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Time to Switch Airlines, Rechecking Bags at PHX?

Time to Switch Airlines, Rechecking Bags at PHX?

Old Aug 18th, 2012, 12:05 PM
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Time to Switch Airlines, Rechecking Bags at PHX?

I have a ticket for a flight arriving into PHX on Alaska Airlines at 9:35am. Alaska is in Terminal 2. I am looking in to book a flight leaving PHX on Air Canada at 10:30am. Air Canada is also in Terminal 2.

Since these are two separate tickets, bought separately, and I am checking bags, I would have to retrieve my bags and re-check them in PHX. Is 55 minutes enough time to do this? I know it is cutting it close, but I am curious if it is possible.
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Old Aug 18th, 2012, 12:15 PM
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Have you checked with Alaska to determine if they'll handle the bags, transfer them to Air Canada for you? I read on another forum post that it could be done if asked for at check-in, assuming that unlike Southwest, Alaska transfers bags at all.

Regarding the possibility of picking up and rechecking your bags, the variables are such - on time arrival, speed of bag delivery, negotiating recheck & security, that I wouldn't want to try it. But then I don't do well with rushing at the best of times and maybe it's a thing you can live with. I couldn't.
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Old Aug 18th, 2012, 12:17 PM
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I would double check the terminal information on Air Canada. I fly in and out of PHX Terminal 2 about once every month or two (United) and don't recall seeing Air Canada there in a long time. I'm pretty sure it moved to Terminal 4 a few years ago. IMHO, 55 minutes is not enough time to connect from T2 to T4. Or is the Air Canada flight actually a code share flight operated by United?

http://phxskyharbor.com/airlinesflig...formation.html
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Old Aug 18th, 2012, 01:23 PM
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Alaska does transfer bags if everything is booked as one ticket, but since I would be booking as two separate tickets, I'm not sure that they would.

It does appear that Air Canada switched terminals, and the map I looked at earlier was incorrect. Given that, I guess I will be booking a different ticket.

Thanks for the help!
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Old Aug 18th, 2012, 01:33 PM
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My point was that I've heard about, but not experienced, airlines transferring bags even when not booked as 1 ticket. If you ask Alaska they may arrange it for you at check-in. Call them and ask, then you may not need another ticket.
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Old Aug 18th, 2012, 02:58 PM
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I would be less concerned about checking bags through (which Alaska probably would do) than the fact that since you have separate tickets, neither carrier would be responsible in case of a misconnect. I wouldn't book separate tickets with a 55 min connection with or without bags.
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Old Aug 19th, 2012, 06:33 AM
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55 minutes, with or without a terminal change (AC moved to Terminal 4 at PHX in 2008) is below the minimums for AC. Read here: http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelin...t/checkin.html Assuming the OP is heading to Toronto on AC's 10:30 flight, then there wouldn't be enough time even without bags (60 min.)

I'd also phone Alaska Airlines to see if they even can through-check bags to an international destination when the domestic and international flights are on separate PNRs (records.) Alaska will not do a passport check when checking in on a domestic flight, and will not know if the traveler's documents are in order for the international segment, so my guess (just a guess) is that they won't check the bags to Toronto, in which case the OP has zero chance of making the connection in Phoenix.

In my view the trip needs to be re-planned with sufficient connection time, or a new route planned altogether.
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