the lines of the previous post. I can drive from my home in DC to IAD in 35 minutes with no traffic, so I agree with the time estimates above. Tempting though it may be, do not urge your driver to speed on the access road. It is traditionally very regularly speed trapped and no experienced driver will want to take the chance (not to mention that a speeding stop will absolutely blow your shot at making the flight).

Thank you so much. You made my day with all your valuable tips... I am know checking two things: The 11pm Istanbul flight with TK as a backup and trying to run for the BA flight. If it falls apart, I will be significantly late at my final destination, but at least I will be there at all.. 2)perhaps an airlift via some connections, but that looks very very grim. To my surprise...

Sorry, I disagree with this. I drive round-trip on the Access Road (non-toll road) 3-4 times a week - and there is significantly more police enforcement activity on the TOLL ROAD than on the Access Road. Bottom line: don't push the speed limit too much on either road.

Two things to add from my experience: one, you can often look ahead to see if fast-track security is actually faster than regular--sometimes it is, sometimes it's not. This can involve making an informed decision with respect to the sorts of people in line too--how long you think they'll take; that is, how experienced they look.

Secondly, most Flyer drivers (and I myself) know where the common radar traps are. That said, they can (and will) get you anywhere. Cash cow I guess.

Your problem is that they close out intl flights a good 20 minutes before departure.

I see no way the math works. 35 minutes travel time. 5 minutes check in. 10 minutes security. 10 minutes to the gate, which has just closed.

Not quite true; it can work if the flight is late, which should be knowable several hours before nine. OP could monitor which flight to Europe is running latest and rebook that evening.