luli38

Call me a Nervous Nelly, but I just looked at our tickets to Rome and see where we only have 40 minutes to catch our plane to Rome once we land at JFK! My arriving flight arrives in Terminal 9 and the departing flight leaves from Terminal 9--is terminal 9 huge or does it have a manageable number of gates? I called the airline and they insist that they were able to book this as a connection because the mandated time was allowed between connections. I know that I should have been more careful when booking, but they came up with the schedule and I was crazy enough to just go along! Anyway, I talked to them about changing to a different flight and that is out of the question as it would require a penalty plus a rebooking of all legs of the flight. What do you think?

thit_cho

If you arrive on time, 40 minutes should be fine. As for checked luggage, however...

I have very often made tight connections -- my checked luggage rarely has made the same connection. It must be stopping for a drink and bathroom break between flights, while I just run.

ellenem

It seems as if Terminal 9 consists of a single departure concourse with 10 departure gates. You shouldn't have a problem unless there are significant flight delays.

http://www.panynj.gov/aviation/jfkframe.HTM

Intrepid1

Your luggage may very well GET to the departing plane before you do since it doesn't have to wait for all those people "up there" who decided to bring everything they own on this flight and are having even more trouble getting it out of the overhead bins they they did stuffing it in.

nytraveler

First - if you don;t already have boarding passes be sure you get them for both legs at the originating airport.

As long as this is all on one ticket(it appears to be American) the airline is responsible for rebooking you if you miss your flight to Rome due to their late arrival. And - if there are a bunch of people connecting from your flight to Rome they may even hold the Rome plane for a few minutes. The only problem is that if you're the last - or only - plane of the day you'll have to wait until the next day.

Your luggage may or may not make it. I would be sure to put at least one change of clothes in your carry-on in case your luggage is delayed.

j_999_9

Agree with just about everything nytraveler said, but have one suggestion.

When there's a brief time between connecting flights, some airlines will out a "hot" label on your baggage, to tell the handlers that those bags have to be dealt with first. I don't know which one you're flying, but it wouldn't hurt to ask about the hot label when you check your bags. Nothing to lose by doing it.

Intrepid1

I still think with 40 minutes you and your luggage will make it.

The airline already knows which bags need to be transferred that's why they load them into a separate part of the baggage hold.

You WILL MAKE THIS CONNECTION...to hear someone saying that you "may or may not" is not the reason you asked this question since you have already decided you are not goping to change your arrangements..why would you want any MORE doubts in your head than you already have?????

Celiaanne

Did you ask about flying on an earlier flight stand-by? Just my opinion, but I would do everything possible to move up the original flight!

Good luck!

luli38

Thanks for all the great responses! You have all helped ease my nerves substantially. I wish I could just be more like my husband whose attitude is "we will make it" or "we will just take the next flight" or "if we have to wait until the next day, we will enjoy ourselves in New York". I think I just need a vacation from all the planning!

kayd

You will make it and so will your bags, but you'll be less nervous about it all if you pack so that you can spend your first day without the checked bags.

I always write the address and phone number of my destination hotel on the back of my business card as the ID in my luggage tags. I began doing this after my bag went missing on a Barcelona-Madrid flight (short flight, no connection) and I've not had any trouble since.

luli38

Thanks for the suggestion--I will do that. I had already planned on packing some of my clothes in my carry-on just in case. After my friend's bags were lost on her honeymoon trip to Egypt she had to wear black leggings (purchased by her tour guide, no less) for 3 days--her experience taught me to always pack at least a few things in my carry on!