DCA connection question
 

I am flying to Orlando from Toronto via DCA changing planes from Air Canada to a US Airways flight (code-shared across UA/AC/US). I know that I will have to move from one pier to another but have heard you have to go through another security screen to get there.

I have about 50 minutes. How long does it typically take to move from one area to another? Is the security screen similar to the one you would go through just to get to a departures concourse?

I know they are more paranoid in Washington than anywhere else. My paranoia is that I might miss my connection.

Ford Prefect

UA forum?? :confused:

Anyway, yes there are different security checkpoints for the piers at DCA. UA and US are at different ones. I have no clue where AC arrives, but I would suspect it's one of those two. I believe there is a security-side shuttle bus between the two.

You do have to go through security again. It is a normal security screening, however depending on when you are flying, DCA is generally a little less busy of an airport, and the concourses are really not very far and security is generally pretty well run. I think you'll be fine. it'll be a bit close but it's definitely makeable providing that your plane is on time.

That last one though is a big if. I don't know that stats, but I've never really thought of DCA as the most on-time airport.

Oh, there is? I've never connected at DCA but I've flown out of it many times.

During daytime, there's an airside shuttle bus between the B and C piers. It doesn't require an extra security screen. And USAir uses both piers, so you might not have to change.

If you choose to walk between piers, the wait depends on the time of day. Assuming your inbound flight is on time, I wouldn't be too worried about it. Security at DCA is generally uncomplicated.

Might consider a move of this question to the Washington DC forum.

I'm not sure if it's still around, but I want to recall a year or so ago I had to meet a colleague. I flew in on US; she on UA. I hung out in the US club and I remember walking through the terminal and seeing an area where a shuttle could be taken. I had contemplated hopping it over to the UA pier, but they were checking BPs, IIRC.

AC Has Moved Gates at DCA
 

Air Canada is now over with Delta and Continental having taken over the old America West gate in that concourse. To the best of my knowledge there is not an inside security shuttle between the Air Canada gate and the other concourses so I think you will have to go outside security to make the connection to US. You might want to check out www.metwashairports.com for more info...

I think a 50 minute connection between AC and US is going to be difficult. As was pointed out before AC is now next to DL's gates. Thus, you are going to need to reclear security. Depending on which US gate you end up flying out if, you could easily have a 10 minute walk. Both of US and UA's piers at DCA are the worst in the airport in regard to security waits. On the plus side, security is usually pretty good at allowing people who are running late to cut the line. Be assertive! (Not too assertive, though!).

Long story short, if everything goes perfect, your flight is perfectly on time, you have a short walk to the US pier, and security is not too bad, you will make the flight. If anything is slightly off there is no way you will make that connection.

For even more assistance, please follow the discussion as it moves to our Travel->Washington, DC forum. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, United.

Air Canada is down by Delta (near the Crown Room Club, rather than by CO and the Presidents Club, but in the same pier for security.

There's a shuttle between Gates 35-45 (US) and Gates 23-34.. (AA/UA/US). There not an airside shuttle between those gates and gates 10-22.

So the OP will need to go landside and re-clear security.

That said, there's usually no more than a 5 minute wait at security. Very occasionally I've faced longer wait times... the Friday morning of Memorial Day Weekend a couple years back I had a 45 minute wait and no F line... and a few times I hit 10 minute lines. But really not longer. Key question is WHAT TIME ARE THE OP'S FLIGHTS (what time will he be transiting DCA)?

Bottom-line is that DCA is not a bad airport, even having to re-clear security. Whether 50 minutes works or doesn't work depends mostly on whether the inbound flight is on time. If it is I highly doubt there'll be any problems at all.

The shuttle bus is amazingly hap-hazard. I presume it is run by US. leaves from gate 25 or 6. sometimes does not run for an hour at a time.

in the morning, the 35-45 pier has a bigger crowd than the 23-34 pier. there is a premium line on the 23-34 pier. hard to see. line to the left, line to the right. there is a check in in the center. show them something that you are something special, or follow one of the airline personel in uniform to find it. probably one at the 35-45 gate, but I do not fly out of there very often.

Thanks for the advice to date
 

Thanks to all who have posted. I only flew into DCA once before and that was back in the early 90s so much has changed. When I booked the flight, I didn't realize that you have to clear security moving between piers as I haven't run into that at other airports I have been to. Making connections at a Washington airport seems more complicated than I thought. I am arriving on a Saturday morning about 1100 AM and my departure flight is at 1150 AM. Assuming I am on time, I hope I am OK.

I suppose if I am held up, I could make a later flight. US Airways has a non-stop leaving at 3PM or maybe a connection via CLT.

Keeping fingers and toes crossed.

11am on a Saturday morning everything should be smooth sailing.

As long as your inbound flight isn't more than 15 or 20 minutes late you should make your connection without too much difficulty.

50 minutes is a tough connection any time on any day at DCA if you have to switch concourses. You will have to make sure you know whether your connecting US flight departs from gates 23-34 or 35-45. It is a brisk 5-7' walk from the furthest gate in the 10-22 gate area to the security line at 35-45.

Saturday mornings are very slow at DCA. There are few passengers, but there are fewer TSA agents working. Security is usually pretty fast, but sometimes there are only 1 or 2 lanes open at slower times, so the least common denominator (Ma and Pa Clampitt) returning home to Omaha sometimes throws a monkey wrench into the operation.

I think you can make it. If you are delayed by more than 10 minutes, your luggage probably will not.

Baggage question
 

I just had a disturbing thought. The itinerary I have involves both Air Canada and US Airways. Both segments are United codeshare flights and I booked it through United.com.

I am assuming that in this scenario, my checked baggage doesn't need to be claimed at DCA. If so, then I'm SOL on the connection.

Any insight?