| |
debgscraps
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 177,754
November 2004
Posts: 2,157
Layouts: 20
Loc: WI
 |  Posted: 1/21/2013 9:31:23 AM
As our vacation nears, I'm getting nervous that I might have screwed up when booking our flight. This is the first time I've booked my own tickets.
We are flying Delta from Milwaukee, WI to Atlanta and then Atlanta to Grand Cayman. We have a 58 minute layover in Atlanta before we board the plane to Grand Cayman. I'm panicking that we might not make our flight to Grand Cayman. We are flying first class - I don't know if that will help at all.
Does anyone know the procedure for security at the Atlanta airport? Do we have to go thru security again before boarding the plane to GC or are we in a secure area and just have to go from gate to gate?
I'm nervous because we've always taken direct flights in the past or had a travel agent and I didn't take the size of the airport into consideration when I booked this flight.
TIA for your help or suggestions.
ETA: I received this email from Delta customer service and I feel so much better!! I've pasted it here in case someone else might have a similar concern.
Thank you for your email to Delta Air Lines regarding the minimum connecting time of the flights.
The flights are paired by experts considering various factors including the time required for change of plane. So, you should not face a problem. However, in case you are unable to board the connecting flight due to delay in arrival of your originating flight, then we will accommodate you on the next available flight, without any extra cost.
Also, when we plan our flight schedules, we use minimum connection time guidelines published by the airline industry. These times are customized to each airport based on airport layout, distance between gates, and other factors.
We appreciate your selection of Delta and will always welcome the opportunity to be of service.
Sincerely,
Online Customer Support Desk
| |
|
Dalai Mama
La Pea Boheme
PeaNut 49,641
September 2002
Posts: 24,153
Layouts: 85
Loc: Drunk on the lawn in a nuclear dawn
 | |
momof1child
BucketHead
PeaNut 542,144
February 2012
Posts: 850
Layouts: 0
 | Posted: 1/21/2013 9:37:28 AM
This is based that you are taking the same airline carrier the entire trip.
The first part of your flight is domestic - no airport security check unless you leave the secured area. Your luggage will be taged so you will not see it until you reach the island.
Check on-line which part of the Atlanta airport you are coming into (domestic) and which part (international terminal) you need to be going to.
When you land in Grand Caymen, there you will go thru immigration.
Have fun! | |
|
debgscraps
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 177,754
November 2004
Posts: 2,157
Layouts: 20
Loc: WI
| Posted: 1/21/2013 9:44:54 AM
Yes, we are on the same carrier ( Delta), but we will switch planes. Thanks. | |
|
Dalai Mama
La Pea Boheme
PeaNut 49,641
September 2002
Posts: 24,153
Layouts: 85
Loc: Drunk on the lawn in a nuclear dawn
| |
divinghkns
PeaAddict
PeaNut 78,823
March 2003
Posts: 1,747
Layouts: 159
Loc: in front of my computer
| Posted: 1/21/2013 9:53:02 AM
I have had international connections through Atlanta and didn't have any problems doing it in less than an hour. You should be fine if you don't leave secured area. | |
|
bridgyree
BucketHead
PeaNut 218,303
August 2005
Posts: 916
Layouts: 18
Loc: Pennsylvania
 | Posted: 1/21/2013 10:13:48 AM
We flew Pittsburgh to Atlanta to Jamaica (first class also) with an hour layover in Atlanta and we had time to spare. You'll be fine, no need to worry. An hour is just about perfect. Time to grab a drink or snack or whatever, run to the bathroom without being rushed and get back on the plane. | |
|
Nantini
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 274,935
August 2006
Posts: 5,099
Layouts: 8
 | Posted: 1/21/2013 10:18:03 AM
It might be wise to print out a gate layout of which gate you're landing at and then where your departure gate is. Atlanta is a very big hub and very crowded.
You should have time to get from both flights if Delta booked the connection all the way thru for you. But, if you booked both legs yourself independently you'll be on your own if you miss it. | |
|
kmoller
PeaNut
PeaNut 567,623
September 2012
Posts: 86
Layouts: 0
Loc: Windsor, Ontario
| Posted: 1/21/2013 11:27:16 AM
If you're booked on one intinerary for both flight segments with Delta then you should be okay. I'm not sure if their legal connection time is 45 minutes or 1 hour, but at 58 minutes you're in there. Flying First will get you off the plane the fastest, so it does have that added benefit. I would recommend proceeding directly from your arrival lounge in Atlanta to your Grand Cayman departure lounge, check with the gate agent that the flight is on time, and then take your washroom or coffee break when you know how much casual time you have. Watch out for early gate closing. If everyone is checked in on-line, some airlines are closing the gate early to improve their on-time performance stats. Enjoy your holiday! | |
|
SDeven
Love Letters Pea
PeaNut 65,852
January 2003
Posts: 28,206
Layouts: 380
Loc: Nashville, TN!
| Posted: 1/21/2013 11:31:38 AM
Atlanta. Definitely check the map ahead of time and listen when the flight crew announces what gate you'll be arriving at and what gate you connecting flight is at.
Atlanta is famous for being a bottleneck. You are right to be concerned.
We have to fly thru Atlanta to Cancun in Feb. I dred it already.
The only redeeming factor is if you miss it, there's plenty more flights out later to almost anywhere...because everyone flies thru ATL. |
|
|
I-95
It's all just nonsense anyway!
PeaNut 97,456
July 2003
Posts: 19,547
Layouts: 0
Loc: California, NY & Orlando
 | Posted: 1/21/2013 11:44:11 AM
We have a saying down here in the South....even if you're going to Hell, you have to change planes in Atlanta!
It IS a busy airport, so check and make sure that all Delta flights go out of the same terminal (they may do domestic from one terminal and International from another) but when you check in at your home airport they will check your luggage straight through to your final destination.
If you happen to miss your connection, they will book you on the next available flight, which may be the same day, but it might not. They may not charge you anything to do that, but in a worst case scenario, the airlines generally require a 2 hour gap between connections to allow for delays. If your ticket has less than that, and you run into a snippy gate agent who is doing your rebooking, they *can* charge you a rebooking fee (most don't but you should be aware that they can) | |
|
Shih Tzu Mommy
Million dollar camera, 10 dollar lock!
PeaNut 224,352
September 2005
Posts: 23,525
Layouts: 0
Loc: Right here
| Posted: 1/21/2013 11:59:18 AM
We have a saying down here in the South....even if you're going to Hell, you have to change planes in Atlanta!
Truth!! I have paid more to take flights that avoid Atlanta. It is horrendous! But I think you'll be fine because there will be plenty more flights that day and you can hang out in the lounge since you are flying in first. |
Dog people are a special breed! | |
|
|
debgscraps
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 177,754
November 2004
Posts: 2,157
Layouts: 20
Loc: WI
| Posted: 1/21/2013 5:05:32 PM
Thanks everyone - you've helped ease my nerves!
| |
|
debgscraps
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 177,754
November 2004
Posts: 2,157
Layouts: 20
Loc: WI
| Posted: 1/23/2013 8:06:49 AM
update in the OP | |
|
PghScrapper
Waiting for Godot
PeaNut 210,270
June 2005
Posts: 11,013
Layouts: 47
Loc: Back in the 'Burgh
| Posted: 1/23/2013 8:17:45 AM
Glad your mind is at ease. I do suggest that you look up the 'next available' flights to your ultimate destination and write down the flight numbers/departure times/airlines so you have that information handy if you need it. I usually will do that when we're making connections just in case(because it is faster to pull out a sheet of paper than searching on your phone/ipad if you don't have an app or aren't experienced at doing it).
Hope you have a great trip and an uneventful flight! |
-----------------------------------------
Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people. -Eleanor Roosevelt | |
|
|
