How close would you cut a flight

[Breezy]

to be at imaging USA?
I am looking at either flying in on the 8th, (another day of childcare and a hotel all to myself so quite a bit of extra money) Or coming in on the 9th about 1.5 hours before the class I would like to sign up for. Would you cut it that close? The stop over is in Cleveland with Continential. Thankfully it isn't to Houston as we never left there on time lol. Not sure about Cleveland though.

[toverman]

Considering the track record of airlines these days, if you can avoid it don't cut the flight that close. Imaging USA is painfully close to the aftermath of the holiday travel season, and in some parts of the country weather may also be a factor (probably not at the event in Arizona).

I don't know about you, but air travel for me is tense enough. I usually allow myself a lot of extra time on both ends and have some great reading material to tide me over.

[David_3]

Is this a non-stop flight from Norfolk to Cleveland? Or is it from Norfolk with a stop in Cleveland to somewhere else?

Since I fly for a living I will give you my 2 cents. I never cut it that close. In this day of air travel, it only takes one small weather event to screw things up totally. And if it involves two flights, then you are twice as likely to have a problem. If I have to be somewhere (for say, a cruise to the caribbean), then I would plan to go the day prior. If it is something I can afford to miss, I might travel on the same day. If the flight stops en-route (as opposed to a non-stop flight) I give myself at least two hours (and maybe even more) at the en-route stop. I never cut it closer than that if I have to change planes somewhere. The last thing I want to do is spend the night at some airport motel, in some city I don't want to be in, because of a misconnect. The extra time between flights also helps to cut down on the stress level, as you are not worried about missing your next plane.

That's the way I do it, and I've been flying professionally for many, many years. There are just too many things that can go wrong these days, to "cut it close" anymore.


Good luck!

[CaptainTom]

I guess I can't say anything more convincing than what Captain David has said. You'll be happier if you have the extra time.

[David_3]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

... Captain David...

Actually, it's FO David. And the way things are going, it probably always will be.

[Breezy]

thanks guys.
Our track record with flights is nothing goes according to plan ever lol even with days added on both ends for comfort lol.

As for the question the flight would actually be a wee morning flight out of Raleigh NC on to Cleveland with a 50 min lay over and then off to Phoenix.

[CaptainTom]

Originally Posted by David_3

Actually, it's FO David. And the way things are going, it probably always will be.

That's Ok,, stripes is stripes.

[dminton]

So we have First Officer David (David_3) and Baggage Service Agent David (me).

[PhotoByLeal]

I will tell you from past experience, not enough time to get there!
Traffic @ the airport
Traffic getting there
Traffic @ the hotel or convention center with luggage, not good!

IMO......

later,
angel m. leal jr.

[Breezy]

Thanks guys. I guess I will suck it up and pay the extra lol. Thanks again

[picman]

You can view past on-time performance here and then spin the wheel.

http://www.flightstats.com/go/Flight...tingByRoute.do

[Breezy]

thanks Brian.
Kayak gives you the average on time percentage. Clevland has a 90. Houston has a 70. Houston would be safer in Jan BUT anytime I have ever flown into and out of Houston I never make it on time lol.
And the last time I flew into TX in Jan I got snowed in and sat on the Tarmac in Dallas for 6.5 hours :(. Needless to say I don't fly AA anymore lol.