MCO security line

[dancin Disney style]

Wondering what the current situation is with the security lines at MCO. Will I need to plan extra time or is 2 hours before flight time still enough? The last couple of trips we had long waits 30-45 minutes. I don't mind the wait but hate feeling pushed for time.

 

[goofy4tink]

2 hrs prior to departure should be fine. If you prefer having more time at the gate, then you could arrive at security a bit sooner than 2 hrs, but that's up to you.

 

[Bullseye]

That security line at MCO really bugs me. They have maybe 7-8 lanes for ID check. When you pass through you turn to your right and join the line to go through scanners. But if you're in the left lanes all the lanes to the right of you keep pushing people into the line in front of you. It's exasperating! I always do the two hour thing for MCO just to be safe. It's definitely taken me 45 minutes or more on a couple of occasions to get through there.

 

[richmo]

Its really hard to figure. The last time I was there, I was thru in about 10 minutes. The time before that was well over an hour. Both were late on a weekday afternoon.

 

[OKW Lover]

Flew out of MCO on Tuesday (2/21). Had a 7:30 am flight and got there about 5:45 am. Lines were long at security but the Pre-Check line moved quickly and we were through it in about 10 minutes. The regular security lines looked to be much longer but I'd guess that even they were through in 30 minutes.

 

[DVC-Don]

Dropped my wife off for a flight last Monday and she was through the precheck line in 5 minutes at 12:30 PM.

 

[GTRARNP]

I live in Orlando. Security here is SO hit or miss. I ALWAYS get there 2 hours early at this point....even with Pre-Check. It still amazes me how our airport, one of the TOP tourist destinations in the WORLD, can't figure it out....

 

[dancin Disney style]

So sounds like the traditional 2 hours is enough at the moment. I was wondering because of how slow things had gotten last year. Thanks all!

 

[perditax]

20-25 minutes about two weeks ago, on a Wednesday a.m.

The way they have the lines set up is insane.

 

[adisneyaunt]

I always take a look at the "recommended" time on any airport site. It is def hit or miss.
I've been pulled out of the security line when things were so backed up... would miss a flight otherwise.
They seem to atleast be atop of that.

 

[Tattylou]

The security lines at MCO are a nightmare. I would always give myself at least 2 hours ahead of my flight with that airport. Coming home in April, I think it was close to an hour to get through security. Coming home in Dec, I think it was only 20 min to get through it.

 

[jdisnut]

Dropped my wife off for a flight at MCO on Saturday, Feb. 25 at 6:40 a.m. for a 7:40 a.m flight. With PreCheck, it took exactly nine minutes to walk into the terminal, check her bag at the Southwest counter, go through security, ride the tram and go to her gate.

 

[perditax]

Dropped my wife off for a flight at MCO on Saturday, Feb. 25 at 6:40 a.m. for a 7:40 a.m flight. With PreCheck, it took exactly nine minutes to walk into the terminal, check her bag at the Southwest counter, go through security, ride the tram and go to her gate.

But the question is about normal security lines, which PreCheck does not use.

 

[jdisnut]

But the question is about normal security lines, which PreCheck does not use.

In that case, consider my post a testimonial for PreCheck. I truly believe that if you take even one round-trip flight a year, it's worth the cost. Since I bought it a couple years ago, I've literally never waited in a security line for more than, say, 10 or 15 minutes at the busiest airports around the country (and that would be considered a massive backup).

 

[bumbershoot]

If you want prechek just get nexus if you're near a nexus interview center cheaper and gives you more than just pre.


But even with prechek I want to be there 2 hours out. It's just what I do. Especially at mco.

 

[jdisnut]

If you want prechek just get nexus if you're near a nexus interview center cheaper and gives you more than just pre.

Totally agree. If you plan on leaving the country at all in the next few years, even once, it's worth the extra money to spring for Global Entry.