Save the date - 2011 SUGAR Group RRRoundup!

LOL -

I'm one of the lucky ones that has the same roomies every year. - You know, the ones that will put up with me.

But, I hear Kate is good at snugglin'

LOL!

Something_To_Believe_In wrote:

LOL -

I'm one of the lucky ones that has the same roomies every year. - You know, the ones that will put up with me.

But, I hear Kate is good at snugglin'

Lol! Well, if anyone's looking - I'm an excellent roommie. :)

Well..now I'm not so sure I'll be able to make it regardless of if there's a roommie for me. I was doing some playing around on expedia and it seems that the only flights that EVER go from Albany to where the RRRoundup is have at least 2 stops on them, and last more than 11 hours. Quite frankly, I don't know if I want to deal with 2 layovers both ways.

Sara, did you try Southwest?

Sara fly out of Bradley. I know it is a drive but they have single stops and in like 7 hours.

IF I go I will leave Thursday morning and come back either Sunday or Monday. I am watching flithts right now for price.

I don't know how much travel that would be for you guys but SouthWest is booking reservations from Buffalo to Amarillo for $197 round trip. But it looks like they are discontinuing service to Albany in January.

Davie - yep, Southwest flies out of Albany, but they have no flights scheduled for Amarillo.

Has anyone actually dealt with a layover before? What's it like? What exactly do you do? .. I mean, do I need to go to baggage claim and pick up my bags, then have it checked again on the new flight? And go through security all over again? Or do I basically just walk to where the new plane is and wait for them to allow me to board? Most of these layovers are like an hour to two hours -- is that enough time to go and hunt through the gift shops? Or, would I pretty much just have to sit there for two hours?

Brenda - I'll take a look at Bradley.. I think it's only about 3 hours from me, so... maybe.
Anita - Buffalo's a little too far --- about 6 hours away.

I'm thinking I'll go regardless of the the layovers, IF I can find roommates. All flights that I can find from Albany are costing $500+ and I can't afford that and the cost of the room for the 4 nights I plan on staying.

I've always had lay overs. I eat some food/ people watch and read a good book. they aren't so bad.
You don't have to go back through security. You get off the plane with your carry on and walk to the gate where your departing plane is. If you have time you can walk around until time to board the next plane.
Depending on how much time between flights you have time to shop and enjoy the terminal. you don't mess wiht your luggage you checked in. The airlines handles that for you. You just hope they get it right and it makes it to your destination with you.
Only once did they lose my luggage. Remember Shawna. We waited half the night for them to deliver it to your house. At least I got it within 24hrs of them losing it.

I am not sure about making it this year. Things have really been hairy for me sooo? Dealing with Michael's bi-polar depression has been {humdigity} & at this point I have just cut contact which means no house/ kid/ critter sitter.
Since Johnny has moved back home he has had no visits or much phone contact with his father so I NEVER have a kid-free day anymore much less whole weekend. LOL 16 yr pld home with mom 13 hours away. OH NO!

Here's to hoping & wishing things would be on track by then.

Awe. Hoping that things work out for you, Jennifer.

I think the 5 hour drive to Buffalo may be well worth the trip. I hate flying, and to be able to take a flight non-stop to where I'm going is the best thing ever!

I have flown Southwest to Amarillo several times. I can't imagine that they've removed it from their line-up. But, I know continental, and a couple of others do, also. I am pretty sure American does not.

I found connecting flights through Delta to Amarillo.. 3 connecting flights, so it'd be like a 12 hour flight for me, if you count in airport time -- but it's all on the same airline at least, so I won't have to deal with re-checking bags when I switch planes (apparently some airlines won't switch your bags if you don't fly all the way through on their airline). Of course I haven't booked it yet, as I'm still waiting to see what other details come out.

Those of you that went to the RRRoundup last year, would you say that it's worth putting up with 12 hours in and out of airplanes and airports both ways?

I drive 9 hours to do it, so absolutely, I say yes.

Keep watching flights and check out Exspedia/last minute.com/travocity/hotwire.

I check them every day to see if they go up or down in cost. So far I can get a 6-7 hour flight for $480. Be patient you have time to watch flights. Not a lot of time but.

Right now, I'm getting $560 through Delta.. which isn't too bad.
I could get $50 cheaper, if I flew through multiple airlines.. But I'd rather stick with one, just in case one of my connecting flights is late, causing me to miss another. Apparently Delta's excellent at working with people in situations like that.

Y'all will have a great time!!! I just know it!

I drove 17 hours to go last year and it was well worth it!

I promise that this year's will be worth the trip!

Is it March yet? LOL I've already dug suitcases out of the basement, and have tried packing 4 days worth of stuff in a carryon just to see if it all can fit..

That's cute!

It won't work though.. Only way I could survive with only a carry-on is if I don't buy a single thing.. And, if there's vending at the RRRoundup, that won't happen -- I like to shop. Time to dig out the big suitcase and keep my fingers crossed that it doesn't get lost on all of my transfers. :/ I hear that luggage is more likely to get lost on connecting flights so I'm a bit nervous.

Hey, those of you that fly often: which airlines better to fly with? Which is better about not losing your luggage? Delta or Continental? I found flights under both airlines (each with multiple stops along the way), and each priced about the same.

5 months to go and I've almost got the entire thing planned. Save for the room, but I'll wait to panic on that until after all the details are released.

Sara, lost luggage is really an uncommon thing these days.

In all of our years traveling there has only been one time that a bag was delayed. That was a flight my son was making back to college and their plane had to turn back due to a sudden storm in the area of the airport he was flying to. Long story short, my husband was monitoring the flight on line and as soon as he saw the flight was going back to the previous stop in NY, he booked Tom on the next flight out to his original destination and got the ONLY remaining seat on that flight. The airline put all the other passengers up in a hotel until the next morning, and sent Tom on to the next flight out. (Folks were NOT happy when his name was called as soon as they left the plane and he was handed a ticket to make the next flight). That time his bag did not make the transfer because it was not MARKED for that flight transfer when it was originally checked. They delivered it to him the next morning.

No point in getting all worked up about loosing luggage as it does not really happen often. Just so you do not have to worry, just pack one change of clothes and anything you absolutely must have the first night in your carry on. That way you know you will be fine if your bag is delayed, even though that is unlikely.

I agree with Candy. I have flown way too many times over the years to count (used to have family with American Airlines) and only one time had my luggage delayed. Those are very small odds.

Quote :

Hey, those of you that fly often: which airlines better to fly with?

It is all a matter of what you are looking for in the experience. Personally, I fly Southwest whenever I can because I find their staff to be the most courteous as a whole. Unfortunately, you often have to claim and recheck your bags if traveling across country with them, so I don't recommend it for your first flight.

You only have a few options into Amarillo. It is a very small airport. I usually start with American Airlines, as it is my second choice (only because of the family connection).

No matter which airline you choose, you and your luggage will get where you are going just fine.