Does everyone get to the airport 2 hours early?

[michygoomy]

I was looking at my flights, and realized for my 9:05 flight (what was I thinking?!? Oh, yeah, I was thinking 100 airfare on not much else...), I'll have to get there at 7am, which means leaving my house at 5am! Yegads!

This is my first flight post-THAT-DAY-THAT-WILL-NOT-BE-NAMED and I'm wondering if people are REALLY getting there two hours early. I'll probably do it anyway, just to be sure, but I won't build in my usual 'cushion' either.

[DebbieB]

You have PA as your location, if it's Pittsburgh you better be there at least 2 hours before if you are checking luggage. No curbside check unless you are able to go in with the luggage right then. First you have to go to the counter or kiosk to get your tags and boarding passes. Then drag your checked luggage over to the scanning area. They put you in 1 of 2 lines - one for x-ray or one for manual hand check. Then you can go down to the regular security to have your carry-ons screened. That also takes longer than the "old days", be prepared to take off your shoes (no holes! ;) ). Then finally you can go to the gate. You must have a boarding pass and show photo ID before going through security. Have a great trip!:D

[GRAYWIFE]

We always get there 2 hours before...because I am so paranoid about Chicago traffic to the airport. We find that by the time you check-in, go through security, have breakfast and buy reading materials...it is almost time to board the plane!!!

This time we are flying on Spirit Airlines and they recommend 3 hours prior to Flight time!!!! Ugh!! We have a 7:25 am flight out of Chicago which means we are suppose to be at O'Hare by 4:30 am!!! We are actually planning on being there at 5am.

Our plan is to start adjusting our bedtimes about a week before our departure. It worked great when we went to Pheonix in the spring because we had a 7:05am flight that time.

Just think...you are going to Disney World!!! Good Luck!!!

[alexturner74]

No, it's rare that we'll get to an airport 2 hours early. However, we're pretty familiar with our airport and we make an educated guess at others.

[packy]

We fly out of Newark, NJ which is a busy airport. We try to arrive about 1 hour ahead of time. Most planes don't start boarding until about 1/2 hour before the flight. That gives you another 1/2 hour to check-in and go through security which is enough time at Newark.

[seashoreCM]

I sometimes get to the airport 2 to 2-1/2 hours early so I can be first in line to volunteer to be bumped and get a voucher or free trip.

Most airlines start boarding the plane about 1/2 hour before departure time, but some will cancel your reservation if you are not there within 10 minutes of departure time. Some will not check your baggage if you are not at the counter within 1/2 hour of departure time.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

What web site has up to the minute dynamic wait time showing for how long it takes to get through security? Second best would be a chart showing typical wait time for each of the hours of each day of the week, and separate hourly charts for exceptional days such as Sunday after Thanksgiving.

[ncligs]

We always print our boarding passes at home(Continental-US AIR) and we usually do carry-ons only.So for us,flying out of Cleveland, we go directly to security check points. That being said we like to be in the aiport 1 hour before are scheduled departing time.

P.S. If you print your boardiing passes at home(Continental -30 hours before) you can select emergency exit rows seats(more leg room) from home on the PC.;)

[CarolA]

Most of the time I get there one hour early. There are exceptions. If I am flying out of Boston I try to get there two hours early since that place is crazy. Atlanta is probably 90 minutes if it is one of the big travel days.

[michygoomy]

You have PA as your location, if it's Pittsburgh you better be there at least 2 hours before if you are checking luggage.

Yep, it's PIT--and I've flown THROUGH there a million times but never flew OUT of there. We plan to park at Charlie Brown's--do you have any experience with them?

If you print your boardiing passes at home(Continental -30 hours before) you can select emergency exit rows seats(more leg room) from home on the PC.

Being 4'11", leg room isn't generally a problem for me. ;)

Thanks for the quick replies.

[ncligs]

Originally posted by michygoomy
Yep, it's PIT--and I've flown THROUGH there a million times but never flew OUT of there. We plan to park at Charlie Brown's--do you have any experience with them?


We have used Charlie Brown's numerous times. They are ony a 3-5 minute ride to the airport.They are very quick and efficient. When you get to Charlie Browns all you do is get out of your car by there office..........leave your keys in the car...........go in and register.............they take your luggage and put it one of there vans............then you are on your way to the airport.It is usually about $6 a day if you are a AAA member.
On the return to Pittsburgh................get your luggage 1st.........call them and they will pick you up on the luggage level at the last door (8). When you get back to there lot, your car is pointing out of the lot with trunk open.;)

P.S. We used them all the time until my son(29) bought a condo 3 minutes from Charlie Brown's last year. Now we use him.http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/family/biggthumpup.gif

[michygoomy]

Thanks for the Charlie Brown info, it sounds very efficient (and it's cheaper than long-term parking). I'm not a AAA member, but I got a good price quote. In fact, I went into AAA with a friend and they said they had nothing for Charlie Browns. And they could've had a new member in me if they had!

[inkkognito]

I am very much like Donna. In the Chicago area, you never know how much traffic to expect, so I'd rather leave early and have to wait around the airport than leave late and be stressed out if I run into a traffic jam. We usually fly out of Midway (we take 79th Street to Pulaski, which is out of the way but is actually faster). If we get there early, we either sit in the food court or at an unused gate until it's almost boarding time. That way, we avoid the crowds and have some time to relax. We drive and usually park at Midway Park Savers, from which you can walk to the Orange Line entrance. It's much faster than using a Midway offsite lot and fighting for the overcrowded shuttle buses.
In Orlando, it all depends on the time of the day. When we are returning from a cruise, we make sure to get there early, before all the cruise line buses start arriving. We use Happy Limo, so we are able to beat them. Otherwise, once the huge crowds start arriving, the security wait can be very long.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.*****************

[Msslaydbug]

We fly out of DEN and have also foud by the time we check our baggage, get through security check points, take the tram to our gate and get breakfast we are ready to board the plane !! Sometimes pretty amazing how fast the time flies once you get there !!

[kokomom]

I would allow at least 2 hours before flight time...not to do so seems crazy. You never know what the airport is going to be like...from day to day it varies. The lines may be short one time...and long the next! Security can be fast or slow getting through. I certainly would risk missing my plane even if I had to get up early--even if you are traveling with kids.

We fly out of Indy and have never had to wait...but I would never risk it. You have to pay the penalty if you miss your flight...I also know if I were in line and someone were in a hurry because they didn't allow enough time for their flight I wouldn't let them in front of me (oh how mean I am)!!

FYI...you can't sit in the emergency exit row with children. You have to be physically able to open the door.

[kylara]

I fly out of Orlando and I do get their two hours early since the lines are often very long. I might do 90 minutes at the slower times in the year.

[ncligs]

Originally posted by kokomom
FYI...you can't sit in the emergency exit row with children. You have to be physically able to open the door.

We know that......it is just DW and myself traveling most of the time.;)

[caitycaity]

depending on which airport i am flying out of i get there 1 1/2 to 2 hours early. some airports i fly out of NEVER have a long line. i get there 1 1/2 hours early and always end up waiting. otoh, some airports i've gotten to 2 hours early and barely mad eit to the gate before boarding.

I also know if I were in line and someone were in a hurry because they didn't allow enough time for their flight I wouldn't let them in front of me (oh how mean I am)!!

around here airline reps pull people out of line, so you wouldn't have to worry about letting them in front of you. they'll most likely be pulled to the front by an airline employee. ;) :p

[laurabelle]

Originally posted by ncligs
We always print our boarding passes at home(Continental-US AIR) and we usually do carry-ons only.So for us,flying out of Cleveland, we go directly to security check points. That being said we like to be in the aiport 1 hour before are scheduled departing time.

P.S. If you print your boardiing passes at home(Continental -30 hours before) you can select emergency exit rows seats(more leg room) from home on the PC.;)


You're so smart, we do the same thing.;) I especially appreciate it on the way home out of MCO, the Airtran counter is usually mobbed! Even if you don't have internet access at your hotel for pre-printing boarding passes on the way home, you could still by-pass that line, go through security and get BPs at the gate.

[ncligs]

Originally posted by laurabelle
You're so smart, we do the same thing.;) I especially appreciate it on the way home out of MCO.....

We also always print our boarding passes at our DVC resort in Florida before we leave for the airport(MCO), so we can go right to security at MCO.This is where carry-on luggage is an advantage.http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/family/biggthumpup.gif

[disneyeveryyear]

We have a very small airport (4 gates) with only 3 carriers, and no curb side check-in. Since most of the planes only hold about 20 -60 people, there are never that many trying to check in.

All in all I plan to check in about 1 hour early for our November cruise.

However, on the return from MCO, we will probably leave so we have at least 2 hours at the airport after turning in the rental car.

I think it all depends on the size of the airport (and how busy it is).

[Hopefully]

I travel frequently for work and always arrive at least 90 minutes ahead and I prefer to be there 2 hours early. As others have said, the wait is often unpredictable. The same airport can be a breeze on one trip and a nightmare on the next. Also I have found that the security routines vary from one airport to the next. At some, you have to drag checked luggage to be xrayed - at others you do not. At some gates you need a photo ID - at others you do not. Be prepared at the security check point - shoes off (Much easier than the unexpected alarm and the "personal inspection"), jackets off, laptops out (if you have one on vacation) and most of all a sense of humor and lots of patience. The rules and process are intended to benefit us all. Give yourself plenty of time, and it will be a breeze. Have a Wonderful Trip!

[beccasmom]

We always arrive at the airport two hours early as well. And we live only about 15 minutes away from the airport! We live in the Philadelphia suburbs. However, it has often been a smart decision because either the line for check-in or the line at Security has been extremely long. This past June, the line for check-in at USAirways was a nightmare. We were in line for 1.5 hours. Many families missed their flights. The e-ticket kiosks were malfunctioning; there were only two available. In comparison, going through Security was a breeze. In response to many complaints, the airline has recalled many ticket agents that had been furloughed, so hopefully it will be easier next time….this was an extreme case, at least in my experience. We used the e-ticket kiosks at Orlando on the return flight with no problems. When we reached Security, the line was lengthy, but it moved fairly well….this was at 7:00 am, so I imagine it only becomes busier as the day progresses.

I know it can be boring waiting at the airport if you get there early and everything goes smoothly and you end up sitting at the gate…..I just get nervous and find it easier emotionally to get the whole process over with so I can relax.