Non revving INTL with luggage to someplace unknown.

Ok, so we're leaving out on Friday 5/31 from ATL-JFK to anywhere in Italy. We have a cruise to catch in Rome with two buddy passers (don't get me started) and are freaking out. The flights don't look that bad getting into Milan or Venice and then we'll catch a train to Rome.

That being said, we have to go from ATL-JFK-Milan or Venice or Nice since Rome is jam packed. What happens with our luggage? If we check it in ATL and it ends up in Milan and we end up in Venice......then what? Will they let us hold our luggage until we get to the gate? Will they hold our luggage at the gate in JFK for the buddy passers since I have to put their final destination as part of their listing? I thought about listing them for Rome so their luggage would end up there waiting for us but I'm pretty sure they won't let bags fly internationally without the owners flying with them.

Totally confused on this issue.

Also, if they do let us hold our luggage until the gate does that change the amount of liquids we can put in our checked luggage going through security?

Geez. Any help would be appreciated.

David

They will not load your bags if you do not make the flight. For international flights, bags have to match passengers so if a passenger checks in bags but does not board the flight, the bags have to be removed from the flight.

On AA, the gate agent will radio down to the ramp to let them know which standby pax have been cleared and who's bags they can load. Other airlines probably do something similar. In your situation, I would try to carry on if possible. If your bags are tagged for FCO but you end up making the MXP flight, there is no guarantee that the bags will be rerouted to the MXP flight. You may have to gate check anyway but will be limited to the 3 oz/1 quart bag per passenger limit.

I concur with ispp regarding luggage. We (and BP riders) never check but that's the SOP.
I have some buddies in Italy right now. 3 chose to fly to AMS for a few days then Ryanair (paying for extra everything) and got to Rome for a few days. (yes, it was packed--they had to got to the Spanish steps at 7 am because they couldn't see anything for all the masses there.) Last one went from SEA to AMS, then Transavia flight (I think) to Trieste (I think) to meet the others. Getting them out is going to be the hard part, but they will be split in 7 more days and return separately. They plan to depart from Pisa.
When does the cruise depart? Do you have a plan if you can't get there in time? What BP DOH are they using? Are you NUTZ!?????
I wish you luck--you will need it. Feel free to ask for advice along the way (and on Friday if it looks bleak) I recommend lots of prayer.

PS--here's a little tidbit you might like:
Budget Travel Vacation Ideas: Insider Secrets of Rome | Travel Deals, Travel Tips, Travel Advice, Vacation Ideas | Budget Travel

Give some thought to flying to any hub city on the European mainland i.e. AMS CDG FRA MAD take to the rails (EURAIL) from that point. Trains run with a great deal more certainty than buddy passes! Plan to do this a few days in advance of your cruise sailing. Now as for return - the EURAIL pass is generally valid for a period longer than your cruise will be. So after your cruise use the rail pass to get to a hub city that offers the best potential for using the buddy pass crossing the pond. It used to be that you could do Europe on the cheap-side. But not anymore - plan - compute - and return to take another look. Plan your options to have options and as mrs767er noted you are going to need luck and whole great deal plenty lot of it !

Buddy passes to Europe in the summer to catch a cruise - ooooooh Cuda.
Cuda now is the time, time to prepare your troops for battle - (personally I channel my inner Patton)
Plan to operate as two separate groups having limited contact-they must be able to operate independently.
And as ISPPILOT and M7 said, try and get that luggage down, (BP’s always carry too much stuff) tell them “all that luggage” could make the difference in making the cruise, plus they will have to lug it up 2,000+ steps.


Good luck!

I don't think I'd buy Eurail pass, as they are not advantageou$ for 1-2 point to point trips. Better to look at individual train ops, like German, French rails, etc upon arrival, then book online. You may find airfares on their many LCCs more suitable for price. Also, some cities offer great bus service. The best advantage for any train is that you can find overnights.
Be prepared to spend several days trying to get back to the States. Try oddball options, like WOW Iceland and then DL from KEF to JFK (even tho that will likely be VERY heavily loaded)
I'm with Mig--cut back that luggage--nobody really cares how dressed up you are on a cruise--you have to sacrifice something to nonrev somethimes--ladies--6 prs of heels/matching handbags, hosiery, jewelry, makeup, toiletries, etc--all absurd! Guys--cut back all the jeans (too hot) a few pr light trou and some nice shorts--not cargo crap with heavy hiking shoes. Pretend the airline lost all your luggage and go with the flow! You can do it!! Think LIGHT....

Oh yeah--better to have your BPs go backwards (like DTW/MSP, etc) for $50-100 extra than sit ATL/JFK and not get on limited flights. So far, Italy is not your nonstop friend this weekend. Be mindful of the same thing returning--they may have to go the west coast to get to the US.

Does anybody know what happened here? Did Cuda and crew make it out of ATL? Did they pare down the luggage? Did anybody made it to "someplace"??? :rolleyes::cool:

I vote for PM--I'll do the honors, as DL pass rider.
PM sent--tune in tomorrow or later...

Well, I'll be gobsmacked! Even the 2 BPs got on MXP biz--who knew? Right choice, obviously. On their way to Civatitiveccia for the cruise. Bon voyage, Cuda and company!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mrs767er

Even the 2 BPs got on MXP biz--who knew? Right choice, obviously.

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I’m surprised. Just goes to show you, sometimes you just get lucky.:cool:

Or sometimes you get so lucky, it's unlucky. Like the time I tried to go DEN-MSN memorial day weekend. Options were DEN-ORD-EAU, DEN-MSN, or another DEN-MSN. DEN-ORD and one of the DEN-MSN flights left the same time. DEN-ORD seemed really bad, so we tried DEN-MSN (which really wasn't any better). Would have gotten on DEN-ORD. The next DEN-MSN flight was 5 hours later, and booked to capacity (66/66). That plane had enough seats for me, the wife, the nonrev above us, and all nonrevs below us. And it still would have had an extra seat or two. Sadly, we gave up when we figured it would be 5 hours of waiting for nothing.

Thanks for all the help everyone. Yes, we made it from ATL-JFK-MXP with little hassle and we and our BP's got biz-elite. They were thrilled being my wife's parents who've never been out of country and hardly ever fly. We took the train from MXP to Roma Termini for about 120 euros each I think. Then a cab to the hotel. The cruise was great. Now the fun part. Getting back. We decided that FCO with three flights out a day was our best chance. We could have tried to go back to MXP by train but we wouldn't have made it in time to try for the ATL flight and wanted to avoid the 500 euro train ride. Things were looking good but then the dreaded "weight restriction" hammer was dropped. We would have made the flight to ATL but those seats flew empty. That destroyed the DTW flight which was the one I was really hoping for. Trickle down effect, JFK died too. (no pun.....well maybe) So we got a sweet hotel on the beach completely by accident. I bought the cheapest closest hotel I could find with the best ratings on KAYAK and was not expecting the location and service we received. Couldn't have worked out better while missing our flights. Anyway, got on the ATL flight the next morning (econ) and everyone lived happily ever after. Thanks again everyone.

Cuda

Thanks for the update Cuda, I was wondering about the return flight.
And what’s the name of that “sweet hotel on the beach“? :cool:

Glad to see you got home. Coach is painful once you've been spoiled tho! Mi familia split at BRU--one flew out a few days ago in biz and the other 2 went via AMS few days and back thru DTW/SFO in biz yesterday.
Where did you cruise and what were your faves? Which line?
Were you in Ostia? I'd like to know about that hotel, too. There are some B&Bs there and some have shuttle. DL Team Leader there used to have one, but I think he sold it. I'll see if I can get the info. Here's his rental place in Sicily:
B&B Bed and Breakfast Siracusa by the sea steps to the beach La Terrazza sul Mare Avola, B&B The Terrace by the Sea in Siracusa exactly in Avola province of Siracusa, in Sicily (Italy) - Bed & Breakfast Sicily by the sea B&B sea, Italy.
I'm pretty stoked about this one. It looks awesome.

Next time, consider options with LCC. Eu has lots of them. Fam flew US/AMS, then RYanair to Rome for less that $50 each (bags incld)