Is this the dumbest idea for an early flight ever?

[cruisinfanatic]

What is the deal specifically with atlanta. It is going to cost us $1,000 or possibly more as a family to change flights. Ive searched every possible alternative. I can't see much that would be worth that. And no, I'm already taking them out of school for 2 days. On the 3rd day, I get the letter. I've done it 3 years in a row with Disney trips but now with one going to be in 8th grade and one in 5th that seems to always be sick afterwards it is not worth the stress. Even if one school excuses the other one won't based on the fact that I'm taking my kids out of school already for a pricey vacation and don't want to deal with traveling on Sunday. I just don't see that happening. Not only that but hotels to stay another night along with the fact flights are expensive as well the next day tells me that monday has some pretty high demand as well.

 

I know it is not optimal but people do live through this don't they? Ive got an Isla mujeres trip planned for my bday. I can't imagine spending that money on a direct flight rather than another vacation. If there is really a legitimate concern over possibly turning into an elderly person while waiting in Atlanta, id like to hear it. Or is it more if an annoyance? I was also joking about the drinking. To this day, I've never bought a drink in an airport. I might this day but I doubt it will be enough to alter my state of mind should I need to make a decision.

 

Sent from my Iphone 7

Your 9:20 flight is very doable if you carry your own luggage off.. First call off is at 6:15AM give or take 15 minutes. Allure and Oasis have the best, most efficient cruise facility in the world and anyone that tells you it's a bad idea hasn't been on the ship. Yes, there could be delays, but that can happen on any ship anytime.

[Merion_Mom]

I guarantee that to be an exaggeration

 

I didn't count them, but here is what I experienced, more than once:

 

You descend to the departure level on an escalator. At the bottom is the security area. It has Disney-style lines, of course. I estimate that about 100 people fit in there at one time.

 

Then there is a "corridor" for arriving passengers to pass away from the gates and out into the terminal.

 

On the other side of this opening, there is more Disney-style lining up. About two hundred people in there.

 

That area was fed by a line. That line went all the way up the exit corridor, two and three abreast, all the way back to the car rental counters, wrapped around the columns three times, and filled the entire area.

 

I don't think that my estimate is exaggerated, or if so, not by much.

[Tiggercat]

We have made a 9:30 flight before on American...I am not sure what Southwest is like. We were literally the first ones off of the ship. We went down to disembark 30 minutes before they said we could and carried our luggage off. It made a huge difference when we got home so it was worth the risk. Good luck! We are sailing on Oasis over Thanksgiving, but sailed on Allure last Thanksgiving. It was the best way to spend the holiday!!!

[debbs0723]

We have made a 9:30 flight before on American...I am not sure what Southwest is like. We were literally the first ones off of the ship. We went down to disembark 30 minutes before they said we could and carried our luggage off. It made a huge difference when we got home so it was worth the risk. Good luck! We are sailing on Oasis over Thanksgiving, but sailed on Allure last Thanksgiving. It was the best way to spend the holiday!!!

 

So you have done that early of a flight even off a ship on the Sunday after Thanksgiving? Honestly it isn't even about the 9:20 flight anymore although that will be nice. Now I'm worried about the layover in atlanta.

 

Debbie

[emeraldcity]

We did self-carry off the Liberty in Ft. Lauderdale. Got into line at 7:10, a very long line. We finally got up to customs at 8:30. I wouldn't want to be trying to make a 9:20 flight ... way too much stress.

[debbs0723]

We did self-carry off the Liberty in Ft. Lauderdale. Got into line at 7:10, a very long line. We finally got up to customs at 8:30. I wouldn't want to be trying to make a 9:20 flight ... way too much stress.

 

Agreed. I don't think we are going to try to make that flight. Right now we will just be stuck on the flight that has a layover in Atlanta until I can find a better option either for half of us or all of us.

 

Thanks,

Debbie

[Big_G]

and anyone that tells you it's a bad idea hasn't been on the ship.

 

I guarantee that to be an exaggeration. ;)

[TravelerThom]

... it isn't even about the 9:20 flight anymore although that will be nice. Now I'm worried about the layover in atlanta

Southwest gates in ATL are close to each other on Concourse C, so you should be able to get between your connecting gates quickly. IF both flights are running on time, that should not be a problem. Even if your flight out of FLL runs late, there is a decent probability that everything on the East Coast is behind schedule, so go directly to your connecting gate and don't assume that your flight has left (I have made flights that were already posted on the board as closed - certainly not guaranteed, but worth a shot). Allure is quite efficient at disembarking passengers; the biggest holdup is clearing customs. My recommendation is do NOT wait for the call for walk off passengers; get in line early (a half hour before the scheduled time is not too early; there will be others already in line then) and be one of the first in line for customs. Getting through Customs early and grabbing a taxi to the airport will also mean that you will ahead of most to the security line at FLL. Check in for your flight 24 hours in advance while still on the ship (Allure has FREE airline check-in kiosks [but not positive that they include SW]). Things can always go wrong, but with a good plan your odds of having this all work is not that bad. Despite my smarta** remark previously, I assumed your drinking comment was tongue in cheek; but if you are not driving home from the airport treat yourself to a drink on your ATL-HOU flight! Enjoy the Allure, and best wishes for a good trip home. :)

 

Thom

[Rufferto]

Edit - wrong quote used

Edited May 26, 2014 by Rufferto

[Rufferto]

My tip..As soon as you get into the luggage terminal, grab a porter. He will get your luggage and get you though the line, outside pretty quick, and hail you a taxi. It works very well. Enjoy your cruise. The Allure is a great experience. :D

 

This doesn't work anymore. They make the porters wait in the regular line like everyone else. They used to be able to use an express line.

They do have an express line for special needs groups (small children, disabled, etc). I was with my very young DD and a sheriff escorted us to this line saying "I'm not going to let a small baby wait in that line". We were very happy, but not as happy as my porter!

Edited May 26, 2014 by Rufferto

[debbs0723]

Southwest gates in ATL are close to each other on Concourse C, so you should be able to get between your connecting gates quickly. IF both flights are running on time, that should not be a problem. Even if your flight out of FLL runs late, there is a decent probability that everything on the East Coast is behind schedule, so go directly to your connecting gate and don't assume that your flight has left (I have made flights that were already posted on the board as closed - certainly not guaranteed, but worth a shot). Allure is quite efficient at disembarking passengers; the biggest holdup is clearing customs. My recommendation is do NOT wait for the call for walk off passengers; get in line early (a half hour before the scheduled time is not too early; there will be others already in line then) and be one of the first in line for customs. Getting through Customs early and grabbing a taxi to the airport will also mean that you will ahead of most to the security line at FLL. Check in for your flight 24 hours in advance while still on the ship (Allure has FREE airline check-in kiosks [but not positive that they include SW]). Things can always go wrong, but with a good plan your odds of having this all work is not that bad. Despite my smarta** remark previously, I assumed your drinking comment was tongue in cheek; but if you are not driving home from the airport treat yourself to a drink on your ATL-HOU flight! Enjoy the Allure, and best wishes for a good trip home. :)

 

Thom

 

Thanks for the advice. Think we are sticking with the 11:20 flight for now that has a couple hour layover in ATL. Hopefully that will pad for anytime the first flight might be late. I need to check on the airline check in. I usually try to check into southwest right at the 24 hour mark just so we are not last in line. I'm still holding out hope and I look every morning to see if Southwest is releasing more wanna get away fares for a better flight choice but so far no such luck. I do know that they are waiting to see the demand but I also know that right now their flights are priced at over $100 more per person on that trip than most other airlines so that is what gives me hope.

 

Debbie

[TravelerThom]

Thanks for the advice. Think we are sticking with the 11:20 flight for now that has a couple hour layover in ATL...

We were waiting to board the Allure in January, and they were still disembarking passengers at 11:30. In Caribbean ports Allure can easily disgorge all passengers in way under an hour, so I'm pretty sure that Customs was requiring them to hold passengers to prevent the terminal from being too crowded. Given that fact and the security lines at FLL, even with an 11:20 flight I'd consider doing self-disembarkation (or certainly no later than the first few disembarkation numbers). Of course personally I'd prefer to have to kill time at the airport, rather than miss my flight.:cool:

 

Thom

[debbs0723]

We always self disembark.

 

Sent from my Iphone 7

[silentbob007]

Oasis/Allure can often be quickly unloaded, but if a problem arises, delays are worse. I've been sitting in the terminal at noon on the Allure, still waiting to clear customs. On a holiday weekend, I would expect more potential for problems with having enough agents.

 

What is wrong with Atlanta? Just that there is a connection? I've gone through there countless times and they do a pretty good job at handling the crowds. I've even had 30 minute connections (never wise) and have made it and luggage has made it. Not everyone's experiences, obviously, but since you cannot control everything, the best idea is to plan in a way that mitigates as many what-ifs as possible. The later flight is the one I'd go with simply because if you miss your flight out of Fll that day, you probably won't get on another one.

Edited May 26, 2014 by silentbob007

[Wilda]

If you can snag TSA pre-check it will shave some time off of your wait in security at FLL. I travel a few times a month so I have it automatically. My husband is also TSA pre-checked, again because of the amount of time we spend in the air. However, if you have kids traveling with you that may be another matter. One of us had to go through security with our GS because he was not pre-checked.

 

I fly SWA out of FLL all the time and have not had a problem with lines. However, I have not traveled on the weekend that you are referencing and would imagine it will be quite busy. I would hang onto the the crummy 11:20 that connects through ATL. Travel is stressful enough, why layer more on by worrying about getting to the airport in time:D

 

Agree with the other posters about ATL airport. Most of the SWA jets are in the same concourse © and even if you do have to go to another concourse it shouldn't take more than 10 minutes tops.

 

You could always pay $12.50 pp and get the early bird check-in on SWA so you don't have to worry about getting in front of a computer at exactly 11:20 to check-in and hoping for a B seat assignment...

 

Have a fabulous time!

Edited May 26, 2014 by Wilda

[janetz]

[quote name='Rufferto']This doesn't work anymore. They make the porters wait in the regular line like everyone else. They used to be able to use an express line.
They do have an express line for special needs groups (small children, disabled, etc). I was with my very young DD and a sheriff escorted us to this line saying "I'm not going to let a small baby wait in that line". We were very happy, but not as happy as my porter![/QUOTE]



Really? It worked in March. When did this happen?