Carol and I were taking a trip to visit friends in Naples Fl for a few days. LAX to MIA then car to Naples. Our AA flight 280 on 1/18/10 at 9:15 am was at first delayed due to mechanical problems. Then at 11am delayed further. Then after Noon it was canceled. At that point there was no reasonable way to get to So Florida except a midnight flight via DFW which we rejected or a 2:30pm flight to MIA on 1/19 which would not get us to our friends home in Naples until after midnight. We canceled our trip in total. We had planned to return home on 1/22/10 ( Friday) so it was not worth the hassle for two night. AA was booked solid on all flights to MIA and so were Delta and United. The Admirals club angel tried very hard to rebook us on something that made sense. Just was not doable.

Reason for the post--

If doing own air to connect with a cruise we would have been in a world of hurt. We always go at least one day early and now will think about two days. My conclusion is that with the reduced flight schedules of all the airlines the options may not exist that were there a few years ago. Need to keep this in mind. After over 30 years of traveling this is the first time ever I had to totally cancel a trip. In the past there were alternates that could be used. This is not a complaint about American they did what they could but a general " be aware".

Ralph,
Did you consider LAX to RSW (Ft Myers)? AA flies direct from DFW to RSW and the airport is 25 minutes from Naples and much less hassle than Miami.

Yes, that option was looked at. That would have been a midnight flight from LAX via DFW then on to RSW. We were actually returning via RSW DFW LAX. If we would have taken that option we would have been at LAX for 12 hours then a red eye with a stop in DFW so sleep all but impossible. Arrive in Naples with out sleep so the day of arrival lost to trying to get some sleep. Just did not make sense. Have done this trip 5 or 7 times over the last several years. We opted for the MIA flight as it avoided a stop and got us to Naples earlier than the 10:30 to 11:00pm the connection via DFW is.

To our friends place in Naples ( Vineyards) it is a little more than 25 minutes , I must drive slow.

Wow Ralph, what a story. Sorry you and Carol missed your trip. You have some good advise for us though. Indeed you just never know!!!!

Since your bags were packed and all, you could of checked to see if they had a nice flight to Houston, Mark and I would of loved to have you here!

Oh I'm so sorry to hear this Ralph. I know you and Carol were looking forward to seeing your friends. What a disappointment.

Ralph:

Like you, we always (try to) arrive for a cruise at least one day early.
I always remember the local news interviews with some poor soul in a snowed in airport telling the camera that his ship is leaving as he speaks! So far, we've avoided that.
Guess we'll just have to review the situation on a case by case basis.
Air travel just isn't fun anymore.
Thanks for the food for thought.

Doug

Thanks Ralph for reminder that flying in day of cruise can be "iffy" - agree with Doug air travel is not fun these days - regardless if it is domestic or international.