to connect or not to connect

[astro25e]

Ok, i've been looking at tickets for my trip to europe this summer and i was just wondering about making connections instead of doing a nonstop flight. All the flights i've ever been on, including ones to europe have been non stop(i guess i've been pretty lucky). but on the statravel website they have a really cheap flightthat connects in canada. i'd like to take it because it's cheaper; but is it a hassle to connect? do i have to get my baggage and check it again? considering i'd be flying out of o'hare airport, which has tons of delays, what happens if i somehow miss my connection?

i'd totally appreciate any answers on this one! gracias chicas and chicos

[benna2]

The thing with connections is that there is always the risk of missing your connecting flight. But the good thing about it is that, if you miss it because of any airport or in air delays, they will get you to your destination.

Having a connection in Canada, you *may* have to go through customs...actually you probably will. But that shouldn't be too much of a problem either.

I say go for it. If it's a cheaper flight and will get you to where you want to go...do it! Most cheap flights these days have connections...sometimes more than one.

[bellelass]

O'Hare's a bitch.
You've never had a connection before? If you do have to pass through customs, its usually a pretty painless matter to pick up your bags and go through. You give them to the handlers right after you pass though and you dont have to worry about them anymore.

[TheJake]

yeah and if you check bags then the baggage handlers put them on your next flight no worries.

All you gots to do is run to your next gate. Easy Peasy.

O'hare's light show is fun though!

[LiveFreeorDie]

You should NOT have to pass through any sort of customs as you will be a transiting passenger. Regardless of whether it is in a different country or not, if you are just passing through you don't have to worry about customs or picking up your bags or any of that hassle until your final destination. The only exception to this is if you are coming into the U.S. from a foreign country and have a connection in a U.S. city prior to arriving at your final U.S. destination. When entering the U.S. you pass through customs at the first U.S. airport you arrive at.

If its a lot cheaper, don't sweat the connection. Its not a big deal at all, if you miss it, they will get you on another one.

Edited to add: If you are flying to the EU from outside the EU, and have a connection within the EU prior to your ultimate destination, I believe you will go through customs in the first EU country you arrive in, even if its not your ultimate destination, kind of like flying to the U.S.

[U2fan]

For me, it always depends on how much cheaper it is. If it`s only, say, $50, it`s not worth all the extra time a connection will end up being. If it`s $200, well yeah, it`s probably worth it.

[bluepea]

Yeah, it really depends. All of my international flying has been done with connections. All with good luck, but we cut it really close flying back from EFrankfurt-Dublin-Chicago. Our flight leaving Fra was delayed with the potential of up to four hours (we had a four hour layover ) due to some flight stuff over London. We did finally make it, but it was close.

What O'hare is known for delays and being a pain in the arse? No way. Ah well, on our flight to Texas in March we got to sit in the Berghoff cafe getting drunk with a woman who had just come back from Japan after seven years, a super drunk guy that seemed like he'd just come back from spring break and an old Italian dude. Our flight was delayed until after midnight.

Oh and for the record, I hate the freaking light show.

[tumblezweedz]

If you can choose, try to get a long layover in your connecting city so you don't have to worry about delays (a minimum of 2 hours at any major airport, I'd say - 4 is better). Sprinting to catch a flight from the other end of a sprawling airport with only 45 minutes to spare doesn't get you into a great relaxed mood for the rest of the trip.

If you're just a transiting passenger, you *shouldn't* have to deal with customs or lugging your own bags around, so a connection shouldn't be a reason to avoid a significantly cheaper flight.

[nena]

if its a long long way i like having a stop over for a few hours.
you can walk around a bit, sit anywhere you like, give your ears a rest from air pressure, take a piss without the scary sucky noise below you, have food that doesnt taste like plastic.


i hate flying.



it sucks if your flight is delayed, though.