I was excited to find out that United Airlines offered a non-stop, overnight flight from SFO to FLL.
This was a perfect way to get from coast to coast with minimal effort and save a hotel night! The flight was scheduled as 5 hours and 46 minutes and I do believe we touched ground several minutes early. After enjoying our last day in California with aBay Cruise and something to eat, we headed to the airport to drop off the Mustang and make our way to the gate. Returning The Mustang Convertible Rental
It was a sad moment when we had toreturn the Mustang. Oh well.. it was fun while it lasted.
The return process was seamless and efficient. Pull up, get your stuff out, and the guys (and girls) take the car away. Granted, we also arrived in the late evening since our flight was close to 11pm, so maybe it wasn't a high-crowd time. Either way, it went smooth!! Getting Through Security
I was impressed with the security lines at SFO. The line moved steadily and wasn't very long at that hour. One of my bags was sent through the scanner twice, but hey.. better safe than sorry, right?! It's always a relief when you get your shoes back on, grab your bags and belt and scurry down the hall to your gate. Well.. actually that part isn't a relief. The relief is when you get to your gate on time and plop your out-of-breath-self down on a chair looking like a crazy fool and THEN you can put your belt back on and any other steps that will make you look like a semi-sane human being. haha!
Fortunately, we had plenty of time for our flight. We found some nice egg-shaped chairs to plop down on and I reorganized my bags.. oh wait.. that reminds me, I forgot something.. Small Bag Fiasco
I forgot there was a small fiasco around the security line! The line moved just fine, but I was caught off guard when I entered it. Coming straight from Pier 39, I had mycarry-on suitcase and boarding bag, I also had a jute souvenir bag I had just bought, dangling on my arm, a small cross body bag and a container of some bread in hand which I was going to eat while I waited for the flight. An employee at the entrance of the United area security check instantly stopped me and told me I couldn't enter the line until I had only 2 bags.
SO! That left me the person hanging out on the floor of the airport, exposing their suitcase innards and trying to rapidly shove things inside just to be allowed to go into the security line. Awkward. I know I had more than 2 bags. I know I probably looked like a mess walking up. But I promise that my first task post-security was to get everything more situated and eat my bread thus disposing of that before the flight etc. I was caught off guard by the lady. Moments after I entered the line, I saw the employee had left and a new, friendly employee had arrived and didn't give someone behind me trouble at all who had "more than two bags". Maybe it was just a bad day for the lady. Maybe I just looked TOO CRAZY! (always possible ;) ) Either way, it reminds you that you never know what you will get going through an airport. Two people on the same day with identical luggage flying the same airline could have two totally different experiences. Keeps it interesting, eh? Check Security Wait Times at SFO
By the way...
Fun Fact! You can get a heads up on how long you may have to wait in security lines on a few websites. SFO Security Wait Times Via TSA SFO Security Wait Times Via iFly.com SFO Security Wait Times Via WhatsBusy.com The Flight
The flight was great! Smooth as butter. Be aware that there is no meal on this flight. They do give you drinks and snacks which are complimentary. If you want anything further you need to purchase it. It wasn't a huge deal to me because I mainly went to sleep. The goal was to sleep as much as possible on this flight so when we arrived in Florida at 7-8am we would be ready for day one in the Sunshine State!
Would I recommend it?
Chyeaaaah! I decided that I love red-eye flights like this. If they are long enough. I like not having to wake up early to drive to an airport then get there super early. With an 11 pm flight you have plenty of time to enjoy a destination for the day, make your way back to the airport, return your rental car, get to your gate, get settled on the plane, sleep, and wake up ready to go. AND you save the cost of a hotel night. For me, this is a win. I know not everyone would love this type of flight, though.
Do you like red eye flights? Let us know below!Red Eye Flight Must-Haves
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |