ORD-FRA @ 2:25 PM - Removed during end of year holiday period? Advice please
Aug 17, 2019, 4:10 pm
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 16,901
Aug 17, 2019, 4:24 pm
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,884
OP would go directly to ‘customs B’, which is a cursory check by the Canadians, and after clearing, drops them in the international gate area. No extra security either. The only way they wouldn’t be able to do that is if they arrive and ‘customs B’ is closed, but that doesn’t happen until sometime in the evening, so assuming a standard connection to an evening TATL, shouldn’t be a problem.
Aug 17, 2019, 4:29 pm
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 16,901
OP would go directly to ‘customs B’, which is a cursory check by the Canadians, and after clearing, drops them in the international gate area. No extra security either. The only way they wouldn’t be able to do that is if they arrive and ‘customs B’ is closed, but that doesn’t happen until sometime in the evening, so assuming a standard connection to an evening TATL, shouldn’t be a problem.
Aug 17, 2019, 5:22 pm
#19
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: ORD
Programs: United 1K, IHG Diamond Amb, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 29
Thank you so much for the advice. Clarifies a lot for me.
Actually I do want to connect in FRA. My wife is flying at the same time from Tokyo HND (the midnight flight) to FRA, we meet in the morning in FRA, and then continue together to FCO. The meeting in FRA was supposed to be the start of our vacation, and we paid several hundred dollars extra to get this specific leg combination. That's why I wanna wanna keep the FRA to FCO leg with a generous connection time in FRA.
Actually I do want to connect in FRA. My wife is flying at the same time from Tokyo HND (the midnight flight) to FRA, we meet in the morning in FRA, and then continue together to FCO. The meeting in FRA was supposed to be the start of our vacation, and we paid several hundred dollars extra to get this specific leg combination. That's why I wanna wanna keep the FRA to FCO leg with a generous connection time in FRA.
Aug 17, 2019, 5:38 pm
#20
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Chicago
Posts: 1,161
As a *G, I prefer 2+ hours at FRA to shower in LH Senator Lounge. When my FRA connection time has been just 1 hour, it’s not been enough for a full ‘refresh’ post red-eye.
Aug 17, 2019, 5:45 pm
#21
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Houston
Programs: UA 1K and Million Miler, *A Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hertz Five Star,
Posts: 1,301
i would never book a 1 hour connection in FRA. While it can be done there is also a 1 in 3 chance it cannot. My transfers through FRA (at least 8 in last 3 years) have ranged from 45 to 2 hours.. this is the real time from leaving plane to arriving at next flight gate. Granted I have not flown through there on 24 Dec.
Aug 17, 2019, 5:52 pm
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 16,901
Thank you so much for the advice. Clarifies a lot for me.
Actually I do want to connect in FRA. My wife is flying at the same time from Tokyo HND (the midnight flight) to FRA, we meet in the morning in FRA, and then continue together to FCO. The meeting in FRA was supposed to be the start of our vacation, and we paid several hundred dollars extra to get this specific leg combination. That's why I wanna wanna keep the FRA to FCO leg with a generous connection time in FRA.
Actually I do want to connect in FRA. My wife is flying at the same time from Tokyo HND (the midnight flight) to FRA, we meet in the morning in FRA, and then continue together to FCO. The meeting in FRA was supposed to be the start of our vacation, and we paid several hundred dollars extra to get this specific leg combination. That's why I wanna wanna keep the FRA to FCO leg with a generous connection time in FRA.
Aug 17, 2019, 6:02 pm
#23
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: ORD
Programs: United Plat 2MM, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,727
In that case, ask to be booked on a flight to some other US-city and connect. The obvious choice is IAD, getting you in at 7:10 (UA) or 8:30 (LH). The less obvious choices are connecting to LH in BOS or MIA, or take AC. In winter, I'd not want to make an extra stop in any place that might get snow.