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How early should I get
to the Airport?
What are the advantages of getting to the
Airport early?
What if I won’t make it to the check-in
an hour before my flight time?
What should I do if I’m leaving my car at
the airport?
How can I save time and hassle at the airport?
What do I need
to know before using curbside check-in?
Where can I find information about the airport’s
terminal and parking lot layout?
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How early should I get to the
Airport?
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- Follow the instructions included with your
ticket.
- U.S. Airlines recommend that you should plan
on arriving early on both ends of your flight. At least one-hour
before departure on domestic and two hours before departure on
international flights. Some Airlines recommend arriving even earlier.
- 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.
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What are the advantages of getting
to the Airport early?
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Arriving early helps you to get the better
seats and make it though security to the gate check-in.
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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.
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You have time so you can relax and watch
others run through the airport.
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This could save you from getting bumped
on an overbooked flight.
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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.
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Arriving late may mean you are bumped whether
you like it or not.
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What can happen if I
don’t make it to the check-in counter by the recommended check-in
time?
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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.
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What should I do if I’m leaving
my car at the airport?
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- 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.
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How can I save time and hassle
at the airport?
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- Look at the airport’s layout in advance to
get an idea of where you are going and what services are available.
Be sure to review their parking facilities if you’ll be parking
your car at the airport.
- 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.
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| What
do I need to know before using curbside check-in? |
- Have your bags clearly labeled and remove
old claim tags to avoid confusion.
- 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.
- Don’t tip a skycap until your bags are on
their way.
- Please be advised that curbside check-in
and off-airport check-in may not be available at all airports.
Due to the hijackings of four commercial passenger jets and the
terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on
September 11, 2001, curbside and off-airport check-in were suspended
indefinitely at all U.S. airports.
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Where can I find information
about the airport’s terminal and parking lot layout?
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Go To: US Airports & Foreign Airports
Links
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This page contains web links to many major
U.S. and foreign airports. Although, each airport’s site is different
many contain airport terminal layouts and features, parking information,
flight delays and other items that could save you time and help
make your visit a safe one. This links page also lists many airport
codes that can be helpful when making Airline reservations so
you and your luggage will be heading to the right airport.
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Section: AT THE GATE
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