Extra time in/around El Dorado due to construction?

toneloc24 says on Jun 12, 2008, 15:19:

It's only when arriving into Colombia. Depending on where you sit on the plane, how quickly you can get to the plane door to catch the 1st shuttle to the terminal from the plane, and whether you check in baggage, the additional time could be 20-70 minutes more.

At least, at night, they park the plane way out on the airfield, and send shuttles (buses) to the plane for deplaning passengers. Everyone is then shuttled into the international gates for DIAN processing. If awaiting checked-in bags, add another 30-40 minutes.

Note: If you are on a late arriving flight, and you have a connection, no matter what they (Avianca) tells you in El Dorado, it would still be in your best interest to get over to El Dorado, irregardless of the time.

Departing Colombia, no such worries.

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

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Jun 12, 2008, 18:17:

Ouch! No upgrade on this trip so I'll be back in cattle class with my fellow peasants and peons. And I will have checked luggage. Sounds like I'll be cooling my heels for a while; oh well, that's the price of progress...

Thanks for the info.

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adrimm says on Jun 12, 2008, 20:42:

For the same reason, try to go light & carry-ons/wrap fragile things well. The shuttle I was on had very little seating, so many of use were left standing & hanging on to the straps/ poles.. There were enough sudden stops & turns that you'll likely want to use both hands.

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toneloc24 says on Jun 13, 2008, 08:15:

Clarification: "Note: If you are on a late arriving flight, and you have a connection, no matter what they (Avianca) tells you in El Dorado, it would still be in your best interest to get over to "PUENTE AEREO," irregardless of the time."

I say this because, in May, I too had to deal with a late arriving flight. No checked bags. Scheduled to land in BOG at 8:30pm, actually arrived at 9:15pm, and I had a flight to BAQ at 9:45pm. Dealing with the shuttle, a 1980's OJ Simpson-like sprint and hurdle down the corridor to DIAN, confusion with the Avianca connection desk in El Dorado. I finagled my way over to Puente Aereo on the shuttle, and made it to the connection desk there at 9:45 pm. They checked me in for me for my 9:45 pm flight, which just happened to be delayed.

Rubito - Unfortunately, you're gonna get hosed on baggage charges with Spirit. Even worse, a few people who had to connect in FLL with Spirit, missed their flights due to the long, slow-moving lines and horrible customer service.

You may need to suck up the price and deal with Avianca or Delta from JFK. Both have offices in NYC and Bogota, and direct flights from NYC. Connecting with Spirit in FLL sounds like pain, esp. if you're moving down to Bogota and checking in a bunch of stuff.

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

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