Hi,

Would it be possible to do a 1:25 connection from SYD, connecting to JFK? If I make it I get a 763 and E+, if not it's a 762 and no E+. If I miss the earlier flight, would they put me on the next flight?

Do transpacific flight often arrive late?

thanks
goodo

No, that's a fine connection. My guess is you'll make that without running, even with a factored-in 20 minutes late on the inbound.

Don't fool around at customs though, because you have to run the gauntlet once more in security to get in to the domestic terminal. (Although somebody posted something here a month ago saying there might be a "bus" from the International terminal direct to a gate in the north terminal--- if there is such, take it).

I disagree. That is a tight connection at SFO especially for a non US citizen. (US only immigration lines are shorter) Sometimes the baggage is mighty slow coming out too. If the flight arrives on time or early, there will be no problem. Of course if you misconnect, UA will put you on the next flight *if* there is space available, although you are likely to lose your upgraded seat...

That said, my experience is that the international heavy arrivals will have priority landing slots in times of bad weather, but what if the flight is delayed 30-60 minutes out of SYD?



[This message has been edited by braslvr (edited 08-17-2002).]

arriving at SFO International (LH transatlantic from MUC or FRA), I didn't have to wait long for my luggage (you pick up your luggage before passing US costums and, if connecting (inner USA connections with UA, luggage checked-through and tagged to the final destination already in Europe), you just hand it nearby after immigration to UA staff there.

BUT, twice out of three times in the last 12 months (connecting once to SEA/YVR, once to RNO, once to LAS), each time with more than 120 time at SFO and no arrival delay, the luggage didn't make it to the final destination the same day (once I only got back my ski-boots when back in Europe ...).

[This message has been edited by Rudi (edited 08-17-2002).]

A lot depends on how many other planes are arriving at or near the same time as yours. In my experience, given an on-time departure, transpacific flights typically arrive SFO 5 to 25 minutes ahead of schedule. Try to hustle off the plane quickly, and get up to the Immigration lines as swiftly as possible. On my recent SYD-SFO trip we arrived 15 minutes early and I was the first one off the plane and into the immigration area. There was no wait for me as there was no one in line. However, the non-U.S. citizen lines still had ~ 60 or so folks queued from other arrivals. Provided you get through there, and do not have to wait to retrieve checked luggage, you should be fine. It's about a 5 minute walk to the first of the security lines for entrance into the dometic terminal. I'd recommend this line unless it looks to be very very long. In which case you should continue walking straight towards the check-in counter area and pass through one of the security check-points. Now you are about 5 minutes from your departure gate. (There is no bus Int'l --> Domestic, rather this service runs Domestic --> Int'l.) If you miss the earlier flight you would be put on the later flight, provided there is room.

[This message has been edited by transpac (edited 08-17-2002).]

I'm with braslvr here. 1:25 is not enough for SFO. 2 out of the 3 most recent trips, bags took over 30 min to come off (as in, the first ones off the flight). The other time, immigrations took forever with US citizen lines filled with pax from other flights (IIRC). I always put at least 2 hours in between my int'l -> domestic flights at SFO.

I guess if you follow UA's guidelines on transfers, and you're within their "legal" allowances, they wil put you on the next available flight. I don't know what would happen if you purposely made your connection times short, though.

If it was inverse, JFK-SFO-SYD, yes as you would be bussed from domestic to Intl

But here is the breakdown for you

+10 mins late as usual for SFO to get to the gate (weather, you name it, any excuse)

+5 mins to get out of the plane

+15 mins to clear immigration if peak times may be as high as 40 mins or as low as 5... So 15 mins avg

+20 mins to wait on bags... No such thing as priority bags

+5 mins to customs

+5 mins to walk to domestic

+10 mins to clear domestic security

+10 mins to walk to your JFK flight (gates in the 80's area or so)


This is 1hr 20 already.... If everything goes smooth you can do it in 35 mins - but even with NO checked bags and short waits at immigrations it's taken me more time... I wouldn't risk it. I would change your connection to something longer

BTW: The bus mentioned before is only from domestic to international. As it is considered domestic pax have cleared a form of TSA proved security. On intl arrivals you will ALWAYS have to go through security, hence no need to run a bus as you need to go through domestic security anyway

[This message has been edited by NickP 1K (edited 08-17-2002).]

I'd look at it this way - if you book it, you have a chance of getting the 763. If you miss, it's not worse then having booked the 762.

I'd take the chance.

BTW - if you are late out of SYD by any significant margin of time, UA will rebook you automatically to protect you on your connection. Upon arrival in SFO and clearing customs, you may want to make a cellular call to your reservations number to see if you've been rebooked. However, do not delay getting through the process by making this call first - it will decrease the odds of you making whatever rebooking services were done on your behalf if you are stuck in a crowd in customs.

If you are late into SFO just go to the counter at the left after you exit customs where you'll find a number of agents who can help you (possibly) reschedule your flight(s). No need to make any telephone calls, even assuming that you're carrying a U.S. mobile phone to begin with?

Agree w/Transpac if there is no line - if there is - I find walking and talking more effective (but I like to overlap on most everything I do).

I'd book the later flight, to be on the safe side. I don't know what type of luggage you plan on carrying, but if it's possible, bring it onboard. When you get to SFO in time for the 763 flight, and if there's availability, you can request to change and in most circumstances this will be done-- no charge.

Assuming 1:25 is a legal connection(?) I think I'll leave it as is. If I make it, I get my E+ seat on a 5 hour shlep to JFK. If not, being booked on a later flight isn't the end of the world.

goodo

I guess the question nobody ever asked was "Are you doing carry-on"? If so, you should be in and out before you even realize it. If not, then worst comes to worst you end up on a later flight. There are so many options to the New York area on United at 10AM and beyond, it shouldn't be a problem, they can route you via ORD on the 747, and then on an hourly to LGA, or just a myrid of other combos.

A few days ago, I had exactly the same 1:25 connection time from a SYD-SFO. It landed about 30 mins early, getting to the gate some 10 mins later. Despite being one of the first off the plane, customs line took about 25 mins, after which bags appeared within about 5 mins. I easily had about 30 mins in the Arrivals lounge to shower and have a drink, before going up to the domestic departure gate. (1K, 1P, etc, security screening took about 20 seconds.)

When I got to the gate, I found my flight had been delayed 20 mins (but they hadn't put it on any of the terminal departure monitors), so I went to the RCC for 20 mins.

I'd definitely go with 1:25 connection working much of the time.