Us Air - PHL

[denman007]

US Airways is recommending that we only need to arrive at the airport 1 hour before departure time. Does this seem right? Last Nov it took us 90 minutes just to check bags and make it past security point. Have things changed this much? Is it that much quicker?

I'm thinking 90 mins prior at the least in Philadelphia.

 

[RobinLyn]

I think it really depends on whether they decide to search your luggage by hand which doesn't happen that often. My DH travels out of PHL weekly (business) and only uses USAir for the FF miles. If your are traveling with lots of people and lots of luggage, you may want to be there 90 minutes before, but one hour should be more than enough according to DH. If leaving on a Saturday, I would go 90 minutes before. Have a great time!!

RobinLyn

 

[puffkin]

We are flying out of PHL on USAir in 2 weeks on a Saturday. Our flight is 6:10 am. They suggested getting there 1 1/2 - 2 hours early. We plan on getting there as close to 4 as possible just to be safe. I haven't flown since 9/11 so I am a little nervous and want to have plenty of time to get through security. I plan on eating a nice breakfast in the terminal if we have extra time. If not, I will have pop tarts packed for the plane.

 

[RobinLyn]

You will have plenty of time to eat. The airport is usually very empty that early, even on a Saturday!

RobinLyn

 

[zurgswife]

I would check to find out what time the ticket counter opens...I have found that lots of Airlines don't open the ticket counter until 5am....If your arriving at 4 then I guess you could wait in line until it opens...I would double check to be sure ...

 

[jel0511]

I agree with zurgswife, check with the airline, because I believe that the ticket counters do open up at 5 am. Also, most of the stores/restaurants don't open up at PHL until 6AM, so don't plan on having any place to eat or browse during your down time. I'm call PHL directly and see what time they do open. There aren't many flights that leave PHL that early, sot he line at security will be little to none at that early hour.

 

[RUDisney]

One thing to be sure of is that if you are staying at a hotel that is by the airport, you'll need to make sure to give yourself a little extra time. I stayed at one the last time I went to Atlanta and since it was only me travelling, I didn't want to wait for a long time in the airport before my flight. When I got to the lobby, I never expected that a large (number of them, not girth) family would be in front of me. They didn't know if they'd get all of them on the same shuttle with all of their luggage. They might fill 2 shuttles. I started to sweat... would I make my flight? Alright, I could have called a taxi, but not if I didn't have to. Everything worked out fine and I made it in plenty of time, but just something else to consider when planning your time.

 

[safetymom]

It is not taking as long at airports anymore. If you are flying early morning you should be ok. Later in the morning at PHL I have seen long lines. I fly to a lot of airport for my business and still prefer to allow 90 minutes just so I know there is no problems. I like to be safely sitting on the other side of security.

 

[denman007]

Update...

On 5/18 at 10am the airport was empty...we zipped right through. In fact, I dropped my wife and daughter and 5 bags, went to park the van, and when I came back the bags were already checked.

 

[Jen80370]

How busy is PHL on a Friday morning? I have a 6am flight in June...we are staying at a nearby hotel the night before...anyone have info on when the airport opens?

 

[safetymom]

What airline are you flying? If it is USAirways you can check the web site to see what time they open. I think it is 4 AM. It is not very busy at that hour either.

 

[Jen80370]

Fantastic...it is USAir. Thanks!

 

[BobbiKK]

I just flew USAIR 2 weeks ago and had no problem--got to the airport, there was no line at the skycaps station, went right through security (OK, they checked my shoes and carry-on) and still made it through the whole process in (skycap to gate) in 20 minutes. However, I also flew USAIR in December and in January, and the lines outside the airport for the skycap was SOOO long, and then the line to get through security was even longer. The whole process then was 1 1/2 hr. long. So the bottom line is there is really no way to know. But given the new "be on the alert" news I would say there may be even more security, so give yourself as much time as possible. I know for a fact that if you are running late while waiting either outside for the skycap or inside at the airline counters, they will take you out of line so that you make your flight--BUT if you get caught late through security while they search your bags--they don't care there whether you miss your plane or not. And don't make a stink about it--they will hold you for sure. There was one woman refusing to take off her shoes, and she got really loud, and they carted her away--one national guardsman on each arm!