Small Airport...No Checked Baggage....How Early?

kristenrice

NOT just an ambulance driver

Joined

Apr 25, 2006

• Sep 27, 2016

• #1

We are flying out of Grand Rapids at 6:30pm on a Friday. We have only carry-ons and we will have our boarding passes before we leave for the airport. Basically, we will need to go through security and proceed to our gate. Will we be OK if we get to the airport at 5:15? My dad is picking us up and dropping us off so no worries about parking the car.

Thanks!

 

J

jeeperwy

Mouseketeer

Joined

May 13, 2005

• Sep 27, 2016

• #2

We fly out of a small airport and I think you should be ok. I know at ours if you have bags then you have to check them at least 45 minutes before the flight, so with no bags I would think over an hour is good.

 

sam_gordon

DIS Veteran

Joined

Jun 26, 2010

• Sep 27, 2016

• #3

At my small airport, with no luggage, I target getting out of my car 1 hour before the flight. Usually I'm at the gate 45 minutes before the flight. I think 1:15 is good.

 

Sandi

A proud Spartans fan.

Joined

Aug 17, 1999

• Sep 28, 2016

• #4

We flew out of GRR last December and I was surprised at the lines at TSA (they were very long). We had a special circumstance (our flight out of Lansing was cancelled, so we drove over to GRR and had to go to a "special ticketing" line for Delta -- then to TSA). After that experience, we got PreCheck. I think you'll be fine arriving 75 minutes ahead of your flight.

 

AngiTN

DIS Veteran

Joined

Mar 7, 2011

• Sep 28, 2016

• #5

How small? Our airport is 5 gates, furthest parking place in the airport is 10 min walk, tops.
When we fly without checked bags we park 30 min before boarding (not departure, which is 30 min after boarding)
And we still have time to get in security and get a beverage before boarding. Our security lines are typically non-existent mostly because we only have 1 flight departing at a time.
Heck, we fly out next Friday at 5:15 AM. The airport won't open before 4:00, if not 4:30

 

Last edited: Sep 29, 2016

JessM

We all have a dream

Joined

Sep 5, 2012

• Sep 28, 2016

• #6

I would assume you would be fine especially that "late" in the day. My home airport has 12 gates and I've made it from the curb to my gate in under 5 minutes before... I normally try to park at my airport 1 hour before departure. I have plenty of time to get thru security, fill my water bottle and grab a coffee.

 

A

adisneyaunt

DIS Veteran

Joined

May 17, 2014

• Sep 28, 2016

• #7

U should really consider checking the airport website.
I have experienced a LONG delay at the security line at a small airport and they literally started to call people OFF the line that would have missed flights. Things happen.
They usually board 20-30 minutes Before flight times.
And traffic issue/s. We were stuck once with NO exit for miles ...a terrible accident. Thankfully our delay was okay but that poor family .

Rather be safe than sorry! A simple ck as to what time They suggest u arrive is a better gauge than the DIS suggestions ( despite that we all think the DIS people are awesome lol)
Safe travels!

 

sam_gordon

DIS Veteran

Joined

Jun 26, 2010

• Sep 28, 2016

• #8

Do you have any neighbors or coworkers who regularly fly out of that airport? They can give you a better idea of how bad/good security lines are.

 

kristenrice

NOT just an ambulance driver

Joined

Apr 25, 2006

• Sep 28, 2016

• #9

Our most recent flights out of GRR (2011 and 2015) were both very early morning flights, like 6am. As I recall, the security check took no more than 5 minutes, but the line to check the bags was another story.

The airport website recommends arriving to the ticket counter 90-120 minutes prior to departure and to the gate at least 45 minutes before departure. Even if it takes 20 minutes to get through security, I think we'll be ok arriving at 5:15. I'm going to check the flight schedule and see how many flights are departing after 6. That might give me a better picture of how busy it will be.

 

Minnesota!

Shoeless in Minnesota

Joined

Sep 15, 1999

• Sep 29, 2016

• #10

We fly out of a smaller airport - Terminal 2 at MSP. Last trip, security took forrrrrrrever. You SHOULD be fine, but I always err on the side of caution and get there early. Like really early. I would rather kill an hour on airside than sweat it out in security..

 

Julylady

DIS Veteran

Joined

Jan 7, 2005

• Sep 29, 2016

• #11

GRR is my home airport. If your flight was early morning, I would be concerned because the TSA lines can be very long some days. But even then, I think arriving 75 minutes before your flight would be plenty of time if you could completely eliminate the first counter and go right to the gate. I have never seen a long TSA line anytime after about 11am at GRR.

 

A

adisneyaunt

DIS Veteran

Joined

May 17, 2014

• Sep 29, 2016

• #12

I posted previously on this thread.
Today my DS was to fly out at 645pm...boarding was at 615....
Left work hour earlier to get to the airport and have enough time.

Got notified flight delayed an hour. Then within that hour, 2 more notifications. As of this moment, the flight is still scheduled for 910 but hasn't boarded.
They gave him a $50 voucher.
Ya Just never know..... How things can go with airlines and airports.
Like I said to him earlier. I'd rather be delayed and safe on the ground than sitting on a Tarmac or on a rough flight.
Safe travels one and all!!

 

AngiTN

DIS Veteran

Joined

Mar 7, 2011

• Sep 29, 2016

• #13

I agree, if they don't feel like a plane should take off I may be very annoyed but I sure want them to be sure before it's in the air