Rome Airport (FCO) Problems/Help

When our cruise ends on Monday the 19th we are flying from FCO to Philadelphia at 11:55AM. I have read about so many problems flying from FCO to the US - long lines, missing flights,etc. What exactly will we have to do? I assume we get in line with US Air for ticketing and luggage drop. Then we go thru security? Which terminal? Do we have to switch terminals after ticketing? Any other steps? Any tips to making things less stressful would be appreciated. We have a pickup at the port with RomeCabs at 7:00AM. Thank you.

Bill

Yes FCO is a hassle. Using RomeCabs is great. You'll go to terminal 5 if you're flying USAir. Someone else will probably spell out all the steps but once you get dropped off at terminal 5, you get in line for your airline's counter and then just follow the herd. I don't think you have the opportunity to do anything in the wrong order.

Enjoy your trip!

When our cruise ends on Monday the 19th we are flying from FCO to Philadelphia at 11:55AM. I have read about so many problems flying from FCO to the US - long lines, missing flights,etc. What exactly will we have to do? I assume we get in line with US Air for ticketing and luggage drop. Then we go thru security? Which terminal? Do we have to switch terminals after ticketing? Any other steps? Any tips to making things less stressful would be appreciated. We have a pickup at the port with RomeCabs at 7:00AM.

You'll be fine; with a 7 AM pickup you'll be at the terminal by 8 or shortly thereafter.

If your flight is a non-stop to Philadelphia you'll depart from T5, the high security terminal. You'll check in at the US Air counter right in the first lobby and just follow along from there (next room is luggage drop, after that is security, after that is passport control). At the end of this process you'll get on a bus that takes you out to the gates where there is some shopping and a place to eat.

When our cruise ends on Monday the 19th we are flying from FCO to Philadelphia at 11:55AM. I have read about so many problems flying from FCO to the US - long lines, missing flights,etc. What exactly will we have to do? I assume we get in line with US Air for ticketing and luggage drop. Then we go thru security? Which terminal? Do we have to switch terminals after ticketing? Any other steps? Any tips to making things less stressful would be appreciated. We have a pickup at the port with RomeCabs at 7:00AM. Thank you.

Bill

Hope this help, add "http:" to the front

//www.roninrome.com/transportation/terminal-5-at-fco

We took that USAIR flight last November and have taken it a few times on prior trips. Things are not quite as bad as some folks say. My suggestion is that you book a private transfer (try to join with some others on your roll call) and we personally recommend Romecabs although there are quite a few decent companies. We had our taxi meet us at the port at 7:20.. and were on our way around 7:30. You should figure on an hour to the airport although it will often take a bit less. For that USAIR flight you should have your car drop you at the remote Terminal 5. You will check-in and check your luggage at this terminal and go through security. They will then put you on a bus and transfer you over to the main terminal at which point you are in the normal secure area where they have all the shops, restaurants, etc. The entire check-in process was actually pretty fast and other then having to take a bus over to the other terminal it is really no biggie.

Hank

The one thing we did not expect was to be dropped off on the tarmac and have to climb steps to get to the plane. I was with my 80 YO mother and just stood there looking at all those steps with both our carry ons, personal items and thought OMG how am I going to carry those up the stairs. Fortunately for me, two angels came up and grabbed our stuff and carried it up for us. That was a huge surprise for me. Just beware... you aren't walking down a ramp - you are being transferred to a spot where you will have to be able to climb steps with your stuff.

The one thing we did not expect was to be dropped off on the tarmac and have to climb steps to get to the plane. I was with my 80 YO mother and just stood there looking at all those steps with both our carry ons, personal items and thought OMG how am I going to carry those up the stairs. Fortunately for me, two angels came up and grabbed our stuff and carried it up for us. That was a huge surprise for me. Just beware... you aren't walking down a ramp - you are being transferred to a spot where you will have to be able to climb steps with your stuff.

This occurs some of the time at FCO for both arrivals and departures. A regular jet walkway is used for most flights. And to be clear, the bus you take from the first building always brings you to the building with the departure gates, shops, and restaurants. Then when it is time to board your flight, you will either walk down a regular jetway to board the plane (easy) or get on another bus which drops you off on the tarmac next to your jet (hassle and lots of stairs.)

Thank you for the info.

Bill

This occurs some of the time at FCO for both arrivals and departures. A regular jet walkway is used for most flights. And to be clear, the bus you take from the first building always brings you to the building with the departure gates, shops, and restaurants. Then when it is time to board your flight, you will either walk down a regular jetway to board the plane (easy) or get on another bus which drops you off on the tarmac next to your jet (hassle and lots of stairs.)

Is there any way to learn when those stairs/Tarmac are utilized?

I was surprised on Alatalia...MIA..FCO...long flight..old bones.

Those slippery metal steps were scary!

Thanks,

Barbara Mc

For anybody who is potentially going to have problems if they have to climb the steps, I suggest you pre order Special Assistance.

For anybody who is potentially going to have problems if they have to climb the steps, I suggest you pre order Special Assistance.

I'm not sure if there is a rhyme or reason to who gets a jetway gate and who gets a hardstand with stairs.... My Alitalia flight came into a jetway, but went out from a hardstand...

Special Assistance can help if you have problems climbing the stairs. I had fun doing that once - I got hoisted up onto the plane via the catering truck at FLR!!! And, yes, you must order in advance. Airlines have special needs contacts - search on the applicable airline website for it.

For anybody who is potentially going to have problems if they have to climb the steps, I suggest you pre order Special Assistance.

I did as suggested.. 3 years ago..7 weeks post hip replacement. Wheelchair boarded in MIA..

expected same in FCO...didn't happen.

But thanks for the help.

This April we had adjoining gates...going to PHL..I walked out jetway.

Daughter going to ORD..down escalator..bus...walked up steep steps.

Thanks..trying to figure how heavy a purse/backpack will work for Nov.from PHL.

Barbara Mc

I'm not sure if there is a rhyme or reason to who gets a jetway gate and who gets a hardstand with stairs.... My Alitalia flight came into a jetway, but went out from a hardstand...

Special Assistance can help if you have problems climbing the stairs. I had fun doing that once - I got hoisted up onto the plane via the catering truck at FLR!!! And, yes, you must order in advance. Airlines have special needs contacts - search on the applicable airline website for it.

Scary! Thanks...think I'll wear sensible shoes, have small purse & be careful!

Scary! Thanks...think I'll wear sensible shoes, have small purse & be careful!

You have to call your specific airline at least 48 hours prior to get the assistance - unlike in the US, they don't just show up at the last second. If you are flying on an alliance airline (like you book through Delta, but end up on Alitalia), be sure you make it clear and ask for confirmation. My accident happened in Italy and my ICE person called Delta and all my flights (the regional out of FLR to CDG, the AF flight CDG-IAD, and the DL flight IAD-home) had someone to assist and get me where I needed to be. At CDG, they even wheeled me over to the Sheraton to spend the night and picked me back up the next morning (I had no choice but to spend the night). Escorted me through security everywhere and through C&I at IAD. Took me to the club lounge in IAD and came back to pick me up before the flight.

When the plane is at a hardstand, you have to be lifted somehow - the catering truck was the norm. I forgot - I got the catering truck ride up to the back door of the AF 777 at CDG, too!

Slidergirl

In Europe you need to order Special Assistance in advance and there is normally a section on your reservation page to do this. If the aircraft needs to be boarded by steps, then they will bring a specially adapted lift fir you. I travel often and have never been taken anywhere on the catering lorry.

Slidergirl

 

In Europe you need to order Special Assistance in advance and there is normally a section on your reservation page to do this. If the aircraft needs to be boarded by steps, then they will bring a specially adapted lift fir you. I travel often and have never been taken anywhere on the catering lorry.

Both of my lifts were done by the catering truck. The trucks were already at the planes, doing their thing. When all the supplies were offloaded, I was put on the truck and hoisted up. Sorry, but my journey was that.

Maybe the special lifts weren't available when I did this back in 2007. I'll take any means available as long as it gets me on the plane.