Weighing up risk..

[michaele]

Hi all,

Looking for your advice on what you'd actually do in this situation:

I have a trip to Canada planned in June, where the entire trip will probably end up being 4-5 days - ie fly out and land on the 4th and fly home on the 8th (arriving on the 10th).

I have a wedding (I am in the bridal party for) on Sat 10th. To maximise the time in Canada, I am looking to fly 15 on the 8th, arriving on the Sat for the wedding at 6am. Even a late departure of a few hours from LAX wont be a big issue, I wont need to do anything until later that day.

Given there are multiple flights LAX-AUS which could all get me back by 830a on the Sat should something drastic happen to 15, would you personally take that flight over coming home a day earlier (and making the trip almost not worth it in the first place?) I'll be flying in on WJ arriving at 4pm at LAX, 7 hours before departure and plenty of time to confirm everything is looking smooth (or potentially rebook onto 12/94 if necessary!) As a WP, I assume there will be a bit of assistance should a plane go tech, also minimising the risk.. unless it was to happen on departure - ie after 12/94 had departed.

I know this is full of plenty of low risk hypotheticals, and I understand the conditions of carriage give me no promises etc - just looking to hear from others what you'd do in this situation!

 

[NoName]

Being in the bridal party means you are a pretty important part of the wedding. I'd be coming home a day early to minimise the chance of any delay disrupting a good friend's big day. Just my opinion though.

 

[mannej]

Seriously, is it worth the risk or the stress?

It's a disaster waiting to happen.

 

[equus]

If you do decide to risk it, make sure you have Travel Insurance that covers paying for alternate flights to get to the destination on time for special events - and that being part of the bridal party at a wedding is included. Depending on frequency of alternatives, this may assist your ability to make alternative carrier revenue bookings if required - so some risk mitigation.

 

[Mattg]

I once endured 9 hours on an overnight bus in Brazil because all the flights on that route were cancelled (due to weather) and I couldn't wait to fly the next day as I had a wedding to get to.

My advice is to fly home a day earlier.

 

[jb747]

Anything other than 24 hours early is beyond tempting fate.

 

[RichardMEL]

Not to mention the exhaustion factor!!! You want to show up at a wedding like the Walking Dead??

 

[Batterytraveller]

My last LAX-MEL was diverted to Sydney due to strong headwinds not leaving enough fuel reserves for extended circling over a storm lashed Melbourne. I was over 4 hours late home. Probably won't happen to you but I'd give yourself the 24 hrs grace.

 

[docjames]

Add me to the chorus of "plan to arrive no later than 24hrs prior"....

 

[SuzieQ68]

+1 for coming home earlier. I don't think I'd like to run the risk of not showing up because of delays ....... the bride might not be very forgiving.

 

[Justinf]

Not only will it stress you out, it will stress the bride out big time.
Count me in for an early, rather than late vote.

 

[williamsf1]

If you do decide to risk it, make sure you have Travel Insurance that covers paying for alternate flights to get to the destination on time for special events - and that being part of the bridal party at a wedding is included. Depending on frequency of alternatives, this may assist your ability to make alternative carrier revenue bookings if required - so some risk mitigation.

Its cutting it way too fine even with insurance ... Considering most flights depart around the same time, If something was to go wrong ( it seems to allways happen very close to departure) by the time you sorted another airline or flight most likely would have departed for the day

 

[straitman]

I'm another for heading home a day earlier. I wouldn't even contemplate what you are considering. The stress IF/WHEN it goes wrong is simply not worth it.

 

[serfty]

Agree with the others; Certainly a day earlier is better due to the activity on the 10th.

If everything is on time you have 30+ hours to shape up for BM duty after your trip. A day later gives at best only 6 hours or so. A two hour delay eats hugely into that.

 

[blackcat20]

Don't risk it; would you forgive yourself if you missed the wedding (and more importantly, would the bride?)

 

[straitman]

Seems pretty unanimous from where I'm sitting.

 

[JohnK]

Add me to the chorus of "plan to arrive no later than 24hrs prior"....

And I'm the opposite which is probably why I have so many issues travelling.

 

[Peterfrequent]

Hi
I would advise strongly against travel so late. First, the chance of disruption is quite real. Second, the effect of jet lag will diminish your value at the event. Preferably I would arrive at least 1 day prior. I would also ensure there is a back-up flight(s) available should disruption occur. If the aircraft has a problem after you check-in, you certainly won't be able to change and rebook onto other services even if available.

 

[CatherineC]

Please put yourself in the bride's position. She has asked you to be an important part of a very big day in her life. How would she take to having to deal with a missing 'bridesmaid' and everything that goes with it! She also doesn't need any added stress on the day and she probably won't be very forgiving....every time she looks at the wedding photos with a mismatched wedding party she will remember.....Yes, the flights may all go to plan but it really isn't a great idea to arrive on an overseas flight from a significantly different timezone on the same day as you need to support a bride.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Hope you have a very very good reason to/for travelling half way around the world in so short a time period.
Both Canadian and Aust immi, Aust esp.