Thank goodness for long layovers!

[maxiesmom]

Wanted to give a little trip report on my flights over the last 10 days, to and from Orlando. I know I struggle with how long layovers should be, and often want to pick the shortest one. Thank goodness that was not the case this trip!

Heading to Orlando: Arrived to my home airport of Grand Rapids, Mi and got thru security with no issues. Once at the gate we (sis and I) were informed that our plane was going to be late arriving from it's run to Chicago. So we lost 30 minutes right there. Once boarded and on the plane we taxied out, only to sit out on the tarmac as there was too much traffic around Chicago, so they wanted us to hold. By the time we arrived what was to be a 2 hour layover was a sprint from one end of ORD to the other with us arriving at our gate to find boarding in progress. And then we ended up going around a storm and having to divert to Tampa for fuel. Arriving in Orlando 2 hours later than planned.

Heading home: Had what seemed to be a crazy long 3 hour layover in Midway. By the time the storms rolled thru MCO and planes were allowed to land and take off that layover ended up being 1 hour. Just enough time for a quick bite to eat and for a bathroom break.

Think I am firmly in the camp of rather a long layover than cutting it close. I would't have been happy to miss flights and have to sit at the airport even longer.

Oh, and security at MCO was hideous, as it is more often than not. Line was posted at 30 minutes, and it was every bit of that.

 

[a1tinkfans]

Was that the mco TSA line?

Thx for posting!

 

[kristenrice]

We also fly out of GRR (once a year) and, this year, I decided to buy TSA Pre for myself and my daughters. We certainly don't need it in GR because the security checkpoint there is always easy to get through and the agents are so nice and friendly...but MCO? Ugh! I am SO glad I bought it. Our trip home had lines 40-50 minutes long (posted) and we went through in less than 10. It was worth every penny.

I also used to look for the shorter layovers but now, I prefer to look for ones that are at least 90 minutes. (Un)Fortunately, there are almost never any non-stops anymore from GRR to MCO so there are typically plenty of flights to choose from, just not always in the price range I am looking for. I don't like feeling rushed between flights either. Two years ago, the girls and I grabbed food while DH watched the bags. Then when we got done eating, I took the girls to the restroom while DH again watched the bags but by the time we got back, there was not enough time for him to go to the restroom.

 

[a1tinkfans]

TSA has worked very well for us as well.
That’s why I am especially curious about OP’s info at MCO. I have my son flying in/out of there .. may opt Not to use ME and drop him...
I think the airport suggests 2 hours, may be 3...
Not sure on luggage situation at this point either. Likely carry on which makes it a bit easier.

 

[maxiesmom]

The security line was listed as half an hour on the board, and was that. And now you have to take any electronic gadget larger than a cell phone out of your bag and put it in a bin. So my nook and kindle both had to go in a bin. Food, mints, and gum all have to come out and go into a bin. Shoes too, along with your 3-1-1 bag. And you have to stand by your bins and push them thru the scanner, the TSA agent can no longer do it. Along with the sweater I had wrapped around my waist, I think I had 4 bins of my own.

And news pet peeve? The idiots who decided the benches they put immediately after the screening check point, the ones meant for people to be able to sit and put their shoes back on, were the perfect places to sit and hang out. Very rude!!! People were hopping around on one foot trying to put their shoes on. I can't do that, and have to sit. I'm sure I'm not the only one.

 

[AngiTN]

We also fly out of GRR (once a year) and, this year, I decided to buy TSA Pre for myself and my daughters. We certainly don't need it in GR because the security checkpoint there is always easy to get through and the agents are so nice and friendly...but MCO? Ugh! I am SO glad I bought it. Our trip home had lines 40-50 minutes long (posted) and we went through in less than 10. It was worth every penny.

I also used to look for the shorter layovers but now, I prefer to look for ones that are at least 90 minutes. (Un)Fortunately, there are almost never any non-stops anymore from GRR to MCO so there are typically plenty of flights to choose from, just not always in the price range I am looking for. I don't like feeling rushed between flights either. Two years ago, the girls and I grabbed food while DH watched the bags. Then when we got done eating, I took the girls to the restroom while DH again watched the bags but by the time we got back, there was not enough time for him to go to the restroom.

They've funded the entire PreCheck program just off the people who buy it after flying out of MCO.

Knock on wood, we have been fine with 60 min layovers, as long as we fly out first thing in the AM or home last thing at night. We avoid the weather issues. The one time we did fly out in the evening we did have a 2 hour layover and sure enough we got stuck on the ground here waiting on the ATL airport to open due to a storm. Sat on the plane 90 min and we ended up with no time for our planned dinner, just enough time to get to the gate. Lots of people did miss their connections. So my lesson was not to book longer layovers but to never book flights out at that time again.

 

[a1tinkfans]

TSA pre CK, does not require shoes off, sweaters off and those items taken out ( of backpacks). One of the advantages we enjoy. Typically , the lines are shorter and quicker.
Hoping it’s the same at MCO. So if regular lines are 30 minutes.. maybe TSA pre will be a bit quicker. One can hope, lol

TSA pre has been worth every penny across the country.. in our experiences.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Was that the mco TSA line?

Thx for posting!

TSA was a 5 minutes wait for us. But the posted wait time listed for regular security was 35 minutes on Nov 4 at noon.

 

[a1tinkfans]

Thx for ur post!!!