On Mon, 18 Mar 2002 09:03:06 EST, Mark Goldsmith <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>In a message dated 3/17/02 11:36:30 AM Eastern Standard Time,
>[log in to unmask] writes:
>
>
>> True.  But it's also true of non-charter flights on Continental, to CZM
>
>Boy I'm glad this thread has come up..definitely on point for me.  We're
>flying from Newark-connecting atHouston-Cozumel on Continental for a 4 day
>weekend end May.

Which 4 day weekend?  May find me there if you came the wrong time!  :)

>It's a 6AM departure from Newark with a one hour wait and
>aircraft change in Houston.

Noooo problem!  All CO flights from EWR to ATL are form Terminal A.
At that hour especially, the lines will be short and there shouldn't
be any delay at all in EWR.  Been on the ocnnection several times
this year already.

The one hour connection is AMPLE, for CO in IAH.  My connection
arrives in IAH at 8:36 AM and connects to the ONLY flight from IAH
to CZM, at 9:15 AM, which leaves only 39 minutes for the connection.

Sometimes we have longer connecting time, but even at that, but we
never have any problem with making the connection.

ONE HINT:  We NEVER take the TRAIN in Houston between terminals
anymore.  You can WALK from terminal A,B, or D, to terminal C, where
the CZM flight usually departs faster than you can walk to the TRAIN,
and then you have to wait for the train, and have to walk as far to
get back to the other terminal, and have to go through the security
gate, etc., etc.

Now that I think about it, THAT trick (never ride the ISH train)
should save you lots of time connecting in IAH.


>In past years this itinerary has always worked
>perfectly for us as my buddy and I would carry-on two ("marginally" within
>the size limitation) bags, with no checked luggage, and after landing in
>Houston, just run like hell to the terminal which had our departing
>connection to Cozumel.  The only concern was arriving on time in Houston.

Barring unual weather conditions, CO is pretty punctual in its departure
and arrival times.  I used to carry all my "vital" dive gears as carry-on
also, but now have had sufficient confidence with Continental ot check
them as baggage, and carry only a tiny bag.  In several hundred thousand
miles of flying on CO these past few years, I have had a delayed luggage
perhaps once.


>This year I could use some advice.  If we check baggage and just carry-on
>regs., mask etc., and general emergency get thru the first 24 hour stuff
will
>Continental be able to connect our check-in baggage or is it just a crap
>shoot?

I don't even carry my regs and mask anymore.  No crap shot at all.  I'll
GUARANTEE you'll get it in CZM if you get there.  :-)

>We just returned from Italy on Continental (family ski trip) and I
>was amazed to see that Continental was allowing people to carry-on stuff
like
>pre 9/11 days....huge bags, parcels etc.  Naturally all-carry ons were
>examined.

Yes, they do.  BUt I don't do it even if CO allows because I didn't want
to have the hassle of searches by the security baboons.
>
>Specifically to Bob and anyone else familiar with current Continental
>policies your insight would be most appreciated.

I had read this before I started, which was why I gave you some detailed
comments above.


>lso, does anyone remember
>if arriving at Houston terminal A (for example) and departing from terminal
>B, C or D requires passing thru a security and metal detector check point
or
>is this an intra airport, within the security perimeter, trip?

For INTERNATIONAL arrival at D, you have to go through a security check
either by foot or by train, to get to the domestic terminal.  BUt for
domestic connections, CO is wise enough to have the planes at terminals
that do not require a security check.  In fact, if the sehedule is
REALLY tight, they sometimes schedule the departure terminal only a gate
or two from the arrival gate, at the same terminal, so that the walk
would take only a minute or so.

>ith a tight
>turn-around, this would also influence our decision as to what we should
>carry and what we should check.

I hope the above gave you enough details to make your decision.  But if
I were you, I would just check everything and not worry at all about the
connection time.  If you're a member of CO's President's Club, you should
have enough time to stop in one of the several Clubs, have a drink or
some refreshments, before making the connection to CZM.  :-))

Enjoy.

-- Bob.