How early do I need to be at the airport

[tlens]

I have flown into MCO many times and other than September 15, 2001, never have had any significant problems. From what i've been reading on these boards, I'm getting nervous.

I am flying US Air and have used their self-serve kiosks before which is quick and easy. I used vouchers for my flight so I needed to book a fairly early departure (10am). I will have a rental car from Dollar that will need to be returned. If I am at the self-serve kiosk by 9am, will that give me enough time to get through security?

 

[zulaya]

Probably not. A lot of people have been reporting that getting thru security at MCO is lengthy lately, although that could depend on the day of your departure.

I think each airport has a guideline. I know MSP's guideline is 75 minutes for a domestic flight.

You probably should get there a little earlier just to be safe, you never know what might happen that could delay you.

 

[pumba]

our FL tours person said that it was a good idea to be there two hours before our flight.....good thing we listened to him.cause we got there and the line in security was a very very long one....you thought the lines getting on rides at Disney were long and winding...you should of seen this place......the security at this point were very nice and even joked with the people in line.....good luck...but do not take any chances of missing your flight.....

 

[mom_rules]

We've also been advised to be at the airport 90 mins prior going, and 120 minutes coming back.

 

[tlens]

Wow. That sounds awful. I've always been at the airport early and then just breezed through security. I guess I'll need to be on the road by 7:30 (We're at Orange Lake) so we can get the car dropped off by 8.

 

[mom_rules]

Just talked to my TA-check in advisable 2-3 hours in advance going to MCO and 3 hours + leaving MCO!! That's really awful. I hate hanging around airports but at least MCO has a Mall.

 

[dvc guy]

You should plan on 2 hours. Every Airport and every terminal is different. Better early than late, if you miss your flight then you have a real big problem

 

[disnurse]

that doesn't sound like anywhere near enough time. We flew back this past easter and did get in and out without any wait times. 3 out of 4 of us had the intense security search, batteries out of the gameboys, flipping thru each page of a magazine , shoes off and numerous questions. If there had been any lines at security this would have taken a long time. MCO rec. at that time 50 minutes at security and 30 at the ticket counter.

 

[AWilliams]

Our flight leaves at 11:20 am and Tiffany Town car said they would pick us up at 9:30 am. We should be at the airport 1 1/2 hours before the flight. I took Tiffany's word for the pick-up time. Should we reconsider leaving earlier??

Thanks!

 

[Aisling]

At JFK, the agents come aound the check-in line calling out flight numbers that are about to leave and take these people off the line to check them in right away. I wonder why MCO doesn't do that. It really saved us last year when the line was so very long. But someone called out our flight, we got off the line, and everything was ok.

 

[goofy4tink]

I'm sure we'll be getting to MCO about 2 hrs before our flight time this Aug. My question for any of you who have found long lines for security....if one person waits in the line, can the other people in the group (myself and dd) hang out somewhere else and join dad as the line gets closer to security point?

 

[Aisling]

if one person waits in the line, can the other people in the group (myself and dd) hang out somewhere else and join dad as the line gets closer to security point?

I'd really like to know this, too!

 

[dvc guy]

I can't see a reson why not. My kids have sat down away from the line with DW untill we got within 5 minutes of security. This was in LGA at the Delta terminal.

 

[mom_rules]

We left YYZ on April 30-it took 1-1/2 hrs to get our bags checked and go through security. They did go through our carryons (opened them up etc) there. On the way back from MCO, it took over 1/2 hour to return our rental (800 rentals being returned that day and 2 agents), and about 1 hour to check our bags and go through security. This time we saw them checking one of our suitcases (checked luggage) which they left in an absolute mess but did not check our carryons (except by scanner). They have a place in MCO for you to be able to check to see whether or not your shoes have any metal in them that will set off the scanners.
My advise, better safe than sorry-try to get to the airport at least two hours ahead of time-We were supposed to have been at our gate one hour ahead of our scheduled flight time.

 

[CarolA]

I get there about 90 minutes in advance and have NEVER had a problem (and have been selected for the intense search)

As for having your family go tour. I would NOT recommend it. The business people behind you (including me) are liable to get a little irate if you suddenly shove 10 people into line! Plus at some airports you to show ID to get in the line and there is no way to "cut" unless you push your way thru the line to get to your family (once again not going to make you popular and some people may just say NO!)

I am really a nice person, but the airport is NOT WDW and most of us who travel a lot have started to run low on patience at the airport. Just a word of warning.

Also, don't count on the agents calling your flights if you are running late. I travel a LOT and rarely see that anymore. (JFK may be different, my travel is Southeastern). Basically the airlines and the TSA figure it is your job to get there on time!

My suggestion is to either use the Kiosk or tip a skycap. The longest delay is normally standing in line to check bags at the coutner and that is because you have a business traveler like me making 15 changes to her ticket (Sorry, but lately every flight I have been on I have had to change due to work issues)

 

[mom_rules]

Yes, at both YYZ and MCO we had to present our passports and boarding passes in the lines-they matched the face on the passport to the person standing in the line.

At YYZ they did call for passengers on planes that were beginning to load-At MCO they did not.

 

[Zoo Keeper]

We took Tiffany Town Cars in December. They told us they would pick us up 2 hours before our flight. They were about 10 minutes early to pick us up. We got there in plenty of time.

 

[safetymom]

I travel a lot and I wouldn't appreciate it if some family was holding spots in line.

The best way to do is to allow plenty of time and be prepared when you go through the line with your boarding pass and ID. When you get to the tables to put your stuff through be organized. You can always tell who has done it many times and the ones that this is the first time.

I would rather be killing time in the shops or eating then be worried I was going to miss my flight.

 

[dvc guy]

CarolA makes a good point. Being at the airport 90 to 120 minutes before departure means being at the airport ready to check your bags and get boarding passes. Do not figure the car rental drop off in the time frame.
Also stay out of the ticket counter line if you have your tickets and seats, this only adds extra time and is a waste. Use skycaps, best use of tip money during your trip. Most airlines will allow skycaps to give you boarding passes, and then it's off to the security line.

 

[mom_rules]

Absolutely, our skycap even got us priority on our rental return (was still a wait but would have been longer without him) and dropped our bags right at front of the line at checkin.