Anyone familiar with SFO?

Hey all,

I'm planning a trip for this weekend, and am a little nervous about a connection I have planned. I'll be in YYJ trying to get back home, which normally wouldn't be a problem at all. Unfortunately, because I'm on furlough, I'm stuck to SkyWest-operated flights, so my options have been severely limited. Fortunately, SkyWest does run DL and UA flights, and I can take either one just as easily.

Anyway, I will be in YYJ trying to get to SLC for my next connection, and will have an hour and 15 minutes. Normally, this wouldn't be so bad, except 1: YYJ doesn't have customs preclearance, so I have to include time to go through customs (and security reclearance) in that equation, and 2: I'll be flying on a Delta flight to SLC from United, which is not in the same area (looks like I'll be going from concourse G to C). Does that sound doable? I could take the next flight to SLC, but that would give me only 20 minutes to get to my ORD flight. Yikes!

Thanks,
Brian

Doable, barring unforeseen circumstances.
I’m assuming you won't be waiting for checked luggage, as that is one big “circumstance“.
Wait times
Airport Wait Times
San Francisco Airport Security Wait Times | SFO checkpoint delays
BTW, SFO has an AirTrain (Red & Blue lines) take the red line - the shorter loop

Have a fun trip

As long as the weather in SFO is not crap and you don't have a 747 flight ahead of you clearing customs you should be fine. Enjoy Victoria BC, it is a beautiful city with lots of charm.

Regards,

Chepos

Yeah, it'll be really early in the day so I don't think there will be *too* much coming in. I'm also good at finding the shortest/fastest line at things.

If nothing else, I found another backup: if I take a flight to LAX (DL:OO, should be right next to the SLC flight) I can take a UA:OO flight to OKC, which would continue to ORD on the same plane... just like I came in on earlier today.

For what it's worth, I got home last night. All flights went like clockwork, other than some delays that didn't throw things off in the big picture. Final itinerary was EAU-ORD-OKC-LAX, LAX-SFO, SFO-YYJ, YYJ-SFO-SLC-ORD-EAU (ouch!). And that connection? Piece of cake! I was a little nervous when SFO went into flow control (air traffic delays) because of high winds when we went in, but we got cleared from that earlier than expected and arrived at the gate at 8:55, I think it was. Which is good, because a pax in front of me was saying that he takes the flight often, and it turns out that there's a flight from HKG that comes in close to the same time, and it's always a mess if you're stuck behind that. When I got to the customs area, there were many officers there, most had absolutely no line whatsoever. They still gave me an agricultural scan (had some candy, oh boy :P ) but my quick walking got me to the Delta terminal at 9:30 for a 10:07 scheduled departure (which was late anyway, but I had a long layover in SLC so it was fine).

You certainly went the long way round. *wink* Glad to hear you didn't have to spend the night in SFO.

Its always good when nonrev flights work like clockwork! How did you enjoy Victoria BC?

Regards,

Chepos

Victoria was fantastic! The weather could have been better, but I'm sure that's just because of the season. Very pretty area, though, and I thought it was really cool that you could get a floatplane to a few places in the Pacific northwest (including YVR and SEA) right from the harbo(u)r downtown... and the prices aren't totally astronomical, either (one way ticket to SEA is less than $200 for a regular paid ticket). If you do go out there, stay at the Ramada on Gorge Road. Amazing value, even without airline employee discounts (I didn't bother asking if that was available) and the service is amazing!

Too bad you didn't get a layover in sfo. It's a great city and the weather is great. At least during summertime. One of my favorite kind of places. I like the Asian look to the people there, the food, weather, history, its all there. A world class city bar none. Should include this place in your plans one day. Dirty Harry would be proud of you. "Was it five bullets or was it six? To be honest with you, I lost count in all the confusion, but this being a Magnum 44, and the most POWERFUL HANDGUN IN THE WORLD.....you've got to ask yourself one question. DO I FEEL LUCKY? Well..........DO YOU?....... PUNK!"

Actually, I did have a night in SFO before my night in YYJ. Neat city :)