TSA questions (1 Viewer)

[ghostguy123]

So I'm flying out of Orlando tomorrow, and got a message that TSA lines may be longer and to get there early. Well, the bag check counter doesn't even allow you to check your bags until 2 hours before the flight, so kinda limited on how early we can even be.
However, they sent me an email with a TSA link to the APP to "reserve a spot in line".
Anyone know anything about this or how it works? Is it worth it?

 

[FarFromHome]

I have zero actual helpful info on this.

This post reminded me of Seinfeld. You have no problem "taking" the reservation, it's the "holding" Ha ha

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtu.be

 

[Instinctive]

Idk how to reserve a spot in line but two hours before a flight is sooner than I've been to an airport in ten years.

 

[beer 30]

So I'm flying out of Orlando tomorrow, and got a message that TSA lines may be longer and to get there early. Well, the bag check counter doesn't even allow you to check your bags until 2 hours before the flight, so kinda limited on how early we can even be.
However, they sent me an email with a TSA link to the APP to "reserve a spot in line".
Anyone know anything about this or how it works? Is it worth it?

People still check bags, huh. Who knew?

I'm zero help as well, sorry. Good luck on your journey

 

[Hastur]

Looking forward to hearing about this, as I am flying in 2 weeks.

 

[NutterButter]

That's wild. You should definitely do that so you can report back how it went. I think I'm an outlier that likes to get to the airport early, almost always checks bags and have never had what I'd consider to be a long wait at TSA. If you don't use the reservation option, 2 hours should be more than enough time.

 

[Chemical X]

So I'm flying out of Orlando tomorrow, and got a message that TSA lines may be longer and to get there early. Well, the bag check counter doesn't even allow you to check your bags until 2 hours before the flight, so kinda limited on how early we can even be.
However, they sent me an email with a TSA link to the APP to "reserve a spot in line".
Anyone know anything about this or how it works? Is it worth it?

this sounds overly airporty. i have the mytsa app and it says mco is usually 10-15 mins, including when you want to fly….tsa precheck is even quicker. 1-1.5 early seems reasonable if you know the airport and don’t lose your mind like most fliers.

 

[ghostguy123]

There was a line to check the bags on our way out here, took like 25 minutes.
Granted this time I think we will get to that line a little before it opens.
I hate checking bags as well, I never do it, but got the whole family so we HAD to.

 

[ghostguy123]

Small plane though, maybe 120-130 seats total.

 

[Instinctive]

There was a line to check the bags on our way out here, took like 25 minutes.
Granted this time I think we will get to that line a little before it opens.
I hate checking bags as well, I never do it, but got the whole family so we HAD to.

This is something that would be a pet peeve for me but I don't really see a better way. Here's what we travel with now:

With me: 2 babies and wife

Check:

• Possibly 2 travel cribs (can go with 1 or 0 if destination has 1 or 2. Hotels usually have one, AirBnBs rarely have any, family usually can borrow a full crib or pack n play or both from neighbors)
• Giant suitcase (since we have to check anyway, we've started checking a big one to get baby clothes, extra diapers and wipes, food/snacks for the babies, formula powder, extra bottles, and then use any leftover space for trying to eliminate a carry on from my wife or I. This year if it's an AirBnB, I'm bringing my knife roll in here and maybe some little baggies of bulk spices
• Golf clubs (depending on destination obviously)

Carry on:

• Under a baby's seat - Diaper bag with stuff like bottles and food for flight, toys for flight, diapers and wipes for flight, etc
• Under wife's seat - Backpack with snacks for me and wife, charging cable, book to read, etc
• My overhead spot - Suitcase with 1-2 days of clothes for all 4 of us plus diapers for babies and a ziploc of formula for the younger one + laptop(s) if needed
• Each baby's overhead spot - 2 travel strollers that fold up (these are super cool they're like the size of a laptop bag when folded, designed to fit in overhead easily)
• Wife's overhead spot - possibly nothing, possibly trip is long enough that we have a carry on of clothes and gear and stuff (like say we need hiking boots)
• Under my seat - nothing. YAY.

It's insane.

 

[-fish-]

So I'm flying out of Orlando tomorrow, and got a message that TSA lines may be longer and to get there early. Well, the bag check counter doesn't even allow you to check your bags until 2 hours before the flight, so kinda limited on how early we can even be.
However, they sent me an email with a TSA link to the APP to "reserve a spot in line".
Anyone know anything about this or how it works? Is it worth it?

I do this at SeaTac every time I fly. It's awesome. They give you a 30 minute window where you show up to a separate stand, check you in and take you to the front of the line. There have never been more than a few people in line for the reserved spots.

Each airport that does it is a little bit different. Usually you download an app for the airport and it's called spotsaver or something similar.

I have clear and TSA precheck, and the spot reservation thing is WAY better.

 

[-fish-]

Here's the website for you

www.flymco.com/mcoreserve

You usually need to book these at least 24 hours out, but each airport is different.

 

[BassNBrew]

Missed the days when I would leave the office 30 minutes before departure, drive 15, park, and by the last person on.

 

[ghostguy123]

Well, I clicked the link in the text and did it. Took 30 seconds.
I shall report back the results.
Flight leaves around 3:20.
I reserved a 1:45-2:00 time slot.

 

[ghostguy123]

Missed the days when I would leave the office 30 minutes before departure, drive 15, park, and by the last person on.

This can easily be done from the airport I left from (Akron, Ohio).
Took a minute to get through security. Very small airport.

 

[-fish-]

Well, I clicked the link in the text and did it. Took 30 seconds.
I shall report back the results.
Flight leaves around 3:20.
I reserved a 1:45-2:00 time slot.

It's a game-changer. Your post reminded me to get my spot reservation for my trip to Cancun on Saturday.

 

[nirad3]

Missed the days when I would leave the office 30 minutes before departure, drive 15, park, and by the last person on.

While I am not the type to arrive 2 hours before a flight, this statement gives me major anxiety

 

[Ron Swanson]

I do this at SeaTac every time I fly. It's awesome. They give you a 30 minute window where you show up to a separate stand, check you in and take you to the front of the line. There have never been more than a few people in line for the reserved spots.

Each airport that does it is a little bit different. Usually you download an app for the airport and it's called spotsaver or something similar.

I have clear and TSA precheck, and the spot reservation thing is WAY better.

This looks great, but how is it better than TSA-Pre? Don't you still have to remove shoes/liquids/electronics for this? TSA Pre at MCO is rarely more than 5 minutes wait. Regular can back up pretty bad around major travel periods but Pre is very efficient.

 

[ghostguy123]

I do this at SeaTac every time I fly. It's awesome. They give you a 30 minute window where you show up to a separate stand, check you in and take you to the front of the line. There have never been more than a few people in line for the reserved spots.

Each airport that does it is a little bit different. Usually you download an app for the airport and it's called spotsaver or something similar.

I have clear and TSA precheck, and the spot reservation thing is WAY better.

This looks great, but how is it better than TSA-Pre? Don't you still have to remove shoes/liquids/electronics for this? TSA Pre at MCO is rarely more than 5 minutes wait. Regular can back up pretty bad around major travel periods but Pre is very efficient.

Well, I'm not TSA pre, so not like we have an option

 

[ghostguy123]

I fly maybe once a year, don't see the point of going TSA pre for all of us

 

[-fish-]

I do this at SeaTac every time I fly. It's awesome. They give you a 30 minute window where you show up to a separate stand, check you in and take you to the front of the line. There have never been more than a few people in line for the reserved spots.

Each airport that does it is a little bit different. Usually you download an app for the airport and it's called spotsaver or something similar.

I have clear and TSA precheck, and the spot reservation thing is WAY better.

This looks great, but how is it better than TSA-Pre? Don't you still have to remove shoes/liquids/electronics for this? TSA Pre at MCO is rarely more than 5 minutes wait. Regular can back up pretty bad around major travel periods but Pre is very efficient.

It's free, so it enhances pre-check if you have it. They take you to the front of the line, regardless of how long the line is. If you have pre-check you still don't have to do the shoes/laptop thing.

During spring break security lines can be pretty long at MCO.

 

[ghostguy123]

I do this at SeaTac every time I fly. It's awesome. They give you a 30 minute window where you show up to a separate stand, check you in and take you to the front of the line. There have never been more than a few people in line for the reserved spots.

Each airport that does it is a little bit different. Usually you download an app for the airport and it's called spotsaver or something similar.

I have clear and TSA precheck, and the spot reservation thing is WAY better.

This looks great, but how is it better than TSA-Pre? Don't you still have to remove shoes/liquids/electronics for this? TSA Pre at MCO is rarely more than 5 minutes wait. Regular can back up pretty bad around major travel periods but Pre is very efficient.

It's free, so it enhances pre-check if you have it. They take you to the front of the line, regardless of how long the line is. If you have pre-check you still don't have to do the shoes/laptop thing.

During spring break security lines can be pretty long at MCO.

Well, something sure seems like lines may be long. I've certainly never gotten notifications of long lines before

 

[BassNBrew]

Missed the days when I would leave the office 30 minutes before departure, drive 15, park, and by the last person on.

While I am not the type to arrive 2 hours before a flight, this statement gives me major anxiety

It kind of became a running joke and a game. Started at 45 minutes. The best time was 25 minutes. Must have been a boring life at the time to thrive on the anxiety that I was cutting it that close and that the execution had to be perfect to make the flight.

 

[beer 30]

and don’t lose your mind like most fliers

When I fly now, this is kind of my favorite part of flying.

Get there early, plenty of time to get through everywhere and then just watch the once a year flyers lose it (not talking about you Ghost).

 

[-fish-]

and don’t lose your mind like most fliers

When I fly now, this is kind of my favorite part of flying.

Get there early, plenty of time to get through everywhere and then just watch the once a year flyers lose it (not talking about you Ghost).

When I flew a lot for work, I'd cut it really close and would inevitably get stressed out by traffic or lines. Now that I travel mostly for myself I get there early, have food and drinks in a lounge and relax. I should have learned way earlier. Credit card and frequent flier perks definitely help.

 

[Instinctive]

Missed the days when I would leave the office 30 minutes before departure, drive 15, park, and by the last person on.

While I am not the type to arrive 2 hours before a flight, this statement gives me major anxiety

It kind of became a running joke and a game. Started at 45 minutes. The best time was 25 minutes. Must have been a boring life at the time to thrive on the anxiety that I was cutting it that close and that the execution had to be perfect to make the flight.

My goal when flying solo is to walk from the Uber to my seat on the plane without having to stop

 

[Instinctive]

and don’t lose your mind like most fliers

When I fly now, this is kind of my favorite part of flying.

Get there early, plenty of time to get through everywhere and then just watch the once a year flyers lose it (not talking about you Ghost).

When I flew a lot for work, I'd cut it really close and would inevitably get stressed out by traffic or lines. Now that I travel mostly for myself I get there early, have food and drinks in a lounge and relax. I should have learned way earlier. Credit card and frequent flier perks definitely help.

That's what gonna be hard when I leave my current job. I miss maybe 1/15 or 1/20 flights for work because the very clear culture is it's better to spend extra time with a client and miss a flight than it is to miss out on a deeper relationship or some insight to keep travel plans.

When it's my own business and much smaller...I think I'll just have to book more conservative flights to keep the same client first focus. I won't have the scale or airline relationships otherwise to absorb or minimize the costs.

 

[nirad3]

Missed the days when I would leave the office 30 minutes before departure, drive 15, park, and by the last person on.

While I am not the type to arrive 2 hours before a flight, this statement gives me major anxiety

It kind of became a running joke and a game. Started at 45 minutes. The best time was 25 minutes. Must have been a boring life at the time to thrive on the anxiety that I was cutting it that close and that the execution had to be perfect to make the flight.

My goal when flying solo is to walk from the Uber to my seat on the plane without having to stop

I couldn't pull this off, my anxiety would be through the roof. I try and get to the airport (I've given up on Ubering) at least an hour before boarding. Gives me time to park (or return my rental), get through TSA, get something to drink (and maybe snack on) and check my email at the gate. Plus I would absolutely freak out if I actually missed my flight. Rather just be a tad early and get some work done and/or just browse here and/or check fantasy sports stuff.

 

[beer 30]

Missed the days when I would leave the office 30 minutes before departure, drive 15, park, and by the last person on.

While I am not the type to arrive 2 hours before a flight, this statement gives me major anxiety

It kind of became a running joke and a game. Started at 45 minutes. The best time was 25 minutes. Must have been a boring life at the time to thrive on the anxiety that I was cutting it that close and that the execution had to be perfect to make the flight.

My goal when flying solo is to walk from the Uber to my seat on the plane without having to stop

I couldn't pull this off, my anxiety would be through the roof. I try and get to the airport (I've given up on Ubering) at least an hour before boarding. Gives me time to park (or return my rental), get through TSA, get something to drink (and maybe snack on) and check my email at the gate. Plus I would absolutely freak out if I actually missed my flight. Rather just be a tad early and get some work done and/or just browse here and/or check fantasy sports stuff.

With all the travel you do, you still get anxiety over flights? Figured with as much as you travel it would be second nature by now regardless of what comes up. Meaning, and I'm guessing, you've probably had to deal with just about every goofy flying scenario you can name off by now. Having gone through it once typically relieves me of the stress/anxiety if it happens again. No, I'd rather not miss a flight or lose a bag but its happened and I know how to deal with it so my anxiety level is considerably less than the once a year flyer would be.

 

[BassNBrew]

Missed the days when I would leave the office 30 minutes before departure, drive 15, park, and by the last person on.

While I am not the type to arrive 2 hours before a flight, this statement gives me major anxiety

It kind of became a running joke and a game. Started at 45 minutes. The best time was 25 minutes. Must have been a boring life at the time to thrive on the anxiety that I was cutting it that close and that the execution had to be perfect to make the flight.

My goal when flying solo is to walk from the Uber to my seat on the plane without having to stop

I couldn't pull this off, my anxiety would be through the roof. I try and get to the airport (I've given up on Ubering) at least an hour before boarding. Gives me time to park (or return my rental), get through TSA, get something to drink (and maybe snack on) and check my email at the gate. Plus I would absolutely freak out if I actually missed my flight. Rather just be a tad early and get some work done and/or just browse here and/or check fantasy sports stuff.

At the time, with the super tickets we were buying, my downside was another night at home and catching an early flight the next morning with no penalty. I probably was scheduling the afternoon prior to get a nice free expensed meal.

 

[Ron Swanson]

I do this at SeaTac every time I fly. It's awesome. They give you a 30 minute window where you show up to a separate stand, check you in and take you to the front of the line. There have never been more than a few people in line for the reserved spots.

Each airport that does it is a little bit different. Usually you download an app for the airport and it's called spotsaver or something similar.

I have clear and TSA precheck, and the spot reservation thing is WAY better.

This looks great, but how is it better than TSA-Pre? Don't you still have to remove shoes/liquids/electronics for this? TSA Pre at MCO is rarely more than 5 minutes wait. Regular can back up pretty bad around major travel periods but Pre is very efficient.

It's free, so it enhances pre-check if you have it. They take you to the front of the line, regardless of how long the line is. If you have pre-check you still don't have to do the shoes/laptop thing.

During spring break security lines can be pretty long at MCO.

Gotcha. I didn't realize it can be layered on top of Pre-Check. I did discover last week that MCO now allows on airport parking reservations. As quickly as MCO garages fill up late in the week and as big a pain that the off site lots are in Orlando this is huge. Used it Friday at C parking and it was flawless. We'll see how it goes on my next trip out of A.

 

[nirad3]

Missed the days when I would leave the office 30 minutes before departure, drive 15, park, and by the last person on.

While I am not the type to arrive 2 hours before a flight, this statement gives me major anxiety

It kind of became a running joke and a game. Started at 45 minutes. The best time was 25 minutes. Must have been a boring life at the time to thrive on the anxiety that I was cutting it that close and that the execution had to be perfect to make the flight.

My goal when flying solo is to walk from the Uber to my seat on the plane without having to stop

I couldn't pull this off, my anxiety would be through the roof. I try and get to the airport (I've given up on Ubering) at least an hour before boarding. Gives me time to park (or return my rental), get through TSA, get something to drink (and maybe snack on) and check my email at the gate. Plus I would absolutely freak out if I actually missed my flight. Rather just be a tad early and get some work done and/or just browse here and/or check fantasy sports stuff.

With all the travel you do, you still get anxiety over flights? Figured with as much as you travel it would be second nature by now regardless of what comes up. Meaning, and I'm guessing, you've probably had to deal with just about every goofy flying scenario you can name off by now. Having gone through it once typically relieves me of the stress/anxiety if it happens again. No, I'd rather not miss a flight or lose a bag but its happened and I know how to deal with it so my anxiety level is considerably less than the once a year flyer would be.

I wouldn't say "anxiety" per se. I "only" travel once a month typically, and I've been pretty fortunate in my five years at this company where I've only been stuck once (a few weeks ago in Dallas). There have been a few close calls before that, though. I did almost get stuck in Vegas the night before New Years a few years back. That would have been interesting. I was stressing over the availability (and/or price) of hotel rooms!

I just tend to travel on Wednesday/Thursday/Friday and if I'm flying back on a Friday I am trying to get home to watch my son's flag football games.

 

[CGRdrJoe]

Orlando International Airport (MCO) TSA Security Wait Times - AirlinePorts

Orlando International Airport (MCO) TSA Security Wait Times, with average checkpoint times and screening options.

www.airlineports.com

you can check live wait times, sorry if a Honda but currently the time is 13 minutes and the longest today so far was a half hour

 

[Instinctive]

Missed the days when I would leave the office 30 minutes before departure, drive 15, park, and by the last person on.

While I am not the type to arrive 2 hours before a flight, this statement gives me major anxiety

It kind of became a running joke and a game. Started at 45 minutes. The best time was 25 minutes. Must have been a boring life at the time to thrive on the anxiety that I was cutting it that close and that the execution had to be perfect to make the flight.

My goal when flying solo is to walk from the Uber to my seat on the plane without having to stop

I couldn't pull this off, my anxiety would be through the roof. I try and get to the airport (I've given up on Ubering) at least an hour before boarding. Gives me time to park (or return my rental), get through TSA, get something to drink (and maybe snack on) and check my email at the gate. Plus I would absolutely freak out if I actually missed my flight. Rather just be a tad early and get some work done and/or just browse here and/or check fantasy sports stuff.

With all the travel you do, you still get anxiety over flights? Figured with as much as you travel it would be second nature by now regardless of what comes up. Meaning, and I'm guessing, you've probably had to deal with just about every goofy flying scenario you can name off by now. Having gone through it once typically relieves me of the stress/anxiety if it happens again. No, I'd rather not miss a flight or lose a bag but its happened and I know how to deal with it so my anxiety level is considerably less than the once a year flyer would be.

I wouldn't say "anxiety" per se. I "only" travel once a month typically, and I've been pretty fortunate in my five years at this company where I've only been stuck once (a few weeks ago in Dallas). There have been a few close calls before that, though. I did almost get stuck in Vegas the night before New Years a few years back. That would have been interesting. I was stressing over the availability (and/or price) of hotel rooms!

I just tend to travel on Wednesday/Thursday/Friday and if I'm flying back on a Friday I am trying to get home to watch my son's flag football games.

I've been stuck all over the place. Stayed in many an airport hotel. Been stuck in Denver, Hartford, DC, Dallas, Houston, New York, Los Angeles...the stories man.

One time storms were too bad in Dallas to fly to Houston. But I really didn't want to wait hours at the airport hoping it worked out and end up at home after midnight to go back to the airport at 5am. So I convinced a couple of the others on the team to rent a car with me. 20 minutes into the 4-hour drive we were clear of the rain. Turned into a hilariously fun trip and bonded us forever. Including a dinner stop at some podunk Chilis lol.

 

[ghostguy123]

What's the longest it took any of you to get through security? I think mine is maybe a half hour. I don't fly a ton though, maybe a dozen times.

 

[nirad3]

While we're on the topic of TSA precheck...

Any of you frequent travelers know if someone that DOESN'T have TSA precheck can go through that line with me? I may be confusing the ability to have someone "in your party" board with your group number.

I'm guessing the person could NOT go through TSA precheck if they haven't been vetted

I may need another cup of joe.

 

[krista4]

While we're on the topic of TSA precheck...

Any of you frequent travelers know if someone that DOESN'T have TSA precheck can go through that line with me? I may be confusing the ability to have someone "in your party" board with your group number.

I'm guessing the person could NOT go through TSA precheck if they haven't been vetted

I may need another cup of joe.

Nope, they can't, except your minor children under 12 (I think it's 12 - could be 16).

 

[Instinctive]

While we're on the topic of TSA precheck...

Any of you frequent travelers know if someone that DOESN'T have TSA precheck can go through that line with me? I may be confusing the ability to have someone "in your party" board with your group number.

I'm guessing the person could NOT go through TSA precheck if they haven't been vetted

I may need another cup of joe.

Nope, they can't, except your minor children under 12 (I think it's 12 - could be 16).

Yeah definitely not. Pre check is only you and your minor children.

 

[nirad3]

While we're on the topic of TSA precheck...

Any of you frequent travelers know if someone that DOESN'T have TSA precheck can go through that line with me? I may be confusing the ability to have someone "in your party" board with your group number.

I'm guessing the person could NOT go through TSA precheck if they haven't been vetted

I may need another cup of joe.

Nope, they can't, except your minor children under 12 (I think it's 12 - could be 16).

Yeah definitely not. Pre check is only you and your minor children.

Yeah thought so, I was definitely just thinking of being able to include a family member if you have a better group number for boarding. I'm dumb. LOL

 

[Instinctive]

While we're on the topic of TSA precheck...

Any of you frequent travelers know if someone that DOESN'T have TSA precheck can go through that line with me? I may be confusing the ability to have someone "in your party" board with your group number.

I'm guessing the person could NOT go through TSA precheck if they haven't been vetted

I may need another cup of joe.

Nope, they can't, except your minor children under 12 (I think it's 12 - could be 16).

Yeah definitely not. Pre check is only you and your minor children.

Yeah thought so, I was definitely just thinking of being able to include a family member if you have a better group number for boarding. I'm dumb. LOL

Fun thing is you can include anyone when you board. Strangers you meet and strike up a chat with while waiting. Coworkers. You just walk up and go "they're with me" and the person just boards with you. Chill AF.

 

[nirad3]

While we're on the topic of TSA precheck...

Any of you frequent travelers know if someone that DOESN'T have TSA precheck can go through that line with me? I may be confusing the ability to have someone "in your party" board with your group number.

I'm guessing the person could NOT go through TSA precheck if they haven't been vetted

I may need another cup of joe.

Nope, they can't, except your minor children under 12 (I think it's 12 - could be 16).

Yeah definitely not. Pre check is only you and your minor children.

Yeah thought so, I was definitely just thinking of being able to include a family member if you have a better group number for boarding. I'm dumb. LOL

FWIW I was asking because in a couple of weeks the domestic patnah' and I have to go up to LAX to pick up our daughter who's returning from a school spring break trip to Boston. According to the Googlez, we have to go to the ticket counter and give them a copy of our kid's itinerary and our ID to get a "gate pass" so we can go through TSA and go wait for her at the gate.

 

[UncleZen]

I do this at SeaTac every time I fly. It's awesome. They give you a 30 minute window where you show up to a separate stand, check you in and take you to the front of the line. There have never been more than a few people in line for the reserved spots.

Each airport that does it is a little bit different. Usually you download an app for the airport and it's called spotsaver or something similar.

I have clear and TSA precheck, and the spot reservation thing is WAY better.

This looks great, but how is it better than TSA-Pre? Don't you still have to remove shoes/liquids/electronics for this? TSA Pre at MCO is rarely more than 5 minutes wait. Regular can back up pretty bad around major travel periods but Pre is very efficient.

It's free, so it enhances pre-check if you have it. They take you to the front of the line, regardless of how long the line is. If you have pre-check you still don't have to do the shoes/laptop thing.

During spring break security lines can be pretty long at MCO.

Gotcha. I didn't realize it can be layered on top of Pre-Check. I did discover last week that MCO now allows on airport parking reservations. As quickly as MCO garages fill up late in the week and as big a pain that the off site lots are in Orlando this is huge. Used it Friday at C parking and it was flawless. We'll see how it goes on my next trip out of A.

How do you do that? I fly out of MCO too often and parking is a $%^$# there. When I fly out of Melbourne, I can park my car easily and be at the gate in 15 mins.

I have used the MCO reservation list before I had pre-check and it worked great.

 

[acarey50]

What's the longest it took any of you to get through security? I think mine is maybe a half hour. I don't fly a ton though, maybe a dozen times.

Flying out of Denver two summers ago when they were doing major construction so one entire side of the security was down - I believe it took my son and I about 3 hours to get through (TSA line was almost as long, I believe that was taking almost 2 hours). It was the most insane thing ever. Fortunately for us we had to be dropped off very early which turned into it's own adventure because we couldn't check our bags in yet when we got there, so was just watching the security line get longer and longer while trying to time getting into the line to drop off our bags.

Fun thing for my son, who is going to be a pilot, is that the person in front of us in the security line was a Major in the Air Force that was a flight instructor at the academy, so they had a long conversation about flying, his different options for getting his license, etc.

 

[Ron Swanson]

I do this at SeaTac every time I fly. It's awesome. They give you a 30 minute window where you show up to a separate stand, check you in and take you to the front of the line. There have never been more than a few people in line for the reserved spots.

Each airport that does it is a little bit different. Usually you download an app for the airport and it's called spotsaver or something similar.

I have clear and TSA precheck, and the spot reservation thing is WAY better.

This looks great, but how is it better than TSA-Pre? Don't you still have to remove shoes/liquids/electronics for this? TSA Pre at MCO is rarely more than 5 minutes wait. Regular can back up pretty bad around major travel periods but Pre is very efficient.

It's free, so it enhances pre-check if you have it. They take you to the front of the line, regardless of how long the line is. If you have pre-check you still don't have to do the shoes/laptop thing.

During spring break security lines can be pretty long at MCO.

Gotcha. I didn't realize it can be layered on top of Pre-Check. I did discover last week that MCO now allows on airport parking reservations. As quickly as MCO garages fill up late in the week and as big a pain that the off site lots are in Orlando this is huge. Used it Friday at C parking and it was flawless. We'll see how it goes on my next trip out of A.

How do you do that? I fly out of MCO too often and parking is a $%^$# there. When I fly out of Melbourne, I can park my car easily and be at the gate in 15 mins.

I have used the MCO reservation list before I had pre-check and it worked great.

https://parking.flymco.com/

However, in looking at it it looks like the reservation is only for the C garage and you have to take the train to A or B of going out of them. That might be as big a pain as using off site. I normally go out of A...this weekend was C so it was great but not sure I would bother with it next time I go out of A. I've learned to always check the garages before I leave and got to Fastpark if the garages are full.

 

[-fish-]

What's the longest it took any of you to get through security? I think mine is maybe a half hour. I don't fly a ton though, maybe a dozen times.

Between Thanksgiving and Christmas 2 years ago Seatac TSA lines (including pre-check) extended out of the airport and into the parking garage. 2.5 hours. I didn't do it, but know people that did.

 

[ghostguy123]

What's the longest it took any of you to get through security? I think mine is maybe a half hour. I don't fly a ton though, maybe a dozen times.

Flying out of Denver two summers ago when they were doing major construction so one entire side of the security was down - I believe it took my son and I about 3 hours to get through (TSA line was almost as long, I believe that was taking almost 2 hours). It was the most insane thing ever. Fortunately for us we had to be dropped off very early which turned into it's own adventure because we couldn't check our bags in yet when we got there, so was just watching the security line get longer and longer while trying to time getting into the line to drop off our bags.

Fun thing for my son, who is going to be a pilot, is that the person in front of us in the security line was a Major in the Air Force that was a flight instructor at the academy, so they had a long conversation about flying, his different options for getting his license, etc.

So exactly how does this work when they don't even let you check your bags until 2 hours before takeoff?
So you check your bags and the plane leaves while you're trying to get through security??

 

[UncleZen]

I do this at SeaTac every time I fly. It's awesome. They give you a 30 minute window where you show up to a separate stand, check you in and take you to the front of the line. There have never been more than a few people in line for the reserved spots.

Each airport that does it is a little bit different. Usually you download an app for the airport and it's called spotsaver or something similar.

I have clear and TSA precheck, and the spot reservation thing is WAY better.

This looks great, but how is it better than TSA-Pre? Don't you still have to remove shoes/liquids/electronics for this? TSA Pre at MCO is rarely more than 5 minutes wait. Regular can back up pretty bad around major travel periods but Pre is very efficient.

It's free, so it enhances pre-check if you have it. They take you to the front of the line, regardless of how long the line is. If you have pre-check you still don't have to do the shoes/laptop thing.

During spring break security lines can be pretty long at MCO.

Gotcha. I didn't realize it can be layered on top of Pre-Check. I did discover last week that MCO now allows on airport parking reservations. As quickly as MCO garages fill up late in the week and as big a pain that the off site lots are in Orlando this is huge. Used it Friday at C parking and it was flawless. We'll see how it goes on my next trip out of A.

How do you do that? I fly out of MCO too often and parking is a $%^$# there. When I fly out of Melbourne, I can park my car easily and be at the gate in 15 mins.

I have used the MCO reservation list before I had pre-check and it worked great.

https://parking.flymco.com/

However, in looking at it it looks like the reservation is only for the C garage and you have to take the train to A or B of going out of them. That might be as big a pain as using off site. I normally go out of A...this weekend was C so it was great but not sure I would bother with it next time I go out of A. I've learned to always check the garages before I leave and got to Fastpark if the garages are full.

I parked in C before and took the train over to B. It only took about 10 extra mins. Much better than waiting on a shuttle to go somewhere else.

 

[NutterButter]

What's the longest it took any of you to get through security? I think mine is maybe a half hour. I don't fly a ton though, maybe a dozen times.

Flying out of Denver two summers ago when they were doing major construction so one entire side of the security was down - I believe it took my son and I about 3 hours to get through (TSA line was almost as long, I believe that was taking almost 2 hours). It was the most insane thing ever. Fortunately for us we had to be dropped off very early which turned into it's own adventure because we couldn't check our bags in yet when we got there, so was just watching the security line get longer and longer while trying to time getting into the line to drop off our bags.

Fun thing for my son, who is going to be a pilot, is that the person in front of us in the security line was a Major in the Air Force that was a flight instructor at the academy, so they had a long conversation about flying, his different options for getting his license, etc.

So exactly how does this work when they don't even let you check your bags until 2 hours before takeoff?
So you check your bags and the plane leaves while you're trying to get through security??

Yup. Just an empty plane filled with everyone's luggage.

 

[ghostguy123]

What's the longest it took any of you to get through security? I think mine is maybe a half hour. I don't fly a ton though, maybe a dozen times.

Flying out of Denver two summers ago when they were doing major construction so one entire side of the security was down - I believe it took my son and I about 3 hours to get through (TSA line was almost as long, I believe that was taking almost 2 hours). It was the most insane thing ever. Fortunately for us we had to be dropped off very early which turned into it's own adventure because we couldn't check our bags in yet when we got there, so was just watching the security line get longer and longer while trying to time getting into the line to drop off our bags.

Fun thing for my son, who is going to be a pilot, is that the person in front of us in the security line was a Major in the Air Force that was a flight instructor at the academy, so they had a long conversation about flying, his different options for getting his license, etc.

So exactly how does this work when they don't even let you check your bags until 2 hours before takeoff?
So you check your bags and the plane leaves while you're trying to get through security??

Yup. Just an empty plane filled with everyone's luggage.

Well, let's say ya got a plane of 150 people. 148 bring carry on. 2 people check their bags two hours before takeoff.
TSA takes 3 hours.

What do they do?

 

[NutterButter]

What's the longest it took any of you to get through security? I think mine is maybe a half hour. I don't fly a ton though, maybe a dozen times.

Flying out of Denver two summers ago when they were doing major construction so one entire side of the security was down - I believe it took my son and I about 3 hours to get through (TSA line was almost as long, I believe that was taking almost 2 hours). It was the most insane thing ever. Fortunately for us we had to be dropped off very early which turned into it's own adventure because we couldn't check our bags in yet when we got there, so was just watching the security line get longer and longer while trying to time getting into the line to drop off our bags.

Fun thing for my son, who is going to be a pilot, is that the person in front of us in the security line was a Major in the Air Force that was a flight instructor at the academy, so they had a long conversation about flying, his different options for getting his license, etc.

So exactly how does this work when they don't even let you check your bags until 2 hours before takeoff?
So you check your bags and the plane leaves while you're trying to get through security??

Yup. Just an empty plane filled with everyone's luggage.

Well, let's say ya got a plane of 150 people. 148 bring carry on. 2 people check their bags two hours before takeoff.
TSA takes 3 hours.

What do they do?

So an empty plane with 2 checked bags? In all seriousness I think all the flights would be delayed but never been in that situation where the entire airport was backed up to that degree.