Anyone familiar w/ SFO?

[sndral]

I've been in and out of SFO but not recently and not domestically (prefer smaller nearby airports) and never while flying SW. My SW flight leaves @ 6 am 11/29. I have a stay and park hotel room booked 11/28 to avoid bay area traffic the morning of my flight. Any thoughts on when to catch the shuttle to the airport? My preference is to get there early 11/29, get through security and chill with a cup of coffee and food near my gate - but what is open that early?
I go through metal detectors every work day, but any tips for dealing w/ the new scanners, anything to avoid wearing that is different than the old machines?

 

[Disflyer]

I just flew out of SFO a week ago, although not on SW... Even though I travel about 20 weeks a year for work I still like to get to the airport an hour and a half early. I don't mind sitting in the waiting area a good hour ahead of time, gives me a moment to grab coffee and a magazine. I want to say for me from the time I dropped off the car, got on the train and got through security it took about 45-50 minutes. This was at 1030am on a Friday.

 

[Heluvsme]

I had an early morning flight (6:10 am) out of SFO not too long ago, I fly in and out of there often since I have a very sick sister who is in UCSF Medical Center frequently. I usually stay at the Marriott Airport nearby and use their shuttle service--- the shuttle usually leaves the hotel at 4:30, we're at SFO easily by 4:45 or so, and at that early time in the morning the ticketing/security procedures move very quickly and crowds are low. I always have time to grab a cup of tea and a muffin and have plenty of time to sit and wait for boarding.

 

[sndral]

Thanks. I found the SFO map and saw that SW uses terminal 1, boarding area B gates 20 -36. Looks like a few food places post security, open @ 5 am. I always seem to end up stuck in airports at weird hours w/ no open food/coffee places and wanted to avoid that since I won't have a chance to eat until I reach MCO.

 

[PixieDustandEeyore]

I fly through SFO alot and really, and I fly to Canada and such and Im always there 1 hr and 30 minutes early unless flying united then a bit earlier (United is always mobbed for security) I usually have loads of time to just chill and get some Starbucks or if im bad a bag of Ghiridelli's lol