Air travel frustration

[the 4th hanson bro]

Thank you everyone for the replies. I am going to make some phone calls tomorrow. I just realized that according to the delta site. You must be at the gate 45 min before check in to fly, and if my flight from asheville is on time. I will have only 46 minutes, so I will have one minute from my gate to the departing gate to make it on time.

You should already be checked in to your flight from Atlanta to Amsterdam so that 45 minute rule shouldn't apply.

On a connecting flight on the same carrier, you're in the system so you won't have to re-clear security or re check in. Just make sure they check you through to your final destination when you check in for your first flight.

 

[Pingfah]

I wouldn't think the brace will make much difference, they'll probably just use the handheld scanner and let you go.

 

[stavrosg]

Thank you everyone for the replies. I am going to make some phone calls tomorrow. I just realized that according to the delta site. You must be at the gate 45 min before check in to fly, and if my flight from asheville is on time. I will have only 46 minutes, so I will have one minute from my gate to the departing gate to make it on time.

If you check in that flight beforehand, they'll be waiting for you anyway.

 

[Kestra]

Thank you everyone for the replies. I am going to make some phone calls tomorrow. I just realized that according to the delta site. You must be at the gate 45 min before check in to fly, and if my flight from asheville is on time. I will have only 46 minutes, so I will have one minute from my gate to the departing gate to make it on time.

You should already be checked in to your flight from Atlanta to Amsterdam so that 45 minute rule shouldn't apply.

On a connecting flight on the same carrier, you're in the system so you won't have to re-clear security or re check in. Just make sure they check you through to your final destination when you check in for your first flight.

Right, the check-in is something you have to worry about when you're checking in luggage (which you won't be doing again). Boarding usually starts 30 mins before the flight departure, at least in my experience. You'll be fine as long as your flight isn't too late, but my family's made it with shorter time frames than yours. Don't worry too much!

 

[Kira Nerys]

I dont travel by air unless I have to .It is getting too expensive they charge for everything and security dont get me started .If it all possible I will drive

 

[Lindley]

Thank you everyone for the replies. I am going to make some phone calls tomorrow. I just realized that according to the delta site. You must be at the gate 45 min before check in to fly, and if my flight from asheville is on time. I will have only 46 minutes, so I will have one minute from my gate to the departing gate to make it on time.

Many airports will not take checked bags at the check-in counter (outside security) less than 45 minutes before departure. At some smaller airports they will take them later. At the really large airports they may want the checked bags even earlier.

However, in terms of when you actually need to be at the gate----15 minutes before departure is fine. So long as they aren't completely done with boarding when you arrive you're good.

how is one supposed to get any rest no knowing if there will be enough time to catch the connect to Czech airlines once I land there.

You do all your worrying about these things on the ground. Once you're actually on the plane, you have no control over your arrival time, so there's no point in worrying about it. You'll arrive when you arrive.

My own newest airline hassle story: This past weekend I was in Kentucky. I was supposed to fly back from SDF to IAD on Sunday evening on Delta, via Detroit. However, the plane developed some kind of problem with the heading indicator, and they delayed the Detroit flight to the point where I was going to miss the connection to IAD.

It was only a 40 minute layover. If it had been longer, the whole thing might have been less of a problem.

Anyway, I started looking at options. The first Delta guy I talked to couldn't find anything to DC that night, or sufficiently early the next morning. Nothing into DCA or BWI either. Also, Delta (and most airlines) won't cover the cost of a rental car to get you where you need to go for liability reasons....

Eventually I found a Delta rep who had a clue, and managed to get me transferred onto a US Airways flight arriving at DCA at 8am this morning. Then I had some fun actually making it back to IAD to get my car....well.

All things considered, I kind of wish I had just rented a plane and flown myself to Kentucky rather than going commercial.

 

[nevermore]

You'll go through customs in Prague. Then on the return, in Prague and Atlanta. You'll go through security at Ashville (only if you have to change terminals in Atlanta) and Amsterdam; on the return, security in Prague (maybe in Amsterdam, if it's a different terminal) and customs and security in Atlanta.

Customs & security in Europe is generally a joke. For american citizens, customs in the US is also a joke. One thing though - if you pick up any liquor at the duty free in Prague or Amsterdam, you'll have to cram it into your checked bag after you clear customs in Atlanta. I lost some good shit coming back from Italy.

ETA: Schiphol airport is a dream; well staffed, well laid out and easy to get around. 30-45 minutes should do you to transfer, and the flight is actually typically about half and hour shorter than they say anyway. Assuming you've bought the whole trip as a single ticket, the airline is responsible for getting you on the next flight to your destination if you miss your connector due to being late. They will also help you find your terminal and give you instructions as to what you need to do.

Also, maybe I've just been lucky, but I've never waited more than 10 minutes or so at passport control in europe, and never had my bags checked by customs anywhere. There wasn't even a guy there to pretend to check your bags from what I recall.

 

[enlisted person]

I just got done with my packing. Boy is that thing jammed full. I am going to be there for 3 weeks so I am taking 10 of everything and hope I can get a laundry service or something in the middle. Surprising how much room that takes up with a couple pairs of shoes thrown in. Its a heavy duty expensive Walt Disney world duffle with rollers on it. I got it about 5 years ago at Mouse gear at Epcot. Very tough material with leather in the corners. I hope TSA doesn't screw with it.

 

[Mutai Sho-Rin]

Thank you everyone for the replies. I am going to make some phone calls tomorrow. I just realized that according to the delta site. You must be at the gate 45 min before check in to fly, and if my flight from asheville is on time. I will have only 46 minutes, so I will have one minute from my gate to the departing gate to make it on time.

The 45 minute rule only applies to the departue from Asheville. Everything else is a connection and the fact that you made the first flight means you are en route. You will not have to go through security in Atlanta because you won't leave the concourse area. There is an automated train between concourses so just be sure you know where your connecting gate is before you get on.

Previous comments about Schipol are on the money. there will be no security check unless you have a really long layover and choose to exit the secure area into the rotunda. The airport is very efficient, even if the map does kinda suck. Expect the security staff to give you the hairy eyeball since you will obviously not be a European (clothing, shoes, etc.) They won't give you any grief, though. See if you can get a Grolsch beer while in the terminal (assuming you drink beer), it is GOOD!

 

[Lindley]

My own newest airline hassle story: This past weekend I was in Kentucky. I was supposed to fly back from SDF to IAD on Sunday evening on Delta, via Detroit. However, the plane developed some kind of problem with the heading indicator, and they delayed the Detroit flight to the point where I was going to miss the connection to IAD.

It was only a 40 minute layover. If it had been longer, the whole thing might have been less of a problem.

Anyway, I started looking at options. The first Delta guy I talked to couldn't find anything to DC that night, or sufficiently early the next morning. Nothing into DCA or BWI either. Also, Delta (and most airlines) won't cover the cost of a rental car to get you where you need to go for liability reasons....

Eventually I found a Delta rep who had a clue, and managed to get me transferred onto a US Airways flight arriving at DCA at 8am this morning. Then I had some fun actually making it back to IAD to get my car....well.

Update to this: I called Delta because I was still showing the baggage fee for the flight I didn't get on. Not only did they refund it, but they gave me a $100 credit voucher good for a year. Decent of them----I didn't know any airlines did that anymore.

 

[JiNX-01]

I will be leaving in a week traveling from here to the Czech Republic. It will be Asheville-Atlanta-Amsterdam-Prague. What I don't know is how many times I will have to go through security and re-check my bag. I will be traveling wearing a carbon fiber knee brace that has some metal in it, plus I will be taking my CPAP as a carry on. I can't get any straight answers on how many times or how long it might take, but what I do keep getting told is "allow plenty of time". How much is plenty of time? I have been sent my itinerary and told to look it over, but I haven't got a clue. Is I said in an earlier post, I haven't been on a plane since 2000 and much has changed. Is this how air travel is now adays? You want to do the right thing but can't? Its 9.5 hours air time from Atlanta to Amsterdam via an overnight flight, but how is one supposed to get any rest no knowing if there will be enough time to catch the connect to Czech airlines once I land there. It looks like about an hour layover there but is that enough time if the TSA(or whatever it is there) decides to give me the full hemorrhoid check?

Have your doctor give you a note explaining your situation. Also, speak to an airline representative before you take off about getting assistance to make your connecting flights (my (U.S.) flight was briefly delayed to allow 3 passengers who were a few minutes late for their connection to get aboard).

 

[enlisted person]

I can walk fast and carry my baggage. I really just worry about the CPAP thing but I am tired of worrying. If they stop me they stop me. I got my stuff packed and just found out today that I will be staying in the Czech republic for three weeks and then home for a weekend and off to Wisconsin for some more stuff. I feel tired already. Good thing is that I am hourly and get paid to fly but its stressful, 10 years and not on a plane and now 10,000 miles in the air. I just renewed my sky miles account.

 

[enlisted person]

Whew, might first trip on a plane in 10 years is going to be a big one. I am nervous. Its going to be a total work trip. Guys are logging 12-16 hours a day there, but I might get to see something, though most people tell me about everything but restaurants are closed when they get off work. 20 long days don't give much time for sight seeing.

 

[enlisted person]

I leave out Sunday a 3:15 pm from here to atlanta and from there to amsterdam and from there to prague. I don't know whether to stay up late the next couple nights or go to bed early.