Flight from FLL; is 9:00 too early?

All,

 

I will be on the Royal arriving in FLL January 29 at 0600. I am an Elite passenger staying in a suite. Do you think I'll be OK, time wise, with a 9:00 flight (first class)? I'll take a cab from the stand, which I think will be fastest... also, FYI, I have Global Entry and TSA Pre-Check.

 

As luck would have it, the port will be busy that morning -- 7 ships are in port that day.

 

I feel fairly good about it -- just need thoughts from others before I commit. The airlines changed my 11am flight (of course, no notification -- I happened to log on and see the change). When I called them, they could have cared less about failing to contact me or about the change! LOL...

 

Finally, do you think I should carry my luggage off or will I be OK having it delivered to the warehouse?

 

Thanks, everybody!

There no way you could make it if you don't carry your luggage off.

I don't think you will make it even if you do sorry.

Tony

Since the airline made the change, they should be willing to change your flight to a later one at no charge to you.

80% of the time you might make that flight, but 20% of the time you might not.

First Class, (or Business Class, or Executive Platinum, or Platinum, or Gold status) can definitely make a difference in timing. People taking cruises tend to pack heavily and therefore need to check a bag or two or three. If you are allowed to use the First/Business/Priority check-in lines, you can shave significant time off of your check-in procedure. There are times when the regular line is 100 deep while the Priority line is 5 deep. That absolutely makes a difference if you are rushing to catch a flight.

 

Nevertheless, I agree with those who say that you can make a 9:00 flight, but also agree with those who say that giving yourself that level of stress on the last day of vacation is counterproductive. When an airline rebooks you due to a schedule change, you can call and choose a different flight. I do it all the time. A computer reassigns you to a flight that it assumes you would like. But that can be overridden. I just did so with AA. I had a flight arriving into Miami before a cruise that was supposed to land at 8:30 pm. I got automatically rebooked onto a flight that would arrive at 10:30 pm. I didn't want to arrive that late and didn't want to worry about a significant delay or cancelation with no options. So I first checked the schedule and picked out a better flight that would arrive at 4:30, then called AA and asked to be moved to that flight. They did it without blinking.

I'd add that Princess is rather accommodating for suite guests, so I'd expect the OP's request for first walk off to be honored.

While the OP mentioned a First Class airline ticket, and this quoted reply pointed out serious advantages given priority access and bypassing longer lines, what the OP didn't specifically mention was the FARE CLASS of the first class seat. That could certainly make a difference should the OP end up missing his/her flight. A full fare "F" class ticket will get MUCH better consideration for re-booking, because if AA doesn't provide reasonable re-accommodation options, then the ticket is fully refundable and another airline will get the OP there. Mileage upgrades and discounted FC tickets in fare classes such as A/G/P/I are capacity controlled and not as easily accommodated during rebooking. Add to that: FLL is not MIA and alternatives on AA will be less, most likely.

So.... IF IF IF all the stars align correctly disembarkation morning... the OP has all the trump cards:

- Suite guest for first walk-off to be honored

- Global Entry to bypass any snaking lines

- A 10 minute at best, point to point taxi ride to airport

- Premium Class Ticket counter line for baggage and BP issue

- TSA Pre-Check for SHORTER screening

But given what I described about airline rebooking... I would NOT chance it.

Any of the following can happen and increase the certainty of others following:

-Delayed ship approach to PEV caused your ship to lose its place for escort into port, pushing ship's escort back behind a number of other ships there on time for their escort.

-Highly likely that there won't be a full compliment of U.S. Customs officers for your terminal, given they are working a high capacity day with (someone mentioned 7 ships disembarking.) I've stood in the GE line with low staffing, and the main queue will also feed into your Customs Officer's line, alternating, one main queue family/group, then one GE family/group. Thereby slowing down the line.

-If a few ships begin their disembarkation prior to yours, exiting the port will become congested, with sheriff's directing and stopping traffic. Your 10 minute ride could be longer.

-I've heard others refer to AA employees as "dragons" as they enforce the cut-off time for checked luggage, making no exceptions.

-TSA Pre-Check used to be "walk right through without a wait," but that's not the case any longer as more and more people have been approved. Not everyone who uses the line is trained or prepared, thereby slowing down the process. And a weekend morning is NOT when you'll find experienced biz pax who know what to do.

Those are how small glitches can destroy the perfect plan. I didn't mention the obvious yet: a random or for cause customs inspection that could seriously delay disembarkation.

Even as a suite pax, I doubt Princess would assist with re-booking or claim any responsibility given their XX hours after scheduled disembarkation for flights policy.

Re-book now, while there are still options if your fare class is capacity controlled. If FLL departures don't look good and you see an MIA flight, suggest it to the agent and ask if they'll pick up the shuttle from FLL to MIA cost. (If not, and you find an MIA option that looks good enough that you're willing to pay the shuttle cost, FLL/MIA are usually "city pairs" meaning they can be interchanged in rebooking situations without cost or fare differences. Taxi to FLL and get a shuttle FLL to MIA would be more cost effective... unless you have a whole family.)

Good luck!

The end of January is the start of tourist season. Even with TSA-Pre, there'll still be a wait to get through Security. I have GE and TSA-Pre and fly Business or First and would never consider a flight before 10:30-11am. I've cruised many times out of FLL so I know there can be delays disembarking and at the airport.

Same as Pam!

We've cruised out of FLL many times and KNOW there can be delays!

First Class, (or Business Class, or Executive Platinum, or Platinum, or Gold status) can definitely make a difference in timing. People taking cruises tend to pack heavily and therefore need to check a bag or two or three. If you are allowed to use the First/Business/Priority check-in lines, you can shave significant time off of your check-in procedure. There are times when the regular line is 100 deep while the Priority line is 5 deep. That absolutely makes a difference if you are rushing to catch a flight.

Huh. Good to know. Thanks for the explanation.

Huh. Good to know. Thanks for the explanation.

No problem. The following photo makes the point. Check-in line #1 (can't see the number, but the one with the guy in the white shirt with his hand on his hip) is what a Priority check-in might look like, as compared to lines 2-4.

http://www.blogcdn.com/slideshows/images/slides/303/595/0/S3035950/slug/l/passengers-queue-at-checking-desks-at-th-2.jpg

(I wanted to post the photo, but it was too big.)

I'd insist on getting a later flight. We had the airline try to change our flight back from Seattle to one that was way too early. The airline's first attempts were unsatisfactory--way too late. We finally got a reasonable flight schedule back home flying through New York City. Keep pushing the airline if it doesn't come up with a satisfactory flight. I wouldn't try anything before 10:30.

 

-TSA Pre-Check used to be "walk right through without a wait," but that's not the case any longer as more and more people have been approved.

How true.

Last week in an airport (not FLL) the pre-check line was much longer and slower than the non-pre-check line.

I say book it and let us all know if you make. Be a pioneer and show all these doubters.

I wonder what the Over and Under line is on anyone making any flight before 10:00 out of FLL during peak season?

Early flights are a great plan until you have to make an extra stop for a medical emergency and can't make up the time....like on our last cruise.

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I say book it and let us all know if you make. Be a pioneer and show all these doubters.

Can you do one more thing let us know the total cost $$$ for not making it.:eek:

Tony

Another way to approach the problem: "loan the airline some money" by buying a refundable ticket on the next flight. If you make your intended flight, cancel the ticket and collect your money. If you miss your intended flight, you can either fly the additional ticket you bought and figure it out later, or ask if you can someone do a coordinated swap (cancel the refundable ticket in exchange for rebooking me on the later flight) at the counter. Either way, you're guaranteed a seat on that next flight.

I think you also need to keep in mind that airlines are closing the doors well before departure time.

Your departure time might be 9 a.m. but wouldn't be surprised if doors were closed 8:50 or 8:55.

I would call AA and insist on a flight change at no cost to you.

Seriously if i were you i would atleast try, you never know you might be the first one to actually pull off something so epic like this.

Go for it. Don't let those naysayers talk you out of it.

I'm ROFLMAO, love love love these answers.

I'm with those....go for it.....we will be waiting at the gate to see if you make it.

I wonder how much money the airlines make off of people that think they can make these early morning flights, then end up having to book a later flight for that same day at a premium price because they missed the first one? :eek:

In all my years of traveling ive never missed a flight. I have to say i usually show up early but i have taken flight where my plane has been delayed while we wait on one passenger. Granted it was the pilot but it was only one person. Just think how long they will be willing to delay a flight if 2 people dont show up on time. Its pure logic in my books.

In all my years of traveling ive never missed a flight. I have to say i usually show up early but i have taken flight where my plane has been delayed while we wait on one passenger. Granted it was the pilot but it was only one person. Just think how long they will be willing to delay a flight if 2 people dont show up on time. Its pure logic in my books.

Waiting for the pilot?? Just leave without him and let him see what it's like.:eek:

The airline won't wait for you. They will just give your seat to someone in standby and charge you double the price for your flight home.

Tony

In all my years of traveling ive never missed a flight. I have to say i usually show up early but i have taken flight where my plane has been delayed while we wait on one passenger. Granted it was the pilot but it was only one person. Just think how long they will be willing to delay a flight if 2 people dont show up on time. Its pure logic in my books.

Thanks for the chuckle :D

For some people, gambling ends when the casino closes on the last evening of the cruise.

For others, it does not end until they see if they win or lose the bet to make a 9 AM flight on disembarkation day.

I think you also need to keep in mind that airlines are closing the doors well before departure time.

 

Your departure time might be 9 a.m. but wouldn't be surprised if doors were closed 8:50 or 8:55.

 

I would call AA and insist on a flight change at no cost to you.

It's the 10 minute rule: all confirmed pax must present themselves at the gate no later than 10 minute prior to scheduled departure or risk loss of their seat.

While planes have "waited" for other passengers, that's at the discretion of the airline. But morning flights RARELY wait because:

-delays in the morning can have a ripple effect upon departures the rest of the day throughout the country, so there's always a push to leave early or on-time.

-the earlier in the day, the greater chance a pax --left behind for on-time departure-- can be accommodated on another flight since there's the whole day ahead.

I can remember arriving early enough at the gate for a flight that there was time to walk past the gate where people were waiting and have a drink in a close by bar. Approaching 30 minutes prior to departure, I glanced over to the gate to see if everyone was lining up to board: no one was there. Quickly heading to the gate, the gate agent looked up and said "there you two are. Everyone else is on board." In our brief conversation I learned that there was another flight about an hour later, they wanted to get this plane out and they would be pushing back to leave exactly ten minutes early. AND the couple that had just checked-in for the flight at the ticket counter would not make it, so they'd be put on the next flight.

Perfectly legal, considering the 10 minute rule, and a common "big picture" decision the airlines make regularly.

Another way to approach the problem: "loan the airline some money" by buying a refundable ticket on the next flight. If you make your intended flight, cancel the ticket and collect your money. If you miss your intended flight, you can either fly the additional ticket you bought and figure it out later, or ask if you can someone do a coordinated swap (cancel the refundable ticket in exchange for rebooking me on the later flight) at the counter. Either way, you're guaranteed a seat on that next flight.

The airlines consider this practice as fraudulent. Don't believe it? Search for an article I read online about several Lifetime AA Airpass members who paid $100,000 only to have their lifetime passes revoked for similar practices.

Most major hotel chains disclose on their websites that they reserve the right to cancel any and all reservations which they believe to be the result of fraudulent activity.

One passenger is reserving two seats and potentially displacing another passenger (last minute booking.) It's true that years ago I remember AA would "protect" an alternative route for Elite level (did it for me at PLAT & EXPLAT) when a connection looked iffy, by double booking. But a number of years now they said they aren't permitted to do that.

Furthermore, if the pax misses the first flight, then points out the reason (refundable tix canceled) for the opening on the second flight, a rule following gate agent may (behind the scenes) refer it to revenue management if the pax has a FF account. Meanwhile, that same gate agent would explain that there is a waitlist which the pax may fall near the bottom. Vindictively the gate agent who knows that in reality this pax who broke the rules but has enough status to jump up the waitlist.... this gate agent may just NOT enter the pax's name on the list, so they don't get on the flight, processing the others.

So, all this being said, do it once or twice, and you may or may NOT get caught. That's what the Lifetime AAirpass members in question did (among other things. These are passes that allow F class flights for the holder and a guest) and eventually AA caught on and revoked their cards without any refund.

Planes that WAIT for passangers are usually mated, or connedtion flight passengers. They are not for people that are getting on the fight at the start of their journey.

they have no obligation to wait for you, but if the previous flight in the connection is late, they will wait, or rebook you at their costs