Any tips for a JFK layover? I only have 1.5h. Haven't flown in ages and am nervous.

[38carrots]

Tell me more about layovers and flying in general. I have a 1.5 layover in JFK, a 3h layover in Salt Lake City. I'm more nervous about short layovers.

 

Other than not to bring any liquids and knives, what else? (Last time I flew I had a cheese knife with me as a gift, and it didn't go that well.)

 

edit: and ugh, haven't typed in ages, apparently. ha-ha (FALSE).

Edited June 19, 2016 by 38carrots

[SparklyUnicorn]

1.5 hours is not very long.  Just get right to where you need to go next.  If you aren't sure, stop at an information desk.  Best to plan out where you need to go before you go.

 

 

 

 

[MotherGoose]

Are you able to pack light without checking bags? With two connections and one fairly short the probability of the airline losing your luggage is high. At least pack everything essential in a carry on, including a change of clothes if you have to check something.

[marbel]

Just go right to your next gate.  Refill your water bottle and hunker down with good reading material or music or whatever to keep yourself entertained.  Or do laps around the concourse if you don't want to sit.  If your gates are far apart, you may find you don't have all that much time to wait.

[SparklyUnicorn]

FWIW, I've taken probably 40 flights in my life with all sorts of crazy configurations and never had my bags lost. 

 

I'm probably jinxing myself now.  LOL

 

 

[MotherGoose]

FWIW, I've taken probably 40 flights in my life with all sorts of crazy configurations and never had my bags lost.

 

I'm probably jinxing myself now. LOL

You are!! Mine have been lost twice and I haven't flown that much 😄

[38carrots]

Are you able to pack light without checking bags? With two connections and one fairly short the probability of the airline losing your luggage is high. At least pack everything essential in a carry on, including a change of clothes if you have to check something.

 

Thank you. That's the goal, but might be tough.

 

Edited June 19, 2016 by 38carrots

[Laura Corin]

I agree with the others: go straight to your next gate, then you can decide if you have time to take some walks or otherwise explore.

[SparklyUnicorn]

You are!! Mine have been lost twice and I haven't flown that much 😄

 

And most of my flights were international!  So even more chances to screw up.  Or maybe not.  I really don't know.

 

Not to scare the OP, but we had a very short layover only one time and that did not work out.  The first flight was delayed and we didn't make it on time.  They did give us another flight, but we had to wait 5.5 hours.  At least they also paid for our food and phone calls.  That was in Amsterdam.  It just was particularly sucky because at the time our kids were very little and we were all very exhausted.  So we avoid layovers that are that short. 

[38carrots]

And most of my flights were international!  So even more chances to screw up.  Or maybe not.  I really don't know.

 

Not to scare the OP, but we had a very short layover only one time and that did not work out.  The first flight was delayed and we didn't make it on time.  They did give us another flight, but we had to wait 5.5 hours.  At least they also paid for our food and phone calls.  That was in Amsterdam.  It just was particularly sucky because at the time our kids were very little and we were all very exhausted.  So we avoid layovers that are that short. 

 

Is 1.5h considered short?

 

I think they might be more careful with international layovers, or they used to be. When I flew from Europe back to North America some 15 years ago (gosh, forgot through which airport, could've been Amsterdam), my plane was late to get to Amsterdam, and they actually contacted my  next flight and they waited for me (and a couple of other passangers.)

[AmandaVT]

Is 1.5h considered short?

 

I think they might be more careful with international layovers, or they used to be. When I flew from Europe back to North America some 15 years ago (gosh, forgot through which airport, could've been Amsterdam), my plane was late to get to Amsterdam, and they actually contacted my  next flight and they waited for me (and a couple of other passangers.)

 

1.5 h is pretty short, but you will have enough time to get to your next gate and to use the restroom. (my first priority always when flying!) We had a 50 min layover in LaGuardia last year and it was just enough time to get to our gate, pee quickly and we boarded almost immediately. 1.5 h will give you a little bit of breathing room.

[SparklyUnicorn]

1.5 h is pretty short, but you will have enough time to get to your next gate and to use the restroom. (my first priority always when flying!) We had a 50 min layover in LaGuardia last year and it was just enough time to get to our gate, pee quickly and we boarded almost immediately. 1.5 h will give you a little bit of breathing room.

 

As long as your first flight is not delayed.

 

And screening is taking longer and longer...or so they say. 

[SparklyUnicorn]

Is 1.5h considered short?

 

I think they might be more careful with international layovers, or they used to be. When I flew from Europe back to North America some 15 years ago (gosh, forgot through which airport, could've been Amsterdam), my plane was late to get to Amsterdam, and they actually contacted my  next flight and they waited for me (and a couple of other passangers.)

 

You'd hope they would be more careful, but no.  International flights in my experiences are not delayed as often.  Only 2x I experienced that.  The first time they offered me another flight rather than wait and so I did that.  The second time they had problems with their audio/video equipment.  That was the flight where we didn't make the connection on time.

 

If you aren't bringing young kids that is less of a problem too.  I mean we picked up our kids and bags and ran through the airport like our life depended on it and did not make it.  You know what the woman at the desk said to us?  "Did you run?"  I wanted to choke her.

[SparklyUnicorn]

You'll likely be fine, but the bottom line is go immediately to where you need to be next.  They always have shops and stuff if you end up having to wait. 

[cougarmom4]

With a 3 hour layover in SLC, you could always take a quick tour of Temple Square...they offer a free shuttle ride to and from the airport.

https://www.lds.org/locations/temple-square-airport-van-tours?lang=eng

[Ottakee]

You should be fine. Plan plenty of time for security before your first flight but you should not have o be rescreened as long as you stay inside the secure areas once you land for your layover.

[Alessandra]

Do not go outside the secure areas. If you have to be re-screened, long screening lines could cuss you to miss a connecting flight.

 

Keep your phone charged as much as possible.

 

If the waiting area by the gate is crowded, try not to move from your seat, in case someone else takes it.

Edited June 20, 2016 by Alessandra

[trulycrabby]

Do as sparklyunicorn recommends and find a map of jfk; plan and memorize your route. You don't want to be lost and in a hurry at the same time. Stay in the secure areas to avoid going through security twice.

[Lanny]

Hopefully, your connections are on the same airline,and in the same terminal buildings, and you will not need to go thru TSA Security checkpoints in the airports you connect in.  If possible, DO NOT leave the Secure area. If you must leave the Secure area, after arriving in an airport where you are connecting, go, immediately, to the TSA Checkpoint for your next flight.  You can look on this web site, to see what you can and cannot bring into the cabin and what you can and cannot have in your checked luggage.  https://www.tsa.gov/

 

We took one suitcase with us, that was about 1/2 full, when we went up to Orlando in April. It was totally full, when we came back. The TSA broke one of the 2 locks, to inspect it,  for the flight from Orlando to Colombia.  In the future, I will just put two (2) luggage straps around it and I won't lock it.  They sell locks the TSA can open, or you can put a combination lock and post information about what the combination is, but I think I'd just rather go with 2 luggage straps and hope for the best. That is an old suitcase and not in the greatest condition, so if one had to be damaged, I'm glad it was that one that I learned that lesson on.  

 

ETA: After they inspected that suitcase, the TSA wrapped a lot of tape around it, to keep it shut. It had almost everything we'd purchased in Orlando in it, except for a  long Star Wars thing DD brought in the cabin with her, but as far as we know, everything we bought arrived  OK. Happily, they inspected, which they are permitted to do, but they did not steal anything and nothing was lost.   :hurray:

Edited June 20, 2016 by Lanny

[QueenCat]

Is 1.5h considered short?

 

I think they might be more careful with international layovers, or they used to be. When I flew from Europe back to North America some 15 years ago (gosh, forgot through which airport, could've been Amsterdam), my plane was late to get to Amsterdam, and they actually contacted my  next flight and they waited for me (and a couple of other passangers.)

 

Not to me, at least not for domestic. I always try to have at least an hour. More than two hours and I'm going crazy. I fly 6-8 times a year. I'd say that I have a major delay maybe once every two years, and the airline quickly fixes it so that I still get to my destination that day. Except for snowmegedden a few years and no one went anywhere then....... I've had my luggage lost only one time in the past 30 years and that was during a hurricane, when they changed airports on us, to get us there.