Do I REALLY have to get to the airport 2 hours early?

[Peter Pan Fan]

Please no flames I am not trying to break any rules or cause problems, just trying to get some opinions.

We are traveling from SFO on a Saturday morning Dec. 1st, flight leaves at 6:20 a.m. We took the same flight out last year so we know that SFO is completely empty at this time in the morning. I'm really not excited about getting to the airport at 4:20 a.m., I think 5:00 would be more than enough time to get through security, etc.

I guess my question is - could they refuse you boarding or check in if you weren't 2 hours early? Or is the 2 hour rule only to make sure you have enough time to get through security?

What do you think?

Thanks

 

[flyingcircus]

Dec 1 is over a month away, and things should be running a little smoother them. I wouldn't worry about your check in time, until a couple days before, and then check to see how long the estimated wait is.

Bottom line- if you are not checked in and at the gate 30 minutes before departure, your reservation is CANCELLED. It used to be 20 min, but now it is 30. Now remember, I said checked in- that means either the ticket counter, or from a connecting flight.

The 2 hour "rule" is not really a rule- it is just an estimate to get thru security.
However, it is up to you to get to the gate at least 30 min. before departure!

Hope this helps!

 

[p2oh]

We flew recently and were 2 hours early for our 610 flight, well come to find out, the airline desk doesn't even open until 500 so we were sitting around looking at each other for an hour!

 

[flyingcircus]

SFO is open at 4:00 am!

 

[Kate-n-sam]

Arrived 2 hours early at Bradley/Hartford, sat at gate for 1 hour 45 min. When we arrived at Orlando, the lines looked horrendous, I told DH we ought to get there 3 hours early. On our departure day, we arrived 2.5 hours early. The lines looked terrible. We got in a Delta line to check our bags with hundreds of other people...we were through in 10 minutes, same with security line 10 minutes tops even though the line was VERY long. They really know how to move people, you couldn't even put your bags down and the line would move 10 feet. We were not pulled aside for random search though, and many were, you never know.

 

[Peter Pan Fan]

Thanks for the good advice everyone

 

[CutlerP]

We arrived at BDL at 5 am for a 7 am flight. We needed EVERY minute of those 2 hours to get through check-in and security - even though BDL (Hartford/Springfield) is a small airport. But, we did notice that while we were standing in line, airline (Delta) employees would come out along the line, asking if you were booked on such-and-such a flight, and if you were, they would take you out of line and expedite your check-in/security check.

So does it really pay to get there early?????????

 

[GrimGrinningGhost in NJ]

We flew out Continental out of Newark last Saturday on a 6:30am flight and got to the airport at 5am - I was surprised to see how long the lines were for both counter and curbside check-in. We chose curbside - waited about 15minutes (we have Etickets) and then went inside to go thru security. On the way, we passed about ten Eticket kiosks that had no more than 5 people for the whole thing - so we looked at ourselves and realized we could've just checked in there saving the time waiting outside in the dark and cold. Oh well. There was no line for security and we were down by our gate by 5:20 or so - waiting for McDonalds to open so we could get food. On our return, we got to MCO at 12noon for our 2:10pm return and were at the gate-area lounge by 12:30. So you may need 2 hours but 1.5 is probably enough time, especially on a Saturday. Have a good trip!

 

[Sheree]

this may sound dumb but... how do you check in with e=tickets?

we have them for next Sat on Continental out of Newark and know what a zoo terminal C can be, especially teacher's convention week!

where do you wind up checking your bags if you use the kiosk? Do you still check in at the gate?

I didn't think they'd allow eticket kiosk check in since no one can check you out security wise

thanks

 

[Mary Ellen]

People who have arrived at DIA (Denver) 'only' 2 hours early have missed their flights. A lot will depend upon your airport.

 

[flyingcircus]

Yesterday and today the wait was no longer than 1/2 hour at DIA. It seems like the wait at airports is changing daily!

 

[DisneyKidds]

Just back.

We had a 6:10 am flight out of LaGuardia. We arrived at the airport at 4:45. No trouble getting checked in (curb side) and thru security. I could see how in the middle of the day the lines could grow. We sat at the gate for about 30 minutes before boarding.

We returned on a 5:20 pm flight out of Orlando. We arrived at the airport just before 3:00. No problems again (curb side check in or security) and sat at the gate for about an hour and twenty minutes before boarding.

I bet it is hit or miss and depends on your airport. Probably quicker to get thru for an ealy am flight. We may arrive at the Orlando airport a little later next time but will still leave ourselves close to 2 hours - better safe than sorry.