How early do you get to the airport?

[kamik86]

For my last few flights (our only flights btw) my husband and I have done the 2 hours before the flight. But we seem to be one of the first ones at the gate and are always there 1.5 hours before the flight should leave. (We are flying out of Albany so the airport is small, very difficult to get lost in). Neither flight had much of a security line.

September flight we have a 7:30 AM flight. The airport is an hour to 1.5 hours away from our house so if we want to be there by 5:30 we have to leave by 4... so I was wondering if we can push that back a bit lol...

Although I might not risk it... My mom is coming for this trip and it is her first flight ever, she also just had a knee replacement and said she may take longer though security because of the metal detectors.

So after a long rambling post my real question is... how early do you tend to get to the airport?

 

[Lewisc]

I go with what's suggested, maybe take 15 minutes off the time if I'm not checking luggage. SW suggests arriving at ALB 1.5 hours before your flight. Probably leave your house at 4:30a. Do you need to tell everyone 4a so you can pull out of your driveway at 4:30a?

Your Mom might take a few extra minutes at security. You Mom might not want to run through the airport if you're running short of time. It will take longer if you need a wheelchair for your Mom.

Consider dropping everyone off at the terminal, with the luggage, while the driver parks the car.

A frequent flier posted, not on DIS, that a flier who never missed a flight is a flier who wasted too much time in airports. Most of us don't share that philosophy.

 

[tjmw2727]

I am a 2 hour person but we fly out of larger airports, philadelphia or baltimore mostly.

Last trip I had an issue with the tickets- some type of computer glitch separated me from my reservation of 3 adults. This required a full service agent and over 30 minutes of tweaking to get boarding passes for my flights. I was glad to have had the extra time.

In addition - you never know if you will be selected for additional screening, set off the metal detector etc.

Even though I travel monthly and would love to have the extra time for other things, I personally would rather chill at the gate for an extra 30 minutes then take a chance on missing a fllight or even the stress of cutting it close.

 

[Nadjalu]

We fly out of DTW (detroit) which is a big airport, so we are always there 2 hours before. However we live only 20mins from this airport so it isn't that big a deal.

But it is my experience if you cut yourself short on time, things usually go wrong and wham....you end up being late.

So even though it is a small airport and it usually isn't a hassle, even the slightest issue could make you late for your flight.

I wouldn't risk it....JMO. I would FREAK out if I was late getting to WDW. LOL But that is just me.

 

[kamik86]

I go with what's suggested, maybe take 15 minutes off the time if I'm not checking luggage. SW suggests arriving at ALB 1.5 hours before your flight. Probably leave your house at 4:30a. Do you need to tell everyone 4a so you can pull out of your driveway at 4:30a?

Your Mom might take a few extra minutes at security. You Mom might not want to run through the airport if you're running short of time. It will take longer if you need a wheelchair for your Mom.

Consider dropping everyone off at the terminal, with the luggage, while the driver parks the car.

A frequent flier posted, not on DIS, that a flier who never missed a flight is a flier who wasted too much time in airports. Most of us don't share that philosophy.

Hmm 4:30 sounds good. My mom will be on time she doesn't have issues with that and my husband is actually harder if its later then the day. With that early he will have his clothes set out and will just roll out of bed throw on clothes, brush his teeth and be ready to get in the car. I'll be the one up early

The car won't be an issue we will have my Dad drop us off at the airport. I don't think Mom will need a wheel chair. Her knee seems to be getting much better and she can do Grocery shopping now (not putting stuff in the car and all but the walking around the store part). Maybe this is part of our issue is that we don't need all the extra time for car parking.

This is an unrelated question but maybe some of you know. My mom has a separate SW confirmation number since she is flying back a few days before us. Since it is her first flight I don't want her to have to board alone and deal with her checked bag and all so if I check my husband and myself in first then her so we have the earlier boarding numbers would they let my mom and husband switch? This way my mom can come on with me and get settled and we can save my husband a seat until he gets there?

 

[Lewisc]

Have two browser windows open. Your numbers should be close. Easier if the 3 of you board at the higher number. My answer would be different if two of you got A BPs and your Mom got a B. In that case have your husband use your Mom's BP.

 

[Jestocost]

Anywhere from 60 minutes to two hours before a domestic flight depending on the airport, the time of day, if I have checked bags or not, and whether I am flying alone or with the family.

 

[bumbershoot]

I want to be walking into the terminal 2 full hours before a domestic flight. I like airports (excellent people-watching...positive smiley people-watching, not snarky) and I'd rather spend 1 hour 55 minutes being bored out of my skull at the airport versus rushing onto the plane all sweaty b/c it was all rush rush rush from the moment I stepped through the doors...

And yes, have two windows open with your mom's info in one, and your info in the other, and bop back and forth to check you guys in as quickly and close together as possible.

 

[TiggerCat]

I want to be walking into the terminal 2 full hours before a domestic flight. I like airports (excellent people-watching...positive smiley people-watching, not snarky) and I'd rather spend 1 hour 55 minutes being bored out of my skull at the airport versus rushing onto the plane all sweaty b/c it was all rush rush rush from the moment I stepped through the doors...

My thoughts exactly. I enjoy watching others at the airport and I feel especially happy I arrived early when I see people rushing for their flight because they didn't give themselves enough time.

TC.

 

[Erin12303]

Hi-
I fly out of Albany to Orlando all the time to visit my parents in Florida.
I have taken approx 20 trips since Oct 2006.

I always get there between 1.5hrs to 2hrs ahead of my flight time.
The problem I have is that sometimes the entire mouse maze to check my bag is totally full and lined up down to the next airline area.
I have also experienced the security line all the way to the end of the parking garage walkway back and forth. These were the trips I made it to the gate when they were boarding the plane.
Other times I have parked my car, checked my bag and gone through security in 30 minutes.
I can say I don't love hanging at the gate but do like to know I am all set.

 

[NMAmy]

As I always tell dd (who accuses me of being insanely early for everything), I'd rather be bored than anxious.

We take a shuttle bus to Detroit Metro. I tend to get on the earlier bus just so we have a buffer if something goes wrong. For our upcoming trip, we'll arrive 3 hours before our departure. It was either that or an hour before the flight time so we'll have a leisurely breakfast in the airport and we'll bring along some books.