An Hour in Philly....is it doable???

cliffnchristi · Post by **cliffnchristi** » Fri Apr 04, 2014 3:36 pm

By chance, I thought "I think I'll check airfare." Found what I consider to be a decent fare out of RIC with a stop in PHL 5/31-6/7....Here's the catch: only a 57 minute layover; both ways on a Saturday. Is that cutting it too close? We've flown through PHL before and never had a problem going down, but the return flight has always been an issue. The last time we flew from STT to RIC with a stop in PHL, we had to ride the shuttle bus from terminal to terminal so personally, I think it's cutting it too close, but wanted more opinions....bring 'em on!!!!

Agent99 · Post by **Agent99** » Fri Apr 04, 2014 3:57 pm

The only way I would risk it is if both connections were within the same terminal and just a couple of gates apart. Even then it is a risk because often they make you wait to deplane after landing for 45 min to an hour. Philly just doesn't have their sh*t together in my experience. Don't expect any checked luggage to make it- so do carry on only. Philly Airport is not high on my list for efficiency. Just my opinion.

PA Girl · Post by **PA Girl** » Fri Apr 04, 2014 3:57 pm

We often connect through PHL when flying south. Which airline? Or maybe a better question is will you be on a prop plane?

In my experience, US airways uses terminal F for their regional prop flights and the "big" planes leave out of terminal A. You will need every bit of that hour to get from F to A via the bus and then to walk from the bus gate to the end of A. And pray your inbound flight is on time. The last three times we had an hour connection in PHL, the flight was boarding as we walked up to the gate, once was final boarding.

cliffnchristi · Post by **cliffnchristi** » Fri Apr 04, 2014 4:17 pm

Thanks to both of you....what both of you described is EXACTLY what happened to us (the delay in deplaning and the bus from A to F). I don't think I'm going to chance it.....Thanks for confirming what I already thought. I'll keep looking for something better to come along.

Agent99 · Post by **Agent99** » Fri Apr 04, 2014 4:44 pm

Good luck and have a great vaca!!!

peacenjoy · Post by **peacenjoy** » Fri Apr 04, 2014 10:19 pm

I wouldn't risk it.
We booked US Air, with a 54 minute connection time on our return trip. By the time they got through their 'rescheduling' our flight, we had a 34 minute connection. THEN then plane was late getting into the gate, so we were late getting out of the gate, and consequently lost another 15 minutes on that connection. We were on the last flight out for the night and I knew we would have to run, to a different concourse. We did, and we made it ONLY because they had asked the folks who were not connecting to stay seated, AND there were maintenance delays on the flight we were running to catch. Thank God they required us to gate check our carry-ons!
Too close for comfort, and it killed the VI island buzz that we had going on.
Hope you have a fabulous trip, no running required.

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