marvelousmouse

I can potentially change a flight. I can fly from London to OAK and then catch another airline to BLI. The question is: how long should the time between my flights be? I have not been to OAK before. Any strong feelings, negative or positive?

(This is for a few reasons, in case you want to know. But primarily it's because my other option is to fly into seatac and then take the shuttle to Bellingham at a foul hour of the night...and that would actually cost me more money.)

PaulRabe

I flew into Oakland Airport last month, and it's a pretty small airport -- only two terminals.
http://www.oaklandairport.com/maps-d...-terminal-map/
Note that one of these terminals is used entirely by Southwest Airlines; if you are connecting between any other airlines, then your connection won't involve much a walk at all.
I think you'll have a bigger issue of ensuring that a flight from London to Oakland will arrive on time. If you give yourself an hour to connect but the flight from London arrives two hours late, it won't matter HOW close the two gates are.

marvelousmouse

Thanks, Paul Rabe! Yeah, I'm concerned about the possibility of a late flight. Considering spending extra money to stay the night.

Have you by chance flown Allegiant? I'm usually leery of low cost carriers but it looks like I could also fly through Vegas if I was willing to use them.

janisj

I avoid Allegiant unless there is no other option -- but that is just me.

They charge extra for everything.

But the main problem w/ separate bookings at any time is there is no protection. If you are delayed at all you are SOL. Not sure - does Allegiant fly every day to Bellingham? Because if you miss the flight you could be stuck in OAK a few days.

Also -- (just me personally) I would NOT stay overnight near OAK. I used to have to every month or 6 weeks for business and it is not a safe area. (Only place I've ever been robbed in my life BTW). I wouldn't stay anywhere along the Hegenberger corridor.

marvelousmouse

Figured it out! I chickened out of Allegiant after reading the reviews. I'm flying into Oakland, staying two nights downtown SF and then flying to BLI on Alaskan Airlines. It's not direct but, hey, an entire day in Britext fabrics and then I don't have to worry so much about delays. I was really worried about missing that flight.

LOL- and you are right, they charge for everything!! Figured out after adding it up that it would only be an extra 20 for Alaskan and I figure the 20 is well worth peace of mind...

janisj

>>I'm flying into Oakland, staying two nights downtown SF and then flying to BLI on Alaskan Airlines

marvelousmouse

OAK.

Fodorite018

Great solution, and a day at Britex will be fun! I picked out the fabric there for our bridesmaid dresses ages ago, and still remember the day. You might need an extra bag to get home though

Michael

There is an easy BART connection from OAK to downtown SF; just take the airport shuttle to the BART station.

marvelousmouse

Mms- LOL, I considered that. But then it occured to me that if the German markets don't do my bank account in, Paris will! Alas, the only time I ever make it to Britex in when I'm feeling exceptionally broke. Which is probably for the better- it's always the most expensive fabrics that call to my inner magpie!

Fodorite018

marvelousmouse--I always end up shipping boxes home from Paris Even the remnants in Britex are fun though! I am envious, it has been about 8 years since I have been there.

suze

Sounds like you've already got it figure out. But Oakland is a fine airport, small, easy. It's what I use flying to San Francisco from Seattle.

Dayenu

If you are using BART - confirm the trains will be running when you need them. We have to use shuttles for early Sunday flights at BART stations open at 8 am, and the trains don't wait for you at exactly 8 am at each station.

There is also a connecting train from BART to OAK.