I have a few questions about the ABE-EWR bus link.

1. Do you check in in the traditional sense in ABE? That is, go into the ticket counter and get a boarding pass? Will I also get a boarding pass for my flight out of EWR at that time? (might be a moot point if I'm able to check in online...never a certainty over the holidays)

2. I assume that bags are handled in the usual bus way, that is, you schlep them yourself. But will it be possible to check bags in ABE for the onward flight, or will I have to check them in EWR? I assume at the very least I will have to deposit the bags with TSA in EWR. But it would be nice not to have to stand in line at EWR to check bags.

3. Does the bus usually run on time? It will be over the Christmas holidays so obviously weather could be a factor, but assuming there's no snowstorm, does the allotted time (roughly 80 minutes) seem to be accurate? I have 55 scheduled minutes between bus arrival and flight departure in EWR, and I am guessing much of that time will be spent in line to go through security. If I don't have to check-in again, and the bus is on time, that shouldn't be a problem. But that brings up my next question...

4. My fear is rush hour traffic on I-78. Assuming weather is not a factor, is it Continental's responsibility to accomondate me if the bus is late (I am connecting to the final departure of the night to my destination)? Or do they blame the bus company?

Thanks!

Traffic will be considered something outside of CO's control, similar to weather or ATC. I would not expect CO to give you a hotel room or any other consideration, other than to do their best to book you on the next available flight, which might not be for a couple days. I definitely wouldn't do it with only 55 minutes for the last flight of the night.

I've never done it, but I'd assume that you have to take your bags in to drop them off, not that they get "checked" at ABE and make it through security from there on their own.

Answer to No 1 is Yes and Yes

I have never check bags so can't comment on that.

I have taken the bus from ABE to EWR for years so I can confidently answer your questions:

1. Check at ABE is just like a convention flight: ticket counter or kiosk. Bags are checked through and boarding passes issued for connecting flights. The bus operates with a "flight" number for just these reasons. The big difference is that security for pax is done at EWR, as the bus loads on the departure level roadway at ABE groundside.

2. See above. I rarely check bags but by observation, TSA checked bag screening is done at ABE; bags are loaded in the back of the bus and the compartment sealed. Once loaded the bus driver cannot break the seal and after off-loading all pax (Groundside Terminal C) bags are taken airside and handed off to the Continental bagge system (with all the normal perils associated with checking bags.) On return, connecting to the bus (normally operates as a "flight" from Terminal C, gate 114) bags have been loaded onto the bus prior to picking up passengers. The more diligent bus drivers take a final pass at the appropriate spot for ABE bags looking for any last minute bags.

3. Baring unusual traffic and accidents the bus usually leaves exactly on time and arrives early. You should be fine with your 55min connection. It is almost never canceled (except for snow storms!) and typically arrives at EWR 10+ minutes earlier than scheduled. Several years ago I had a flight to ABE - EWR - CDG in BF (not the bus of course!). The inbound bus had been hoplessly delayed behind an accident on I-78. ABE COEX staff (who are great and on a first name basis with me) got me a local cab (at CO's expense) so I would not miss my connection. On a return once, I missed the last bus back to ABE. Headed to the PC to get a drink and call Hertz to rent a car. The agent at the PC called Ops and had the bus turned around & sent back the gate to pick me up. There where a bunch of PO'd pax on the bus, but I got home.

4. I have never missed a flight because the bus was late. However I think they would treat the missed connection like any other flight. I am not sure what the rules would be for stuck in traffic (weather delay?).

Some other worthwile points.

- Both at ABE and EWR it is always boarded at the very last minute, typically 5 minutes prior to departure.

- There are always some disgruntled pax on it upset that is actually not actually a flight. I used to try to explain that for a 80 mile "flight" they are better off not getting involved with EWR/NYC area air traffic control.

- You do get 500 miles for it, but no elite bonuses and no elite qualification. They changed that several years ago to nix folks that where using it to snag a few EQP's they needed to make whatever next level they where striving for at the end of the year by riding a few "segments" on the bus. They also jacked up the price to discourage buying round trip ABE - EWR tickets for the sole reason of snagging EQP's. The regular users (including yours truly) where not pleased.

- There are very often Continental pilots and FA's on the bus living in the ABE area that use it rather than driving to EWR.

- Do not expect the bus to be anything splendid. It is not a motor coach, but more like the thing you ride to get your rental car or head out to long term parking. Small. 20 seats. Despite the fact that there will be a seat assignment on your boarding pass, it is open seating.

Thank you for your detailed and helpful response, OnePass Since 87! ^

I find the procedure involving luggage to be particularly surprising, but I guess CO has found the extra effort on their part makes the experience more palatable for its customers.

The bus reliability is re-assuring. I'd guess if the bus was chronically delayed by rush hour traffic they would take that into account. I booked the ticket on the CO website, so I'm assuming it's a legal connection. I'm also surprised it's such a small bus, but I guess it's about the size of a B1900 in terms of seats (and presumably in terms of lack of restroom). I suppose an in-"flight" beverage is too much to ask for!

It's amusing that so many people show up expecting a plane, though I guess if you buy tickets through a lazy travel agent the message might not get to you. The fact that it is bus service is clearly stated on my itinerary from CO. What the ABE area really needs is rail service to NYC, stopping at EWR, but I don't suppose that will be a reality anytime soon.

fairviewroad, you are absolutely spot on with your comparison with a B1900. Expect the same inflight service and the same smooth ride!

Apparantly some time ago (well prior to me discovering this service) it was a real flight with a B1900 which was cancelled on a regular basis. Some intelligent person decided to use a bus service instead. I cant imagine what its reliability would be today actually trying to fly into and out of EWR.

The only real problem with it is they cut the number of "flights" in half after 9/11 and have never reinstated them. So it is a lot less conveinient, and I find myself driving to EWR more often than I used to.

Still for us that live in Eastern PA and wouldnt go to PHL for a bet it remains a very viable alternative.

I remember those days of the 20 minute Beechcraft flight down I-78 - I once saw one loading up at ABE to make the quick 67 mile hop over to EWR. Still, it's funny to think this flight gets the bus while FNT-DTW and TOL-DTW still get planes (though I guess it's not too economical to run an RJ 4x a day on a 67 mile sector; then again, CO has run an ERJ in the past between EWR and HPN; a 35 mile flight).

I think some of us wish they had put a bus on EFD-IAH when they discontinued that flight.

Hi OnePass Since 87, we hear you. Starting on January 1, 2008 we will reinstate elite qualification earnings on our bus 'flights' between Allentown/Bethlehem (ABE) and New York/Newark (EWR). They will earn the same minimum Elite Qualification earnings as any other Continental flight. Thanks as always for the feedback.

^^^ Scott, that is great news! I have no trouble making platinum these days with or without the bus counting. But this will make a big difference too me on how I schedule my travel and routing. THANKS!

US / Piedmont uses a Dash 8 for PHL-ABE, a whopping 55 mile flight. It's blocked at 38 minutes.

It's actually cheaper to buy an air ticket LGA-PHL-ABE-PHL-LGA, than it is for the bus EWR-ABE. lol.

Big difference with PHL vs EWR out of ABE is that PHL is a lot harder to get to...you need to head out to the PA Turnpike and go through Philly to get to the airport. With EWR, it's a straight shot on I-78 and the road goes to 5 or 6 lanes starting around Summit, which helps with NYC traffic.

^^^^^

GREAT Scott! This is WONDERFUL news!


Also, if I can offer some advise....be there about 10 min early. The moaners who complain about the bus ride do NOT take it lightly when they have to wait for me to grab my subway (tuna w/onions, the bus riders LOVE my smells!) when the bus driver wants to leave 10 min early!


Now...if we can only get them to use Bieber/Transbridge/Perkiomen/etc and have small coach (40 pax) service. They ride SO much better!

The nice thing about flying out of ABE is the Subway on the ticket counter level right next to CO. We have nothing like that in CLE. We do have Starbucks.

A few additional comments as an occasional user of the ABE bus flights:

In general, they are a really good thing. I think the odds these days are in favor of the bus driver and I-78 delays versus a pilot and EWR/airspace delays.

On one trip a few years ago, the bus driver offered the passengers an "in-flight" snack: candy canes (IIRC) before the bus departed.

The departures from EWR to ABE are fun, with the bus passing almost beneath the wings of planes parked at the C concourse.

The OP's comment about rail service is right on, of course. In lieu of that, it's worth mentioning that Trans-Bridge Lines provides very good bus service between various spots in the Lehigh Valley (including their LVIP headquarters very near ABE) and all 3 terminals at EWR. No EQM's either but fares from EWR may be cheaper than from ABE. And they may not. It's nice to have the option, though.