Early arrival - gate is occupied
May 27, 2019, 7:23 am
#91
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 9,010
Train wasn’t a serious option as we were flying back from Hawaii - only connected through IAD to save $500/person on the flight back.
May 27, 2019, 9:55 am
#92
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: CLE, DCA, and 30k feet
Programs: Honors LT Diamond; United 1K; Hertz PC
Posts: 4,168
If it makes you feel any better I looked at my stats on the 5 times I've done that route in that direction since November of 2018 (all mainline; doesn't look like I flew IAD-EWR before 2019-11) and the average actual block time across those flights was 86 minutes [outlying flights was earliest arrival was -30 from schedule [on 2019-02-27], latest was +47 [on 2019-03-11], with the average being +6.8 from schedule -- so you got "lucky" with the early arrival based on my non-scientific experience.
May 28, 2019, 10:48 am
#93
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: New Jersey
Programs: UA MM 1K, AA MM Gold, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 3,236
Recent arrival at EWR, got the trifecta - 1) gate was occupied, 2) after previous flight left, found out we were at a "tow-in" gate and had to wait for the tug (wouldn't it have been the same one that just pushed out the previous plane??), and 3) jetway operator wasn't in position when we pulled in to the gate (again, wouldn't it have been the same GA who just saw the previous flight off?).
May 29, 2019, 11:56 pm
#94
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: LAX
Posts: 12
Constant wait for gates at LAX. I'd say at least 50% of the time. Usually on the tarmac early, then captain makes dreaded announcement "ladies and gentlemen we are a bit early so there is no gate for us." Nonetheless usually end up at the gate at scheduled ARR time, the time gained in the sky is simply just lost.