mjesf

It's not how I would do YVR - JFK (Cathay Pacific looks too tempting and it's non stop.) but since you asked...

The YVR - SFO leg appears to be on WestJet metal. That means you will be going from the A gates in the International Terminal to Boarding Area C in Terminal 1. The good news is you will not have to clear customs and immigration in SFO as that will be done in YVR. The bad news is you will have to re clear security :eek:. Basically you walk out of the International Terminal, make an immediate right turn and walk to Terminal 1. Otherwise the walk itself is not too bad and would take 20 minutes tops (assuming no mobility impairments.)

What this means to you is you are in a situation where you will need to go to gate. Go directly to gate. Do not use restroom. Do not collect 200 calories.

Bad news for you.

You will probably NOT be cut a break on a hotel room in San Francisco for the dates you have selected. You are in SF during Oracle Open World, which is one of the largest conventions here. Because it is a sell out date throughout the Bay Area, hotel prices go through the roof.

I know it's not what you want to hear, but it's just going to be expensive to be in SF that week.

Me either. Why would TSA put a tag on your particular bag? :confused:

The people overseeing the luggage xray machine have no idea what type of plane each passenger is about to board and whether or not the bag will fit in that plane's overhead compartment. As Zach said, if you show up to the gate with your bag, it's assumed pretty clearly that you and the bag have been through security, so no need for a special tag that says so.

The tag is actually issued at the gate the flight departs from.

Interesting list. What intrigues me is all the exceptions to the rule covering flights that use Terminal 1 in any way, shape of form and / or RJs. At least the issue of the former will eventually go away when all UA flights depart out of Terminal 3.

Long embed, so skip this unless you want to delve into MCT for UA at SFO. From the Reference section of KVS:

 

Given that you need to know flight numbers, equipment and terminals for some of the exceptions, I'll just note that Domestic to Domestic is listed as 30 minutes. YMMV.

Although like most others, I'd never subject myself to this 36 minute connection, FWIW UAL.com sells it. And, according to this chart, the minimum connecting time UA to UA domestic to domestic in SFO is 30 minutes.

 

http://www.flyerguide.com/wiki/index.php/Minimum_Connecting_Times_(UA)

 

If UA has increased the minimum connecting time from 30 to 45 minutes, why would they even sell a 36-minute connection?

From page 2 of the UA December 2012 Timetable: "Minimum connecting times vary between airports. Please allow at least 45 minutes for a domestic connection and at least 90 minutes for an international connection."

It sounds to me (greatam help me here) that this was assembled by a consolidator using outdated info. Even if the plane change did not involve switching terminals, I think 45 minutes would be pushing it given the size of Terminal 3 at SFO.

Ummm, there is a problem with the 36 minute connection here.

It's not a legal connection in SFO, where UA requires a minimum of 45 minutes for a domestic to domestic connection (and planes flying in from YVR are domestic arrivals thanks to clearing US customs and immigration at YVR.) Also, as greatam pointed out elsewhere, the minimum connecting time assumes you are able bodied. Also, should you arrive in Terminal 3 and connect to a flight leaving from Terminal 1; all bets are off even though you will be shuttled between the terminals in a way to avoid going through security again. The only thing going for you on this one is that you are flying in the day before.

As one who lives here, I can vouch for the fact that driving and (especially) parking in San Francisco is one big pain. I would only rent a car for the trip to Santa Rosa.

Depending on the traffic I have done the trek in 1-2 hours. One thing to consider is spending one night up in Sonoma County giving you more time to explore the region.

Enjoy your trip.

Take the later flight. Between the fact you are 71 miles from IAH and the fact that Murphy's Law has a higher chance of kicking in with trying to make the 12:30 Flight the day the cruise ends (Issues at customs, Houston traffic, the hikes you take in IAH, TSA Lines and who knows what else.) You will be much happier with the later flight. And who knows? Karma may thank you for making that wise decision by blessing you with a hassle free trek that gets you into IAH in time to take the earlier flight (Probably for a few dollars more.)