Question about luggage

[Rowan]

Can anyone help please?
I'm due to fly using indirect flights from Bristol via New York to Orlando using Continental airlines. My question is what happens at New York - is our luggage put directly on to the connecting flight or do we have to collect it and then take it through departures again. I'm asking because I'm travelling with mum in law who is wheelchair bound and I'm trying to figure out the finer details of our trip....Thanks

[blott]

Normally, if you have a connecting flight, your luggage has to be collected in your first US airport so that you can go through Customs with it. You also go through Immigration on arrival in the US so you'll be doing this in New York.

There's normally a quick check in facility after that (you don't have to queue at a check in desk again as you'll normally get issued with boarding passes for both flights in the UK) and then you can just collect it when you get to Florida with no going through Customs, etc.

If your MIL needs assistance, then just tell your airline in advance and they'll arrange for her to be met in New York and in Orlando by a helper who will collect her luggage and take this with her. That probably means that you'll be free to sort out your own luggage, etc.

When you return, your luggage will be checked through to your UK destination airport so you don't see it again after you check in at the airport in Florida until you land in the UK.

[Rowan]

Thanks for the info...

[Albert the Frog]

We've used Continental via Newark as they use it for a hub for all their interior US flights. We found the whole process of immigration and onward boarding there a doddle-they are very well organised and I'm sure that if you advise in advance of the chair they will accomodate it- have a great holiday--have you investigated an electric chair for the parks-it will be a boon and save your legs and arms--there are a number of short term hire places to check out

[mfairhurst]

Have you joined to get sky miles from them ,You can get them for all passengers and if you travel again it they soon mount up .
MAUREEN
www.onlinefloridavillas.com/villas/1683.aspx

[Clare R]

I can tell you exactly what happens as I did almost the same trip two days ago Bristol/Newark/Tampa.

At Newark you go through Immigration and then go upstairs to collect luggage (there is a lift to help mother) you then go to carousel and collect luggage. Luggage trollies are not free you have to pay, I believe $3.00, if it is easier you can put your credit card in the slot to pay to save you scrambling about looking for change as there will be a lot of people/luggage/trollies around. If you pay cash when you put the trolley back on the rack don't forget to go back to the start of the rail and collect your 25c refund!

Through Customs which is just handing in your blue form and then stay left on the passage to where it says Connecting Flights and someone will look at the luggage tag and direct you to someone who will then put it on a belt and off it goes to Orlando (one hopes). At Orlando you have done Immigration and Customs so it should be just as we do in Tampa, pick up your case and walk out.

[Clare R]

Just realised I haven't mentioned what happens to you do once you have said goodbye to the case.

You then have to go up one floor and then a further half a floor, there must be lifts there. This is where the fun starts. With mother in a wheelchair I am sure you will by-pass what is frankly an unseemly scrum of a long winding line of people all taking their shoes and coats off and being shouted at by the various Security Staff.

I believe there is an aisle on the right hand side of all this for wheelchair and other special users, make use of any help that is offered. Once through this (you'll need passports and boarding passes)and all the restrictions on liquids apply, connecting flights are either to the left or right, it could be some walk so once again take any help offered.

Bristol/Newark flight is almost always 99% full, on Wednesday it was 66% full at best.

Have a lovely trip and hope the weather is good at Bristol as you walk out across the tarmac!!