Nashville Experts ? about SW

[disgoer]

We (DH, DS-9, DS-7, myself) are flying out of BNA on 7/13 and have never departed BNA. Is there anything we need to know before arriving for a SW flight at 6:30 a.m. The long term parking seems to be a long walk or is it looks that way on the map! Any info. would be helpful. Thanks!

 

[boswellnakia]

I have flown out of BNA several times. I usually try to do the early flight so that I can get in a full day at WDW after I arrive. The long term parking can be a hike, but they have had great buses who watch for you and I have never had to wait very long for the shuttle service to the terminal. The last time I flew out of Nashville was April and they were having construciton on the parkway around to the airport.

We (DH, DS-9, DS-7, myself) are flying out of BNA on 7/13 and have never departed BNA. Is there anything we need to know before arriving for a SW flight at 6:30 a.m. The long term parking seems to be a long walk or is it looks that way on the map! Any info. would be helpful. Thanks!

 

[disgoer]

Thanks!

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

The security line at BNA is VERY long for those early morning flights so get to the airport EARLY (90 minutes before your flight)! Check in online the night before to get your "A" boarding passes.

Have a great flight!

 

[disgoer]

Is Flight Park a reliable company in Nashville? We will be arriving at the airport between 4:30-5:00. Will they be open that early?

 

[katiedid0801]

And be aware that most Southwest flights depart from the farthest gates-c19 or so, wear comfy shoes!

 

[Leigha]

I find it cheaper and easier to stay in a hotel with shuttle service and free parking the night before. Just be sure the hotel you choose can get you there that early! If you're lucky, you'll get breakfast free too as a bonus (again, depending on the time!). If you go to the airport's website, it gives a list of nearby hotels and you can go from there. We like Clubhouse Inn and Suites.

 

[disgoer]

Thanks for the info! Anyone Else?

 

[CarolA]

When I lived in Nashville I used Flight Park instead of BNA Long Term. It's cheaper, they load and unload your luggage and overall it's a much better experience then BNA's parking lot!

Flight Park is open all the time. That said I NEVER got to BNA more then an hour in advance and never came close to missing a plane (Unlike MCO). To be honest, I don't think the security gates are even open before about 5:30 or so.... For a 6:30 flight I would not arrive at 4:30. All you are going to do is sit around waiting for the gates to open.

Also, here's a trick. If the line is LONG on the SW side walk over to the A gates and check. Once thru the shortest line just follow the walkway back to the other side. Generally SW is shorter then DL (they have more screening locations at SW) Also, the RUDEST folks in Nashville work as ID checkers. Try to ignore them! Do NOT attempt to have more then two carryons. (I had my wallet in my hand so they could see the ID and got yelled at by a man who apparently washes his hands on an annual basis YUCK!)

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

CarolA - that used to be the case out of BNA but the lines lately have been absurd on both sides (not as bad as MCO though!). Sigh... I missed my 6am flight on NWA and arrived just before 5am because the security lines took forever. I commute to BNA so I am in that airport at least twice a month.

I would rather be early and wait then be stressed that I am going to miss my flight due to long check-in and security lines.

If you are looking for a great hotel nearby check the Fairfield Inn by the airport. Nice, relatively new hotel with an indoor pool. They have free breakfast but that doesn't start until 6am.