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Air Travel Tips - Arriving at the Airport How
early should I get to the Airport? The tighter security measures adopted after the hijackings of four commercial passenger jets and the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 1,1 2001, mean it will take passengers more time to make it through airport security. These new security measures also brought an end to all curbside and off-airport check-in at U.S. airports causing an increase at check-in counter lines. Because of this, most U.S. Airlines now recommend that passengers arrive at the airport at least two hours before departure on domestic and at least three hours before departure on international flights. Note that most Airlines consider you to have arrived at the airport when you reach the check-in counter area and not just reached the airport property. If you are bringing your car, allow additional time to park the car and reach the terminal building. You should also allow for longer check-in lines during periods of peak travel. The advance arrival time required may vary depending on the airport you use. Some airports handle an incredible volume of traffic and are so physically large that they may require an even earlier arrival time. During peak travel season or periods of heightened security alert, you should contact the Airline directly for instructions concerning your arrival at the airport. Many airlines will have updated information available on their web sites and toll free phone numbers. You might also check out the web site of both your arrival and destination airport. Security measures or other conditions may have changed since your ticket was issued and those changes may make it necessary for you to arrive earlier than originally recommended.
Please be aware that Airlines have recommended arrival times and
stricter REQUIRED arrival times. All Airlines do REQUIRE that you
arrive at the check-in counter, the flight's departure gate and even
onboard and in your assigned seat a prescribed amount of time before
the flight's scheduled departure time. The amount of the advance
arrival time required varies depending on the Airline you are using.
Most Airlines' conditions of carriage state that with many of their
tickets, failure to arrive at the check-in counter, the flight's
departure gate and your assigned seat a prescribed amount of time
before the flight's scheduled departure time may cause you to be
denied boarding and cause you to forfeit any refund or other
compensation due for the unused ticket even if you have advance seat
assignments and advance boarding passes. Airlines also have minimum time requirements to get your luggage on your flight. Getting there early will mean your luggage will make it on the same flight as you. You have time so you can relax and watch others run through the airport. This could save you from getting bumped on an overbooked flight. Getting to the airport early means you can volunteer to be bumped if you like the Airline’s deal and aren’t in a big hurry. The Airlines offer premiums, such as free travel vouchers, to those who volunteer to be bumped. Arriving late may
mean you are bumped whether you like it or not. Know that if you can’t make it by the recommended check-in time, you may not have left enough time to make it through airport security and make it onto the flight. Also, if you are planning on cutting it close, you had better check the Airline’s REQUIRED minimum check-in times. Airlines often require that you arrive at the check-in counter, the flight’s departure gate and even onboard and in your assigned seat a prescribed amount of time before the flight’s scheduled departure time. Arriving later than the required time at any point may make it impossible for you to make your flight. If you don’t make it by the required minimum check-in time, you may not be allowed to board the plane even if your plane has not yet left the gate. Airlines also require a minimum check-in time for your luggage to make it on the same flight. Missing the deadline, and putting your luggage on the next flight, increases the chance that your luggage will be lost. Most Airlines’ conditions of carriage state that with many of their tickets, failure to arrive at the check-in counter, the flight’s departure gate or your assigned seat a prescribed amount of time before the flight’s scheduled departure time may cause you to forfeit any refund or other compensation due for the unused ticket. If you can’t make it by the required check-in time, you probably have no chance of making through airport security in time to get to the gate even if the Airline lets you check in. Security won’t rush you through just because you’re running late. In fact, rushing security officers may make them even more suspicious of you and that could cause you to be even later.
These check-in minimums not only vary by Airline, but the same
Airline’s minimum can also vary from airport to airport. Check out the airport’s web site for information about their parking facilities. The sites often contain helpful information about the layout of their parking facilities and the cost of using their various lots. Many sites also include information that you can use to help you decide how much time you’ll need to allow for you to make it into the terminal building after you park. Remove all the valuables from the car before you leave for the airport and leave them at home. If you are traveling with others, see if you can drop them and their luggage at the terminal before you park your car. They can then keep an eye on their luggage while they wait for you to join them in the terminal. This can be especially helpful if you are traveling with lots of luggage or are using the long-term parking lots that are often a long bus ride from the terminal. Write your space and section number down on your return airline ticket’s folder. Many garages recommend taking your parking stub with you to hinder someone trying to steal your vehicle from their lot. If you fear losing the parking stub on your trip, and want to leave it in the vehicle, at least take the time to hide it inside your vehicle. If you are parking under cover, look for a space next to a support, it will reduce your chances for door dings.
You might also put some window cleaner and paper towels in your
trunk since all that parking lot and Airline exhaust seems to end up
on your windows. Stay updated on your flight information so you’ll know if your flight is delayed before you arrive at the airport. Use luggage with rollers and pack light. Take steps to protect yourself and your possessions while you are traveling. If available, consider using curbside service to check in your bags, it can save you time. If you use the service before you park your car or return your rental car, it will also save you a lot of carrying.
Be aware that curbside check-in can make it easier for you to become
separated from your baggage, so you’ll want to follow the
guidelines below. You cannot use curbside check-in if you have an international destination. Before you check your bags, you’ll want to ask if the flight is delayed or cancelled. You might not want to give up your bags yet. Know your three-letter destination’s airport code, see the link listed in the previous question for information. Airport codes aren’t always obvious choices; Orlando International Airport is MCO for McCoy Field. This way you can verify that the correct tag is placed on your bag. Make sure the proper Airline information is placed on your bags, skycaps will often check in bags for several different Airlines.
Watch your bags go down the conveyer belt, don’t take the word of
a busy skycap that they’ll get right to it. Criminals watch for
skycaps that are too busy to guard your bags. |
