What to do on connecting flights?

Question

This is my first time on a connecting flight, and I'm a tad worried that I'll do something wrong and miss the plane. All with American Airlines, I'm coming from Charlotte, NC to Dallas/Fort Worth...stay at DFW for 1 hour and 40 minutes, then get on the connecting flight to Ontario, CA. Will that be enough time to make the switch? Speaking of making the switch...How do I? Do I have to go through another security checkpoint? Any info would be great!

Thanks. =]

What about my luggage? Will I have to mess with checking it in again, or does it automatically get on the next plane?

Answer 1

That will be plenty of time! American operates from 2 or 3 terminals in DFW but you may be very lucky to find your first and second flight are in the same terminal; if not, there is a train to take you between terminals. It runs every 6 minutes or so and takes about 10 minutes to go between A and E. A map of the terminal and info about the shuttle train is at the link below. If you do not exit the security area, you will not need to re-clear, so just hop on the train if you need to change terminals and you will be just fine.
Don't worry about getting info on the connection flight gate number till you arrive. If you get a gate number when you leave Charlotte, it is pretty possible that the gate will change while you are inflight. Just check the monitor when you arrive at DFW or ask the gate agent for current gate assignments.

Answer 2

If your plane is on time, or even half an hour late, you'll be fine. It's a big airport, but there is a tram that goes between the terminals. As you land, the Ontario gate will probably be announced. If not, there will be monitors all over the place with a list of the gates.

You will NOT have to go through security. Once inside the gate area, you just walk between gates. You'll be fine!

Answer 3

As has already been noted, this might basically artwork while you're actually not checking bags -- the airline won't short-verify your bags basically to the relationship factor, so which you would be wanting to basically take carry-on bags with you. additionally, as Andrew wisely notes, you do not elect to tell the airline you're doing this -- procuring a cost ticket with the purpose of basically employing area is definitely against the regulations of maximum airlines, and with the aid of telling them what you're doing, they are going to cost you the appropriate replace fee and fare distinction between your unique value ticket and the hot value ticket. hence, once you're insistent on doing this, you do not elect to cancel the connecting flight or otherwise tell the airline what you're doing, until you're prepared to pay the greater funds. only not displaying up on your connection will cancel the value ticket, and is not susceptible to bring about any penalty. the only element i might otherwise upload that hasn't been stated, however, is that the airline's extraordinary duty is to get you on your very final trip spot, in spite of the routing used. If there are mechanical or different delays that reason your flights to be disrupted, the airline has the marvelous to place you on different flights -- even with the aid of distinctive airports -- to get you on your very final trip spot. If this have been to happen, you will the two might desire to fly the full thank you to the extraordinary trip spot or, in case you nevertheless basically had to circulate to the relationship airport, clarify what you have been doing to the airline (and finally end up paying the effects to them besides). the recommendations i'm giving isn't meant to dissuade you from doing this -- lots of human beings have carried out it quicker or later -- yet there are hazards in contact in doing it.

Answer 4

Oh, don't worry about it, you'll be just fine and you won't miss anything. And yeah, you'll probably have to go through another checkpoint.

In the meantime, have fun flirtin' with somebody lol ;)