Mco Security Wait Times

[lds0191]

Hello fellow Dis'ers!

I learned a great tip from our Sunday magazine in the local (Louisville) newspaper this morning. There was an article on travel and since there has been great discussion on the boards about MCO security wait times, I thought I would pass this along.

Go to www.tsa.gov and click on For Travelers, then Air Travel and Wait Times. You can pick an airport, day and time to find out average wait times. I checked MCO for Saturday afternoon travel and the max was no more than 20 minutes. However, the website does state to take into consideration Holidays, bad weather, etc.

Pretty cool, huh?

5 more days until we leave for Florida for our 9/1/2007 cruise!!! Yippeeee!!!

 

[LAWalz23]

Cool! Thanks for the tip. We usually wait longer for security checkpoints at MCO then at JFK. I am pleasantly surprised when the wait is less than 20 minutes at MCO.

 

[rmrjb]

We're on the same cruise... thanks for the info!

 

[tvguy]

Ours was 90 minutes!!! However, even 20 minutes seems long compared to other airports. Wonder why Orlando is so backed up?

In the past year I've flown through Sacramento, Denver, Phoenix, Houston, Memphis, Evansville, Atlanta, Honolulu, Salt Lake City and Calgary and I can't remember a wait longer than 5 minutes at any of those airports.

Although, I have a cousin who lives in Canada and works in Australia, he comes home every 2 months and they always avoid any U.S. airport because they find our security slow and excessive compared to other countries. Instead of going through Honolulu, they go through Seoul, South Korea.

 

[disneyholic family]

last time we were in orlando, we saw a family miss a plane for puerto rico because they were caught in the security line for an hour....so sad.....the woman was pregnant with little children....they all broke down crying as they saw the plane pulling away..

i don't understand why the airlines don't have people at the security check to get people whose flights are soon to the front of the line...

 

[safetymom]

Security at MCO can be really bad at certain times of the day. Allow plenty of time to get through security. I think the problem at MCO is you have a lot of first time travelers.

It used to be worse but they still need more screeners at certain times of the day.

 

[elgerber]

I have usually had good experiences at MCO security, until last October. We must have waited a good 45 minutes (Sunday, about 11 am) and they were all incredibly rude. Totally opposite of the way it used to be on past trips.

 

[cseca]

Hello fellow Dis'ers!

I learned a great tip from our Sunday magazine in the local (Louisville) newspaper this morning. There was an article on travel and since there has been great discussion on the boards about MCO security wait times, I thought I would pass this along.

Go to www.tsa.gov and click on For Travelers, then Air Travel and Wait Times. You can pick an airport, day and time to find out average wait times. I checked MCO for Saturday afternoon travel and the max was no more than 20 minutes. However, the website does state to take into consideration Holidays, bad weather, etc.

Pretty cool, huh?

5 more days until we leave for Florida for our 9/1/2007 cruise!!! Yippeeee!!!

Thanks!!!
See you on the boat !!!

 

[maxiesmom]

I have usually had good experiences at MCO security, until last October. We must have waited a good 45 minutes (Sunday, about 11 am) and they were all incredibly rude. Totally opposite of the way it used to be on past trips.

We flew out on a Saturday last October, and were amazed at how fast we were thru security! Sounds like you can't predict what you will get, doesn't it?

I always leave plenty of time to get thru security. I would much rather have to wait an hour on the other side then be panicked that I would miss my plane. Especially now with all of the nice stores the airports have.

 

[ducklite]

Ours was 90 minutes!!! However, even 20 minutes seems long compared to other airports. Wonder why Orlando is so backed up?

Because there are so many infrequent travelers hauling kids and everything they own onto the plane. People get in the line with prohibited items, don't ahve their ID's out, don't ahve laptops out of cases, shoes off, etc, when they get to the screening stations. Multiply 20 ill-prepared passenger groups times an extra minute each and there's an extra 20 minutes right there. Add in all the extra bags of souveniers over and above the limit that they plan on hauling onto the plane, and that adds additional screening time.

In the past year I've flown through Sacramento, Denver, Phoenix, Houston, Memphis, Evansville, Atlanta, Honolulu, Salt Lake City and Calgary and I can't remember a wait longer than 5 minutes at any of those airports.

Most of those are not big tourists airports.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

last time we were in orlando, we saw a family miss a plane for puerto rico because they were caught in the security line for an hour....so sad.....the woman was pregnant with little children....they all broke down crying as they saw the plane pulling away..

i don't understand why the airlines don't have people at the security check to get people whose flights are soon to the front of the line...

People should arrive at the airport with enough time to spare if there is a long line for security. If they start pulling late arriving people who didn't bother to arrive with enough time to spare in front of people who have already been waiting and arrived with time to spare ultimately be the ones running to make their planes. It's a matter of personal responsibility to get to the airport leaving the airports suggested amount of time. That doesn't mean arriving at the park and fly or rental care return--that means inside the terminal . If people don't bother to arrive on time (which at MCO IIR is two hours prior to flight time) then it's really nobodies fault but their own.

Anne

 

[goofy4tink]

So far, I have been extremely fortunate with security at MCO. But, I have also witnessed incredibly long line there. There are times of day, days of the week, where you are just going to run into more people. A lot of the people flying out of MCO, especially on a Sat or Sunday, are less experienced fliers. I know that when we flew home to Boston a few weeks ago, from Tampa, I was horrified that my dd, almost 14, had forgotten to remove her sweatshirt. She has been flying since she was 4 and usually remembers to take it off to go through security. So, she help those behind her up, granted it was only about 30 secs, but still, she knew better.
So, get a bunch of folks who don't know better, then add to that they tend to get argumentative because now they're nervous and embarrassed...well, the lines just get longer, the TSA agents get surly..yep, great situation.

Although a website may tell us that the average wait at MCO is only going to be 20 mins total, we would be well served to behave as if we will need an hour to get through. That way, you won't be watching your plane flying away, without you because you're stuck in a mile long line at security.

As for agents taking those with departures that are imminent...if we get there with plenty of time, it won't be an issue. Only one time have I ever witnessed anyone getting whisked through security. All right, I didn't actually witness it because I was already in WDW but it was my dd and dh. They got to Logan at about 2:50. Their flight was scheduled to leave at 5:45, connecting in JFK, then arriving at MCO about 10:15ish. But, that particular flight had been cancelled the day before and although it was still showing as 'on-time' for travel that day, my dh wanted to be at the airport as soon as humanly possible. Well, when he got there, 3 hrs. early, he found that the flight had indeed just been cancelled for that day. But, JB told him they would get him on a flight at 8:00, going to JFK. Only problem was there were no more connecting flights into MCO from JFK that night....so, nope that wasn't going over to well. They told him they had a few seats on the flight that was leaving in 15 mins!!! Well, off they flew. Dd told me they barely went through security.....just went through the people scanner. The agent took their one carryon bag and sent that through on an empty xray scanner. They got to the gate, boarded and they closed the door behind them.
It really does make sense to give yourself much more time than you think you'll need...better off being bored at the gate for an extra 40 mins than worrying about missing the flight.

 

[n2mm]

We were there on Friday (8/24) at 4:30PM and there was no line. It took less than 10 minutes for us to get through. I was pleasantly surprised. That was with 2 infants and a bag of formula, 2 strollers and many sneakers. Our wait coming in out of Dulles took less than 5 minutes on a Wednesday morning at 7:00AM. With all of the horror stories I was worried, but all worked out great for us.

 

[leanne2255]

Interesting...I always thought that the lines at MCO go quicker than in most airports. I know that here in STL they can be awful sometimes, especially in the "A" terminal, and the TSA are definitely not as friendly in STL as they are in MCO.

 

[CarolA]

Hint!!!

Do NOT depend on the TSA wait times to be accurate!!!!! They WANT you believe they are doing a good job so they "underestimate"

Also, if you get there late you will probably NOT be allowed to the front of the line. It has a domino effect, the next thing you know I am late because you were allowed to pass. I cannot recall the last time I even saw agents looking for "late passengers" and most of your fellow travelers don't have any sympathy for you (yes, that includes me. I have seen the hysterical family in lne 30 minutes before the plane...I don't feel too sorry for them unless they have a REAL horror story, but "didn't expect long lines" is NOT an excuse!) Why should I have to wait longer because of a failure to plan on your part???

 

[kaytieeldr]

As for agents taking those with departures that are imminent...if we get there with plenty of time, it won't be an issue. Only one time have I ever witnessed anyone getting whisked through security

Oh, was that me? It wasn’t, because of the timing, but I’ll tell my story anyway. I got to Logan an hour in advance. I had checked in online. I checked my luggage with the Skycap. I got the wheelchair I requested. And then… nobody showed up to wheel me to the gate! A Delta employee pushed the chair over to the security checkpoint, and called for a skycap, and… nobody showed up to push me to the gate! With fifteen minutes until my flight departed out of the new, lonnnnnnnnnnnnnng Delta terminal, finally a Delta Manager came over and brought me to the head of the security line, where I… set off the alarm! The TSA Agent explained about having to pat me down, and I – on my way to DisneyLand for the first time, and therefore in a great mood, just said happily, “My flight leaves in ten minutes – you just do whatever you need to do!”. Finally, a skycap showed up, and the Delta Manager turned me over to him. Down the elevator, across the lonnnnnnng concourse, up the elevator, down the terminal to – of course – the last gate… where there’s NOBODY waiting except two Gate Agents, and the jetway door is STILL OPEN, as we approach, I’m waving and yelling, “I’m coming!”. One Gate Agent called me by name – they were holding the plane for me (with my apologies to anybody delayed by this, but Delta was great about the whole thing)! And now, off to read the real experience goofy4tink’s trying to report…

 

[Befferk]

I am worried now after reading this. I have never flown before, and I don't want to be one of those families holding everyone up. You mention those people that don't know any better, but how can we be prepared ahead of time to know what to/what not to do? Any advice?

Beth

 

[ducklite]

I am worried now after reading this. I have never flown before, and I don't want to be one of those families holding everyone up. You mention those people that don't know any better, but how can we be prepared ahead of time to know what to/what not to do? Any advice?

Beth

First thing, CHECK IT! If you don't need it on the flight or for the first few hours (ie a bathing suit), check it.

The only things you need in your carry-on are medications, travel documents, cameras and other electronics, a clean shirt for everyone, and a few small, quiet toys for your child. A coloring book and crayons, colored pipe cleaners, and Colorforms are all great ideas. Small, clean, quiet and inexpensive.

Do not get into line unless you've got everyone's ID's and your tickets out. Once you go past the ID checkpoint, remove all jackets/sweatshirts, shoes, heavy jewelry, etc., pack all of that into your carryon and pull out any laptops and/or video cameras. Place them into the bins. Place your carryon's (one per person, max) on the belt and send them through, and walk through the metal detector. Pick up your belongings from the belt and walk to an out of the way place to put yourselves back together. I suggest slip on shoes with socks.

Anne

 

[goofy4tink]

Oh, was that me? It wasn’t, because of the timing, but I’ll tell my story anyway. I got to Logan an hour in advance. I had checked in online. I checked my luggage with the Skycap. I got the wheelchair I requested. And then… nobody showed up to wheel me to the gate! A Delta employee pushed the chair over to the security checkpoint, and called for a skycap, and… nobody showed up to push me to the gate! With fifteen minutes until my flight departed out of the new, lonnnnnnnnnnnnnng Delta terminal, finally a Delta Manager came over and brought me to the head of the security line, where I… set off the alarm! The TSA Agent explained about having to pat me down, and I – on my way to DisneyLand for the first time, and therefore in a great mood, just said happily, “My flight leaves in ten minutes – you just do whatever you need to do!”. Finally, a skycap showed up, and the Delta Manager turned me over to him. Down the elevator, across the lonnnnnnng concourse, up the elevator, down the terminal to – of course – the last gate… where there’s NOBODY waiting except two Gate Agents, and the jetway door is STILL OPEN, as we approach, I’m waving and yelling, “I’m coming!”. One Gate Agent called me by name – they were holding the plane for me (with my apologies to anybody delayed by this, but Delta was great about the whole thing)! And now, off to read the real experience goofy4tink’s trying to report…

Only an hour beforehand???? You oughta know better!!!! And Terminal A (terminal for that looooong walk) to boot? You need to leave that minimum of 2 hrs before your flight especially at Logan. Man, their security can be brutal...it was 3 weeks ago. Delta's not bad but man, if you use the other terminals, well, it can be chaotic.

I am worried now after reading this. I have never flown before, and I don't want to be one of those families holding everyone up. You mention those people that don't know any better, but how can we be prepared ahead of time to know what to/what not to do? Any advice?

Beth

I'll echo what Anne posted. If you take only what you have to have, rather than get caught up in a 'well, if something happens, I may need x, y, or z. Better take it in the carryon just in case' situation. Take something to occupy the kids, your travel documents, your ID's.
Now, try to wear as little as possible. No, you don't need to wear skimpy clothing, but try for slip on shoes, no sweatshirts, jackets..that kind of thing. The shoes will have to come off, and then be put back on again...sneakers can be a nightmare. Any outer clothing (jackets, coats, sweaters, sweatshirts) have to come off and go through the xray scanner. When you get to the security line, be sure to have your ID out, as well as your boarding pass. When you are closer to the actual scanner, get your coats etc off, ready to put into a bin. Your shoes go in a bin also. Your carryon bag can go by itself. If you are traveling with a camcorder or computer, they will have to come out of their bag and hand checked as well. I like to keep all my electronics in one large ziploc baggie...cell phones, cameras, dvd players..that way if there is an issue, it's all together.
Be sure that you have put any liquids/gels in that clear qt. size ziploc baggie...only 3 oz in each container. They will want to see that out of the carryon as well.
You don't need to panic, just be armed with knowledge. Hopefully, you'll be prepared to get yourself and your family through security with as little hassle as possible. Then your vacation can really get started!!!!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Only an hour beforehand???? You oughta know better!!!! And Terminal A (terminal for that looooong walk) to boot? You need to leave that minimum of 2 hrs before your flight especially at Logan.

Not my fault (entirely). That danged Logan Express bus driver, with NO traffic at 6:15 on a holiday morning, practically walked us from Peabody to Logan ! Seriously, when I say the Delta Manager brought me to the front of the line, that put me in front of maybe twenty people, all of whom had arrived while I'd been waiting for a Skycap. I didn't cut in front of anybody ahead of whom I wouldn't already have been (good grammar is SO awkward, isn't it - the lengths I'll go to to avoid ending a sentence with a preposition...); all THOSE people were already through and gone - and probably in the air