20 minute connection LAX-MKE-DCA

[psi999]

As per thread title i have a LAX-MKE-DCA flight coming up and just noticed that my connecting flight has been rescheduled leaving a 20 minute transfer.

Ive sucesfully made some tight connections before (including checked luggage) but never as tight as 20 mins - especially at an unfamiliar airport.

Have tried a trial booking since the schedule change and still comes up as a valid connection.

flight specifics are as follows:

Carrier:

Frontier airlines (although operated by Midwest & Republic airlines)

Flight timings & craft:

F9 0963 LAX-MKE Dep: 10:04am Arr: 3:50pm Airbus A319
F9 1624 MKE-DCA Dep: 4:10pm Arr: 6:59pm Embraer E170

So do i have any hope in making this connection & if so including my checked baggage?

Thanks in advance

 

[harvyk]

Whilst you may be able to make this connection, anything going wrong will cause you problems...
You could even have troubles as a result of being unable to get off the LAX-MKE plane quickly enough, and your MKE-DCA flight may even have started boarding before you've even landed in the MKE-DCA plane...
I would see if you can get an earlier LAX-MKE flight or a later MKE-DCA flight...

I guess the most important question, are these two flights on the one PNR?

 

[psi999]

Thanks for your reply Harvy

In answer to your question - Yes both bookings are on a single PNR & can also still be booked via the Frontier website a 'valid' LAX -> DCA connection.

I do hear what you are saying re-delays... this is in the back of my mind also.

Edit - but as both craft are of the smaller variety i thought there may be a method in their madness (first out & last in with our baggage being thrown from one craft to another with swiss precision).

 

[JohnK]

I have contemplated some crazy connections in my time but 20 minutes with checked luggage sounds almost impossible.

Interesting that Frontier is selling this as a valid connection.

 

[harvyk]

Edit - but as both craft are of the smaller variety i thought there may be a method in their madness (first out & last in with our baggage being thrown from one craft to another with swiss precision).

I wouldn't be relying on that...

Whilst I'm sure they have some method to their madness, all it would take is one inattentive baggage handler not to give your bags the priority they need (in either LAX or MKE) to make the connection (eg place your bags onto the plane first) and you'll end up in DCA with your bags in MKE.

 

[psi999]

After some fairly intensive google searching ive come up with this thread from our good friends over at flyertalk.

YX Newbie ?s: 20 min connex in MKE? - FlyerTalk Forums

This is the guts of the above:

Hi ... I am a loyal DL customer who is on YX tomorrow for the first time. I'm flying ATL-DSM via MKE, returning on Wednesday same routing. I bought the ticket today and YX was easily $1200 cheaper than ALL competitors. Impossible to turn it down due to corp travel policy, but I'm also looking forward to experiencing the product, which seems well-regarded.

If you'll indulge me, I have a couple of newbie questions ...

- My outbound layover in MKE is 26 minutes, my return layover is only 20 minutes! My MKE-DSM segments are on Skywest. I was suprised they'd sell such a short connection, but I've got a full travel day in my schedule, so I figured I'd roll the dice for the cheaper fare. What are the odds I'll make this connection in MKE? How about my checked luggage? Will YX interline me if I miss the connection (staying on YX would result in 5-6 hours delay)?

I wouldn't worry too much about the short connection. Midwest usually holds flights for connecting passengers, so you should be good.

Let us know how the flights go and what you think of the Midwest experience overall.

I booked my mother in law (who is very stressed about flying) on a 20 minute connection through MKE on YX. She made it with no problem and the connecting flight left the gate 5 minutes early. I wouldn't be concerned about the short connection time only because it is YX and MKE.

So, how did it go?

It went just as you all said it would. The ATL-MKE segment was actually a touch delayed due to late arrival of inbound equip. We made up most of the time in the air, but even a ten minute delay can be a problem with such a short connection. Like you all said, they held my connection, not just for me, but for four others who arrived after me. Today is my return with the 20 minute connection and I'm not sweating it at all.

I'm with you guys and not terribly trusting (especially out of LAX) but based on the above it seems YX/F9 regularly schedule 20 minute connections.

Now to wing it or not - that is the question.

 

[ejb]

With the FT comments I say have a go! It will be an adventure.

ejb

 

[ReLoad]

I got 10 bucks on you making the connection and 10 bucks on your luggage NOT making the connection

Just make sure you have a window seat so you can see them loading on your bags

 

[ellen10]

Wow 20 minute connection. I would be so stressed.

Hope it all works out, my moneys with reload

 

[Carfield]

As a previous YX (Midwest) customer, the old YX is very aware of these tight connections and they will try to hold the flights as long as possible. However, with this transition to Frontier, I am not sure what will happen.

However checking the schedule, there is a 7:35pm flight from MKE to DCA as well, so you should be fine even if you miss the 4pm flight. If your bags don't make it to the original flight, F9/YX will put them at the 7:35pm flight.

Midwest at least in its old self is very good with baggage transfer and MKE is a relatively small airport and is easy to navigate.

Don't worry! May is a relatively quiet travel month and there are options!

Carfield

 

[Carfield]

BTW enjoy the complimentary Midwest's signature warmed chocolate chip cookies!
I really like the "old" Midwest, but Republic Airways at least preserve this good tradition of serving freshly warmed chocolate chip cookie!

Carfield

 

[psi999]

BTW enjoy the complimentary Midwest's signature warmed chocolate chip cookies!
I really like the "old" Midwest, but Republic Airways at least preserve this good tradition of serving freshly warmed chocolate chip cookie!

Carfield

Indeed, the cookies were brilliant.

Well thought id chuck an update in this thread.

I decided to go through with the original booking expecting full well for the connection to fall through.

It didn't.

Plane landed in Milwaukee, walked off one plane (Frontier) in and onto the next (Midwest) - Midwest / Frontier are ALL over it.

Our bags were even waiting for us when we arrived in Washington DC.

By far the two most enjoyable 'internal' flights i had (6 other flights spread between United, AA, Continential, US airways)