posted
Hubby is leaving Burlington IA on zephyr on 10/31 to catch a SW flight back to ABQ on 10/31. He has about a 2.5 hour window to make the change - do you think he will make it? I'm booking hotel just in case as he's on the last flight out.
TIA
CHI_Amtrak_Fan Member # 4004
posted
I would allow 2.5 hours between the arrival time of the California Zephyr and a departure via Southwest at Midway airport even if the train was running on time.
I'm afraid this travel plan requires an overnight stay in Chicago and an early morning flight leaving out of Midway the next day.
David Z Chicago, IL
notelvis Member # 3071
posted
I know that not everyone approaches travel plans the way I do, but if I were in or near Burlington, IA and needed to travel to Albuquerque, I think I'd see if I could have someone drive an extra 25 miles and put me on #3 (westbound Southwest Chief) at Ft. Madison.
It's an overnight train ride yes, but with his current plan, an overnight stay in Chicago is probable.
sojourner Member # 3134
posted
Are you talking about catching the Zephyr in to Chicago and catching a SW flight from there? If so, my answer is No, I don't think he'll make it.
But Chicago is always nice for an overnight stay!
train lady Member # 3920
posted
I do believe the Train God must have been riding with us. Never in the 17 years we went from DC to Denver,San Francisco or Seattle did we miss our connection in either direction in Chicago. It never even dawned on me to make an alternate reservation or plan to stay over in Chicago . There were times we did make it by the skin of our teeth. We were so lucky!
wayne72145 Member # 4503
posted
It was only close once for me---They held the LakeShore Limited for 20 minutes while we came into Chicago very late on the Zephyr---but that is only 5 years traveling Amtrak and about 10 trips into Chicago---Every other time I've came into Chicago within a hour
sojourner Member # 3134
posted
Oh, I never worry too much about missing a TRAIN connection in Chicago; Amtrak then has to make some kind of accommodation, don't they? But missing a PLANE connection (or worse, a cruise), you likely lose all your money, and that is not good. So I'd leave a cushion of some sort for that.
What I consider when making the train connection in Chicago is how it might affect me down the line. For example, when I booked my loop trip with Zephyr/Coast Starlight/Empire Builder last year, I booked 3 nights in Denver at a hotel that had cancellation up to 6PM day of arrival. If I missed the Chicago connection, I could phone and cancel the first night in Denver and get there one night later, staying only 2 nights, and still be able to continue with the rest of my plans.
rtabern Member # 4306
posted
Definetly leave a cushion. I am at Union Station a couple of times a month doing train trips or getting tickets or picking up friends... and keep an eye on when the LD trains come in. ON AVERAGE, I would say the Zephyr is about 4 hours late. You can just count on it not coming in until 6 or 7PM. So be sure to plan just to be safe. I have taken it 3 times over the past year. Once it got into Chicago 1 hour late, the other time it was 9 hours late, the other time it was 6 hours late.
1702 Member # 4508
posted
quote:Originally posted by notelvis: I know that not everyone approaches travel plans the way I do, but if I were in or near Burlington, IA and needed to travel to Albuquerque, I think I'd see if I could have someone drive an extra 25 miles and put me on #3 (westbound Southwest Chief) at Ft. Madison.
It's an overnight train ride yes, but with his current plan, an overnight stay in Chicago is probable.
Unless your husband is locked into a non-refundable airfare, notelvis has the best idea. The Southwest Chief leaves Fort Madison at 657PM, arriving ABQ 405PM(MT)the next day.
IIRC, the minimum advisable domestic flight check-in time is one hour. Unless check-in time is already allowed for, your husband is only giving himself 1 1/2 hours to get from the train to Midway Airport. Doesn't leave much room for late arrival of the Zephyr at the end of its 2438-mile journey.
If the Southwest Chief isn't an option, then I think overnight in CHI is pretty much a given.
goldcupmom Member # 3761
posted
Hubby has free airfare from ABQ - CHI and CHI - ABQ, thus the train from CHI - FMD/BRL - CHI. I decided to take a chance on the EB Chief as I'm betting it will be fairly close to ontime. If not, there is backup hotel at midway reserved. He's taking the WB chief into FMD as he has plenty of time for that connection.
thanks all! I knew you would be able to help!!
notelvis Member # 3071
posted
quote:Originally posted by goldcupmom: Hubby has free airfare from ABQ - CHI and CHI - ABQ, thus the train from CHI - FMD/BRL - CHI. I decided to take a chance on the EB Chief as I'm betting it will be fairly close to ontime. If not, there is backup hotel at midway reserved. He's taking the WB chief into FMD as he has plenty of time for that connection.
thanks all! I knew you would be able to help!!
Excellent solution.
While nothing is ever for certain with long-distance rail travel, the eastbound Southwest Chief from Ft. Madison is closer to on-time into Chicago far more often than the eastbound California Zephyr from Burlington.
posted