When should we be at the airport this early Sat. morn?

[Minniekins]

We are leaving for Disney (yay! ), out of Midway, Chicago on Airtran this coming Sat. morning, Jan 2nd. Our flight leaves at 7:45 a.m., that's early, lol! We left early last year and I seem to remember people saying an hours worth of time before our flight was fine at that time of morning, but then again I'm not sure of that so I thought I'd check again this year. I do recall that it was not very crowded at all and things went quickly. I was thinking that if we were there at like 6:30 a.m. that would be plenty of time to curb check 2 bags and get through security, but my brother who is bringing us wondered if we'd need to be there like at 5:45 a.m. which just seems really, really early to me. It's not like it's the middle of a busy day or something. Do we really need 2 whole hours prior to flight at that time of morning on a Sat? Thanks for your help, I appreciate it!

 

[ancestry]

The official recommendation is two hours prior to your flight.

However, I adjust that depending on the airport that I am flying out of. Usually I do about 90 minutes before my flight time. 60 minutes is cutting it tight in my opinion and doesn't allow any extra time if there are unexpected lines or an unexpected event. Remember that you usually board 30 minutes before your departure time so if you arrive 60 minutes early that only allows 30 minutes to check baggage and to go through security and get to your gate.

 

[safetymom]

I would allow 2 huors. Remember that you usually start boarding 1/2 hr. before departure. With the security level raised it may take longer to get through security. I would find out when the ticket counter opens and be in line at that time. Early morning is a busy time of day.

 

[Tozzie]

I would allow more than an hour, with heightened security and the rules changing daily it might take longer. Also, different Airports have different times regarding how long luggage has to be checked in prior to departure. One airport I fly out of, checked luggage has to be fully checked in 60 minutes before departure for domestic flights.

 

[DVC Grammy]

My DD and I are leaving for WDW on Monday, and I'm also trying to "guesstimate" when to get to the airport. Normally, I'd allow about an hour, since our airport isn't too busy, but with this latest incident, security may take longer.
I'll probably call the airport on Sunday to ask if the recommended time has changed.

 

[backyardponder]

My wife always complains that I am always too early...with that in mind...I'd rather be safe than sorry. Plan for bad traffic, even on Saturday AM. Plan for long security lines, again, even on Saturday AM. Get there early. Have breakfast at Potbelly's (great breakfast sandwiches at a reasonable price). My guess is Saturday will be a heavy travel day. If you miss your flight, you might have trouble getting out of MDW at a reasonable time. Good Luck.

 

[skater]

I heard on the news that they were recommending 3 hours out of LAX .

 

[Detailor]

I'm not familiar with how busy Midway is usually. But if someone can suggest what a normal arrival times would have been for Midway before the presumably heightened security then that would be helpful directionally. From my experiences at O'Hare I'd think that an hour and a half would be about right for an early morning flight there (the last several times I've gone out of O'Hare the security lines have been very efficient, very fast). And by an hour and a half I mean inside the airport and in line at ticketing/reservations, not outside in a parking garage.

I think it's a really good idea, at least for now, to arrive early and be patient through whatever extra security screenings that will be going on to slow things down rather than experiencing the anxiety of that feeling that you're not going to make your flight.

Dick Taylor

 

[backyardponder]

Recently I've been allowing 1.5 hours from arrival at the SW ticket counter at MDW to flight time for an early morning flight. Other times of the day I've been allowing 2 hours.

I'd probably give it a bit longer right now.

 

[Minniekins]

Thanks for all the replys! I'm thinking we will get there about 1.5 - 2 hrs ahead of time. My friend, who is a worrier and does everything way way early, especially something like this, said she heard all over the news today that you have to arrive 4 hrs ahead now with the terror stuff going on! Yikes! I've seen the news and been online and haven't seen that myself. I'm assuming that's really only affecting international travelers, not domestic travel. I can see waits midday and through early evening having longer than normal waits at security, but not that early on a Sat. morning. We'd have to get there at 3:45 a.m. and that seems really outrageous! All I'm doing is curb checking 2 bags then have to get through security.

I'll have to call and see when the ticket counter opens I guess, just to know. Also, where is Potbelly's for those breakfast sandwiches?

Again, thanks for any responses! Only 3 more days!!

 

[safetymom]

The early hours are very busy at most airports.

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

Are there any hotels at/near the airport that you could stay at the night before your flight? Then you could get up in the morning at planned time but be at the airport earlier. Good luck & have a great vacation!

 

[backyardponder]

Also, where is Potbelly's for those breakfast sandwiches?

Again, thanks for any responses! Only 3 more days!!

Potbelly's is just past security...ahead and slightly to your left. You can't miss it. It is a chain of sandwich shops in the Chicago area which are really good.

 

[dburg30]

My wife always complains that I am always too early...with that in mind...I'd rather be safe than sorry. Plan for bad traffic, even on Saturday AM. Plan for long security lines, again, even on Saturday AM. Get there early. Have breakfast at Potbelly's (great breakfast sandwiches at a reasonable price). My guess is Saturday will be a heavy travel day. If you miss your flight, you might have trouble getting out of MDW at a reasonable time. Good Luck.

I agree about getting there early, and until last weeks event, it wasnt so much for the crowds at the airport, the SW part of port Columbus I've never ran into any 'crowd' at the security, but I always take into consideration for as stated, traffic, an accident that messes things up etc etc. Even though it will stink for a 7:45 flight, it's just easier to get there, not be in a hurry, take your time, and 'enjoy' it. 4 hours, IMO is overkill, or I would sure hope it was! But with last week I'm sure I would bump mine back up to 2 hours 'just in case'.

 

[Detailor]

My friend, who is a worrier and does everything way way early, especially something like this, said she heard all over the news today that you have to arrive 4 hrs ahead now with the terror stuff going on! Yikes!

I've been watching the news out of Boston and there doesn't seem to be much change there. In fact the media are reporting that the security lines have been short and quick over the past few days. That may be just a element of fewer people travelling - especially business people - but interesting reporting nonetheless.

I think you'll be okay in that 1 1/2 to 2 hour window.

Dick Taylor

 

[jey]

I would be there 2 hours early. I play it safe! You are also traveling at a busy holiday time as many people will be returning home from the holidays.

 

[Minniekins]

Thanks again for the replies, we will go with the 1 1/2 to 2 hrs time frame. I think we'll be good!