phl curb side check in last minute question

[chrisd596]

Leaving early sunday morning. Since curb side check in of baggage seems the easiest way to go.......... why wouldn't everyone do that inside of waiting on long lines????

Any way arriving early for 6:50 flight......... say 5:00am. Will curbside check in be available?

I'll print my boarding passes at home the night before for USAirways. Then do curb side check in then go through security gate, I have my email letter........is that considered my tickets!

Is there any thing I forgot???

Thanks
chris

(ps- have done the Auto Train the last 3 years so this is sort of new for us)

 

[ducklite]

Lots of reasons people dont do it.

Some people don't have access to the Internet to be able to print passes in advance. Some need to change their flights, or check-in becuse they are flying Internationally. Some don't want to tip the porters.

I don't ususally print my boarding passes in advance. Instead I do it at the kiosks at the airport. Doesn't take me but a minute--there's hardly ever a line, and that way I have more up-to-date info if something changes.

I'm also working with my son who has disabilities to get him self sufficient with the flying process so he'll be able to do so on his own. Now we basically have him walk through all the steps and we just kind of follow behind him. He's getting more comfortable with it. He has to use the kiosk (that's been the hardest part for him), show all our ID's, and find the gate. Of course if he gets really confused we'll step in, but so far so good

Anne

 

[safetymom]

When you print out your boarding passes that is what will get you through security not your letter.

For whatever reason lots of people don't like to use curbside. Personally I don't like to lug them into the airport.

Usually curbside starts at the same time that the ticket counter opens so check with the airinr to see when your airlines counter opens. If it is USAirways check their website and it will tell you.

 

[Lewisc]

Coming back from Vegas the line to curb check was longer than the line inside. The terminal was air conditioned and it was over 100 outside. Going inside was an easy decision.

Originally posted by chrisd596
Leaving early sunday morning. Since curb side check in of baggage seems the easiest way to go.......... why wouldn't everyone do that inside of waiting on long lines????

 

[jel0511]

I've flown out of PHL several times on the 6:50 flight, and the ticket counters don't open until 5:30AM, so getting to the airport at 5:00, might require you waiting to check your bags anywhere. There isn't much traffic at PHL that early, so the lines at security are usually non-existant at that time. We usually leave our house around 4:15AM and usually arrive at Avistar (where we park) an hour later. We usually arrive at the airport at exactly 5:30 after unloading and loading into the van, and they are just starting.

 

[chrisd596]

So it really doesn't pay to get to the airport before 5:15 or so since the ticket counter doesn't open until 5:30am. Why do USAir ask you to get there 2 hours prior to take off......... 6:50 flight.........would mean 4:50am and it doesn't sound like there's any one there at USAir any way????? Am I right???

thanks
chris

 

[safetymom]

For the first flights of the day I don't think you need to be there 2 hours early but I would be walking in the building at 5:15. I wouldn't be off parking the car. The lines can get long in the early morning because there are a bank of flights that will be leaving early.

I always figure it is better to be waiting by the gate instead of trying to get through security. The lines can get long at PHL and you would hate to miss your flight I am sure.

 

[honeymo78]

Actually according to the USAir website when I checked it today the ticket counter at PHL opens at 4am. With that said, I still wouldn't be concerned if you are doing curbside checkin around 5:30. I wouldn't wait til much later than that just in case the lines are long for security checks.

 

[jel0511]

I've taken that flight a lot, it's our usual MCO flight, and the ticket counters can be hectic. If you plan on checking your bags with curbside, and already will have your boarding passes, get there at 5:15. It will give you a little leaway if they're already opened and if not, not too long of a wait. After that, you head straight up to security and you're all set. So, even if there is a wait (but I've never seen a wait at security at 5:30AM at PHL) you'll have plenty of time to get to your gate.

 

[BillPA]

If you print your boarding pass(s) at home, just go inside and self check your bags, usually not much of a line. There is help if you need it. We're are doing that tomorrow morning, but not that early, we have the 10:30 flight. I hate to get up too early to start my vacation, we have 12 nights there, so no rush for us.

Have a great trip.

From US Air's WEB site.

Philadelphia, PA


Recommended Check-In Times
Off-Peak 90 minutes
Peak 2 hour


Airport Information
Ticket Counter Opens: 4:00 a.m.
Ticket Counter Closes: 10:00 p.m.
Peak Traffic Times: Thursday - Sunday 6:00 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Curbside Check-In: Available - Baggage must be checked no later than 30 minutes prior to departure
Self-Service Check-In Kiosks: Available
Priority Check-in Lanes: Available

 

[chrisd596]

Self checking your bags.........means using the kiosks machines.......right????

 

[honeymo78]

I don't think you have to use the kiosk to self check bags - there should be a self checkin counter for the bags for those who have their boarding passes either from home or the kiosk. If curb side is operating when you get there I would prefer doing that instead of dragging the bags inside, especially if you have kids. You would only have to keep track of the kids instead of the kids and the bags once you get inside.