anyone know somebody like this....... **UPDATED Post #96**

[dudspizza]

Getting ready for work this morning my wife got a call from some friends. They were tying up a few lose ends before heading for the airport. They are flying to Las Vegas.

It was 8:00am. Their flight was at 9:30. The actual drive time to the airport is 45 minutes, not counting parking, checking in, etc.... They had not left yet. I find myself sitting here at work wondering if they were able to navigate rush hour traffic in Minneapolis, the day after a snow storm, and get to the airport in time......

I just shake my head... DW and I both said we would have been at the airport a half hour before the call even came in to our house.....

To each their own, but I would have been a wreck if I were them, especially knowing the the security lines at MSP two weeks ago were easily triple the normal time it takes to clear the checkpoint.....

Happy day!

Duds

 

[Missytara]

OMG - that is nuts.

Agreed, at 8:00 am, I would have been standing in line checking my luggage.

Let us know how it turns out.

 

[crashbb]

Yup - I have a friend exactly like that. I have also found myself finding her other flight options as back up as she is careening down the highway in a cab.

I definitely fall into the "I'd rather be bored waiting at the airport than stressed trying to get there".

I did have to laugh a little while ago. I generally take public transit out to the airport from home and pad my time in case something goes wrong. The aforementioned friend laughs and says I pad enough time for the bus to catch fire and break down. Which happened on a trip a few months ago! They had to send out another bus (while we sat on the side of the highway). Luckily, I still had plenty of time to make my flight!

 

[DVCBELLE]

Back in my younger days before 9/11 I would have been like that....now I am more like you!!

Ironically, I have missed 2 planes in my life. Once I was at the airport (pre 9/11) 90 minutes before my flight. It took me over an hour to get through security (they would not let me through) and then I had to take a train and shuttle to the gate. They had closed the gate at 10 minutes prior to flight time and even though I got there with 5 minutes until take off - they would not let me on the flight AND they would not do anything for me. Had to cash in FF miles on another airline. I couldn't believe that no one would cut me any slack since the line at security was so long! I don't fly out of that airport anymore!

The other time, I left for the airport which was 30 minutes away 2 and 1/2 hours before my flight. The highway was shut down and I was stuck in a spot where I could not turn around, cross the median and just sat there. I got to the gate to see my plane pull back. I was flying Airtran and they had a zillion people with the same problem. Through an odd twist of fate - I had a later flight booked on another airline that I had chosen to abandon when I got a great deal on an earlier flight on Airtran that I had never cancelled. So I told Airtran that I didn't need them to rebbok me on a later flight. They were so relieved to have someone that didn't need to be reooked that they refunded my fare!!

The times when I overslept or cut it too close to get to the airport - I always seemed to make my flights no problem - or they were delayed!

 

[Traveliz]

I start getting nervous if I am in the parking lot of my small regional airport and its just under two hours to flight time. Seems like they are closing the doors earlier when they can and closing the flights sooner. I would really wonder if they made it. The Minneapolis airport is not that small.

Liz

 

[jlewisinsyr]

In Syracuse, I'll leave my house which is a 5 minute drive to the airport about 40 minutes before my flight if I'm not checking luggage, 50 minutes if I need to check bags.

At MCO, I've never arrived more then 60 minutes before my flight, ever. We usually leave Disney about 75 - 90 minutes before our flight time.

I've never in my entire life missed a flight (missed connections is another story).

 

[dudspizza]

I suppose part of being there early is to make sure I don't miss my flight, but I also love airports... part of the trip is the airport...... I am actually not happy that I only have a 45 minute connection in Dallas this April.... I have never been there and would actually like to see the facility a bit.... but that is me.....

 

[VAN]

My gosh!! On recent trips they have begun boarding the plane 45 min prior to departure times ... the door gets closed 15 before and if you aren't on, you are just out of luck!

I don't need that kind of stress, but I guess others thrive on it!

 

[kaytieeldr]

My brother lives about ten minutes' drive from his local airport. One trip, he checked in online but, "due to circumstance" actually arrived at the airport just in time - or so he thought - to check his suitcase.

Nope. According to the (nameless) legacy carrier, 'luggage must be checked at least 45 minutes prior to departure' actually means 46 minutes or more. He didn't make that flight. It took him almost three times as long as normal to get to his destination... and it took his checked luggage 36 hours.

Then there was the time I got to my local airport 'just' an hour-fifteen before departure. I always request a wheelchair. No problem. Checked in, the counter agent got a wheelchair... and then I was told someone would be along 'shortly' to wheel me to the gate.

Nope. Nobody came. I finally got a Delta Manager, who started wheeling me through security herself. Of course I had to be pulled aside for extra screening :rolleyes3:, to which I responded pleasantly that they could do anything they wanted, my plane leaves in fifteen minutes and I'm not making ANY trouble.

Finally, a porter showed up. Lonnnnnnnnng way from the counter area to the departure gates - down an elevator, across a long hallway, up another elevator, and of course mine is the last gate. As we're approaching, I'm waving my boarding pass and yelling "I'm coming!" to the two Gate Agents... by then the ONLY people in the waiting area. One asked me if I was me and I confirmed it. Point? Delta actually held the plane for me!

 

[huskies90]

I too, am like this and I have never missed a flight. I do have a good story though pertaining to this. It was pre 9/11 and back when I was traveling alot on business.

I was in Orange County, CA on business and needed to be back in my office on a Friday. So while I usually flew out of Orange County airport, I was booked on the Thursday night red eye from LAX to JFK. My meetings that day ended a bit early and I decided to try to make the last pre-red eye flight from LAX which was at 4:17. I left about 2:30 thinking I had plenty of time but, surprise, I hit traffic getting to LA. I remember pulling into the rental car lot at 4:05; grabbing my receipt from the rover, sprinting to the bus, getting to the terminal and through security and then all out sprinting to make it to the gate.

When I get to the gate right around 4:15 the plane was still boarding and I asked if I could fly standby on this flight. Well, apparently the last flight going to Newark had mechanical problems so all the people from that flight were switching over to this last flight to JFK. The agent at the gate said he had to give priority to those passengers since I was already booked on a later flight. I waited until the last person boarded and the agent checked…there was literally one seat left on the plane. Just as he started printing it out for me, one last passenger from the Newark flight showed up and the agent had to tear up my ticket and give it to him. I was then re-booked on my original 10:30PM red eye. While I sulked at the thought of waiting around LAX for 6 hours for my flight, I considered it a victory as I did, in fact, make the flight.

While waiting, I decided to mosey on over to the gate across the way where the Newark flight was originally scheduled. An agent was there and I asked what was up with the Newark flight. She said they were still checking it out but there was a chance it could still go. I waited around the area and sure enough in a about a half hour, they started announcing boarding for the Newark flight. I quickly rushed back to the gate and got my name on the standby list. I waited and rapped with the gate agent as she continued to call for passengers. Nobody showed up. Then she started calling individual passenger names. No one. Everyone either was re-booked on the JFK flight or decided they wanted no part of a plane with mechanical problems. Final boarding call - and nobody showed up. I said, well, I guess, I’ll get a seat…And she said, yep, and printed me out a first class ticket. Sweet! The fight took off and there was me and three other people on the 767 wide body flight - 1 other in first class and 2 coach for a cross country flight. I remember getting pretty decent service in first class …And we wonder why the airlines have had so much financial problems over the last decade…

 

[kaytieeldr]

Well, in fairness - they DID have to get that plane to Newark, to handle its next and subsequently-scheduled flights. They could have flown it entirely empty; either way (four passengers, 200 passengers, no passengers) the plane was going. Why NOT put the few remaining passengers on it?

 

[huskies90]

Well, in fairness - they DID have to get that plane to Newark, to handle its next and subsequently-scheduled flights. They could have flown it entirely empty; either way (four passengers, 200 passengers, no passengers) the plane was going. Why NOT put the few remaining passengers on it?

While I don’t disagree with you, I will say that back then, it seemed every flight I was on was at best half full. In those days, I used to fly about once a month. In 2009, I traveled a bit again on business and each of the 12 flights I was on last year were completely packed. It seems that there are far fewer flights today then there were then. I guess my point is that, I would think that back then, plane could have most likely easily hung out in LA for its next trip and there would still be plenty of capacity to service customers in NJ the next morning.

 

[Hannathy]

Back to the original post, these are the same people who will run down the walkway as they are closing the door and then not finding seats together will cause a commotion cause their little 12 yr old snowflakes will melt if all 4 of them aren't seated together at the front of the plane, and why isn't their room for their 4 overstuffed carryons and personnel items?

 

[Tara922c]

Yes, I have friends like that. Last time I went to vist them (they live in Miami), I almost missed my plane. Nothing like running through an airport with a 2 year old!!! They were doing the final boarding call when we got to the gate. We did curb side check in, and tipped the guy like 40 bucks so our luggage would make it. (it did, and it was the first luggage off back home). The time before that when I visited, she was like, "oh it only takes 15 minutes to get to the airport". Well, my cell phone was dead, and they wouldn't let me check my luggage. A nice TSA agent told me to just take it to the gate, and they will check it at the gate, which they did. Now, I will put my foot down, and say, "it's time to go".

 

[NHdisneylover]

Yep, my sister in law. she flies 3-4 times a week but still manaes to run for planes (and miss quite a few). Sometimes it is work's fault but not always.
DH has two coworkers who are abour as bad. He refuses to carpool to the airport with them anymore since they always plan to arrive at FRA about 40 minutes before the fliht (assumin no traffic issues). Sure enough, I think they missed 4 flihts last year (4 fliths when oing where Dh was going--who knows how many when going elsewhere) and the boss has had it and is now buying nonrefundable tickets and making them pay the chane fee themselves when they miss flights (trying to geive them an incentive to et to twork on time really).

Me--I agree with many on here that arriving early is important. Dud's. I am like you. I want time to wander the airport a bit. We always sit and have a decent meal once inside security too. When we lived in New hampshrie we had a great little airport bar where the waitress knew our standard breakfast orders

I did have to laugh a little while ago. I generally take public transit out to the airport from home and pad my time in case something goes wrong. The aforementioned friend laughs and says I pad enough time for the bus to catch fire and break down. Which happened on a trip a few months ago! They had to send out another bus (while we sat on the side of the highway). Luckily, I still had plenty of time to make my flight!

Fantastic story

I too, am like this and I have never missed a flight. I do have a good story though pertaining to this. It was pre 9/11 and back when I was traveling alot on business.

I was in Orange County, CA on business and needed to be back in my office on a Friday. So while I usually flew out of Orange County airport, I was booked on the Thursday night red eye from LAX to JFK. My meetings that day ended a bit early and I decided to try to make the last pre-red eye flight from LAX which was at 4:17. I left about 2:30 thinking I had plenty of time but, surprise, I hit traffic getting to LA. I remember pulling into the rental car lot at 4:05; grabbing my receipt from the rover, sprinting to the bus, getting to the terminal and through security and then all out sprinting to make it to the gate.

When I get to the gate right around 4:15 the plane was still boarding and I asked if I could fly standby on this flight. Well, apparently the last flight going to Newark had mechanical problems so all the people from that flight were switching over to this last flight to JFK. The agent at the gate said he had to give priority to those passengers since I was already booked on a later flight. I waited until the last person boarded and the agent checked…there was literally one seat left on the plane. Just as he started printing it out for me, one last passenger from the Newark flight showed up and the agent had to tear up my ticket and give it to him. I was then re-booked on my original 10:30PM red eye. While I sulked at the thought of waiting around LAX for 6 hours for my flight, I considered it a victory as I did, in fact, make the flight.

While waiting, I decided to mosey on over to the gate across the way where the Newark flight was originally scheduled. An agent was there and I asked what was up with the Newark flight. She said they were still checking it out but there was a chance it could still go. I waited around the area and sure enough in a about a half hour, they started announcing boarding for the Newark flight. I quickly rushed back to the gate and got my name on the standby list. I waited and rapped with the gate agent as she continued to call for passengers. Nobody showed up. Then she started calling individual passenger names. No one. Everyone either was re-booked on the JFK flight or decided they wanted no part of a plane with mechanical problems. Final boarding call - and nobody showed up. I said, well, I guess, I’ll get a seat…And she said, yep, and printed me out a first class ticket. Sweet! The fight took off and there was me and three other people on the 767 wide body flight - 1 other in first class and 2 coach for a cross country flight. I remember getting pretty decent service in first class …And we wonder why the airlines have had so much financial problems over the last decade…

We ended up being four of only (I think) 8 people on a fliht from Indianapolis to LAX once. It was an out of the way cheap flight which was supposed to o Indy to New York (I can no loner remember if it was JFK or Newark) and then tuen around and o to LAX. There was a big storm on the east coast and New York was shut down. They announce the plane had to get to LAX so the 3 parties booked on throuh to LA could go ahead and board their now direct flight. We even left early as the only people going that far were all checked in and at the gate. It was reat to have about as many crew as passeners and to arrive 6 hours earl to our destination. I figured the airline had more to lose by totally disrupting the schedule than by flying an almost empty aircraft

Back to the original post, these are the same people who will run down the walkway as they are closing the door and then not finding seats together will cause a commotion cause their little 12 yr old snowflakes will melt if all 4 of them aren't seated together at the front of the plane, and why isn't their room for their 4 overstuffed carryons and personnel items?

So true.

 

[bumbershoot]

I suppose part of being there early is to make sure I don't miss my flight, but I also love airports... part of the trip is the airport...... I am actually not happy that I only have a 45 minute connection in Dallas this April.... I have never been there and would actually like to see the facility a bit.... but that is me.....

It's me, too.



Part of it is the fact that seatac is such a lovely airport, but we definitely like being at airports well ahead of time.

One time, just once, we nearly missed our flight (I'm not including DH's business stuff here, he's been at the mercy of his company's TA for that) out of LAX. It was such a bad bad feeling. And completely my fault, which was an even worse feeling!

 

[kaytieeldr]

While I don’t disagree with you, I will say that back then, it seemed every flight I was on was at best half full.

Oh, heck, I don't disagree with you, either! I don't recall exactly when, but late 90's/early 2000's, I was on a Midway (now defunct trip. All their flights connected in Raleigh Durham. Well, I don't recall how full the MCO-RDU leg was, but from there to Boston we had a grand total of EIGHT passengers on the plane!!! And it was a full-size jet, not a prop plane/puddle-jumper. The Flight Attendants told us all to just sit wherever we wanted... except when the family with an infant sat right behind me, and the FA saw my look, she told them babies couldn't be within three rows of the exit row. I'm sure it wasn't true, but I was soooo grateful!

Just about fourteen months ago, I discovered my absolute favorite flight. It's JetBlue's red-eye from Las Vegas to Boston on Christmas night. Keeping in mind, this plane HAD to be in Boston in the morning to fly somewhere else, and that it seats 150... we had exactly fifty passengers. Meant any passenger who wanted their own entire row, got one!

did curb side check in, and tipped the guy like 40 bucks so our luggage would make it. (it did, and it was the first luggage off back home).

Large (even just larger than normal) tips will mysteriously do that. I have NO idea how they manage it, but on a recent trip I tipped the Skycap $5 or $10 for one suitcase (in addition to the $2 fee) and I think my suitcase was the third one onto the luggage carousel.

 

[prncess674]

I am a regular biz travel and regularly arrive at the airport 45 minutes before departure, but I know my airports, have my boarding pass printed out via the computer and have no checked bags. I am also an airline elite passenger or on an F class ticket so I can also use the priority security lane. Usually arrive at the gate before boarding begins or just as it starts. No, I don't live in some podunk town with two gates. I fly out of DCA on a regular basis.

 

[kaytieeldr]

And, given all those conditions, you and your travel experiences are VERY different from the typical Disney (or other leisure) air passenger. While it's great that you're comfortable with 45 minutes, given the situation described by the OP - forty-five minute drive exacerbated by both very recent bad weather AND rush-hour traffic - even under optimal driving conditions, they still needed to park, and probably check luggage, and get through security, and get to the gate before the flight closed... they probably had luggage to check, they're not elite flyers, they don't get to use the priority security lane (because if they fell into any of those categories, dudspizza would have told us)... really, REALLY pushing things. It'd be interesting to know if they made the correct flight.

 

[prncess674]

And, given all those conditions, you and your travel experiences are VERY different from the typical Disney (or other leisure) air passenger. While it's great that you're comfortable with 45 minutes, given the situation described by the OP - forty-five minute drive exacerbated by both very recent bad weather AND rush-hour traffic - even under optimal driving conditions, they still needed to park, and probably check luggage, and get through security, and get to the gate before the flight closed... they probably had luggage to check, they're not elite flyers, they don't get to use the priority security lane (because if they fell into any of those categories, dudspizza would have told us)... really, REALLY pushing things. It'd be interesting to know if they made the correct flight.

The OP didn't put all that information in the post, but frankly whether or not they made it is a MYOB situation. Other people's travel choices are really of no concern of mine. Following the recommendations posted by your airline is usually the best information. I would never reccomend that a casual traveler arrive 45 before flight. I also tend to not stick my nose in other people's decisions. There are millions of people who visit WDW who never read the DIS, never stay on site or make ADR and yet they seem to have a fine time. I don't berate them for their decisions.