Arriving HNL on American on a Sat at 2PM. Departing on Hawaiian at 3:30, boarding at 3.
Has anyone recently exited the terminal, collected and re-checked bags, and made it back through security to gate within one hour? Other experiences?
Thx
Yes, I've done it. It's doable, but it's tight, and it helps to know where you're going ahead of time. If you're traveling with a spouse, have them stay airside and hold everything (carryons, etc) except your wallet. That way, you can navigate any inspections and security faster. (The spouse can also ask the gate agents not to shut the gate early if there's any issue...) Then you go recover and re-check the luggage.
If you do the same thing on the way home, (Hawaii-HNL-mainland) you would need to do an ag inspection before you re-check in HNL.
If you have the option of packing everything into carryons, (no liquids, no bulky dive gear, etc) then that will probably be less stressful than navigating a tight AA-to-HA luggage re-check in HNL.
I would plan to arrive at the departure airport VERY EARLY for your flight to HNL. I would find AA Customer service and explain exactly what you just said you are concerned about. If they don't offer a viable solution, I would ask whether they could re-issue the ticket (the inter island part) or even a voucher stating the flights were consecutive with reciprocating airlines. Then be sure and take that with you when you check the bag - specify you want through baggage. I bet they can do this if you talk to the right person... Or even if you call the airport aa desk a day ahead and just ask.
Hope it all goes smoothly and that you get right on your next flight. HNL is a nice airport as people say - not a bad place to spend time... Good luck!
As an Executive Platinum with American, I have not been able to convince any American agent at DFW to check luggage through to Hawaiian when it's booked on different tickets. Maybe in SAT you would get a less experienced agent who would be willing to sneak it through. Or maybe you could tip a skycap enough to do it. But according to the rules, there is no way to do it, even for a fee. Don't let AA convince you it's Hawaiian airlines issue; it's an AA decision, and it's not just with Hawaiian Airlines.
As for AA re-issuing the Hawaiian ticket on the day of flight - Unless you have some sort of flight disruption where the rules get thrown out the door and AA eats the cost, I don't have any idea (technically) how that could even work.
There is a way that a real full-service travel agent with GDS access can put two separate tickets into one PNR (record locator) when they first book the tickets, and that should actually work to get the baggage checked through. If you don't know a full-service travel agent, I suspect Amex Travel services could do it, but they will definitely charge an issuing fee of $40 per ticket.