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? ), 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.

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.