minimum time prior to departure

[Kimberlyfamilyfv]

I have read very faithfully the threads about time needed to be at orlando airport prior to departure and from my impressions everyone has been saying two hours prior to flight is a must.

I will follow everyones suggests but my sil said she was told only had to be at the airport 1 hour and 10 minutes prior. I don't think this is enough time and have told her so. She will be flying an evening flight on sat 27th on northwest (last flight of the night). Do you think she might miss her flight?


Kimberly

 

[jekjones1558]

No way would I take the chance at MCO. I have stood too many times in long lines waiting to get through security. I haven't noticed any pattern in when the lines are shorter or longer. I don't know why anyone would want to risk missing a flight just to save a few minutes at the airport, especially if it is the last flight of the evening!

 

[CarolA]

And no matter who told you SIL that if she misses her plane NW will do nothing for her.


I arrive at Atlanta 1 hour in advance and MCO at least two hours... that should give you a clue. Atlanta is one of the busiest airports in the US, much bigger then MCO but SOMEHOW they get us thru security in a reasonable time.....

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

And no matter who told you SIL that if she misses her plane NW will do nothing for her.

What should they do?

It's not an airline's fault if a PAX doesn't get to the airport on time.

 

[goofy4tink]

What should they do?

It's not an airline's fault if a PAX doesn't get to the airport on time.

I think the point was being made that it wouldn't matter if someone at the airline told the OP's sil they could be at the airport an hour beforehand...that if they missed the plane, it would be their fault, not the airline's....didn't matter if the president of NW told her differently..unless of course he was there to physically hold the plane for them
There's no way I would cut it that close....especially at MCO. We've been pretty fortunate and not gotten caught in those never-ending security lines, but I've seen them as we go by!! Get there 2 hrs. before and then relax at the gate!!!

 

[Kimberlyfamilyfv]

that my sil should be on the side of caution and get there two hours before. She believes she only needs to be there 1 hour and 10 minutes before the flight. I have a bad feeling if she chooses to do this. And I would not think it would be northwest should accomodate her at all if it is her fault and she missed the flight.

Kimberly

 

[cinmell]

We are staying at the Polynesian next week and we will be renting a car. Our return flight back home departs MCO at 5:45 . We were planning on leaving the Polynesian around 3:30/3:45. Do you think this is enough time? We will be dropping the car off at National.

 

[lorrainesy]

I always get to the airport the 2 hours early...it is not worth the trouble of missing the plane.

 

[budbeerlady]

MCO is a madhouse. We had an 8:30 a.m. flight, two hours was barely enough! By the time you check in, go to the bathroom, get to the gate, grab a magazine it was time to board.

 

[shafke]

I always plan on leaving my home/hotel to arrive at the airport with about 2 hours to spare. This allows for delays in travelling to the airport and also delays at the airport.

As for CINMELL, I would probably leave for the airport closer to 3:00. YOu need to drop off you luggage (if you curb check it can still take some time... at least 15 minutes), drop off your car and then get through security, take the shuttle to the terminal and then walk to your gate. Even if everything goes smoothly this whole process can take an hour easily. By leaving at 3:30/3:45 you are only leaving yourself about a 30 minute cushion which can easily be lost in traffic or a backup at the security checks.