All right, how much earlier should I be at the airport?

[ducklite]

For those going to the airport hoping to arrive by 4 am or 5 am, it's not a bad idea to call the airport and see if anything is open. I only say this because I once took an early shuttle to LAX to get to the counter early and found that all the ticket counters were still closed....and in fact the airport was closed!! I got there at 5:00 am....

Just to make sure...

I did this in Burlington, but people were already lined up at the counter and security waiting for them to open. I'm glad I got there early and into line, because the security screening took so long that I would have missed my plane! They wanded EVERYONE and hand searched every single bag--and this was a year after September 11th!

Anne

 

[Kteacher]

I agree with Ann- you can a t least get in line. It's being reported that they are hand checking all carry ons. I'm hoping that people will be smart enough to either check newly restricted items or purchase them in their destination, otherwise the security lines will continue to be long.

 

[Simba's Mom]

DH flew out of Orange County Airport this afternoon, and there was a 2 hour wait just going through security.

 

[lynninpa]

Just saw several different news reports that stated it is recommended until further notice that all travellers arrive 3 hours prior to flight time for travel within the United States. For travel from outside the States, it is strongly suggested that you call your airline. But don't stress! After all, it's Disney we are all headed to!

 

[katiedid0801]

I'm flying from Nashville to Kansas City and the morning, just called SWA & they told me 2 hour MINIMUM ahead of flight time. (Her emphasis!)

 

[Donald is #1]

For those going to the airport hoping to arrive by 4 am or 5 am, it's not a bad idea to call the airport and see if anything is open. I only say this because I once took an early shuttle to LAX to get to the counter early and found that all the ticket counters were still closed....and in fact the airport was closed!! I got there at 5:00 am....

Just to make sure...

Excellent point! For anyone flying out of Manchester NH, when I flew on an early flight a few weeks ago, I don't think that security opened until about 4:30 AM or 5 AM.

 

[lilsunshine1219]

Excellent point! For anyone flying out of Manchester NH, when I flew on an early flight a few weeks ago, I don't think that security opened until about 4:30 AM or 5 AM.

I am flying out of Manchester next Friday, and this is my families first time on an airplane. I have a terrified DH and my son could care less unless he sees us worried and this was before todays events. Does ANYONE have any ideas on how to calm my DH down, it took me years to get him to fly


How is manchester airport?

What time would you arrive for an 8pm flight????

 

[Donald is #1]

I am flying out of Manchester next Friday, and this is my families first time on an airplane. I have a terrified DH and my son could care less unless he sees us worried and this was before todays events. Does ANYONE have any ideas on how to calm my DH down, it took me years to get him to fly


How is manchester airport?

What time would you arrive for an 8pm flight????

Actually Manchester is very easy to fly out of. Normally, I get to any airport 2 hours in advance, because personnally I would rather sit at the gate reading than worry about making a flight while I am standing in line. I don't know how the latest events will affect the airports. I would suggest planning on arriving 3 hours early.

 

[camlace]

The connector tunnel reopened yesterday.

Just a quick correction...the 'connector tunnel' did NOT reopen yesterday. Only Ramp 'A' from South Boston reopened. This ramp really won't help someone traveling from Central Mass though. She will still need to follow the detours to the Callahan Tunnel.

 

[camlace]

ugh
ok so now we're leaving home at 415am to get to Logan (figure an hr travel from central MA?)
flight is at 815 and Delta is suggesting 3hrs minimum

on the way home DH always needs to get to the airport 3hrs ahead - now it will be 4hrs! yikes! uhoh maybe I better change our last AR!

It looks like you might be traveling on Saturday? An hour to hour and fifteen minutes should get you to the airport even with the detours...not a lot of traffic on a Saturday at that time. I make it from North-Central Mass to Logan most days in 1.5 hours leaving at 6:30 am in the height of rush hour.

Delta's terminal today was absolutely crazy (as was the rest of the airport). Not sure if you have flown Delta since they moved to Terminal A, but if you have you know how big the main lobby is. When I went over to the terminal today the entire lobby was FULL...wall to wall people...it even extended outside!! A couple of thoughts to ease your mind...by this afternoon wait times for security were under 15 minutes. Also, by Saturday, everyone (passengers, TSA, other security, etc) will be more up to speed and even though you will still security checks taking a little longer, things should be running smoothly. Ticket Agents were also going through the lines all day pulling passengers whose flights were the next to depart so that no one would miss their flights.

Having said all of this I do still agree with an estimate of arriving 2.5-3 hours early. I'd rather sit in the terminal rather than risk missing the flight.

Sorry so long! Have a great trip