Crazy Connection: 46 Minutes in Atlanta!

Ack! Good job being on top of this. I imagine connections only get tighter with each student you're wrangling!

I'd take a look at alternate routings as well—Delta also flies to Rome from New York, Boston, and, I think, Detriot. If that 11:14 to ATL doesn't work, maybe the other routings offer alternatives.

Unfortunately that kind of schedule change is not uncommon (and it could happen again between now and May). Late last year I had what was a fairly comfortable cushion between my Delta flights DCA-Detroit and Detroit-Seoul reduced to 40 minutes -- and I knew that if I missed that connection, I'd make it to Bangkok (my final destination) eventually, but probably with a delay of at least a day. They wouldn't move me to an earlier flight. My prayers to the travel gods were answered as the first flight was on time (indeed a bit early) and I made the connection without a problem, but it was nerve-wracking. It is certainly possible to make a 46 minute connection in Atlanta but the first flight can't have any significant delay (assuming that your flight to Rome is on time -- that one could also be delayed which would be to your benefit), and I'm sure it's a lot harder having to herd 19 students! It also makes a difference how far apart your gates are which you likely won't know until you get to ATL -- seems like when I go through there I always come into something like A1 and leave from T55, or vice-versa, which is a very long way having to take the subway between terminals, as opposed to lucking out by just having to walk one minute between A1 and A3. Further, even if you make a tight connection, the tighter it is, the more the possibility that your checked bags may not. So I hope they are able to accommodate your group on the earlier flight.

That's the kind of thing I'd expect from Delta. Last year they tried -- twice -- to reroute me from Seattle to Boston via Los Angeles, instead of leaving me on the nonstop I'd bought. The first customer service agent fixed the problem, then it reappeared. The second agent fixed it again, but reluctantly and after considerable pushback. I hope your group can get on the earlier flight for a more realistic connection time at ATL. If not, your 19 young travelers will have the thrill of racing from gate to gate. Good practice for traffic in Rome? Hope the trip turns out great for everyone.

I’ve had too many experiences at ATL running to gates even at different terminals when the monorail wasn’t available. I can’t imagine doing that with a group of students or adults!

I would log onto the Delta app or Delta website and see if there is a connection via JFK or BOS that offers you the connection cushion that you want and then check to make sure there are plenty of seats available on both legs of an itinerary via JFK or BOS. If you find something, call back Delta and have the agent make the changes. There will be no cost whatsoever because of the changes Delta made to your original itinerary.

I'm waiting to hear back from Delta, but there is space on the 11:14 flight and the agent put in a request to move us to that.

If there is the space on that flight why does the agent have to 'put in a request'? Why not just do it, or get a supervisor on the line.

Did you get a definite time for the call back?

That is scary that they didn't fix it on the first call.

If there is the space on that flight why does the agent have to 'put in a request'? Why not just do it, or get a supervisor on the line.

Group space can be more complicated than individual tickets. They probably have to adjust available inventory in the appropriate fare code, which would be beyond the scope of anyone in a call center.

Update: I checked yesterday and noticed that we’re now booked on both flights—the 11:14 and the 1:55. If I were leaving soon, that would make me nervous, but I’ll wait a few days and see what happens next. Could be that the computer systems haven’t talked to each other yet.

Final Update (I hope): It took 12 days, but I received an updated itinerary today. The 1:55 flight is gone and everyone is booked on the 11:14 only. Phew! Now I’m holding my breath hoping that Delta doesn’t make another change. We’re within 60 days of departure.