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MDA travel question
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MDA travel question

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › MDA travel question

  • Post
    • August 23, 2011 at 6:53 pm
    Jamietk
    Participant

      For the first time in 6 years, I am going to fly to MDA instead of drive. I'm on annual check up of chest x-ray and blood work only. My Dr. appt is at noon on a Monday in October. We will have a rental car to return at the airport. I'd like to take the 5:30 flight home. Do you think that's pushing it? There is also a 6:30 and 7:00 flight home but they cost more and get in later. I know the hospital has travel services with Continental and they waive the rescheduling fee if you have to change your flight.

      For the first time in 6 years, I am going to fly to MDA instead of drive. I'm on annual check up of chest x-ray and blood work only. My Dr. appt is at noon on a Monday in October. We will have a rental car to return at the airport. I'd like to take the 5:30 flight home. Do you think that's pushing it? There is also a 6:30 and 7:00 flight home but they cost more and get in later. I know the hospital has travel services with Continental and they waive the rescheduling fee if you have to change your flight. But they are twice the price of Southwest so I'd like to book through them. I will be my Doctor's first appointment of the day so he shouldn't be behind, especially since my only tests are xray and lab. Do you think 5 1/2 hours is enough time between Dr. appt and flight time, assuming there is nothing found on x-ray and bloodwork and nothing to really discuss further? We're usually in and out pretty quick but I am not familiar with the Houston airport and how long it takes to get there from the hospital, return the car, and get through security. Thanks for any opinions.

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        • August 23, 2011 at 8:19 pm
        jyc
        Participant

          I'm from Houston.  If you fly Continental, you'll fly out of Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). The airport is approx. 45min away on the north side of town and the security lines are busier.  If you're flying out at 5:30, you'll need to be out of MDA by 3pm.  If you fly Southwest, you'll fly out of Houston Hobby (HOU) which is about 20min away from MDA and is closer to the medical center.  The airport is significantly smaller and security lines usually are shorter.  I'm not familiar with the rental car situation but I know that the rental car return at Bush is off site and you'll need to take a shuttle to the terminal once you drop off the car.

            • August 23, 2011 at 8:22 pm
            jyc
            Participant

              I forgot to mention that we're in a sever heat wave here in Texas and our daily high temps are in the 100's.  Just be prepared for a sizzling time.

              • August 23, 2011 at 8:31 pm
              Jamietk
              Participant

                Thank you for the info. It sounds like a noon appt and a 5:30 flight out of Hobby should be ok. I hope the temps are cooler by then, but I know you all have had it rough this summer. I whined about our 3 week heat wave in the midwest in July/beginning of Aug. I hate the heat.

                • August 23, 2011 at 8:31 pm
                Jamietk
                Participant

                  Thank you for the info. It sounds like a noon appt and a 5:30 flight out of Hobby should be ok. I hope the temps are cooler by then, but I know you all have had it rough this summer. I whined about our 3 week heat wave in the midwest in July/beginning of Aug. I hate the heat.

                  • August 23, 2011 at 8:22 pm
                  jyc
                  Participant

                    I forgot to mention that we're in a sever heat wave here in Texas and our daily high temps are in the 100's.  Just be prepared for a sizzling time.

                  • August 23, 2011 at 8:19 pm
                  jyc
                  Participant

                    I'm from Houston.  If you fly Continental, you'll fly out of Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). The airport is approx. 45min away on the north side of town and the security lines are busier.  If you're flying out at 5:30, you'll need to be out of MDA by 3pm.  If you fly Southwest, you'll fly out of Houston Hobby (HOU) which is about 20min away from MDA and is closer to the medical center.  The airport is significantly smaller and security lines usually are shorter.  I'm not familiar with the rental car situation but I know that the rental car return at Bush is off site and you'll need to take a shuttle to the terminal once you drop off the car.

                    • August 23, 2011 at 9:27 pm
                    jackiewin
                    Participant

                      Southwest is very good to patients at MDA.  If you find you might be able to catch an earlier flight, jut show up at the aiport and bring your MDA schedule with you.  If you have to catch a later flight, call them and reschedule.  Also, don't forget that MDA schedule.  You probably will have to show it to make changes without paying any additional monies.

                       

                      Jackie W

                      • August 23, 2011 at 9:27 pm
                      jackiewin
                      Participant

                        Southwest is very good to patients at MDA.  If you find you might be able to catch an earlier flight, jut show up at the aiport and bring your MDA schedule with you.  If you have to catch a later flight, call them and reschedule.  Also, don't forget that MDA schedule.  You probably will have to show it to make changes without paying any additional monies.

                         

                        Jackie W

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