Utah Mags: ? re:Tight SLC connection time

**Duffman** · 10-08-2007, 10:49 AM

I'm trying to get a good flight out to Vancouver for a whistler trip, but so far teh best times I can find have a Delta flight with a 43 minute connection time in SLC. On the way back, I really could care less if they lose my crap for a bit, but I would prefer to arrive with my skis and gear (always carry the boots on anyway, I am very paranoid of philly baggage handlers losing everything.) Have any of you guys attempted a connection time this short in SLC with checked ski bags, and how did it work out for you?

**Bite Me** · 10-08-2007, 11:12 AM

Originally Posted by Duffman

I'm trying to get a good flight out to Vancouver for a whistler trip, but so far teh best times I can find have a Delta flight with a 43 minute connection time in SLC. On the way back, I really could care less if they lose my crap for a bit, but I would prefer to arrive with my skis and gear (always carry the boots on anyway, I am very paranoid of philly baggage handlers losing everything.) Have any of you guys attempted a connection time this short in SLC with checked ski bags, and how did it work out for you?

I have had the same situation many times, and think your concern is legitimate. I only had to settle for this scenerio once, and it worked out OK, but there was a real serious sigh of relief when the bag came out in Van.

What I often do is to fly to seatac and drive the 3 hours to Van, have dinner, then go up to whistler. It's a LOT cheaper (including renting in US), the connections are often better, and there are more connections in case there's a weather problem somewhere.

If Delta's already decided, sometimes it's also better to go through Atlanta during the winter than changing planes in SLC due to the problem of a weather disruption, which will totally screw your connections.

**lionelhutz** · 10-08-2007, 12:13 PM

If the layover were in philly I would say you are fucked with regards to getting your shit lost.

43 min would be enough...if planes from philly left on time...are you flying delta? They are pushed aside at PHL because it is a US air hub..accordingly they experience many delays...get a longer connection, or try to fly direct to Seattle and then drive..

**P_McPoser** · 10-08-2007, 12:32 PM

Originally Posted by bite me

I have had the same situation many times, and think your concern is legitimate. I only had to settle for this scenerio once, and it worked out OK, but there was a real serious sigh of relief when the bag came out in Van.

What I often do is to fly to seatac and drive the 3 hours to Van, have dinner, then go up to whistler. It's a LOT cheaper (including renting in US), the connections are often better, and there are more connections in case there's a weather problem somewhere.

If Delta's already decided, sometimes it's also better to go through Atlanta during the winter than changing planes in SLC due to the problem of a weather disruption, which will totally screw your connections.

ATLANTA is never a better option than ANYWHERE.

**Bertier** · 10-08-2007, 12:57 PM

SLC is pretty efficient, but 45 mins is always close. I'd say you'd have a 90% chance if you leave them with 30 minutes or more - Obviously you can't predict this...
You could try sweet talking the gate agent into throwing some "Priority" tags on the bags - they're designed for First class people to get their bags off first.

**Bite Me** · 10-08-2007, 01:04 PM

Originally Posted by P_McPoser

ATLANTA is never a better option than ANYWHERE.

I hate Atlanta airport too, but 2 hours between planes in Atlanta could be a much better option than 45 minutes at SLC if there's a winter storm.

The other Delta option is to go through CIN, which is a nice airport, but may not have a lot of connection potentials to PHI.

Regarding the "Priority Tags" - don't bother. I'm a Delta Platinum Medallion and "Executive Partner" - even with the tags, the bags come out whenever they damn well please. This was a topic on one of the Delta forums for elite level flyers, and ultimately they just sort of shrugged and said, "well we try". (no, they don't).

**bagtagley** · 10-08-2007, 01:28 PM

Originally Posted by P_McPoser

ATLANTA is never a better option than ANYWHERE.

Anything is better than Chicago...anything.

SLC does a solid job, even with crap weather. And, it's a pretty small airport, so getting around isn't a problem (no shuttles or buses between concourses to deal with.). I think 45 minutes would be enough time.

**Duffman** · 10-08-2007, 01:41 PM

I'm not locked into delta, it just is the best price for the flight times I'm looking at currently. I have flown into SLC before and went through the airport pretty quickly, so I'm not worried about making the connection myself, just concerned about the bags. I'll probably risk it, but I wonder how long it would take to get my stuff up at Whistler if the bags are left behind

Also, Bite me, do you drive up to whistler too or just one way the rental car to Vancouver and then take a shuttle from there?

**eCr412** · 10-08-2007, 01:49 PM

i did last year. left from philly, landed in slc, got right on the plane to jackson. everything made it to jackson just fine.

i'll be doing the same in january again. a bit longer of a layover this year, but the biggest thing is my elbow that i just broke 2 days ago. hopefully 3 months is long enough for it to heal.

**uglymoney** · 10-08-2007, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by Duffman

Also, Bite me, do you drive up to whistler too or just one way the rental car to Vancouver and then take a shuttle from there?

Rent it for the week. Last year we rented a minivan for like $240 with tax for the entire week out of Seattle. I'm the kind of guy that shops rental rates every day with coupons, but still, that was dirt cheap /4 people.

Also, O'Hare is the worst, by far.

**skiski** · 10-08-2007, 03:53 PM

Whenever I fly to ski I try to take a carry-on with boots, long underwear, pants, and whatever of the following i can fit - gloves, goggles, shell, socks. That way, if your bag gets lost, you've got the bare essentials to ski the next day. I figure boots are first priority, long undies take up little room, and pants are hard to find in a good fit if you borrow. everything else can usually be demoed or borrowed for a day while you wait on your bag.

**Bite Me** · 10-08-2007, 08:21 PM

Originally Posted by uglymoney

Rent it for the week. Last year we rented a minivan for like $240 with tax for the entire week out of Seattle. I'm the kind of guy that shops rental rates every day with coupons, but still, that was dirt cheap /4 people.

Also, O'Hare is the worst, by far.

Yeah - what he said. It's 2.5 hours to the border from Seatac, and the price savings, both for the price of the rental, as well as the flight is usual very significant. You may be able to add a day or two to your stay for the difference in air/car.

You have to take the car back to the US to keep the deal good, but for sure the price differential will make it worthwhile.

**Bertier** · 10-08-2007, 08:28 PM

Also, if the flight is "operated by skywest" - that's a big plus (besides having to use a CRJ plane).
Those guys are dead on - best service in the industry, IMHO. Skywest should give a clinic on "How to give a shit" to every United, American, and Delta gate agent and ground crew employee.

**Woodsy** · 10-09-2007, 06:47 AM

few things:
1) check for Yossarians traveling post
lots of good tid bits there
2)SLC wont be the problem, leaving philly lat may be. SLC is a small airport and a Delta hub. They live and die on connections there for folks going iin both directions. Weather rarely affects flights there which is amazing considering the snow they get. 43 minutes there is fine if you arrive on time
3) if yo are gonna fly into Seatac, I would ski there for a t least 1 day
4) if you think shipping your skis may be an option, I would reconsider. Shipping things into Canada is a cluster at best and fruitless at worst.

**Lonnie** · 10-09-2007, 07:31 AM

Originally Posted by Woodsy

2)SLC wont be the problem, leaving philly lat may be. SLC is a small airport and a Delta hub. They live and die on connections there for folks going iin both directions. Weather rarely affects flights there which is amazing considering the snow they get. 43 minutes there is fine if you arrive on time.

Nailed it.

**Duffman** · 10-09-2007, 07:04 PM

That is my concern, leaving the clusterf**k known as PHL on time. If I get to SLC, I'm sure it will be fine there.

**givethepigeye** · 10-09-2007, 09:58 PM

Originally Posted by Bertier

You could try sweet talking the gate agent into throwing some "Priority" tags on the bags - they're designed for First class people to get their bags off first.

This never really seems to help me out - it feels like my bags are always the last one up the belt. Maybe the luggage folks like to mess with us at our final destination.

But as has been said before in this thread - I have had zero issues in SLC - I check my bags when flying for work, if I am going for a week and have not had a problem w/ tight connections there. Just in case, take a look at the next flight from SLC to your final destination and that would give you a "worst case" if the bags missed.

**AstroPax** · 10-09-2007, 10:51 PM

Originally Posted by bite me

sometimes it's also better to go through Atlanta during the winter than changing planes in SLC due to the problem of a weather disruption, which will totally screw your connections.

No, no, no. You are so full of shit.

Salt Lake International has just about the best on-time arrival and departure ratings in the industry.

Furthermore, SLC has won national awards for snow and ice removal ops.

One is more likely to be screwed by weather in Atlanta...thunderstorms for example...than by the relatively small amounts of snow that usually fall in the Salt Lake Valley.

-Astro