??? for Long Islanders - Islip airport and SW air

[elf]

We have our flight from Islip on Southwest airlines to Orlando on Sat. morning. I've never taken SW and I'm nervous about seating. I have a 5 & 7 yr. old.
When should we get to the airport for a 10:50 am flight. My neighbor is telling me just be there 1 hour before an 1 1/2 tops. Do you all think that is enough?

How about on the way home from Orlando to ISP. I was thinking getting there 3 hours before for a 7:50am flight (yikes). That would mean to be there at 5:00am, I've read here the lines are really long. But more than that I don't want to separate from my kids.

 

[Lewisc]

You might not be eligible for pre-boarding. Get your boarding passes online at midnight. 1.5 hours should be enough. An hour is cutting it much too close. The security lines for new SW terminal are longer than you'd expect. An hour should be enough time to make your flight but might not be long enough to get to the gate before they start boarding. If you get through secutity early the Irish Pub is open for breakfast, you can get eggs.

 

[JessicaR]

You might not be eligible for pre-boarding. Get your boarding passes online at midnight. 1.5 hours should be enough. An hour is cutting it much too close. The security lines for new SW terminal are longer than you'd expect. An hour should be enough time to make your flight but might not be long enough to get to the gate before they start boarding. If you get through secutity early the Irish Pub is open for breakfast, you can get eggs.

I agree with the 1.5 hours prior. We did fly out last month and arrived one hour prior and it was a good thing we had carry on.

We are flying out to MCO Sunday morning...how is The Irish Pub, Lewisc? Thanks!

 

[Lewisc]

Didn't get a chance to try the Irish Pub. I grabbed danish and coffee at the food court. I mentioned that it would have been nice to get eggs and was told about the Irish Pub. There wasn't any sign saying they have a breakfast menu. It never occurred to me to check.

To anyone reading this thread. It can easily take 40 minutes to check your luggage and get through security. That'll still give you enough time to make your flight but the A group may have already boarded if you only allow an hour.

 

[mrsstats]

I would get there 1.5 hours ahead. You are not the 1st Southwest flight out so security could be long. I always would rather be safe than sorry. My experience flying back is to get there are least 2 hours ahead. Lines are long leaving Orlando.

 

[crzy4dsny]

We try to get there about 1.5 hours before our flight. Curb side check in is a breeze. It takes about 5 min. By the time we get thru security and to the gate we have about an hour to wait. I don't think it has ever taken more than 25 or 30 min to get thru. I would rather wait an hour than be 1 min late.

I love this airport. It is nice and small and I have never seen it crowded. It is also only about 20 min from my house which is great.

 

[dcgrumpy]

I agree with the 2 hours on the way back. last week we got there an hour and a half before and only got to our gate a few minutes before boarding. luckily for us the flight was 15 minutes late

 

[elf]

Thanks everyone. 1 1/2 it is. I think coming home I'll be there 2 1/2 hours early.
I love Mcarther airport but I've never taken SW, but just couldn't beat the price of $100 RT.