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Do You Run to Make Traveling Connections?

Posted on 1/25/24 at 11:42 pm
Posted by CuseTiger
On the road
Member since Jul 2013
8197 posts
Posted on 1/25/24 at 11:42 pm
In my younger days, I used to run to make sure I made flights when delays, weather, or traffic caused cutting it close situations. Same thing with trains, subways, and busses especially in the cities. Now that I'm getting older, I'm realizing it's not worth it. Had booked an hour and 45 minute connection in Atlanta tonight and those thunderstorms that rolled through at 6pm meant an extra hour of circling in the air. By the time I got to ATL I had 20 minutes to get off, run down to the train, run up the escalator, then run to the gate. I realized I'd rather have dinner and use the app to rebook myself to a flight that left an hour and 20 minutes later.

Curious for those who are leisure travelers or those who travel for work, do you push yourself to make flight, train, or travel connections? If so, why do you do it? If not, do you find yourself to be more relaxed as a result?
Posted by H2O Tiger
Delta Sky Club
Member since May 2021
6614 posts
Posted on 1/26/24 at 12:01 am to
I always push myself to make the flight on Thursday. I want to get home and sleep in my own bed.

Monday AM flights, IDGAF and I'll take the next one. Client can wait.
Posted by jbgleason
Bailed out of BTR to God's Country
Member since Mar 2012
18897 posts
Posted on 1/26/24 at 4:44 am to
Nope. It's a rule for me. I walk straight there at a brisk pace. If I don't make it, I don't make it. I refuse to be one of those idiots running through the airport screaming for people to move like it's a footchase in a movie.
Posted by 2 Jugs
Saint Amant
Member since Feb 2018
1843 posts
Posted on 1/26/24 at 5:50 am to
In 2012, my friend and I looked like OJ Simpson trying to catch our connecting flight to MUC. Only to watch the plane back away from the gate.

I don't think any of my other flights have been that close.
Posted by Joshjrn
Baton Rouge
Member since Dec 2008
27013 posts
Posted on 1/26/24 at 8:11 am to
It depends. If I'm in a major hub with flights leaving to my destination every hour, then a solid power walk will do.

If the next plane/train/ferry is fricking tomorrow, you can bet your arse that I'm booking it
Posted by CuseTiger
On the road
Member since Jul 2013
8197 posts
Posted on 1/26/24 at 8:34 am to
quote:

I always push myself to make the flight on Thursday. I want to get home and sleep in my own bed

That's fair, was definitely ready for my own bed last night. I couldn't do anything though as we left Austin late due to a late inbound.

quote:

If the next plane/train/ferry is fricking tomorrow, you can bet your arse that I'm booking it

The app auto rebooked me for a 2pm flight on Friday vs the original 8pm Thursday. I ended up checking the app and luckily got the next flight an hour later. If I would've had to spend the night in Atlanta then i probably would've hurried a bit.
Posted by Displaced
Member since Dec 2011
32707 posts
Posted on 1/26/24 at 8:37 am to
Vacation flights? Yes

Casual or work? No
Posted by TheDeathValley
New Orleans, LA
Member since Sep 2010
17151 posts
Posted on 1/26/24 at 8:42 am to
I fly every second week, and despite 100-125 segments annually, I have run to a connection exactly twice in 5 years. It is not worth it to me.
Posted by H2O Tiger
Delta Sky Club
Member since May 2021
6614 posts
Posted on 1/26/24 at 8:50 am to
quote:

That's fair, was definitely ready for my own bed last night. I couldn't do anything though as we left Austin late due to a late inbound.


Hopefully you took the terrible weather back with you.
Posted by AbitaFan08
Boston, MA
Member since Apr 2008
26543 posts
Posted on 1/26/24 at 8:55 am to
Only once. About five years ago making a connection in London heading to Milan. I’ll be damned if a delayed flight was going to cause me to throw off my vacation.
Posted by RummelTiger
Texas
Member since Aug 2004
89833 posts
Posted on 1/26/24 at 9:46 am to
In all my years...I do not believe I ever had to run to make a connection.

Walk double-time, sure.

Get into an argument with the wife over how much time we actually have, of course.

Get stuck behind someone in a wheelchair for a sec and curse them in my head, yep.

Get really nervous I was going to miss a connection because I had the shits, once.

But I don't ever recall running to a connection.
Posted by PistolPete45
Mandeville, LA
Member since Apr 2012
468 posts
Posted on 1/26/24 at 10:17 am to
Would I probably do it today, I doubt it.

However when I was traveling for work a lot, my shitty employer would book the absolute latest connection from Atlanta to Mobile, because of delays I had missed the last 2 weeks and had to spend the night in Atlanta in a shitty Days Inn and not get paid. The third week of that happening where I was cutting my connection close, I ran every bit to make that connection, only just got on and several of my coworkers missed that flight. No regrets

Posted by geauxpurple
New Orleans
Member since Jul 2014
12277 posts
Posted on 1/26/24 at 10:36 am to
I have on several occasions.

Two that come to mind -

Running through the Houston Airport for a plane to Paris. We barely made it.

Running through the Paris Airport for a flight to the US. We just missed it.
Posted by PrettyBird
Aspen
Member since Feb 2010
10355 posts
Posted on 1/26/24 at 10:52 am to
Leisure or work does not matter to me. I will always push to stay on the planned itinerary. It would be more of a headache to move everything from the chain reaction of a missed flight. I plan my travel with minimal wiggle room and optimal use of time.

I have run to make connections and I believe I always made them in those circumstances. I don't need to look cool in an airport - I need to either make my meeting, my vacation or make it home to my kids and my bed.

Maybe when I am older and retired I could travel with your mindset, but it doesn't currently work for me.
Posted by kciDAtaE
Member since Apr 2017
15702 posts
Posted on 1/26/24 at 10:54 am to
Doesn’t it all depends on how badly you want to make the flight?

If youre on a business trip and get a call that your child is in hospital after an accident, I bet everyone of you would run faster than you ever have to make a connection.

I may actually walk slower if it’s just for work.
Posted by jkylejohnson
Alexandria
Member since Dec 2016
13996 posts
Posted on 1/26/24 at 11:04 am to
Depends on the situation and alternative options at hand. I certainly have before.
Posted by Paul Allen
Montauk, NY
Member since Nov 2007
75163 posts
Posted on 1/26/24 at 11:09 am to
quote:

Client can wait.



Great strategy for your competitors to seize the moment.
Posted by luvdatigahs
Alameda, CA
Member since Sep 2008
3014 posts
Posted on 1/26/24 at 11:10 am to
Coming home from Peru a couple years ago. Our flight from Cusco to Lima was delayed by hours making our connection time very very short. We had to go back through security and run as fast as we could to the gate, barely made it.
Same thing happened in Santiago, was switching from international to domestic terminal which was in a different building across the parking lot, had to go back through domestic security and run to the gate, barely made it
Posted by H2O Tiger
Delta Sky Club
Member since May 2021
6614 posts
Posted on 1/26/24 at 11:34 am to
quote:

Great strategy for your competitors to seize the moment.


I'm in Management Consulting, not sales. If I'm out there every week for 6 months, I'm not concerned about a flight delay/missed connection. I can always hop on a Teams call.
Posted by Epic Cajun
Lafayette, LA
Member since Feb 2013
32394 posts
Posted on 1/26/24 at 12:56 pm to
I've ran once, and missed my flight anyway

I usually just walk at a brisk pace if I'm cutting it close.
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