camelbak

Hi there,

Hoping you can help!

I am moving down to the Cayman Islands at the end of February and am starting to scout out flights from Vancouver, BC.

I have found a flight that goes YVR-LAX-ATL-GCM for a reasonable price (through Travelocity). However, I would have to change airlines in LAX with only a 2 hour layover (so grab bags, recheck in, get to gate, etc.).

Is a 2 hour layover doable? I don't want to cut the time too short, and I will most likely have excess baggage (so that might take a bit longer to check in).

I would be switching from Air Canada to Delta.

Thanks!

lerasp

Check with AC, but they should check your luggage all the way through to GCM. So, in LAX you will only have to change planes. Check what terminals AC and Delta are in and that will give you an idea how much time you need. If you are not late getting into LAX, 2 hrs should be plenty for transfer.

AAFrequentFlyer

You will clear US immigration and customs in YVR. As posted above, AC should be able to check your bags all the way through, so no worries there.

The only thing you need to worry about is the actual transfer between terminals 2 and 5 (a free shuttle bus every 10-15 minutes) and security at term 5. here is a map of LAX:

http://www.lawa.org/lax/terminalMap.cfm

A 2 hours connection, assuming that your flight from YVR arrives on time, is more than enough.

camelbak

The plot tickens...

Just talked to Air Canada. They will not be able to check my bags straight through from YVR through LAX, ATL and then GCM. I will have to pick up and recheck my bags at LAX.

So.....2 hours isn't long enough huh?

I found another flight with a 3 hour connection....but still chewing my nails on this one.

Help!

rkkwan

When you call an airline, they will never promise they can check your bags through. But in your case, between AC and DL, I'll bet $5 that the AC check-in agent at YVR will be able to do so, as AC and DL are major traditional carriers that are certain to have interline baggage agreement.

AAFrequentFlyer

what <b>rkkwan</b> said....

camelbak

Hi,

Thanks. She DID say that they would check your bags through if it was a charter flight, but she said because it's a big carrier I am switching to that they wouldn't check them through - even though the flights are on the same ticket.

Now...I found pretty much the same thing....with a three hour connection time - so even if I had to get and recheck my bags, I could make the connection in time do you think?

One of the reasons I am cautious about this is that I have never flown in to LAX (nevermind transfered flights) and I don't know what to expect...and I have heard nightmare stories about LAX lately.

The itinerary is:

YVR - LAX - February 27th on AC 558
depart 7:00 p.m. - arrive 9:45

LAX - ATL on Delta 560
depart 12:55 a.m. - arrive 8:03 a.m.

ATL - GCM on Delta 935
depart 10:03 a.m. - arrive 12:44 p.m. (Wednesday)

Thanks for all your help!

Gardyloo

Just thought I'd mention that SEA-GCM with only one stop (Houston or Atlanta going, Atlanta coming) is pricing around US$220 cheaper than YVR-GCM with two stops, for your outbound day and returning a week or two later. There's a 6 AM departure that doesn't involve an overnight flight, or a later departure that does. You could take Quick Shuttle the night before and overnight at an airport near Sea-Tac and still save money.

Gardyloo

...overnight at an airport hotel near SEA...

rkkwan

Call back and I will bet $2 that you'll get a different answer from another AC agent.

camelbak

Gardyloo -

Really? hmmmm...maybe I should check that out too!

What website did you find that through?

camelbak

rkkwan,

I bet you $5 that your right.

Gardyloo

<i>What website did you find that through?</i>

ITA but then I confirmed it on Continental.com. Depending on days, can be as much as US$270 less.

camelbak

hmmmm thanks!

I found an Alaskan flight through Seattle/Ft. Lauderdale/Grand Cayman for $265. Just gotta weigh the time cost.

Checked the continental site, but came up with over $500 one way! ????

Thanks for all your help - I really do appreciate it!!

Gardyloo

<i>Checked the continental site, but came up with over $500 one way! ????</i>

Are you looking for one way?

As for the prices, they will definitely vary according to which days of the week you're going or coming; and if via Florida, watch out for pre- and post-cruise departure days, etc.

camelbak

Hi there,

I guess I should have been more specific....yes I am looking for one way...since I will be moving down there for work (got my permit and everything!)

The new work is reimbursing me for my ticket, but I will still like to find the best, and most painless, deal I can find.

Good tip on the cruise ship departure...another thing to take in to account. Eek!

camelbak

Author: camelbak ([email protected])
Date: 01/18/2008, 01:57 pm
Hi there,

Hoping you can help! I've posted on the &quot;Airlines&quot; board, and will also post on the US Board, but hoping someone might be able to help.

I am moving down to the Cayman Islands at the end of February and am starting to scout out flights from Vancouver, BC.

I have found a flight that goes YVR-LAX-ATL-GCM for a reasonable price (through Travelocity). However, I would have to change airlines in LAX with only a 2 hour layover (so grab bags, recheck in, get to gate, etc.).

Is a 2 hour layover doable? I don't want to cut the time too short, and I will most likely have excess baggage (so that might take a bit longer to check in).

I would be switching from Air Canada to Delta.

Thanks!



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Author: Iregeo
Date: 01/18/2008, 02:46 pm
camelbak, if everything goes your way, it's enough time, but cutting it close. Air Canada is in Terminal 2. Delta is in Terminal 5. It is only a few minute, free bus ride between terminals. However, even if your flight is on time, don't you still have to clear customs? If you do, and need to collect your luggage, you'd be out of luck if there is any delay in that process. Alternatively, if your luggage is checked straight through, and your flight is on time, shouldn't be a problem.



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Author: camelbak ([email protected])
Date: 01/18/2008, 02:56 pm
I guess that's the tricky question - whether my flight will be on time and whether they will check my bags straight through.

I have been trying to get through to Air Canada for the past 1/2 hour or so...but their telephone system is messed up! I came up with deadends twice...and am hold right now...to find out whethe they will check my bags straight through - even though I am changing carriers.

Thanks for getting back to me!



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Author: camelbak ([email protected])
Date: 01/18/2008, 03:31 pm
The plot tickens...

Just talked to Air Canada. They will not be able to check my bags straight through from YVR through LAX, ATL and then GCM. I will have to pick up and recheck my bags at LAX.

So.....2 hours isn't long enough huh?

I found another flight with a 3 hour connection....but still chewing my nails on this one.

Help!



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Author: Iregeo
Date: 01/18/2008, 10:48 pm
camelbak, barring extreme delays, I think 3 hrs. should be plenty.



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Author: suze
Date: 01/19/2008, 12:47 pm
I'd be comfortable with 3 hours (but not 2).




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Author: camelbak ([email protected])
Date: 01/19/2008, 02:39 pm
Thanks. I'm thinking three hours would be plenty too, but wanted to hear from people that have had recent experience at LAX.





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Author: camelbak ([email protected])
Date: 01/19/2008, 03:00 pm
Hi again,

Pretty sure I am going to take the route to Grand Cayman through LAX, but wondering if anyone can offer advice on whether to take Delta or AA. I've never flown either so have no idea what to expect with either.

THanks!



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Author: Clifton
Date: 01/19/2008, 03:29 pm

I'd be comfortable with 3 hours too. I've connected through LAX a number of times, but generally heading to or from the international terminal (Tom Bradley). Security lines there are unreal but have made 3 hours. I;m guessing that as you're inbound from Canada, one of the reasons for not checking through is that you're going to have to pick them up and recheck them for immigration/customs anyway.

Delta vs AA - probably not a lot of difference quality wise. Is the AA routing through Dallas? I like AA better personally, but I've had the rottenest luck ever getting through a connection on time at that airport! But I've been stuck in Miami before too with AA, their other southern hub. I've only connected in Atlanta on Delta once (went fine) that I can recall so others may feel the same negativity about ATL.




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Author: camelbak ([email protected])
Date: 01/19/2008, 03:42 pm
Hi there,

Thanks for your reply.

I will be going through US Customs here in Vancouver on my way to LA, and I assume I will be landing in the international terminal and will have to switch to the local terminal?

If my bags go straight through to GCM, will I still have to clear customs (or just a security checkpoint) in LA? I assume I will just be able to walk from the international and check in at Delta (or not, I have no idea!) in the national terminal and go back through security?

The thing with booking online is that I have these zillion questions and noone to answer them, so thanks for any info you can provide.

Any tips on preference to either Detla or AA? Neither seem to provide meals, except if you want to pay, which is definitely something I have to get used to, since the flights I take in CAnada provide free meals in cattle class, and of course international provides meals.

Gardyloo

<i>I will be going through US Customs here in Vancouver on my way to LA, and I assume I will be landing in the international terminal and will have to switch to the local terminal?</i>

No that's the point of pre-clearance at YVR - once US-bound flights leave Vancouver the US treats them as domestic flights, so they land at whatever terminal the airline uses at LAX. Delta will use the Delta terminal (T5) AC T2, Alaska T3 and so on. You won't use the international terminal (TBIT.)

<i>If my bags go straight through to GCM, will I still have to clear customs (or just a security checkpoint) in LA? I assume I will just be able to walk from the international and check in at Delta (or not, I have no idea!) in the national terminal and go back through security?</i>

If your bags are checked through, the next time you'll see them is going through customs at Grand Cayman. You will go through security at LAX when you go to board your connecting flight, but probably not at some place like Atlanta where you'll transfer flights &quot;airside&quot; - i.e. inside security. At LAX you need to switch domestic terminals, and LAX doesn't have &quot;airside&quot; connections between terminals (with one or two exceptions I believe, none of which would apply to you unless you take Alaska to LAX and American out, or stay on one carrier the whole way - Delta for instance.) In that case you'd (probably) stay inside security the whole time.

<i>The thing with booking online is that I have these zillion questions and noone to answer them, so thanks for any info you can provide.</i>

<i>Any tips on preference to either Detla or AA? Neither seem to provide meals, except if you want to pay, which is definitely something I have to get used to, since the flights I take in CAnada provide free meals in cattle class, and of course international provides meals.</i>

Pretty much all buy-on-board.

One thing to note is that you should be sure you have documentation (visa etc.) showing that you're relocating to the Cayman Islands. Sometimes airlines check for proof of onward travel (a security measure) and are suspicious of one-way tickets. I doubt it will be a problem, but you might take extra care when preclearing US immigration in Vancouver to let them know (if asked) that you're transiting the US en route to a new domicile in the Caribbean.

gingera

Hi, two years ago we came thru LAX with a 2 hour window, we came from out of country and the 2 hour was not long enough....due to immigrations.
We had to retrieve our luggage, and then go back thru the long lines of LAX. We were already 1/2 hour late getting off our plane, as someone had gotten quite ill in flight..and with the huge lines at LAX, try to get 3 hours or more

AAFrequentFlyer

Once again, the op will not deal with immigration/customs.

It's basically a domestic-domestic connection.