MCO TSA Security - current wait times

[Marthasor]

I will be traveling with my sister in early April. I just realized I have TSA pre-check, but she does not and will have to go through the regular TSA security line. We will be going too late in the day to reserve the Clear line for her. I'm just wondering what current wait times have been like in the regular TSA security line? For reference, her flight leaves around 7:20 pm on a Sunday night and she will only have a carry-on bag. We will be taking a car service to MCO from WDW - would leaving from our resort 3 hours prior to her flight be sufficient? Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[Meglen]

When ever we go and get a service they always get us an hour before the flight. I always lie and say it's an hour before the real flight cuz I'm weird and we always wait around for over an hour. Usally takes about 30 min lots of lanes and they don't make you take shoes off or unpack electronics anymore.

 

[EACarlson]

The last time I flew out on Sunday night the Pre line and the regular line were the same, about 15 minutes.

 

[DizneyMommy]

When ever we go and get a service they always get us an hour before the flight. I always lie and say it's an hour before the real flight cuz I'm weird and we always wait around for over an hour. Usally takes about 30 min lots of lanes and they don't make you take shoes off or unpack electronics anymore.

Maybe you have TSA Pre-check? The only people who don’t have to take off their shoes are TSA pre-check, and anyone over 75 or under 12. Everyone else still gets to shuffle shoeless through the scanners. And electronics still have to be unpacked.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Maybe you have TSA Pre-check? The only people who don’t have to take off their shoes are TSA pre-check, and anyone over 75 or under 12. Everyone else still gets to shuffle shoeless through the scanners. And electronics still have to be unpacked.

Nope, none of this is an "always" or "never" thing. They'll waive the shoes and electronics occasionally, at all sorts of different airports and all sorts of different times. Sometimes, even within a single airport, one line will be told to keep their shoes on and another line won't.

 

[Meglen]

Maybe you have TSA Pre-check? The only people who don’t have to take off their shoes are TSA pre-check, and anyone over 75 or under 12. Everyone else still gets to shuffle shoeless through the scanners. And electronics still have to be unpacked.

Def didn't have pre check. The guard guy was getting frustrated with folks doing the normal no shoes electrical stuff. Was kind amusing.

 

[scard192]

follow the posted wait times on line for MCO to see how long the wait times tend to be. A week ago my family was coming back from a Universal trip and were freaking out when they saw how long the lines were for their 8:30AM flight. They got through the line in plenty of time, I was watching the wait times from home for them. The shuttle picked them up 3 hours before departure.

 

[Marthasor]

Thanks so much everyone! This is great info. I will check out the posted wait times for MCO - I checked last night and it was around 15 - 25 minutes throughout the day. It sounds like if we allow 30-45 minutes to get to MCO plus 45-60 minutes to get through security and the "monorail", we should have plenty of time to get to the gate. I'm really kicking myself for not suggesting she get TSA pre-check a few months ago!

 

[OKW Lover]

You might check the wait times posted on line: https://www.ifly.com/orlando-international-airport/wait-times

 

[sam_gordon]

When ever we go and get a service they always get us an hour before the flight. I always lie and say it's an hour before the real flight cuz I'm weird and we always wait around for over an hour. Usally takes about 30 min lots of lanes and they don't make you take shoes off or unpack electronics anymore.

How do you get picked up an hour before the flight, go through security, get to your gate, and ALWAYS wait for over an hour?

 

[sam_gordon]

Nope, none of this is an "always" or "never" thing. They'll waive the shoes and electronics occasionally, at all sorts of different airports and all sorts of different times. Sometimes, even within a single airport, one line will be told to keep their shoes on and another line won't.

For TSA precheck, you're supposed to be able to keep your shoes on, not have to unpack electronics or liquids, and keep on belts & a light jacket. That's the "normal". Of course, there may be times when you don't get precheck (or hit the age requirements), but if it's up and running, there's much you don't have to do.

 

[Meglen]

How do you get picked up an hour before the flight, go through security, get to your gate, and ALWAYS wait for over an hour?

I said in my post I lie about my flight time to give me more time because I get bad anxiety. But there system says to pick up people about an hour and a half before take off.

 

[sam_gordon]

I said in my post I lie about my flight time to give me more time because I get bad anxiety. But there system says to pick up people about an hour and a half before take off.

So the service you use wants to pick you up 90 minutes before departure to get you to the airport? I'd look for another company.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

For TSA precheck, you're supposed to be able to keep your shoes on, not have to unpack electronics or liquids, and keep on belts & a light jacket. That's the "normal". Of course, there may be times when you don't get precheck (or hit the age requirements), but if it's up and running, there's much you don't have to do.

Sorry I wasn't clear. Yes, that's always the case with Precheck. I'm saying that even outside of Precheck, sometimes they tell non-precheck people to keep their shoes on.

 

[Meglen]

So the service you use wants to pick you up 90 minutes before departure to get you to the airport? I'd look for another company.

Like I said.. we always had plenty of time to get through security and to the gate. We sit around for the extra time I added. That's not on them there times were right.

 

[Mle8308]

Def didn't have pre check. The guard guy was getting frustrated with folks doing the normal no shoes electrical stuff. Was kind amusing.
[/QUOTE

 

[Mle8308]

Def didn't have pre check. The guard guy was getting frustrated with folks doing the normal no shoes electrical stuff. Was kind amusing.

[/QUOTE]
If they are using the dogs, you usually don't have to take your shoes off or remove electronics. They try and speed the lines up at busy times. When I was there in December the line for security wove from the A side past all the shops in that concourse and back down and over to the B side, it was crazy. They were using the dogs, and the line was only about 35 minutes even though it looked like it would take hours. No removing shoes or electronics before the body scanners and yes, the TSA does get mad! People are so used to taking their shoes off they do it automatically!

 

[Meglen]

You are right!! I forgot about the dogs. Had to walk in pairs past the dog.

 

[Mle8308]

You are right!! I forgot about the dogs. Had to walk in pairs past the dog.

It's great when they use the dogs! Definitely gets/keeps things moving.

 

[sam_gordon]

Like I said.. we always had plenty of time to get through security and to the gate. We sit around for the extra time I added. That's not on them there times were right.

I know there are people who feel any time waiting in airports is "wasted time", I'm definitely not one of them. Any service that wants me to arrive at a major airport less than 90 minutes before my flight is not one I want to do business with. And I shouldn't have to come up with a fake flight in order to accommodate someone that I'm paying money to.