saturday mco security?

[Promomx2]

Our flight leaves at 1:00 p.m. at saturday. I'm thinking getting there around 11 to get bags checked and through security. Anyone have any experience this day and time going through? How long do you think the lines will be?

 

[debrapagliasotti]

I've never gone through MCO on a Saturday, but the last time we went through the airport...lines were SUPER long! They had specific lines for families w/ children which were the longest lines of course. I cant remember how early we got to the airport...we took Magic Express. I would say at least 2 hrs.

 

[cbnsoul]

We just went through MCO security a few weeks ago on a Saturday about 1 and it was pretty much insane. Very long lines and they changed the way the lines are done so instead of what use to be a straight line out from the scanners, now you get in a roped off line going back and forth (like when waiting for a ride, only much less fun at the end!) I did not see a family line this time either (airside B on the right looking at the security area) although there had sorta been an "unadvertised" one in the past. It took us 25 minutes to get through security. Frankly, I thought it would take longer as long as the lines were and as slowly as they move. I'd get there at least 2 hours early just to be safe.

 

[dancin Disney style]

I went through for a 1pm flight in March. We got to the airport at 11am, dropped our rental and walked in to check in at the counter. We then went straight to security. The line was pretty long but moved at a decent pace. After we finished with security we had just enough time to pick up some McD's, eat it and then had about 15 minutes left until the flight started to board.

So I think 2 hours before the flight to be arriving at the airport is an acceptable amount of time. I think though that I might want to add about another 20-30 minutes....I always want to brouse the shops a little and never have the time.

 

[DebbieB]

Alot of cruises come in on Saturday morning. By the time they get from the port to the airport, late morning/early afternoon will be crowded.

 

[Promomx2]

Thanks for all the heads up. We turn in our car rental the night before and we splurged and are staying at the airport hyatt. So all we have to do is check our luggage and hit the security line. I've had enough stress the last few months, don't want too much on the flight home.

 

[TheWho]

I had an 11am departure today to go home.
Everyone was up and ready early.
We left the BCV at 8:15, stopped for gas at Hess at BW, dropped car off at Hertz (painless), checked in at Continental (5 minute wait), went thru TSA which was packed but had many lines available, and arrived at the gate by 9:45. We sat for a good hour but I'm crazy about being early.

To answer your question again, the TSA area was packed but they were well staffed.

 

[deedeetoo]

It took us about an hour to go through security this afternoon (a Saturday) at MCO. It as the worst I have ever seen. Lots of people were freaking out about getting to their planes.

We took Magical Express. We made arrangements to go out one bus earlier than they scheduled us because they hadn't given us the full three hours. I am so glad we did this. Our originally scheduled bus was was thirty minutes later than the one we went on. If we had arrived at the airport 30 minutes later we would have been to our gate only 10 minutes before the flight. We might have made it, but I don't need that stress.

If you get to the airport 2 hours early I think you should be OK.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

My husband and I went through the security line at MCO yesterday (Sunday afternoon). The regular line was very long and moving slowly. We looked and saw an "expert traveler" sign on the right. No one was in line there, so we went through that line. Took us about 4 minutes to get through, even with the full body scanners.

 

[dancin Disney style]

What is considered and 'expert traveler'?

 

[Dax]

What is considered and 'expert traveler'?

Usually business people, or people who travel frequently, carrying a small amount...You are expected to know what needs to be done, and be quick about getting everything on the belt as quick as possible...

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

What is considered and 'expert traveler'?

The sign didn't say, but since we travel a lot, I thought we were qualified. They didn't ask us any questions. They might stop a family with children, but if you look as if you know what you're doing (and do know!), it's much faster than the regular line.

 

[dancin Disney style]

The sign didn't say, but since we travel a lot, I thought we were qualified. They didn't ask us any questions. They might stop a family with children, but if you look as if you know what you're doing (and do know!), it's much faster than the regular line.

Well, I think that I would consider myself 'expert'...I fly 2-4 times per year and have for the last 20+ years. I separate my liquids and wear slip on shoes.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Well, I think that I would consider myself 'expert'...I fly 2-4 times per year and have for the last 20+ years. I separate my liquids and wear slip on shoes.

Then you're all set for the expert line.