Flight morning 9 June 2019 from ATL ... help!
#32
Join Date: Jan 2008
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#33
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 16,900
The scheduled aircraft is now posting a two hour delay out of SFO for a “technical issue” which can extend as we all know.
The good news is that that should be OK if that holds since the bird overnights at ORD.
The good news is that that should be OK if that holds since the bird overnights at ORD.
Last edited by milepig; Jun 8, 2019 at 9:58 pm
#35
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Florida
Programs: United 1K, Marriott Ambassador, Hilton Gold
Posts: 673
Now by no means is UA perfect, but when the forecast has showed a 100% chance of thunderstorms for a few days now, DL and others could have been a bit more proactive.
#36
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,881
Air China flight
If this link works, here are all the *alliance flights tomorrow. I limited to *. The flights that say +2 don’t arrive until Tuesday.
Several options are around your original time, very few much later so the quicker you can act if you need to the better. I’ve had my best luck when prepared with options I can feed to the agent .”... I see a flight on AC via Toronto, can you check that...” and if all else fails suggest the 2:02 Delta. Never hurts to ask.
https://www.google.com/flights#flt=A...;sd:1;t:f;tt:o
Several options are around your original time, very few much later so the quicker you can act if you need to the better. I’ve had my best luck when prepared with options I can feed to the agent .”... I see a flight on AC via Toronto, can you check that...” and if all else fails suggest the 2:02 Delta. Never hurts to ask.
https://www.google.com/flights#flt=A...;sd:1;t:f;tt:o
#37
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Location: ORD
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looks like the bird took off from SFO AND then returned. Still on the ground now.
#38
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: NYC/Northern NJ
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The challenge is not many seats available from your origin especially for 4 persons (e.g. connecting via EWR is on a ERJ {smaller aircraft with only 1 unassigned seat at the moment} or connecting via SFO {@7:40am} only has 1 unassigned seat left). And you don't wish to go stand-by with a family of 4 plus if checking bags you want them on the plane you are flying. As someone else mentioned UA codeshares seats on Air China which has a flight departing IAD @ 4:05pm so even if delayed you have 4 hr to make that flight. If possible bring a charged phone or tablet and have it handy on your UA 778. If delayed after leaving gate (ATC hold) - you can use the app inflight to see if they rescheduled you to Air China or as soon as you land call United to advise of misconnect (likely faster than waiting for customer service counter @ IAD after getting off plane).
So, IMO remain on your schedule flight but monitor the two following websites - nothing you can do except write down UA 7609 which is UA/Air China codeshare.
www.faa.gov (check delays or ATC issues at both IAD, ATL & DCA)
Check UAL for your flight including inbound aircraft (which is UA 1155 scheduled departure at 7am EDT)
We all wish you and your family luck as Mother Nature has been quick erratic recently.
So, IMO remain on your schedule flight but monitor the two following websites - nothing you can do except write down UA 7609 which is UA/Air China codeshare.
www.faa.gov (check delays or ATC issues at both IAD, ATL & DCA)
Check UAL for your flight including inbound aircraft (which is UA 1155 scheduled departure at 7am EDT)
We all wish you and your family luck as Mother Nature has been quick erratic recently.
#39
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Delaware
Programs: UA Mileage Plus, Amtrak Guest Rewards
Posts: 1,386
OP, your aircraft is plane 3241, Noze No. N54241. You can see where it is here:
N54241
It's currently enroute to ORD and will arrive at about 0300 hours. It then departs at 0600 for ATL, arriving at 0854.
I would take a look at the map of IAD and see what gate you're flight to PEK is departing from and learn the route from arriving to departing gates. Keep in mind that you need to be at your departing gate 30 minutes prior to departure, If you have to make a run for it, I would ask the FA for the following:
1. Can they find out what gate you are arriving into, so you know your path to your departing gate.
2. Can they call ahead to the deparing gate and let the GA know you have are arrived and are making a run for it. I have seen once-daily flights held for late arriving connectors when the flight can still make it to its destination on time.
3. Can the FAs arrange to let you off of the plane before everyone else.
I can't guarantee you that any of these requests will be accomodated, but it doesn't hurt to ask. I would definitely let them know that you have a tight connection.
As for booking a tight connection to a once-daily flight, most of us have learned (some of us the hard way) to allow at least 3-4 hours when connecting to a once-daily flight. Having time for a cold one or a nice meal takes all of the stress out of it.
Good luck and let us know how you made out please.
N54241
It's currently enroute to ORD and will arrive at about 0300 hours. It then departs at 0600 for ATL, arriving at 0854.
I would take a look at the map of IAD and see what gate you're flight to PEK is departing from and learn the route from arriving to departing gates. Keep in mind that you need to be at your departing gate 30 minutes prior to departure, If you have to make a run for it, I would ask the FA for the following:
1. Can they find out what gate you are arriving into, so you know your path to your departing gate.
2. Can they call ahead to the deparing gate and let the GA know you have are arrived and are making a run for it. I have seen once-daily flights held for late arriving connectors when the flight can still make it to its destination on time.
3. Can the FAs arrange to let you off of the plane before everyone else.
I can't guarantee you that any of these requests will be accomodated, but it doesn't hurt to ask. I would definitely let them know that you have a tight connection.
As for booking a tight connection to a once-daily flight, most of us have learned (some of us the hard way) to allow at least 3-4 hours when connecting to a once-daily flight. Having time for a cold one or a nice meal takes all of the stress out of it.
Good luck and let us know how you made out please.
#40
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Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 10,960
I would not count on UA holding the plane for OP - even if the flight attendant or gate agent on the arriving flight say they will try. Unless instructed by someone higher up, the departing flight's agent's focus is on-time departure.
It is definitely a good idea for OP to have the United App installed and log into the account that is flying. Connect to the Wifi on the plane and use the United App for free. If the ATL-IAD flight is late and OP will misconnect, the App might pop up a yellow/red bar and help OP rebook. Still with 4 people and not much choice... OP can also track bags on the United App.
If OP gets moved to other carriers, also make sure the agent has re-validated the ticket and OP should get them to print out the new itinerary and ticket receipt.
Also, might be a good idea to make sure the return flights are intact a few days after arriving PEK if OP is rerouted on another carrier.
It is definitely a good idea for OP to have the United App installed and log into the account that is flying. Connect to the Wifi on the plane and use the United App for free. If the ATL-IAD flight is late and OP will misconnect, the App might pop up a yellow/red bar and help OP rebook. Still with 4 people and not much choice... OP can also track bags on the United App.
If OP gets moved to other carriers, also make sure the agent has re-validated the ticket and OP should get them to print out the new itinerary and ticket receipt.
Also, might be a good idea to make sure the return flights are intact a few days after arriving PEK if OP is rerouted on another carrier.
#44
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
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Posts: 50,262
It appears that OP's flight pushed at 09:54, 9 minutes late, and is due into the gate at IAD at 11:31, 6 minutes late. If the gate assignments of C19 for arrival and C5 hold and nothing intervenes, this is an easy transfer and OP ought to be at the PEK departure gate before boarding commences.
A general thought for the benefit of others in this situation is that I would not generally book such a short connection where other better connections are available (presuming that price is a constant). The key factor here is not whether 90 minutes is enough. It most certainly is at IAD. But, the consequences of a misconnect here were messy. At best, one is likely in lousier seats and at worst, delayed for at least 24 hours (all presuming availability) or rerouted to various other services.
So, always take a look at the consequences of a misconnect rather than simply whether the connection is doable.
A general thought for the benefit of others in this situation is that I would not generally book such a short connection where other better connections are available (presuming that price is a constant). The key factor here is not whether 90 minutes is enough. It most certainly is at IAD. But, the consequences of a misconnect here were messy. At best, one is likely in lousier seats and at worst, delayed for at least 24 hours (all presuming availability) or rerouted to various other services.
So, always take a look at the consequences of a misconnect rather than simply whether the connection is doable.
Last edited by Often1; Jun 9, 2019 at 7:58 am