Can you check your bags and leave airport?

[MaryKatesMom]

Our small airport only has a very expensive and yucky diner. Just up the road is a Damon's that has much better food.

We plan on getting to the airport around 3:30 for our 5:41 flight, we have a half hour connection in Atlanta which is not enough time to eat. Then we arrive at MCO at 10:55.

Can we check our luggage and go over to Damons or should I suck it up and have pancakes for dinner?

 

[ducklite]

I wouldn't leave to go to dinner. I'd stop on the way and pick up subs or Chinese or something and eat there.

Anne

 

[CarolA]

Yes, you can but I don't think you are giving yourself enough time for a sit down resturant. My experience is that at "rinky dinky" airports the TSA agents have nothing better to do then being really bothersome. Security always takes TWICE as long!

Plus there is a risk that if they want to question you about your luggage and can't find you that will create all kinds of fuss. (Once again, they tend to spend more time seraching your luggage at smaller airports.)



I am with Anne, bring food and eat it on your first flight.

 

[Lewisc]

I'll disagree, check your luggage with the skycap. They won't know if you're going to park your car or going across the street to a diner. DON'T DO THIS IN AN AIRPORT LIKE JFK. I'm assuming you're at the airport 3-4 hours early and that you're leaving the diner at 1 to 1 1/2 hours before your flight. Allow enough time if security is slow. Carol is right you're not allowing enough time.

Carol is right. Sometimes the smaller airports are selected to test new security procedures.

 

[clkelley]

I have done it only once, but it was 6 HOURS before my flight. I finished work 8 hours earlier than I had planned once in Washington, DC. I went to the airport (National) and tryed to standby on an earlier flight, but was told everything was booked pretty heavy and it probably wouldn't happen. So rather than sit in a non-smoking airport for 6 hours, I asked if I could check my luggage. I was told I could, so then I hopped on the Metro and went to Pentagon City mall and wandered around and spent some time at the bar at Ruby Tuesday's. Then hopped back on the metro and got on my flight.

Carol

 

[ducklite]

These days the TSA will only allow you to check bags 4 hours before your flight.

Anne

 

[CarolA]

I'll disagree, check your luggage with the skycap. They won't know if you're going to park your car or going across the street to a diner. DON'T DO THIS IN AN AIRPORT LIKE JFK. I'm assuming you're at the airport 3-4 hours early and that you're leaving the diner at 1 to 1 1/2 hours before your flight. Allow enough time if security is slow. Carol is right you're not allowing enough time.

Carol is right. Sometimes the smaller airports are selected to test new security procedures.

I don't think that they are always testing new processes as much as they are BORED! I have had them take EVERYTHING out of my computer case. This case goes through security twice a week at lots of major airports. Give me a small one and it's search time. (Did you know that the plug in number pads are new and exciting... I have only had mine for YEARS! LOL)

 

[Ms. Belle]

I wouldn't do this. I flew from Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport last week; it is a very teeny airport. It took 30 minutes to get through security and there were only 7 people in front of me. TSA was having everyone in line take off everything and put it through the scanner. Once I get through security, I don't leave the airport. I would either bring in food or suffer with what they have on-site.

 

[OntFamily]

I've have done this before -- check bags in and leave airport. No problem in doing this, just ensure you are back to the airport in time to go through security.

 

[bavaria]

Totally depends. I did this last year at Eastern Iowa Airport, went to wander the cornfields . Returned in good time only to find the airspace shut down for 3 hours so that Airforce I could land. That was COOL!! Loved seeing the plane....

Wouldn't do it at most busy airports, though.