Morning Flight experience anyone?

[MrsBlovesDisney]

Our flights to and from MCO in April (the busiest time of the year, besides Xmas) are early (from Bos to MCO at 8AM, and trip back leaves MCO at 7AM).
I am wondering peoples' experiences with regard to security lines that early in the morning (probably 5AM -6AM). We have previously waited in some long lines at both terminals (at later times in the day) and, not that it's an issue for DH nor myself.... but our autistic son gets pretty anxious waiting in such long lines.
I'm wondering if the airports tend to be less crowded first thing in the morning. Any thoughts?

 

[aandjmama]

We just left MCO on Wednesday to return home. Our flight left at 7:30 am, and while we hated getting up so early, it was nice not to deal with huge crowds. Both of my sons have sensory issues and can get easily overwhelmed with crowds so I can relate (to a very, very small degree) With security there was a family lane where the aisle to wait in line was wider and probably more folks who could be understanding of your situation. At that point of the day, we waited probably 15 min in line to get through so it wasn't that bad. I would just suggest to be prepared ahead of time (laptop out, liquids out, game systems out, shoes that are easy to take off and put on, jackets off, etc) to make getting through the line a little easier. I would imagine early flights generally are the best--less likely to have delays,etc. and the airport is much quieter. Hope you have a great trip!!

 

[MrsBlovesDisney]

Thanks so much! We try to be very prepared....we even wear "crocs" now with socks so it's easy on, easy off. He's so used to taking them off that now we have to tell him to keep them on until we get up to the front of the line! We will also be watching videos (prob on youtube) on the new Xray machines, as we want him as prepared, and as comfortable, as possible!
Fingers crossed it's "quiet" that early in the morning! Thanks again for your input!

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

We have a 6 am flight for our next trip so we will be getting to the airport around 4:30 UGH! At least we will be in MCO at 8:30 AM Yay! Don't think there will be to much traffic at JFK that early..at least I hope not.

 

[bookwormde]

I pick early flights becouse of no traffic getting to the airport, and limited lines at TSA and no "stack up" waiting for takeoff. Well worth getting up early.

bookwormde

 

[Inkmahm]

Thanks so much! We try to be very prepared....we even wear "crocs" now with socks so it's easy on, easy off. He's so used to taking them off that now we have to tell him to keep them on until we get up to the front of the line! We will also be watching videos (prob on youtube) on the new Xray machines, as we want him as prepared, and as comfortable, as possible!
Fingers crossed it's "quiet" that early in the morning! Thanks again for your input!

We also always wear our crocs to fly- makes life so much easier.

As for the new xray machines, we just flew out of MCO on the 18th and didn't have the new machines. Just the old walk through metal detectors. So you may or may not have to worry about the new xray machines.

 

[maxiesmom]

I hate to tell you, but some of the worst security lines I have encountered at MCO have been very early in the morning. I think it is just plain dumb luck--sometimes your luck is good, and sometimes it is not.

 

[DebbieB]

At PIT, the longest lines I've seen at security are around 5:30-7:00 weekdays.

 

[MrsBlovesDisney]

We also always wear our crocs to fly- makes life so much easier.

As for the new xray machines, we just flew out of MCO on the 18th and didn't have the new machines. Just the old walk through metal detectors. So you may or may not have to worry about the new xray machines.

Crocs! ...gotta luv em!! I can only hope we don't run into the new machines while we're down there...one less worry with our son!

I hate to tell you, but some of the worst security lines I have encountered at MCO have been very early in the morning. I think it is just plain dumb luck--sometimes your luck is good, and sometimes it is not.

Here's hoping for Pixie dust!!

At PIT, the longest lines I've seen at security are around 5:30-7:00 weekdays.

We're heading down on a Saturday....hopefully it's different than your weekday experience.

 

[DebbieB]

We're heading down on a Saturday....hopefully it's different than your weekday experience.

I did have a 7:45am flight on a Saturday morning in October, the line was not bad.

 

[MrsBlovesDisney]

I did have a 7:45am flight on a Saturday morning in October, the line was not bad.

Good to hear!! Hopefully it won't be too bad....tho it's the beginning of April school vacation here in Mass....ugh!!

This will be the first year going without DD16....she will be leaving out of Logan the day before heading abroad for 10 days......oh how I will be worried and miss her soooo much!!!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Have you considered staying at the Hyatt MCO your last night? It would make your morning so much easier. The elevators are probably around 100' from the security lines. Easy peasy and will give you another 2 hrs sleep.

We stay there anytime we have a late arriving flight, esp. pre cruise.
So convenient!

Here is the view from our balcony. The entrance to the Hyatt and elevators are on the right, near the flight status displays. From there, security is just beyond the escalator. We usually can get it on Hotwire for around $59-75 + tax but I wouldn't count on that over holidays.

 

[dudspizza]

We love early morning flights TO MCO. Our next trip in March we have a 6am flight out of MSP, so we have SpringHill Suites near the airport reserved. They have a free 24 hour shuttle so we'll shuttle to the Airport about 4:45am. Airtran flies out of the smaller Terminal 2 (HHH) at MSP, so security for us will be a breeze. Only 10 gates total in that terminal.

Fly safe!

Duds

 

[MrsBlovesDisney]

Thanks for the ideas!
As much as I love the Hotel at the Airport....we stayed near the airport the last night of one of our trips in the past. We were so depressed not being at Disney that we decided we would always stay on property in the future . Looks like we'll be getting up VERY early, and definitely be using a Car Service so we have a little more time compared to using ME! Thanks everyone!!

 

[maxiesmom]

Just as an FYI using a car service will only gain you about a half an hour. They still pick you up so that you have plenty of time to make it to the airport and get thru security if you run into any snafus.

But I want to thank everyone for the idea of a hotel near the airport. Don't know why that never crossed my mind.

 

[SmallWorld71]

It's my experience with Logan that it is pretty quiet before 7am and we never have much of a wait then, if any. The big exception to this is if there is bad weather. This can hold true for any time of the year, not just winter. A couple years ago we flew out 7am at the beginning of April vacation and waited about an hour at 5:00 am to get through security because a big nor'Easter had just come through and lots of people were scrambling to get on new flights and had been stranded the day before.

Keep in mind if you are traveling really early that lots of times the food places aren't open. We always pack some bagels, muffins or poptarts to eat on the plane on those morning flights.