Allow time to get through MCO airport security

[safetymom]

I am sitting here at my gate at MCO after going through security. Went through about 10 AM. It took about 40 minutes to get through. This was on the B side. Usually A is much worse.

At least I allowed plenty of time and don't have to worry about missing my flight. Don't be tempted to cut it close.

 

[debster812]

ALWAYS very good advice.

Our last flight out of MCO between checking bags, and security, it took us about an hour. I suffer from a touch of Travel OCD, and can't stand to be late for ANYTHING, so I'm always at the airport a little too early, but I'd much rather cool my heels there, than be on the highway stressing about the time.

 

[bavaria]

And the last two times I didn't see the 'family line' they used to have.

Safetymom, I take it that there is still no 'elite/first class/business traveller' security line at MCO?

 

[Luv2Travel]

Don't mean to "hi-jack" this thread, but along the same topic . . .
For a 9:00 flight on a Sunday morning, do you think leaving the Pop Century Resort at 7:00 am will allow enough time? We'll be returning a rental car to the airport and we're flying Delta. Thanks for any advice.

 

[ducklite]

Don't mean to "hi-jack" this thread, but along the same topic . . .
For a 9:00 flight on a Sunday morning, do you think leaving the Pop Century Resort at 7:00 am will allow enough time? We'll be returning a rental car to the airport and we're flying Delta. Thanks for any advice.

You need to plan on a full hour to leave the resort, stop and get gas near the airport, and return the car. Then at minimum another hour to get through security. That' doesn't leave much time for error, grabbing something to eat, or making a potty stop. I'd leave at 6:30.

Anne

 

[Luv2Travel]

Thanks ducklite, I appreciate the advice. I wasn't even thinking about filling up with gas before returning the car. I'll plan on leaving earlier.

 

[puffkin]

We have never had a line for baggage check in or security at MCO....7 different trips. It truly must be hit or miss.....it is like playing Russian Roulette.

 

[BCV23]

The line on the B side was one hour yesterday afternoon. A security guard told me it is now always bad. It was also very long on our last trip in Oct.

MCO does have a service where you can pay to register and avoid the long lines. Our oldest who flies out of MCO signed up for it. I believe it was around $100.

 

[betterlatethannever]

MCO does have a service where you can pay to register and avoid the long lines. Our oldest who flies out of MCO signed up for it. I believe it was around $100.

I picked up a brochure at the airport about the service. They are trying to get into other airports also.

It might be useful (at least to me) when the service is at more airports.

Then again, if many sign up for the service, the regular lines will be short.

Ed

 

[AllyBri]

We have never had a line for baggage check in or security at MCO....7 different trips. It truly must be hit or miss.....it is like playing Russian Roulette.

We never wait on a line either. I think the earlier you fly out the longer the line. We always get the last flight out and the line is short.
I always notice when we land in the afternoon, the lines for security are so long.

 

[BCV23]

I picked up a brochure at the airport about the service. They are trying to get into other airports also.

It might be useful (at least to me) when the service is at more airports.

Then again, if many sign up for the service, the regular lines will be short.

Ed

Yep, I agree. Our eldest flies out of MCO WEEKLY. I left out that important word. Very worth it for him.

 

[bavaria]

I picked up a brochure at the airport about the service. They are trying to get into other airports also.

It might be useful (at least to me) when the service is at more airports.

Then again, if many sign up for the service, the regular lines will be short.

Ed

I use a similar service which is offered by US/Canadian customs. I can arrive at the main door of the airport and get to my gate at the far end in under twelve minutes, using the elite check in line (no online check in available for international flight); the express customs line (use the iris scanner); the elite security line and then on to my gate.

I do this every two weeks or so from home and it's a dream. Nothing against leisure flyers, it's just that when uses a plane to commute rather than a car or bus, getting through quickly is useful.

 

[safetymom]

I fly in and out of MCO quite often. Usually the A is usually more crowded. I fly at different times and never saw it as crowded as it was today.

The program to bypass security is www.flyclear.com I will be signing up for that when I get back. It is worth every penny to me to save the time waiting in line.

I flew at 10 AM and it was very busy. No first class/preferred line either. I did luck out and the TSA agent took some of us through the employee line. I didn't get stuck behind the family that never went through security before.

 

[bavaria]

I'll be signing up for the clear program once it is in place in more locations (I only fly out of MCO 6-8 times/year, sadly!)

The border program saves me about an hour each trip (more sleep time!). I love being able to sail past the three flights from Asia and Europe and put my card in the machine to clear customs with no wait.

Now, if they could only figure out a way to get my luggage off faster I'd be all set.........

 

[39CINDERELLA]

what if you are using th ME service? when do they pick you up for the airport?

 

[BCV23]

Now, if they could only figure out a way to get my luggage off faster I'd be all set.........

United/Ted marks our luggage priority because my husband is a 1K/million mile flyer. Usually but not always the bags come off quickly. However, this doesn't happen on the return trip if you use the resort checkin.

Does the preferential treatment bother anyone else? At ORD, my husband (and the rest of us if we're flying with him) can use a seperate entrance with virtually no lone for security. As I posted earlier, at MCO you can pay for the clear service. But what family of four or five who vacations at WDW once a year would shell out that kind of money? Even though my family benefits from these perks, it really doesn't seem fair to me.

But I will walk through that short line at ORD as long as it is there.

 

[dcgrumpy]

And the last two times I didn't see the 'family line' they used to have.

They had the "family line" the first week in December. that's actually the first time I had ever seen it. We've always had to wait in the regular line

 

[dcgrumpy]

what if you are using th ME service? when do they pick you up for the airport?

3 hours before your flight

 

[tjmw2727]

ITA - Safetymom....

My dh flies often for business and through MCO about once a month. He flew home on Monday the 9th, about 11:40 and said the security lines were the worst he has ever seen anywhere

I think the advice to allow plenty of time is a good one. MCO has enough to do once you clear security that you can pass any extra time you do have pretty easily, IMHO of course!

TJ

 

[salmoneous]

The clear system is a bunch of BS. It is presented as some sort of pre-screening security system. But, in practice, it is just a pay money and get to cut the line program.

In theory, you could design a system that allows people to pay more and get through the line faster. But the way it works at MCO is insulting.