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How much time do you allow at the airport?

Home ▸ Archive ▸ Serious Business ▸ How much time do you allow at the airport?
Cat Food Flambe''s avatar

Cat Food Flambe'

Senior Member

1,230 posts
Jul 18, 2011 10:42 PM
For those of you who fly, how much time do you allow to check in at the airport before a flight?

I have a thing about not being late, especially when traveling. In fact, when fly, I actually get to the airport a full two hours before departure - NOTHING screws up a trip faster that missing the first leg of trip. I usually get as much done in my down-time at the gate as I would at the office. Besides, Delta screws things up often enough on their own without my adding to the chaos

I flew to Portland OR today, via Minneapolis - while waiting at Columbus, between planes at MSP, and while leaving the gate at PDX I saw four full-blown temper tantrums being thrown by people who had missed their departure at an adjacent gate for one reason or another. The TSA lines at Columbus weren't bad at all today, and were very short at Portland as I left.

I have co-workers who dismiss the airline recommendations of the 90-minute cushion, and on more than one occasion I've had to pinch-hit or re-arrange meetings because they missed their flights. It's a major pain in the ass, and I'm not shy about telling them so when it happens.

I know there ARE occasions when stuff happens beyond your control. But - what are you going to do with the extra few minutes you gain with a last-minute arrival in light of lost time and ticket change fees? (OK - sex is a good excuse - if that's all the time you need! :)
Jul 18, 2011 10:42pm
Fab1b's avatar

Fab1b

The Bald A-Hole!!

12,949 posts
Jul 18, 2011 10:49 PM
90 mins to 2hrs for me. Hate being late, hate missing flights, hate something to happen to cause me to miss a flight so I leave plenty of time. Yes it can suck sitting around the airport for an extra hour, ect....but I'd rather do that than miss a flight for any reason!
Jul 18, 2011 10:49pm
Ytowngirlinfla's avatar

Ytowngirlinfla

I wear real chevrons!

2,295 posts
Jul 18, 2011 10:50 PM
Always plan for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. I like to kill time or catch a bite to eat before I get on a long flight.
Jul 18, 2011 10:50pm
G

Gardens35

Senior Member

4,929 posts
Jul 18, 2011 10:50 PM
Cat Food Flambe';833823 wrote:............ But - what are you going to do with the extra few minutes you gain with a last-minute arrival in light of lost time and ticket change fees? ....

Call Muggsy. Duh!
Jul 18, 2011 10:50pm
Cat Food Flambe''s avatar

Cat Food Flambe'

Senior Member

1,230 posts
Jul 18, 2011 10:56 PM
Gardens35;833847 wrote:Call Muggsy. Duh!
Not now you won't - they cut off her cell phone last month for non-payment. She's on the prowl for a sugar grandpa - want me to give her your e-mail address? :)
Jul 18, 2011 10:56pm
justincredible's avatar

justincredible

Nick Mangold

32,056 posts
Jul 18, 2011 10:57 PM
Usually about an hour more than I need. I always end up flying through security and just sit on my hands forever.
Jul 18, 2011 10:57pm
G

Gardens35

Senior Member

4,929 posts
Jul 18, 2011 10:58 PM
Sugar Grandpa.
Jul 18, 2011 10:58pm
D

dave

Senior Member

4,558 posts
Jul 18, 2011 11:00 PM
Pretty much only fly out of Dayton, I get there 1 hr early. When I'm coming home it depends on the airport, between 1.5 and 2 hrs.
Jul 18, 2011 11:00pm
Curly J's avatar

Curly J

Self Pwner in Training.

7,282 posts
Jul 18, 2011 11:25 PM
I like to get their at least 2 hours early. I don't mind sitting down and having some food with The Wife...and maybe a couple Bloody Marys.
Jul 18, 2011 11:25pm
like_that's avatar

like_that

1st Team All-PWN

26,625 posts
Jul 18, 2011 11:57 PM
All depends on the airport, but normally 45 min to and hour. I think its overrated getting there so early. If you check in online the night before, and print your ticket, you are already saving a good amount of time.
Jul 18, 2011 11:57pm
sherm03's avatar

sherm03

I go balls deep.

7,349 posts
Jul 19, 2011 12:24 AM
It all depends on where I'm flying out of, what time I'm leaving, and what day it is. I've had flights that were at 6:00, and have gotten there before the security gates even opened. And there have also been times where I've parked my car about a half hour before board time, walked right through security, and right to the gate onto the plane. I usually like to leave an hour to an hour and a half when flying out of Cincy. I usually don't fly Delta...so the crowd going to the terminal is pretty sparse.

I've had a few instances where we get out of meetings late in Chicago and I have to run through the airport to make my flight. I hate that feeling. I'd prefer to leave myself enough time so I can grab a beer or something instead of sprinting through the gate and to the terminal.
Jul 19, 2011 12:24am
M

Manhattan Buckeye

Senior Member

7,566 posts
Jul 19, 2011 1:14 AM
Depends on the airport, domestic regional about 75 minutes, domestic major (O'Hare, Atlanta, DFW, Denver, etc.) and Int'l about 2 hours, sometimes even longer at major Int'l airports. The time spent at the bar/lounge is better than the time freaking out whether I'll make it through security and to the gate on time.
Jul 19, 2011 1:14am
Glory Days's avatar

Glory Days

Senior Member

7,809 posts
Jul 19, 2011 2:18 AM
30-45 minutes depending on what it says on the ticket. only have really flown out of Akron/canton, pittsburgh, and savannah though.
Jul 19, 2011 2:18am
Belly35's avatar

Belly35

Elderly Intellectual

9,716 posts
Jul 19, 2011 7:50 AM
Depending on the airport... but in general about 1 1/2 -2 hours....

My biggest problem is the late (delayed) landing and transfer from one plane to another .... and the gates are like at different ends of the airport ...
Jul 19, 2011 7:50am
Commander of Awesome's avatar

Commander of Awesome

Senior Pwner

23,151 posts
Jul 19, 2011 7:59 AM
Depends on if I'm flying international or not. Flying with the the US, I say 45 min before a flight. International I usually get there about an hour early. There really is no reason to get there 2 hours ahead of time. The airports tell you that so you'll be sitting around broed and spending money at their shops/restaurants.
Jul 19, 2011 7:59am
j_crazy's avatar

j_crazy

7 gram rocks. how i roll.

8,372 posts
Jul 19, 2011 8:16 AM
Depends on the airport. Houston 1.5 hrs for lines. This morning out of lft I gave myself 45 minutes.
Jul 19, 2011 8:16am
ernest_t_bass's avatar

ernest_t_bass

12th Son of the Lama

24,984 posts
Jul 19, 2011 8:34 AM
I fly private. Losers.
Jul 19, 2011 8:34am
FatHobbit's avatar

FatHobbit

Senior Member

8,651 posts
Jul 19, 2011 8:38 AM
I also say it depends on the airport and destination. Columbus is pretty laid back and usually not very busy. I was running late once for an international flight and had to argue with them to print my boarding pass. It was less than an hour before the flight left and they said it was too late, but once I had the ticket I think I only had to wait five minutes in security and still had plenty of time. Flying back from Orlando (Disney) I was 3 hours early as they suggested, and needed every minute of it.
Jul 19, 2011 8:38am
gorocks99's avatar

gorocks99

Senior Member

10,760 posts
Jul 19, 2011 8:40 AM
Depends on the airport, agreed. When I fly out of O'Hare I give myself 2 hours. Out of Northwest Arkansas, 45 minutes.
Jul 19, 2011 8:40am
R

raiderbuck

Senior Member

1,623 posts
Jul 19, 2011 8:41 AM
45 minutes to an hour depending on the airport. Usually check in online and print boarding pass beforehand (seriously, if you're standing in line to print your boarding pass, then shoot yourself). I try to pack my stuff in a carry-on so I can avoid said check-in lines. The security screening line is bad enough at times. I also try to fly as comfortably as possible. Jeans, shoes I can take off easily, socks, minimal metal accessories, or just toss everything in my carry on bag and put it through the x-ray machine.

Sometimes you can't help but stand in the check-in line (issues with tickets, you gotta check bags, etc.,.)...and when that happens I'll try to arrive 1-2 hours early.
Jul 19, 2011 8:41am
FatHobbit's avatar

FatHobbit

Senior Member

8,651 posts
Jul 19, 2011 8:49 AM
ernest_t_bass;834085 wrote:I fly private. Losers.

Jul 19, 2011 8:49am
ernest_t_bass's avatar

ernest_t_bass

12th Son of the Lama

24,984 posts
Jul 19, 2011 8:50 AM
FatHobbit;834103 wrote:

Don't judge me.
Jul 19, 2011 8:50am
Curly J's avatar

Curly J

Self Pwner in Training.

7,282 posts
Jul 19, 2011 10:54 AM
sherm03;833982 wrote:It all depends on where I'm flying out of, what time I'm leaving, and what day it is. I've had flights that were at 6:00, and have gotten there before the security gates even opened. And there have also been times where I've parked my car about a half hour before board time, walked right through security, and right to the gate onto the plane. I usually like to leave an hour to an hour and a half when flying out of Cincy. I usually don't fly Delta...so the crowd going to the terminal is pretty sparse.

I've had a few instances where we get out of meetings late in Chicago and I have to run through the airport to make my flight. I hate that feeling. I'd prefer to leave myself enough time so I can grab a beer or something instead of sprinting through the gate and to the terminal.
I guess I'd have to add it depends on the Airport and terminal. If it's Cincy and Delta I like to get there really early so I can hit Wolfgang Puck's restaurant. If the flight goes out of the other terminal I hate getting there too early. That other terminal is like a ghetto. ONE bagel shop open for early flights ??? WTF !!!

Sherm, I did see where they will be transferring all the flights that are currently in Terminal 2 over to Terminal 3, Concourse A. That used to be a Delta concourse until they cut back service. That should be a lot nicer if they re-open restaurants/bars.

Also. I fly out of a couple of little airports when we go out West to visit family. Some of these placed examine every piece of luggage manually prior to flight. These little airports can take up some time and have nothing to eat there except vending machines...if you are lucky.
Jul 19, 2011 10:54am
T

thavoice

Senior Member

14,376 posts
Jul 19, 2011 11:06 AM
My brother, who flies alot, about 45 min before flight to be at the gate.

Me.....I say 90 min to 2 hours. I dont fly a whole lot so I make sure I am early enough. I dont mind sitting around and waiting, usually some pretty attractive women around to watch.
Jul 19, 2011 11:06am
bigdaddy2003's avatar

bigdaddy2003

Senior Member

7,384 posts
Jul 19, 2011 11:12 AM
Ok since I have never flown before I have a question. What could possibly happen that you would need to be there 2 hours before flight?
Jul 19, 2011 11:12am