Flight question

[hils]

I have to change planes in Houston. What sort of time should I allow for this? I've been given the option of an hour or 3.5 hours. Obviously I want to spend as little time as possible waiting around but will an hour be enough time?

Do I need to collect my luggage from the first plane and check it in again for the transfer or will that be done for me?

Usually I'm on non-stop flights so this aspect is a bit new for me. Help?

Comments

[spikewriter]

I'd prefer just an hour, but if you have any delays you could end up missing your connection. (I personally hate the Houston airport.)

[hils.livejournal.com]

Yeah, from what people are telling me I'll need to go through Immigration at Houston so I don't think an hour will be enough time

[spikewriter]

Ugh. Immigration is one thing I haven't had to do at IAH, but I've flown in and out of there enough (everytime I visit my family) to know that it's not well laid out. And, it's ugly. 70's ugly, with lots of brown (at least the last time I went through).

[hils.livejournal.com]

Ick!

Ah well, so long as I can stretch my legs for a bit and get something to eat I'll be fine :)

[jack4will.livejournal.com]

I would check with the airline about your luggage. If I remember from when we flew back from Florida in 2000 we had a layover in Pittsburg. We had only our carryons with us then. I think they automatically do it for you but check with them first. It might have changed since then.

If you have to go through immigration I would say 2 hours or a little more then for the layover.

[hils.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I think I'll give them a call and check before I book. Most people think I have to go through immigration though

[jack4will.livejournal.com]

It would be a good idea to call them.

I think you might. Ever since since Sept 11 2001. I know we have really cracked down on some air traveling. I would check with them too about that. They might be able to tell you more. *hugs*

[hils.livejournal.com]

Thanks :)

[jack4will.livejournal.com]

Your very welcome girlfriend. *hugs hard*

Hope you find everything out soon for you and your peace of mind.

[hils.livejournal.com]

I hope so too. I'm sure it'll be fine :)

[mysticmoonstorm.livejournal.com]

If the website is giving you the hour connection as a "legal connection" then it's their responsibility to make sure you make that connection or to reaccommodate you if you miss it for some reason.

As to immigration - again it varies by airline. When I flew US Airways I had to grab my luggage in Philly on the way home and ended up running for my flight. When I flew Delta, they checked it all the way through even though I came back into the states in Cincinnati. I still went through immigration in Cincinnati, but they didn't bother with my checked luggage (or they went through it on their own, take your pick). So definitely double check with them.

I would go with the hour, Houston isn't that big of an airport and if Continental is offering that as your connection you'll be fine. Plus, checking my system it shows that minimum connection time going from International to Domestic is 60 minutes - so it's a legal connection. (Did any of that make sense or did I just go into travel talk mode?)

[hils.livejournal.com]

Hee! It made sense. Mostly ;)

I'm a bit wary about going for the hour though as it doesn't give me any leeway if the plane is delayed. I might just go for the 3.5 hour one and I can go and get some food or something. Or see if any of my LJ friends live in Houston and want to keep me company ;)

[mysticmoonstorm.livejournal.com]

Understood - you'll have a much better flying experience if you're not all stressed out - so food and friends are good too! *grin*

[hils.livejournal.com]

Hee! Yeah, I thought so *g*

[the-dala.livejournal.com]

You're flying Continental, right? I'm pretty sure they'll transfer your luggage, they're good about that sort of thing. And I vote for the 3.5 layover, just in case of mishaps/immigration. I've spent a few hours in the Houston airport before, it's not bad - a couple of bookshops, tacky Texaswear, some restaurants.

[hils.livejournal.com]

So long as there's restaurants I'm happy. Give me some food and all is good ;)

[innae.livejournal.com]

I have spent my fair share of time in IAH -- ugh -- but it does have some yummy restaurants -- I would give myself the 3.5 hrs, because the way airlines are so often running late, I would rather have too much time than not enough -- and if you DO have to go through immigration, you never can tell how long that will take...

on another note, when I flew to Italy (and transfered in England) I had to get my luggage in England and store it -- so, double check on what they will do with your luggage...

[hils.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I've gone for the 3.5 hour wait :) I tend to panic about these things so I like to know I've got enough time so I can just relax and not worry.

I'm going to check with the airline about what to do with my luggage