Allow more then 2 hrs at MCO

[Luvdisney]

Just back from WDW and I must say the worst line I was in was at MCO waiting to get through security. We arrived at 12:10 PM for our 2:29 PM flight home. Stood in line at the AirTran counter to check in for over 30 min. Decided to go get something to eat for lunch, but noticed a long line at the gate entrance. Got in line and waited and waited. Finally got through the line just in time to arrive at the gate for boarding. Thank goodness I was able to buy a begal and take on the plane. So you may want to allow more then 2 hours at MCO. Not sure if this was the norm or just because it's Spring break. I did speak to another person in line who said it was the same way 2 weeks earlier. Be for warned.

 

[jaysue]

Does MCO have more than one terminal? Could it be that a specific terminal is busier than others?

Thanks
Jason

 

[hercamore]

I hear ya!

We BARELY made it to our flight this past January. And we arrived over 2 hours early too!

Long, long wait at the Northwest counter, messing around with security lines, l5 min to eat burger King, and we boarded right away.

I have been thru MCO several times in the last few years, and this was the longest we have ever had to wait.

I was so surprised. Never assume anything when you travel, I guess.


herc.

 

[Luvdisney]

There is a Terminal A and B. I was on the A side but entered through the B side. The lines over there looked just as long.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

I booked a 11:45 SW flight home from our cruise. I was hoping that would allow us enough time without feeling rushed. Now I'm concerned!

 

[Luvdisney]

How are you getting from the Cruise to Airport? If you are using Disney Transportation, you might want to call ask what time the bus gets you to MCO?

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Does MCO have more than one terminal? Could it be that a specific terminal is busier than others?

Yes, they have two terminals. They are both about the same in terms of waiting and security. It is not like you have the choice to use Terminal B if Terminal A is busy. You have to go to the terminal where your airline is.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

Luvdisney...we are taking a towncar or Limo from Cartier. I guess it's just a matter of getting off the ship ASAP!

 

[LvsTnk]

Sounds like booking an airline with curbside check in would be the way to go. We always feel sorry for the passengers waiting in those long lines inside This way you would save a little time. We find the extra tip for the person handling the bags well worth it.

 

[sgtdisney]

Originally posted by LvsTnk
Sounds like booking an airline with curbside check in would be the way to go. We always feel sorry for the passengers waiting in those long lines inside This way you would save a little time. We find the extra tip for the person handling the bags well worth it.

I agree with you LvsTnk.. We always use curbside checkin and it saves so much time.. The cost of the tip is money well spent.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

Does anyone know if SW has curbside check-in or where I can find out if they do or not?

 

[poohbear7]

Luckymommyx2

Yes Southwest has curb side check-in and they are great

We travelled with 3 children 2 carseats and 2 strollers and they made things a lot easier, helped us through security.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

Thank you poohbear7! Now I can cross one more thing off my to-do list!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Sounds like booking an airline with curbside check in would be the way to go. We always feel sorry for the passengers waiting in those long lines inside This way you would save a little time. We find the extra tip for the person handling the bags well worth it.

That would be a GREAT idea IF everyone that gets in the line for sky cap thought like you, however, they frequently use it as a way to circumvent the inside line, with absolutely no intention of tipping anyone.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Does anyone know if SW has curbside check-in or where I can find out if they do or not?

Yes, as stated, they do. Anything you need regarding SWAir is right on their site. They have a great FAQ section. It is under Travel Center on their main page at the top.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

Thanks Gail...you're a BIG help as always!!
(I should have thought to check their website first. )

 

[travelbug]

I departed out of MCO in late Jan. and again in early March. Both times were on a Monday morning. The lines for us were not down at baggage checking, but strictly at the security checkpoint. In January we only waited for about 10 minutes, but in March it was about 40 minutes.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Luckymommy,
You are welcome and I love to help others.

 

[wdwfam]

We flew AA last week and used the self check in. There was even a separate line for Chicago - St. Louis bound flights. The AA lines were not busy at all, but the helpers around encouraged us all to use the self check in. It's really the way to go. Yes, our biggest lines were at the Security check, many business travelers with all their carry-ons and laptops. Our son threw off the alarm with his cargo zip off pants. We thought he was going to have to strip down. His shoes (Diesel) had some kind of metal grommets on them too. It was pretty funny. Other than that everything went very smoothly. This was 4:45 p.m. on a Wednesday.

 

[idontknow]

I'm wondering if I was dreaming that vacation we took the end of Jan beginning of Feb......We flew Delta and could not skycap check bags. We had to go the lower level and check them ourselves. The skycap did give us our boarding passes, though. (they also told us about the lower level checkin saying the normal counter was swamped. No line at the lower level) Security lines were not that bad. They were lined up to the main atrium, but it went quickly, no more than 10 minutes at the most. (even with DH having to scan his boots) This was Sat the 1st of Feb at 1:30pm.

On the way down, Jan 25 in Indy, we could skycap our bags, but they couldn't check us in. We stood in line for a few minutes and a woman came out and showed us how to use the self checkin. Weird they would put on those machines you have to use the same cc you used to pay for the tickets when you can use ANY card with a magnetic strip. (ok, weird isn't the word, I'm being a good girl tonight. )

Thanks for the heads up about the current situation at MCO.