Question about airfare for 2009 Road Trip

[upnorthchick]

I found a ticket from Minneapolis to Philadelphia (PHL) for $313. Arriving PHL Thursday at 11am and leaving PHL Sunday at 2pm. I'm pretty sure I should buy it right now, but I don't want to "jump the gun" on anything.

These are good times, right? I don't think the price will go down...

Also, anyone ever fly Midwest Airlines?

This is my first road trip and I'm very excited, but a little nervous because I don't know anyone...

Thank for your help!

Lisa

[llp]

Originally Posted by upnorthchick

I found a ticket from Minneapolis to Philadelphia (PHL) for $313. Arriving PHL Thursday at 11am and leaving PHL Sunday at 2pm. I'm pretty sure I should buy it right now, but I don't want to "jump the gun" on anything.

These are good times, right? I don't think the price will go down...

Also, anyone ever fly Midwest Airlines?

This is my first road trip and I'm very excited, but a little nervous because I don't know anyone...

Thank for your help!

Lisa

That's a good question! I have a question to add on, also...
I found a good price from Portland ~ $468. It arrives Thurs night at around 11:30pm, departs Sunday afternoon. Do you think that is too late to arrive in Philiadelphia? Getting a shuttle at that time is going to be hard, or even a ride from someone(I'd pay them). Probably a $50 taxi ride at that time of night. I bet i wouldn't get to the hotel until 1:00, into bed at 2:00, then maybe too tired for the Friday morning exercise class.
Would an experienced RT person arrive Wednesday night instead? i don't think there are middle of the day arrivals from PDX/Portland (but, I haven't researched it much!)

I'm also in the same boat as you (first time RT, excited, and nervous because I don't know anyone either...)

thanks!

[Liann]

Originally Posted by llp

That's a good question! I have a question to add on, also...
I found a good price from Portland ~ $468. It arrives Thurs night at around 11:30pm, departs Sunday afternoon. Do you think that is too late to arrive in Philiadelphia? Getting a shuttle at that time is going to be hard, or even a ride from someone(I'd pay them). Probably a $50 taxi ride at that time of night. I bet i wouldn't get to the hotel until 1:00, into bed at 2:00, then maybe too tired for the Friday morning exercise class.
Would an experienced RT person arrive Wednesday night instead? i don't think there are middle of the day arrivals from PDX/Portland (but, I haven't researched it much!)

thanks!

That's a toughie, if the price is good, you may just want to do that and deal with being a little tired at the morning class. You will have plenty of time to take a nap afterwards. If you come up Wednesday night, you'll have to pay for another night at the hotel. I will be getting up at 3:00 a.m. and driving to Cathe's morning class. I've done it twice before and survived both times. I took a long nap afterwards though!

Oh, and there is a airport shuttle service that Cathe will recommend when they post the details for travel, hotels, etc... You schedule your pick-up with them ahead of time and I'm sure they will pick you up whenever you need them to.

[llp]

that's good to hear that the shuttle will pick me up! Guess I will find out those details later from the coordinators. I flew into Philly 2 years ago later at night(about 11:30) with my son and our hotel did not have a shuttle that late, so we had to pay for a Taxi to Cherry Hill(I think) area. He was about to take the wrong exit(luckily I had directions printed out from google) and I got him going in the right direction! I didn't need more $$$ added to my taxi bill of $50. Aaaaand, they didn't take a credit card, plus it was a scuzzy, dirty cab inside! Another night might not be bad, then I could possibly site see, or rest up. Depends on the cost. Or, take a nap--I like that idea!! Do lots of people take naps? Geez, I have a lot of questions, don't I! You can tell this is my first time.

thanks for your answers!

[Liann]

Well, the official Cathe RT events do not start until Friday night, so for me Friday afternoon was nap time! Once the events get going though, there is no time for naps. In fact, I found there was barely enough time for showers during the day. You will find out ALL kind of tips from the coordinators soon. They will even give you a packing list. Those gals have this down to a science. Last year, we had a tip thread too where everyone posted good advice for the trip. The shuttle service is called "Rapid Rover". It's more of a "Limo/Sedan" company than a hotel shuttle, so they pick people up all hours of the day/night.

[upnorthchick]

I think I'll buy the ticket since it seems like a very good price to me...it's hard to get a good deal flying out of Minneapolis...and the departure/arrival times seem really good.

Can't wait to meet you both!!

Lisa

[lorrayne]

I will try to respond to each of your questions.

Lisa, your times look perfect. I would book. Midway Airlines is a great airline where all seats are like first class seats; only 2 seats per side instead of 3. They even serve you a chocolate chip cookie (or they did a couple years ago). :-)

Linda: I would seriously look for earlier arrival into Philly. Late night arrivals could mean cancellations in the event of weather or equipment failure. If this is the last flight of the day (which I'm guessing is the case), then you will won't arrive into Philly until some time on Thursday. Coming from Portland, I suggest you either look for an early morning departure with arrival around 4:00 in Philly). The other option is to take a red eye and arrive early Friday morning.

I DO WANT TO STRESS THAT WE ARE WORKING ON AN AGENDA. As soon as we have it completed, we will post this along with hotel, shuttle, travel, and packing suggestions.

Your 2009 Coordinators,
Kathy, Debbie, and Lorrayne

[upnorthchick]

Thank you so much Lorrayne!! I will book the flight, enjoy the choc. chip cookies, then work them off during the Friday morning class

Lisa

[llp]

thanks Lorrayne on the airline tip. I will see what I can find.
i do want to arrive wednesday or thursday(I think) to be there for Friday's activities. I don't mind getting there early for lounging around or site-seeing. I will start looking for early departure from PDX...

thanks again & I'm excited to meet you three who have posted on this thread!

[orphylea]

Lorrayne: What time can we safely book a flight on Sunday and not miss out on anything? Should we shoot for early afternoon? Thanks!