Minimum Interline Connection Time in DCA?
 

Hi All!

I was thinking of booking the following itinerary:

Sun, Jan 28

DL1538 ATL DCA 7:30a 9:08a
US3330 DCA ALB 10:00a 11:15a

do you think an interline layover in DCA of 52 min involving a change of terminals is doable for both me and my luggage?

I will be travelling on two separate tickets since I will be originating in TLV and this is the cheapest (and quickest) way to get to ALB in business (other than the US portion). Interestingly - combining the same itinerary into 1 ticket raises the price $2000, and in either case DL in TLV will send my bags through.

I looked at the DCA website and didn't manage to find any kind of airside transfer between terminals and I understand that this would require a terminal change.

Thanks for your help!

I'd go for more time, unless you are certain you can do online check-in or get your boarding pass for the US flight before getting to DCA and that there won't be even a 20 minute delay. Otherwise you will be at US's mercy.

I have a few hours in ATL so in theory, perhaps I could go to a US GA for a boarding pass (do they do that?) or deal with a boarding pass landside in ATL (although then I get to go through security again).

My TA doesn't really want to issue the tickets like this (he is very protective :)) - he said I should be going through IAD instead with a 3 hour layover.

If I do take the chance (when was the last time a flight was late? :D), but still miss my connection, will US show any mercy to a *G for rebooking? My past experience would say no.

I missed my US flight in Orlando a few months ago - I got stuck in traffic and arrived at the check-in desk just as the flight was leaving. All I said was "sorry, I missed my flight, I need to get on the next one" and the guy gave me a BP for the flight that left in an hour and a half.

I'm not sure if US has something like the flat tire rule, but if you only miss it by a short time, I've found that asking nicely usually gets you where you need to go. No guarantees, of course.

US Airways at DCA helped me out before when I showed up late a few times -- but that was late like half an hour or an hour (and once it was because someone jumped on the Metro tracks :( ) -- but, like you, I wouldn't necessarily count on agents there being understanding or helpful, at least not every agent every time. 52 minutes is too close a shave even under near perfect conditions, and it could potentially give a few financial nicks. Now what I'm wondering is if US has a same-day confirmed standby or same-day change type option formalized. For that info, I'd call up USAirways and/or look on the USAirways portion of FT.

US operates out of Terminals B and C at DCA, and DL is in Terminals A and B. If you can get US boarding pass either with OLCI or in ATL and if both of your flights are in Terminal B you'll be fine unless your first leg is delayed by more than about 35minutes. If you're going between B and C there is a trolley/shuttle bus; I have only taken it the other way, from C to B but I believe it goes in both directions (can't imagine why it wouldn't) and you'd probably be fine unless your first leg is more than 20-25 minutes late. It's about a 2 or 3 minute ride and you never leave the sterile area so no trip through security.

If you're going between A and C or A and B it would be iffy at best, no people mover, fastest way to get between the two is leave the airport, wait outside for the shuttle bus, arrive at B/C and clear security again. Security at DCA is very hit-or-miss, especially in Terminal C. Most of the time I sail through in under 5 minutes; lines move quickly. But when it's backed up, it's a nightmare. I've spent upwards of 45 minutes in that line.

Your TA can probably tell you which terminals your flights are in. Most of the US stuff is in C but I actually think ALB flights may originate from B.

As for your BP, there are all sorts of business traveller resources in ATL; I bet there is somewhere you could do your OLCI and print your US BP right in that airport. If not, and your "few hours" is enough hours, take a cab to whatever FedEx/Kinkos is closest to the airport, ask it to wait while you go inside and print out the BP on their computer, and head back to the airport.

I would NOT count on the luggage making it, though; it regularly takes upwards of 20 minutes for bags to be unloaded from inbound flights at DCA.

Even of it is B to B, which I'm pretty sure it is not, it is a different pier and different security to clear. All the little planes except a few of the EMB-170s (or whatever US's larger RJs are) go from the same lower level C gate.

It would probably be a little too close for me. I do believe that they have the flat tire rule. Just tell them you got stuck in traffic... just don't mention it was on the taxiway in ATL. :)

Intelligent or Scared?
 

Thanks everyone for the info! Since I suspect it would be an A to C transfer landside, I decided to play it safe (I know - you're thinking - where's the fun in that?) and go through IAD / UA instead. I get to spend 3 hours and get in at around 14:00 instead of 11:15, but I won't develop an ulcer in ATL.

Now, if someone could only explain to me why one ticket costs $2000 more than 2 for the identical itinerary, that would be (while definitely OT) cool.

In the words of the famous song: "Why can't we be friends?" and with that hope, I wish all my fellow FTers a happy, healthy and peaceful new year!

At worst it would be B-C, but I think you made a better choice. My DCA-ATLs are often delayed.