Length of Check In / Security at BDL - Hartford/Springfield

[Poly Pal]

We're flying to Florida this coming Friday - Delta Express 7:50 a.m. departure. Delta's web site says that this is a peak time and to allow 2 hours for the security check. Has anybody flown out of Bradley lately? What was your wait time? Got any ideas on what to do with two boys (8 & 3) in a 2 hour line?! (or 2 hours on a lousy concourse where the only attractions are a bar that has donuts in the morning and a tiny newstand)

Thanks for any info.!

 

[lookingforward]

I flew out of Bradley two weeks ago. Although I flew Southwest (which has its own security check point and check in area), I saw the Delta check in. The lines were very long to check into Delta. They check your id at least three times before you get to the gate so make sure you have it somewhere you can grab it quickly. The first check in line is the longest. Then there is a shorter line to go through the security checks. They seem very careful and they take more time than before 9/11. It does not take two hours, but give yourself that much time anyway. I travel with children also. Once you pass security there is not much to do at Bradley. I would bring small games or books, etc. and find a comfortable seat in the pre-boarding area. The food choices are limited and expensive! Have a great trip.

 

[fastmb02]

We flew from Hartford to Orlando Feb. 1, out of Southwest also, and it was fine. I would get there 2 hours before hand though, just in case. My 4 year old ds set off the alarm when he went through that security thing (he was wearing zip off pants and we think the zippers set it off), and the poor kid had to remove his shoes, had his legs patted down, and they waved the wand around him. I felt so bad--he was a little nervous but did fine. I don't know about the Delta terminal, but at Southwest there were no bathrooms in there once you go past security, so if you have to go to the bathroom, you need to go through security again. We sat in the terminal for a while and our plane was also delayed, my ds really liked having a walkman w/ books on tape and one of those books with all the hidden pictures to look for. That kept him busy, and plenty of snacks. Have fun!!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

If you curb check your luggage and check in there, you will totally avoid the lines at the counter. IMHO, it is worth the tip to the skycap for the ease.
It also cuts down on the wait time, so, instead of 2 hours you could easily cut it to 1 hour.

 

[Shelly S]

I just flew out of BDL a a few weeks ago and I did not feel that the security added any extra wait time. The delta line is always long, but moves fast and the curbside check in usually is fast. I was not asked for my ID at the second security check (where you go through detectors), but I did have to show my plane ticket. I cannot remember if I had to show ID before boarding, but I don't think so. This particular flight was a Sun 10am flight on continental. I arrived 2hrs early and just sat waiting for most of it. Oh well, I guess it's better to be too early than miss the flight.

Shelly

 

[Jcricket Fan]

We flew Delta out of BDL on 1/22. We arrived at 4:50 am for our 7:00 flight. We used the curb side check in there was no one in line. Inside at the counter there were probably 20 people waiting at that hour. Try to use the skycap even if there are several people waiting... the line moves much faster then inside.
We were through security and sitting at our gate at 5:05 am!

We showed our ID to the skycap then to a security person as we entered the area when you go through the metal detector and one last time at the gate before we boarded the plane.

Too bad Bradley is still an eye sore. I know they are working on it (they have been for years!) but its too bad it's the first thing so many people see when they come to CT.

Colleen

 

[bjcgl]

I just flew out of Bradley to Orlando on Delta on Feb 4th. I got there at 6am (for a 7am flight). The line to check in went from the Delta counter all the way to the end of the terminal. The line to go through the metal detectors went the whole length of the terminal. At about 6:15 they started pulling people out of the lines so we wouldn't miss our flight. I talked to people on my plane who had been in lines for over 2 hours... I was SO glad I didn't miss my flight!!!