How early do I need to arrive for SW out of Midway (Chicago)?

[joellyn23]

I can't remember the last time I flew out of Midway (probably 25 years ago) so I'm not quite sure how backed up their security gets. Would 1.5 hours be enough time or do I need to aim for 2 hours?

I usually arrive 1.75 to 2 hours early but we're timing an after school trip so every minute counts!!

Thanks!

 

[BelleBeast]

Dependig when your flying - Peak day/holiday - I wouldn't risk anything less
than 2 hours - at times the airlines checkin can get long unless you plan on all
carry-ons.

 

[joellyn23]

Thanks! We're going out on a Thursday in late April/early May. Right now there is a 3:50 pm flight that is really appealing but I realize it might not even be an option once they open up our months in their system. With having to wait to book SW, it's giving me way to much time to think and re-think my plans!!

 

[Manda]

Security isn't the issue at Midway - you zip right through those lines. Airline check-in can be very long though. It's very hit or miss. We shoot for two hours. If you don't have luggage to check, you can cut it way down.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Are there sky cabs at Midway??? (We are flying SW EARLY Saturday am in early December...)

 

[joellyn23]

I will have luggage to check, unfortunately. So what's their procedure like? With AA, I would use the self check kiosk, enter the number of bags and then go to the counter where they would weigh and sticker the bags. Pretty quick.

Is there anything I can do to speed up the process? Is it equally bad/long at MCO?

Thanks!

 

[Goofygirl17]

Southwest's website has a list of airports with a recommended arrival time for each. I think it also specifies days of the week.

HTH!
Goofygirl

 

[Manda]

I will have luggage to check, unfortunately. So what's their procedure like? With AA, I would use the self check kiosk, enter the number of bags and then go to the counter where they would weigh and sticker the bags. Pretty quick.

Is there anything I can do to speed up the process? Is it equally bad/long at MCO?

Thanks!

It's the same process. You wait in line to walk up to a kiosk. There's one SWA employee for every few computer screens. You enter your stuff on the screen and print your boarding pass and they sticker your bags. Midway isn't bad at all, really.

MCO is a nightmare comparitively. Long check-in lines and horrendous security lines.

 

[joellyn23]

One more question -- I see that both Midway and Orlando seem to offer curbside check in (at least neither is astericked to indicate they do not offer it). Would that speed up the process?

Thanks again! This is new territory for me!

 

[conniehar90]

I am a regular Midway Southwest flyer. They do have curbside check-in - just used it last week without a wait. Normally, we arrive at the airport about an hour before the flight and have no problems. That said, we did travel Southwest on Dec 28 2006 and it was unbelievable. The line to check luggage (curbside or inside) wound through the building and ended in the parking garage. We arrived about 2 hours before the flight and we were convinced we were going to miss it. The line did move fairly fast, but luckily our plane was delayed. We probably would have made it, but probably not for the A boarding group. This appeared to strictly be a holiday travel issue. I think you would be fine with 1.5 hours in April/May.

 

[pamjb]

While I can't speak for Midway, DEFINATELY use the curbside check-in at MCO for Southwest. I have used it every time, and it is well worth the $2 tip to the skycap. I haven't ever encountered a line (but I haven't flown at high peak times), so your mileage may vary.
When flying from MCO in February, there was a TON of cheerleaders and field hockey players in the terminal to check in. And I mean a ton.......Stepped outside to curbside, we were on our way to the gate in five minutes.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

While I can't speak for Midway, DEFINATELY use the curbside check-in at MCO for Southwest. I have used it every time, and it is well worth the $2 tip to the skycap. I haven't ever encountered a line (but I haven't flown at high peak times), so your mileage may vary.
When flying from MCO in February, there was a TON of cheerleaders and field hockey players in the terminal to check in. And I mean a ton.......Stepped outside to curbside, we were on our way to the gate in five minutes.

This is our plan for December... we are taking DME and don't they usually drop you on a different floor from the curbside? Do we just take the elevator up and then go outside instead of getting in line??

Sorry OP for hijacking your thread This is our first time NOT using the resort airline checkin...