35 Minute Connection time Sufficient? (Ft Lauderdale to Bogota)

GregYohn says on Jul 8, 2008, 09:21:

Hola!

Imagine there is a flight delay since there is bad weather from the airport where you live or that some family was delayed by extra baggage going to the plane at a time when there is additional people and baggage for all airlines. If the flight is delayed coming to your airport, it may not leave on time. Will Spirit still be operating as an airline then?

Would you like to gamble 5 months from now and say it will be a nice travel day and risk waiting for the next day to fly to Colombia?

Get another flight or sleep overnight at FLL or your home airport to make your connection!

12VOIP.com gives free calls to Colombia.Greg

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toneloc24 says on Jul 8, 2008, 09:30:

Seriously doubt that it's gonna happen, but whatever.

Know this. All international flights from the USA close check-in 60 minutes before scheduled departure time. I'm not sure if you can check-in online with Spirit or not, esp. for international travel.

Also if you plan on checking in luggage, completely forget about it.

"Don't tase me, bro!!!!"

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viajero123 says on Jul 8, 2008, 09:30:

I think you can make it if you don't take checked baggage. Otherwise it is uncertain. i have no personal experience with such short connection times though.

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gamm2 says on Jul 8, 2008, 09:30:

I have flown Spirit (domestically) several times over the past two years as well as my family and friends. I really dont see them as an airline that is going to be shutting down any time soon... It it really a risk that the airline will be shut down in 5 months?

Otherwise I think my main risk is I will miss the Bogota flight and be stuck a day in Ft Lauderdale. This isnt a huge deal as I will still have a week before I have to go back to work. Maybe I could get them to put me on a flight to Cartagena and it will all work out fine!!!

I just am a little iffy because I dont see this Bogota flight coming up on any of the flight search engines...

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toneloc24 says on Jul 8, 2008, 09:36:

35 minutes for an international connection in a climate and holiday season where things changes rapidly (delays), I wouldn't box myself in like that.

If you're determined to realize that cheap fare, then just have a plan B, C, & D.

Plan B - Stay in FLL overnite.

Plan C - Cartagena, then buy a ticket from Cartagena to Bogota

Plan D - Go down to Miami and buy full fare ticket with AA or Avianca.

"Don't tase me, bro!!!!"

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mcheasley says on Jul 8, 2008, 09:39:

At the FLL airport 35 minutes might work.. As Greg said, there can be problems especially with Spirit Air... If you are thinking about checking any luggage, NO WAY your bags will make your flight...

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gamm2 says on Jul 8, 2008, 09:40:

The whole flight is a Spirit flight though. So its really their fault if I dont make the connecting flight. I wonder how hard they will work to get me to Bogota. I think one time I was flying TACA to Bogota from Mexico City and I missed my connecting flight in Costa Rica. So they put me on a flight to Panama and then to Bogota on a totally different airline because there were no more flights to Bogota that day. Can I expect that type of thing from Spirit too?

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GregYohn says on Jul 8, 2008, 09:44:

Hola!

Spirit could stop Bogota as a location or even declare bankruptcy.

Remember Jet Blue getting messed up in NYC on Valentine's Day 2006? My LaGuardia flight was canceled by Delta to Miami the night before my flight, due to bad weather, so I could not fly to Cartagena that weekend! Look at the Weather Channel and see the 1-2 hour delays around NYC, Boston, Philly, or DC during bad weather. Avianca was leaving on time from JFK, since it was not delayed by bad weather elsewhere in the US. Your flight might not leave the airport on time, because other planes are ahead of your plane on the tarmac.

Bad weather needs to be expected during December.

With all planes full at Christmas, how can another airline get you to Bogota very easily if Spirit messes up? They might just say that they will just get you a hotel room for the night and you get on the next day's flight!

12VOIP.com gives free calls to Colombia.Greg

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sloopskipper says on Jul 8, 2008, 09:47:

"Can I expect that type of thing from Spirit too?"

From all I read, I doubt it, and with established airlines going bust, I wouldn't want to invest the money to fly 5 months in advance.

For me 35 minutes is too short, especially for international flight, even flying with the same line.

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GregYohn says on Jul 8, 2008, 09:53:

Hola!

I forgot to mention that your bags have to get screened by customs in addition to the regular domestic handling procedures.

12VOIP.com gives free calls to Colombia.Greg

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viajero123 says on Jul 8, 2008, 09:58:

Maybe you could get an insurance that will cover flight delays, missed connections, and your luggage arriving later, and Spirit canceling the flight to Bogotá altogether. Anyone had any experiences with these types of insurance?

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ColombianoGringo says on Jul 8, 2008, 10:10:

Most airlines mandate at least a 45 minute layover. Since you are not changing airlines, you might make it, but I wouldn't count on your bags getting there with you. You should definitely take a change of clothes in your carry on. I always do that regardless of the itinerary and it has saved me more than once from having to walk around in dirty clothes.

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pavo says on Jul 8, 2008, 10:17:

I find it a rare flight that departs to Bogota that leaves on time. I'll bet a fiver you make it.

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miamimike says on Jul 8, 2008, 10:20:

35 minutes??? Forget it!

My Avatar-- Sarah Palin Says " "You know the difference between a pit bull and a hockey mom?? Lipstick!" Now on a Short Verbal Tether by the Honorable John McCain

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toneloc24 says on Jul 8, 2008, 10:34:

Here's the first problem. What happens if the 1st flight to FLL is delayed??? That's more than possible during the holiday season. They won't delay the BOG flight to wait for you.

"Don't tase me, bro!!!!"

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marbelmorales says on Jul 8, 2008, 12:52:

I got my mom's airline tickets with Continental and it is a non stop from Houston to Bogota only $799.80 round trip. I would not risk losing my flight.

"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."

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ColombianoGringo says on Jul 8, 2008, 12:56:

Sadly, That is a really good price for the direct flight these days. I usually go through Miami or FLL despite living in Houston.

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gamm2 says on Jul 8, 2008, 13:31:

My flight is only $475 and it includes a flight from my really small town in the south (so hopefully no weather problems...!!) I think I'm going to risk it, buy the $12 flight insurance and not check any luggage..., though thats not going to be fun because I will be home almost a month!!.

I shall sleep on it!! Seriously all the other flights are like $1000 at least and not connecting to my hometown.

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GregYohn says on Jul 8, 2008, 13:35:

Hola!

It might be better to take a late flight and sleep there at FLL then wait around for another flight at Christmas. I have heard stories that some people have to wait more than a day sometimes to get a missed connection around Christmastime.

You could always plan for one night in FLL and then if you made your flight you could feel happy!

12VOIP.com gives free calls to Colombia.Greg

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Gator says on Jul 8, 2008, 14:00:

That's cutting it wyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy too close.

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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