Reminder for air travellers

[Amberle3]

I took my fiance to the airport yesterday, where we were greeted by a vast sea of people waiting to check in. He was flying Westjet (Canadian low-fare airline) and they had a flight cancellation, presumably due to the problems in Halifax. They were efficient enough to have 2 lines set up - one for the delayed travellers and one for the regular travellers. The regular line was still twice as long as I had ever seen one of their check-in lines.

The woman in line immediately in front of my DFi - she got into line right before we did - stopped one of the Westjet employees and asked if there wasn't some way she could be given priority so that she could make her flight to Toronto, which was leaving in 25 minutes. That's right, she had arrived at the airport roughly 30 minutes before her flight was due to leave, knowing she had to go through check-in and security in that time. Westjet does have self-checkin kiosks, however those can only be used if you have no luggage to check which she certainly did.

So please, if you're flying anywhere please arrive at the airport with plenty of time to spare. Remember that "stuff" happens, and there could be very long lineups either at checkin or security, not to mention traffic delays before you even get to the airport. And just being "at" the airport but not checking in doesn't cut it, check in as soon as you get there. Frankly I don't think there is such a thing as being at the airport "too early", but if you're worried about sitting around with nothing to do then plan ahead: bring a book, or some cards.

Oh, and please remember that airlines do require you to be at the departure gate a certain period of time before departure. So getting to the airport early won't do you any good if you decide to leave going to the departure gate until 5 minutes before you're scheduled to leave.

 

[binny]

always a good idea! thanks for the reminder


Also remember if youre leaving country ( to most countries) you need a STATE ISSUED Birth certifcate. The one your parents got at the hospital, even though it looks official, is not. You need the STATE SEAL.

I had a client show up at the airport with her hospital one, after I had warned her to get a certified copy, going to Jamaica and was denied boarding.


Always a good idea to have all your bases covered in todays world!

 

[leahannpen]

Originally posted by Amberle3
So please, if you're flying anywhere please arrive at the airport with plenty of time to spare. Remember that "stuff" happens, and there could be very long lineups either at checkin or security, not to mention traffic delays before you even get to the airport. And just being "at" the airport but not checking in doesn't cut it, check in as soon as you get there. Frankly I don't think there is such a thing as being at the airport "too early", but if you're worried about sitting around with nothing to do then plan ahead: bring a book, or some cards.

Everyone ALWAYS makes fun of me for doing just that, but I don't care! I don't relax until I'm checked in, through security and at my gate. THEN, I'll go to the restroom or whatever and relax. You just NEVER know what can happen, and believe me...stuff DOES happen... then you miss your flight, and guess who's fault it is? Not the airlines! LOL! But yet the late parties expect the airlines to "do something" for them, on a priority... (not always, but usually.)

Good advice! Thanks!

 

[Mimi Q]

My DH and I are flying out of Atlanta tomorrow. I am going to allow plenty of time for check-in. I have not flown out of ATL since 9/11.

 

[NMAmy]

Originally posted by binny
always a good idea! thanks for the reminder


Also remember if youre leaving country ( to most countries) you need a STATE ISSUED Birth certifcate. The one your parents got at the hospital, even though it looks official, is not. You need the STATE SEAL.

I had a client show up at the airport with her hospital one, after I had warned her to get a certified copy, going to Jamaica and was denied boarding.


Always a good idea to have all your bases covered in todays world!

I've never been asked for a birth certificate but I have a passport. Is that why?

Now...speaking of getting to the airport in PLENTY of time...for our last flight to England, DH got me to the airport SEVEN hours before our flight left. In July. It's not like we had a weather problem or anything!

 

[jeleebeene]

Those are all very good suggestions! I just flew over the weekend, and you need atleast a half hour just to check in and get through security in major airports. You have to remove your shoes, belts etc. and then go through security without a hitch, get everything back in order and then head to your gate. I found that even though I arrived a little over an hour early, I still only had MAYBE 15 minutes before boarding started on my flights. Always arrive early and have everything ready to be checked so you aren't searching for your boarding pass or ID.