|
Forums39
Topics39,749
Posts322,470
Members26,715
| |
Most Online4,031
Dec 15th, 2024
|
|
|
Posts: 2,165
Joined: October 2014
|
|
#35115
01/20/2015 09:06 AM
|
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 8
Traveler
|
OP
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 8 |
In four weeks we will be making our 9th trip to St. Martin and was just notified that our connecting flight in Charlotte has been changed. We now will have less than 40 minutes from landing to departure...will this be enough time?? I'm not so sure, my husband said it will be fine. We have never been this tight on time between flights. Opinions?
|
|
|
 .
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,558 Likes: 2
Traveler
|
|
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,558 Likes: 2 |
Going or returning? If returning, absolutely not; going would probably be ok, as long as your first flight isn't delayed. I'd be concerned about any checked baggage making the second flight though. I wouldn't accept it unless there's a later flight to catch in case you miss the first one. Just my opinion, based on years of experience connecting in Charlotte.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,597
Traveler
|
|
Traveler
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,597 |
On the way down to the island we make this same length of connection continually, usually about a dozen times a year. Remember to immediately have your passport rechecked in Charlotte.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,861
Traveler
|
|
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,861 |
If they changed your flight times you can change yours .
40 min is cutting it to close if your connecting flight is late you will not make it.
Its winter time your connecting flight may have to be deiced .
I would ask for an earlier connecting flight or a later flight to SXM.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 65
Traveler
|
|
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 65 |
I'm going down in April and my flight times were changed as well - but now I have 3 hours in CLT instead of 1.
I fly down with 55-60 minutes connection time 5 or 6 times a year and I've never had a problem. However, my original flight is blocked for 1.5 hours when it usually only takes an hour, so we get in early or on time, never late. Forty minutes is close, and I'm not sure I would risk it. If there is a later flight to SXM, I probably wouldn't worry about the short connection. If there is only one flight to SXM (which I suspect might be your case?), then I would seek an earlier flight out of your starting point. At the end of the day, my question is always am I going to miss a day in SXM. If the answer is possibly, I'm happy to spend a couple of extra hours in the airport to try and prevent it.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 92
Traveler
|
|
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 92 |
transplantsxm said:
On the way down to the island we make this same length of connection continually, usually about a dozen times a year. Remember to immediately have your passport rechecked in Charlotte. Exactly right! Our first trip to SXM in 2013 we waited in the TSA first and had to backtrack to get the passport checked, still made the connection with only and hour to spare. With a checked passport you can immediately board after passing through TSA. We are looking at the same window of time later this week. The return leg is when you definitely need more time.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 9
Traveler
|
|
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 9 |
We were to leave at 5:10 and land in Charlotte at 8:46 yesterday. our connecting flight to SXM (the only one of the day) was at 9:35am. This was on US air.
We had to wait for a crew member and be de-iced. Still arrived in Charlotte on time. Got off the plane walked immediately to our gate in the B section. Went to have our passport checked and got on the plane. No time for any break or to buy food. Plane was fully loaded by 9:15 but the captain said they said he could not take off before 9:25.
I was nervous but we made it.
Good flight down and the captain came on and read a proposal letter written by the ladies boyfriend. She accepted and we all clapped! Glad she said yes. It was fun.
Us air lets you order food online before you go for flight to SXM ( not from). Was great since we did not have time for food.
Agree on more time on the way back. Changed our flight this year since we missed the connection last year because of delay in SXM.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 92
Traveler
|
|
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 92 |
mcb said:
We were to leave at 5:10 and land in Charlotte at 8:46 yesterday. our connecting flight to SXM (the only one of the day) was at 9:35am. This was on US air.
We had to wait for a crew member and be de-iced. Still arrived in Charlotte on time. Got off the plane walked immediately to our gate in the B section. Went to have our passport checked and got on the plane. No time for any break or to buy food. Plane was fully loaded by 9:15 but the captain said they said he could not take off before 9:25.
I was nervous but we made it.
Good flight down and the captain came on and read a proposal letter written by the ladies boyfriend. She accepted and we all clapped! Glad she said yes. It was fun.
Us air lets you order food online before you go for flight to SXM ( not from). Was great since we did not have time for food.
Agree on more time on the way back. Changed our flight this year since we missed the connection last year because of delay in SXM. Wow that was tight! That is flight #865 that departs at 9:35am, miss it and you miss a day!
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 130
Traveler
|
|
Traveler
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 130 |
[color:"red"][/color]Flying thru next month arriving 8:51am into CLT leaving 9:35am for SXM have 6 in our group. Some people mention having [color:"red"]passport checked[/color] not sure what they mean by that.
Thanks
Rick
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,861
Traveler
|
|
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,861 |
They check your passport at the gate before you board.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,623
Traveler
|
|
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,623 |
mcb said:
Us air lets you order food online before you go for flight to SXM ( not from). We noticed the same thing on our US airways flight coming home from SXM earlier this month. Does anyone know why that is? We had the option to buy pre-packaged snack boxes on the plane going down and thought we could do the same on the way home, but it didn't turn out that way.
Robin & Ed
One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things. - Henry Miller
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 460
Traveler
|
|
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 460 |
We spent night at Charlotte twice, both times because delayed departure from SXM. If it is not mechanical, it is the long wait on runway in SXM and as a result no gate ready/open at Charlotte. If you are asking about return flight, I say "no". On the way south "maybe" if de-icing is brisk and you depart on time.
There is no place like SXM.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 201
Traveler
|
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 201 |
Is 1 hr and 5 min enough on return from SXM?
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,919 Likes: 6
Traveler
|
|
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,919 Likes: 6 |
Doug said:
Is 1 hr and 5 min enough on return from SXM? With a connection in CLT, I would say NO. Customs and immigration are often painfully slow, backed up the point you might sit on the plane for 30 min. or more and then stand in line inside for upwards to an hour. They seem to have continuing staffing problems in CLT.
J.D.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 84,125 Likes: 8
Traveler
|
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 84,125 Likes: 8 |
No, that basically is not enough of a connection ANYWHERE. That is not a legal international connection. Has to be at least 90 minutes to be a legal international connection.
Carol Hill
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 201
Traveler
|
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 201 |
Legal or not that's what they gave me. Could be spending night there I guess.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,861
Traveler
|
|
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,861 |
More than likely no.
Maybe if there are no other flights ahead of you in customs.
Last 2 trips had to wait 15/20 min for a gate.
Good Luck
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 84,125 Likes: 8
Traveler
|
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 84,125 Likes: 8 |
I would call them up and make them change you to another flight.
Carol Hill
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 279
Traveler
|
|
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 279 |
Our experience with Charlotte has always been an exciting rush for our connecting flights. I'm comfortable with a 2 hour connection there. First, it seems the flights never leave SXM on time and secondly Immigration is really, really busy in Charlotte.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,919 Likes: 6
Traveler
|
|
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,919 Likes: 6 |
Doug said:
Legal or not that's what they gave me. Could be spending night there I guess. Was this the connection when you initially booked or has USAir changed the times? Regardless, I would be on the phone with them NOW and see what your options are. If you spend the night it will be at YOUR expense unless there are mechanical issues.
J.D.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 268
Traveler
|
|
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 268 |
Just out of curiosity - does the arrival time (i.e. arriving after 8pm) make any difference as far as customs wait time?
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,919 Likes: 6
Traveler
|
|
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,919 Likes: 6 |
luvnthatsxm said:
Just out of curiosity - does the arrival time (i.e. arriving after 8pm) make any difference as far as customs wait time? Probably not. Staffing at C & I seems to be minimal at best during peak times, I am guessing it might be a "skeleton crew" the later in the evening you get.
J.D.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 460
Traveler
|
|
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 460 |
luvnthatsxm said:
Just out of curiosity - does the arrival time (i.e. arriving after 8pm) make any difference as far as customs wait time? It doesn't. Our flight was scheduled to arrive around 6 PM, we were delayd at SXM, landed around 8:30, but didn't get to Immigration till 9pm due to gate being not available. Missed 10 PM flight to MSP.
There is no place like SXM.
|
|
|
|
|
.
![[Linked Image]](http://www.tickerclub.com/cache/3596dc5d6d.png)