bdl and swa

[pooch]

for those of you, and I know you're out there, with experience flying SWA out of BDL a few questions:

1. How early should we get there? I'm thinking 6 or 7 hrs but that's just me!!! BDL and TSA sites indicate 60 to 90 minutes w/security only expected to take 10 min. Does this sound about right?

2. Should I stop at like Dunkin Donuts on the way? I know we'll need something for the flight (esp DS 15!!). Are there food options at BDL after you clear security?

Haven't flown since 1999 so I'm semi clueless here. Thanks for the info.

 

[safetymom]

There is a food court in the new terminal. Sometimes security can back up. I would allow plenty of time. That way if there is a delay you have the time, if there isn't then you have plenty of time to enjoy a meal in the food court.

 

[kmjmom]

We'll be flying SW out of BDL very soon! We usually plan on being there 90 minutes early. We do online check in so we have our boarding passes in hand. I like Dunkin' coffee so I'd stop first. There are food spots after security though. Have a good trip!

 

[Pumbaa_]

It all depends on when you are leaving. During peak times, i would do the 90 minutes.

Curbside checkin - anywhere from walk up to 15-20 minutes. Inside checkin, I would say 5-45 minutes, again, depending on your departure time.

Security usually takes me an average of 20 minutes.

There is a McDonalds, a pizza place, and a fresh counter once past security. There is also a coffee & ice cream/pastry type stand in the gate area.

For SWA, check in online 24 hours prior so you have an A pass. For SWA, I am usually in line 45 minutes prior to the flight. I have no kids, no pre-boarding qualifications, but I do prefer to pick a seat upfront. So I plop myself down, pull out my book and wait patiently

 

[Snoozan]

We're usually there about 90-120 minutes before our flight. The security line can be non-existant to about 15-20 minutes for the SW/Delta terminal. Depends on how many xray lines they've got open. I believe you can also do your own check-in at a kiosk at BDL. You then just hand your luggage over at the luggage Xray machine. Beware - the line for the curbside check-in can be pretty long and the self check-in takes only a minute or two so take a look in the lobby before standing in the curbside check-in line. Plus, you're dealing with your own luggage so no need to tip anyone.

We usually grab a bite to eat at McD's - a vacation tradition in our family. We don't eat McD's other than usually vacation so it's still a treat to us! There is also the Fresh store if you're into healthy eating(not a bad thing, but hey, I'm on vacation!). There is also a little coffee stop right in the terminal wing - muffins, etc. available there.

BDL is a great little airport - easy and quick to get around. My only complaint is the amount of time it takes to get our luggage on our return home - maybe it's just Delta, but they take alot longer than at MCO.

 

[lovingthemouse]

Ok, flying SWA a lot, we have become pretty good about judging arrival times . If we fly out in the early morning, we are there 90 minutes ahead as there tend to be many flights leaving earlier and the security lines can get pretty long. If we leave on an evening flight - 6 pm - we are there closer to 70 minutes.

Each person is the best judge of themselves. Some enjoy being there earlier so they can relax once checked in. Others will be last minute rushers - not my thing. And in the SWA terminal, there is a McD's, another for fruits and salads as soon as you go through security before you go down to the gates. Caroline

 

[magsmom]

I fly out of BDL quite often. I usually allow myself 60-90 minutes regardless of airline and I am fine.

Check-in at SWA is going to ebb and flow just like anything else. I have done both curbside and inside check-in - sometimes no wait, sometimes 15-20 minutes.

Note that most times security is perhaps 10-15 minutes, but there are certain times during the week - like 6:30-8:00 am and 5:00-6:00 pm where going through security is much longer. This is due to the commuters to NY and DC.

There is no Dunkin Donuts once you pass security.

Snoozan - the the delay in the luggage is a Delta issue - both at MCO and at BDL. We rarely fly Delta and noticed this in particular in December. It is not a SWA issue.

 

[wifeofjack]

Thanks for this post, this is just the information I am looking for.
Hubby and I have an early morning flight on Sept.3 from BDL., 8:10 a.m., so this is just the type of information we need.
He thought we should leave the house by 4:30, it is a 45 minute drive for us. I hate the idea of leaving that early, so I am wondering if getting a room at one of the hotels the night before would be a better idea. I have checked on the price of a hotel room, which includes parking for our car for the week, and this seems a good way to go.
Any thoughts on this?

 

[lovingthemouse]

We live in the Springfield area so it is a shorter drive for us, but we have taken 6:30 am flights before - the airport counters open at 5 am, and have found that leaving from home, parking the car at Roncari's and getting to the airline check-in are fairly easy. As another poster pointed out, the traffic of early flights can be heavier , so you be the best judge of when to leave home. There are enough hotels, even new ones being built, that you can get a good rate and parking too. It's your comfort level - leave early or stay the night before. Caroline

 

[pooch]

we are on a Friday 11:55 am flight and I am a somewhat nervous flyer!!! Based on all of your muchly appreciated info, I think we'll go for the 90-120 minute window.

Thanks so much,