Early morning flights question

[maxiesmom]

Has anyone taken a very early morning flight after the most recent terroist plot? I know the rule of thumb is to show up at least 2 hours prior for any domestic flights. And I usually do that. However, at my local airport the airline desk does not open until 5 a.m. and my flight out is at 6:30 a.m. I e-mailed the airport, and they replied that you can show up earlier and wait in line. Do you think I should do that? I was curious as to what anyone else has encountered that early in the day. Thanks for you help

 

[Wigit12]

Our airport suggests arriving 90 minutes ahead of time. I don't think you'll have a problem. Most getting there when they open. Most likely you'll be sitting by the boarding gate with plenty of time to spare.

My cousin just flew back from London a few days ago and said they had it all pretty organized again. Her daughter flew to Disney the day after they arrived back in the states and had no problems at all. No hold ups in security.

 

[salmoneous]

I think you will be more than OK showing up at 5:00 for a 6:30 AM flight; no need to get their earier.

 

[Princess Amy]

We just had to wait in a line until the security check points opened to let us through. Arriving early is good, just because those lines can get soooooo darn long..

 

[DVC Grammy]

The amount of time you'll need can vary by the airport location. Many of the airlines have a list of "suggested" arrival time allowances, depending on how busy that airport is. I know SWA does, and it can vary from 1-2 hours, even with the new security measures. If your airline doesn't have this site, calling your local airport will give you the answer. They'd know best about the morning traffic patterns.

 

[PlutoPony]

You might want to see if your airport and airline have many early morning flights as that will give you a idea of how busy it's likely to be. At Dulles the United counter opens at 5 am (per the website). We got there at 4:40 on a Sunday in July and there was already a line with at least 30 people in it. They actually opened the stations (we were doing baggage check, already did OLCI for boarding passes) at 4:45 or so and things moved very quickly. Were in line for security by 5 and that took probably 15 minutes (which is good for Dulles in the morning) but the line got steadily longer as we were waiting. Don't forget a 6:30 flight will begin boarding ~ 6 am so while 90 minutes is probably adequate at most airports, it might be pushing it at a few..... If you don't have bags to check, OLCI before and go straight to security.

 

[shellybaxter]

I'd arrive early. The only time I ever almost missed a flight it was an early morning flight just after 9/11. I got there two hours before and they were already checking people in even though they weren't supposed to be open yet. I waited in the check in line for 45 mins. I got chosen for extra screening. That was extra screen at baggage check, extra screening at security and extra screening at the gate. I was the last person on the plane and we departed just after I got settled in.