Question about DFW

[georoc01]

As far as the direct goes, it depends how early you get in to Cancun. I know we were delayed 3 hours due to weather that the 6am fliers out of Denver didn't have to deal with and we caught the last flight over to Cozumel. It would ahve been a late ferry if we had chosen to do it that way also.

On the DFW connection, part of it also depends what terminal you end up flying into. If your flight and the cozumel flight are in the same terminal, you should make it easy. If they are different, then you have to take the train which is going to eat into that time.

Getting on the earlier flight at the airport is really rolling the dice. If you are 100% carry on, you have a decent chance at doing it on American, otherwise, who knows?

 

[cvchief]

We caught a delay outta of Coz to DFW. It was a bear to clear customs, I ran the vanguard, sent the nephews to scout ahead and throw themselves in the jetway door, while I yelled at the mother-in-law to move it along bring up the rear. They were at last call when the nephews checked in. The bags of course didnt make it. That was awesome. I hope they always miss the transfer on the way back. Instead of lugging the bags through IAD and onto the shuttle and into the car, a nice guy put them all on the front porch the next day. I just had to wheel them into the house..... SWEET.... :luxhello:

 

[loudives]

The people at KC International (MCI) tell me that stand-by is available on the domestic leg of an international flight. Therefore, we will be attempting to get on the 6:00 AM flight. If that doesn't work, I intend to play up the fact that my wife is pregnant. It seems like a reasonable excuse.

Thanks!

American is pretty good at stand by for early flights on same day travel with no charge. Example Last Feb....

Had tickets --Chicago to Atlanta to Miami to St. Thomas.
Got to airport early to go stand by on a non stop to Miami. 10 min before depart any empty seats were given to stand bys.
Got to Miami early enough to stand by for earlier flight to St. Thomas and got on that one too.

To do this get there early as it is First come first on the stand by list. Only elite and displaced passengers can be on list before you.

Just this past Oct. I had FF mile tickets on AA to Cancun going thru dallas. Knew Mexicana is a Partner airline and they had a non stop leaving 30 min later. Asked the AA gate person if I could get on the Mexicana flight and she checked, and switched my tickets. Got to go non stop, Mexicana still feeds you, booze is free,
flights were on time, went thru a no line immigration area, was able to make the bus, ferry connection almost non stop and was in Coz 4 hours early. Did a shore dive to check everything before it got dark.

Be polite when you ask!

If no stand by and your plane is on time, tell flight attendent you have a tight connection and if she can, can she ask other passengers to stay seated untill you pass by and allow you to deplane first. I've seen them do that.

 

[DandyDon]

Forget Expedia for checking on empty seats; go to Airline Tickets and Airline Reservations from American Airlines | AA.com - but it looks like a third of the plane is open at 6am - with a 30% chance of snow at 9am. I'd go for the earlier flight, but hold out for no-cost standby. There is just no reason for them to charge that.

 

[OSUcowboyinSPFD]

Don, I am amazed at your internet search abilities. You must have the fastest internet in all of the land....Thanks for the help! I will be nice, heck I may give the gal a hug if she moves us to the earlier flight.

Consequently, I looked at my original reservation and there was originally an hour and fifteen minute layover. Still tight, but definitely better. Interesting...

 

[DandyDon]

Don, I am amazed at your internet search abilities. You must have the fastest internet in all of the land....Thanks for the help! I will be nice, heck I may give the gal a hug if she moves us to the earlier flight.

Consequently, I looked at my original reservation and there was originally an hour and fifteen minute layover. Still tight, but definitely better. Interesting...

Hardly. I just peeked at AA.com and Weatherunderground.com, but that last comment changes everything. I was wondering why you booked such a tight connection, but you didn't! Based on that, a reasonable telephone agent should change your reservation for you at no charge; try it, then then a supervisor if needed.

If that fails, include that info when you stand by.

If that fails, I'd really like to know how this plays out. Grrrr

 

[CZMDM]

I've personally taken that flight from MCI to CZM via Dallas/Ft. Worth and always made it. However it is close and if the originating flight is late you're screwed. I've also taken that 6am (or 6:30am) flight, but man you have got to get up around 4am to get to MCI on time. Yeeech!

 

[sharky60]

40 min. is really cutting it close, I just went through a similar change at Chicago O'Hare over Thanksgiving. By the time you disembark from the first plan, and hussle to the next gate, they are already getting ready to load the second one, try to get a seat near the front.

Is there a terminal change at DFW?

Seems like even though the entire trip is on American, you would come into DFW from MCI into American's "dimestic" terminal ("C", I thiknk) & then have to go to terminal "D" the international terminal to catch the flight to Coz.

I think I'd try catching the earlier flight from KC if possible, just to hedge my bet...

 

[OSUcowboyinSPFD]

Wanted to update...We got on the 6:00 AM flight. No worries, no grief from the staff. We got up at 3:45 AM. I am really tired.

 

[DandyDon]

Wanted to update...We got on the 6:00 AM flight. No worries, no grief from the staff. We got up at 3:45 AM. I am really tired.

Glad you made it ok. So you just went to the airport and asked - and made it ok?

I know the feeling. I have to get up at 1 or 2 am to make a 5am flight when I go. Takes me a couple of days to catch up. ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzz