DME--3 hours preflight?

[Belle & Ariel]

DH is looking to spend weekend with us and fly home Monday morning for work. He can get a flight at 5:30 or 6:30 a.m. If I book 6:30, I guess he will be picked up at hotel at 3:30. This seems like he would be sitting around airport from about 4:30 till 6:30--pretty sure security line would be nonexistent.
Would DME really go that far ahead at that time of day?
I also wonder what his chance of going standby on the 5:30 flight would be. It is 5 weeks out and lots of available seats.
Any suggestions?

 

[Traveliz]

DH is looking to spend weekend with us and fly home Monday morning for work. He can get a flight at 5:30 or 6:30 a.m. If I book 6:30, I guess he will be picked up at hotel at 3:30. This seems like he would be sitting around airport from about 4:30 till 6:30--pretty sure security line would be nonexistent.
Would DME really go that far ahead at that time of day?
I also wonder what his chance of going standby on the 5:30 flight would be. It is 5 weeks out and lots of available seats.
Any suggestions?

Yes they really do - and you would be surprised at the number of travelers that leave Orlando that time of day (both business and leisure).

I would book the 6:30 and then if he gets to the airport in time (and he should) he can try and fly standby for the 5:30 which being a solo passenger I bet he will have a shot at.

Liz

 

[backyardponder]

Don't forget, the "6:30" flight will probably pull away from the gate at 6:25. They will probably start boarding at 6:00. Although at that time of the morning it might be slow, allowing 1.5 hours from drop off, through security, on the train and walk to the last gate, might be about right.

 

[skiingfast]

While ME says 3 hours before your flight that is a worst case senario. It could be 2.5 or even 2 hours. Especially that early. They are building in extra time in case the bus makes three pickups and is packed full of guests, traffic on the roads ect...

 

[goofy4tink]

DME pickup times range from 2 hrs. 45 mins to 3 hrs 15 mins....give or take either way.
I would have your dh take the assigned bus and then try to get on an earlier flight. Worst case scenario is that he will have time for a decent breakfast.