Question for cachers traveling

[+softball29]

I have a question -- as someone who doesn't fly too often.

 

I'm looking at a trip in April where I'll be doing some flying. The return trip I'm looking at has a layover in Cleveland for like four hours.

 

For those of you who travel -- is it possible to leave the airport and maybe go grab a couple of caches and come back and all? I mean, four hours is a long time and if there are nearby caches, seems like it would be nice to get out and stretch the legs. Or maybe try and meet an area cacher or two who will help you find 2-3 caches and get you back.

 

Anyone?

[+Juicepig]

i know of it being done, but the flight was delayed for like 13h

[+gpsfun]

I'm not familiar with the Cleveland airport, but I can tell you that time can get away from you fast during a layover. You have to get off the plane, decide what to do with the carry-on luggage that you don't want to take out geocaching, find your way out of the airport, get transportation from someone who has no idea why you are taking various turns, etc. You then have to get back to the airport in time to go through security, and get to the departure gate at least 20 minutes before your scheduled departure.

 

So it could be a little intense.

[+wimseyguy]

What the redneck tow-truck said. I fly 4-5x a year, and avoid connecting flights whenever possible. But when I do get stuck with a layover, I wouldn't plan to leave the airport unless I had at least 5-6 hours.

 

I too haven't been to this particular airport, and there appear to be several caches within 10-15 minutes driving time of the airport. But keep in mind that most airports have long entry roads off of the highways to allow for proper merging, rental car returns, and parking options as well as the flight terminals. Also, the times on your itinerary are gate arrival and departure times. You need to allow for 10-15 minutes to deplane, and they will start boarding 15+ minutes prior to departure so they are pulling away from the gate at that posted time. And if you leave the gate area, you will need to get through security again. I've had waits of 3-30 minutes this past year, depending on the airport, traffic, and time of day. And how do you plan to get to these caches? Taxi? Bus? Or do you have a local who can be waiting for you to land and will drive you door to door?

 

So, it might be possible, but not likely. Is it worth the stress to find 2-3 more? Four hours is a pretty long layover, but not probably long enough to get out and cache. I'd try to minimize the layover, or add an hour or three to it with the plan to cache. I'd also contact the owners of the nearest caches for their perspective.

[+softball29]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I kind of figured that, but thought I'd look into it. I'll probably try and get a shorter layover flight now that I know all of this!

 

Thanks!

[+Rockin Roddy]

I'd try to hook up with a local (post your intentions in the regional section) who'd be willing to take you caching in the area! Carry-on wouldn't be a problem, you'll only have one or two bag...right? Time it takes to eave the airport is minimal, the most time is usually taken waiting for luggage and you won't be doing this. If the local would be willing to pick you up at the airport, you could catch a few nearby caches and be back with plenty of time to spare!

 

And, you'll likely make a new friend!

[+Rockin Roddy]

I'd try to hook up with a local (post your intentions in the regional section) who'd be willing to take you caching in the area! Carry-on wouldn't be a problem, you'll only have one or two bag...right? Time it takes to eave the airport is minimal, the most time is usually taken waiting for luggage and you won't be doing this. If the local would be willing to pick you up at the airport, you could catch a few nearby caches and be back with plenty of time to spare!

 

And, you'll likely make a new friend!

[+Lil Devil]

A couple of years ago, I was heading to Alaska on a fishing trip. I had a 3-1/2 hour layover in Seattle. My suitcase was checked, and I was only carrying my laptop. After I got off the plane, I headed directly for the exit, which is conveniently right next to the security checkpoint. Before exiting, I observed that the line for security was only about 10-15 minutes. I had to hope it would be no worse when I return. I flagged down a taxi, and had him drop me off at a large park 2 miles away that had two traditionals and one multi in it. I walked around and found the two trads and the first two stages of the multi, but the final stage was a mile outside the park, in the opposite direction from the airport. Bummer.

 

Then I tried calling the first cab company, to get a ride back. After several tries, I was never able to get beyond a recording. By that time I had walked out to the main road and after a few minutes I was able to flag down a passing taxi. Whew.

 

At this point I still had about an hour and a half to get back to the gate. It was about 1pm, I was hungry, and airport food is so expensive, so I had the cabbie take me through the drive-through at Taco Bell. He even ordered some food for himself since he was there anyways. I ate on the way back to the airport.

 

Security was quick and painless and I was at the gate about 45 minutes before departure, which is only about 20 minutes before they start boarding.

 

It cost me around $25 in cab fare, but I got 2 finds, enjoyed a nice walk around a pretty park, and a better lunch than in the airport. Not bad if you ask me.

 

In retrospect I agree with the other posts. Hook up with a local cacher if possible. You'll save the cab fare and probably get more caches in a shorter amount of time.

[+Jennifer&Dean]

I was through there earlier this year. There are a few pretty close to the airport that you can get if you can get a ride to them. We got there pretty early and did not have much to do while waiting for our flight. There are some neat sculptures of "paper" airplanes in some of the atriums there.

Cleveland is a pretty fast airport to get through from my experience but remember that your flight boards 30 minutes earlier than the take-off time so you may only have 3.5 hours to wander. Given time to exit and get back through security you probably have about 2 hours for caching at the most.

J