Is this too tight? Status run

[wheatbix]

Hey everyone, so i'm looking for a little advice regarding an upcoming status run I'm thinking of doing. Unfortunately the timing is rather tight.

I'll be flying into LAX on a westjet flight landing at 4:05pm Friday 27th September. I'll have a bit of luggage with me was going to drop it off at a luggage storage place then beginning the run with AA. I'm chasing a minimum of 420 Qantas SC's, the only problem is I have to be back the following night for QF12 LAX - SYD leaving at 10:10pm.

This is what I've come up with:


Which leaves 4 hours to get off the plane, get my luggage (supposedly they're able to drop it to you at the curb), check in and reclear security, assuming everything runs to plan. Any advice or tips would be great

 

[Boris spatsky]

Should be ok. I allow a minimum of 3 hours and that has been tight a few times.

 

[moa999]

IAD connection is pretty tight, although looks to be a continuing flight number so should be ok.

Given your 3hr connection at Dallas, could you take the luggage with you and then check the luggage all the way to Sydney - as oneworld they should allow this.

 

[wingspan]

I'll have a bit of luggage with me was going to drop it off at a luggage storage place then beginning the run with AA.

Getting out to a luggage storage place would take up a fair bit of time. If I could, I'd consider just checking it in - they could potentially through-check the whole way to SYD.

You may also be able to have WS interline your baggage for your AA flights too - although I've never done this on separate bookings.

 

[wheatbix]

I'll have a regular suitcase and a bike box. My concern is that between all the connections something will get screwed up and not all my luggage will make it through to sydney.

Coincidentally I only just booked the LAX - SYD leg. I ended up booking on QF108 which was significantly better price wise, meaning the LAX - SYD departure is 23:50

 

[serfty]

45 minutes at IAD indeed tight, too tight for luggage, although there's a good chance it would be the same equipment.

 

[madrooster]

What happens to the SC's for DFW-IAD-DFW given it is the same flight number?

 

[serfty]

What happens to the SC's for DFW-IAD-DFW given it is the same flight number?

Good Question.

There's a fwe of these in the states thes day - the Origin of a segment is used as a differentiator.

It would post as the two segments if the FF earn software follows IATA guidelines..

 

[CaviAck]

Good Question.

There's a fwe of these in the states thes day - the Origin of a segment is used as a differentiator.

It would post as the two segments if the FF earn software follows IATA guidelines..

I'd assume that it's like QF1/2/9/10 where it'll be calculated as SYD/MEL-LHR even though it stops in DXB.

 

[serfty]

I'd assume that it's like QF1/2/9/10 where it'll be calculated as SYD/MEL-LHR even though it stops in DXB.

Not the same situation.

Look at the itinerary - AA1487 flys both DFW-IAD & IAD-DFW. The OP would be on both segments each having the same flight number .

 

[ncm]

Just got back from the LOTFAP which included a trip down to SJU. Routing was SAN-LAX-SFO-LAX-MIA-SJU. After a schedule change the stop in SFO was only 45mins which meant a hassle checking in at SAN as the computer wouldn't print the luggage tags owing to a short connection. The check-in agent had to call a supervisor and they ended up hand-writing the tag with the above routing. Was travelling with SWMBO and we both had a checked case each (although carry-on with change of clothes etc.). I was majorly concerned about the short connection times (90 mins LAX, 45 mins SFO, 60 mins LAX, 180 mins MIA) but it all worked out in the end with the cases making it to SJU.

The major incident came at LAX where I could see the baggage guy on the apron through the window from my seat in 1F. He was scanning bags and loading them on to the conveyor and into the fuselage when I saw him try to scan my case. It wouldn't read so he set it aside. Same with the second case. When all other cases were loaded he called over another couple of guys and they all tried scanning them. As it was obviously hand-written it wouldn't scan (even though I saw in the end that a barcode had been manually stuck on). By this time the aircraft door had been closed and we were obviously nearing departure. I could see them discussing what to do with them and after reading the routing they all just kind of shook their heads. I almost knocked on the inside of the window to alert them as I feared that they were going to leave them there (which wasn't an issue as we did an up-and-back to SFO and I only needed them to be on the LAX-MIA sector so that they were at least on the east coast), but I thought better of creating a scene so close to departure. In the end they all kind of shrugged their shoulders and threw them on without scanning. After that I had no idea whether they made it, although sitting in 1K again for the MIA-SJU leg I saw 5 or 6 luggage trolleys roll up pre-departure and dump 30-40 bags on to the conveyor. I didn't see either of ours so thought that the SFO layover probably cooked our goose. I can tell you that it was a long couple of hours down to SJU worrying about it. Got to say I was quite surprised when they rolled out (first on the belt mind you) down in Puerto Rico

Nothing bad to say about AA though. Been 9 years since I'd flown them and they are a LOT better. Newish planes (save for the awful 757 LAX-MIA) and everything on time. Even the FA's were personable. Lounge access not an issue with my QF WP card, as were drink chits for the AAdmirals Clubs. Even got to use the QF FLounge/AA Flagship Lounge in LAX T4 twice in an afternoon (I think the waiter had a second take when we came back in after the SFO run).

 

[wheatbix]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

@ncraigm - was that all on one booking or seperate bookings combined?

I've opted for a slightly different route that ends up being cheaper with more SC's. Tightest layover would then be at MIA at 55 minutes. I'm contemplating just checking my bag and bike all the way through to sydney, it would certainly be less hassle (as long as they show up at the other end!).

Does AA have priority baggage? Has anyone had much experience with it if so? Hopefully that might aid my bags in their journey.

 

[ncm]

@ncraigm - was that all on one booking or seperate bookings combined?

wheatbix - it was all one booking. Not sure it would have ticketed originally as I think after one of the legs was rescheduled it may have contravened MCT's. We were going to be in SAN so I just played with the flights as best I could. Undoubtedly better runs out there but it suited us perfectly. With what was/is already booked it requalifies us both WP with ~8 months of our membership year remaining, so it was worth it. (The couple of days in SJU were nice as well).

Had mixed experiences re priority baggage. In LAS we were near last (having come off a BA flight from LGW), SFO was in with the rest, SJU first on the belt (per above). I'd definitely look at getting it tagged to SYD. At least with those three letters on there they will send it. If it stops at MIA or DFW then there might be a delay in them sending it on or not at all without a nice payment.