rkkwan - misread the post, sorry

I just find these threads so fascinating - "I have a short connection, will i make it?"

No one EVER posts while they are booking flights to ask what to do.....

DMB - There is no changing of terminals, and no TSA screening.

Plus, CO will know the passenger is connecting. They'll wait for them unless their flight is significantly late. They won't give away their seat at 30 minutes (or 15 minutes) before flight.

Personally, I won't be comfortable with such a 55-minute connection myself, but again, up to the OP to decide.

rkkwan,

Glad there is no terminal change. However, as you seem to be aware, Terminal C in EWR is HUGE. Depending on connecting gates it can still be a hike.

I am not so sure about CO or any other airline holding for just 1 passenger. A group, maybe?

Either way, the bottom line is that it is ridiculos even under the best of circumstances to have a 55 minute connection time on an international connection unless of course you are Usain Bolt :)

Seamus.. Do you expect CO or other airlines to pay for passeners poor planning? Most airlines are more than accomodating for mis-connects but passengers should not plan on it.

With proper planning mis-connects become a relative non-issue.

Information for the OP: the furthest connection with Terminal C at EWR is about 950 yards, or 0.55mi. If you walk 3MPH, that will take just over 10 minutes.

I think the original poster has never revealed whether he bought a single ticket encompassing legs on two airlines, or two separate tickets, and that makes a major difference in how he will be treated.

That his first flight is reported as on Air Canada (even though it is on Continental metal) makes me guess that he bought separate tickets (otherwise, I think both legs would be listed as Continental?) and if this is so Continental at Newark will treat him as originating at Newark and there will be no accommodations, so the connection is not safe.

If he bought this as a single ticket, Continental will know he is coming and there is a possibility they will allow late boarding. We had a single ticket flight passing through Newark and our first leg was delayed by weather; I had accepted that we would miss the connecting flight, but when we arrived at Newark Continental had an agent calling our name, put us on a cart, and drove us to the connecting gate where they allowed us to board quite late, well beyond the limit.

If this ticket was bought through one of the discount agencies, such as Expedia or Orbitz, it may or may not be a single ticket. I am much more confident buying directly from the airlines.

Maybe continental is different, but on several recent United flights (where there were several connecting pax) the outbound flight did NOT wait even tho in one case it was literally a matter of minutes. So even with one ticket I would NOT count on an airline holding a plane.

If it is two tickets then absolutely not.

There's never any guarantee, but Continental will definitely know about the connecting passengers. It is up to the operation dispatch in Houston whether to hold a flight or not. Many times they will, sometimes they won't. But no way will they close a flight early or give away one's seat if they know you've arrived at EWR and have a reasonable chance to get to the flight before the departure time.

I have a greater risk tolerance than many, so based on the info rk & others have provided I would be ok withe 55min connection.

I've booked far longer connections at many airports and missed the connecting flights due to late incoming arrivals, or simply sitting on the tarmac waiting for a gate to open up.

on the other hand...

I've booked a few shorter connections, or arrived at big, busy airports much closer to departure than 1hr and still made my flight. Not saying it was easy or fun, but one time I was able to pry the gate door as 2 burly agents tried to force it shut and lock me out. (or at least that's how I remember it)

If you are risk tolerant and can adjust when hiccups happen then relax until you touch down in EWR - not a lot you can do before that anyway. Then dash like mad to the connecting gate as soon as you get off the plane...

If you are nervous nellie and the uncertainty will eat you alive the entire flight into Newark, then find a way to get there earlier, i.e. same day standby on an earlier flight.

thanks for the replies. First off, I know the sensible thing would've been to book a lengthier connection time but it wasnt possible,(on my budget). I booked it through a travel website and as i was on an extreme tight budget i had 3 options and all involved the same or worse conection time to catch a dublin flight home that sme day. i knew i was taking a chance. i know it wasnt too clever but needs must.on the way over i had to wait in heathrow for 14 hours to catch the air canada flight :(

so to clarify its just one ticket. thanks for all the sensible replies. its exactly what i was looking for.

To answer another few q's that were asked

I can run like Usain Bolt
I am very risk tolerant, never panic.
even i miss it, im not gonna cry, just wanted to know what were my chances :D