Processing Times . . . is this a joke?

[dbaker]

continental.com has a list of processing times (http://www.continental.com/travel/airport/process/default.asp) at various airports that explains how much time is required from entering the terminal to boarding a flight.

Is this a joke?

I can understand the idea of telling people to arrive a couple hours before your flight, but it seems like misinformation to claim that it takes 1-2hrs just to get through check-in and security.

AUS is listed as 1.5h, although my significant experience is more like 10 minutes. LAX is also 1.5h, although 10 minutes seems reasonable there too. PHX is listed as 2 hours although I've gone from the terminal entryway to the gate in less than 20 minutes. ATL is also listed as two hours, although I routinely go from landside to airside in 25 minutes. They claim IAH is 1-1.5h, although you can expect more like 15 minutes from landside to your gate.

[NWgoldelite]

On my flight into FLL at SEA the agent started to talk to us about this. He informed us that after Jan 1st you have to arrive 2 hours before. That does seem a little crazy. WE only got their with 45 minutes and he informed us that we could not do this anymore next year.

[dbaker]

Sounds like he's got too much time on his hands to gossip ridiculous rumors with the other NW staff.

[Nugget]

Then again, for some airports the numbers are more in keeping with reality. A Saturday morning departure from SAN will absolutely chew up over an hour waiting to enter the gate area, even during offpeak travel seasons.

All told, though, I can understand why airlines would err on the side of caution just to avoid the inevitable "But I showed up exactly when you said and I still missed my flight" pax behavior.

I still think that Moose's experience immediately following September 11 of showing up two hours before his 06:00 flight only to find AUS closed is the best example of the absurdity of rules trying to make uniform what is essentially a very variable circumstance.

I'll allow 30 minutes at AUS most of the time, but not on weekends and not when I know that utexas.edu is in a transition between school and break. :)

[NWgoldelite]

I'm skeptical about when i should get to FLL for my departure on Jan 1st. Any ideas? we also have to fill out unaccompanied minor paper work. How many hours do you think i'll need?

[dbaker]

Nugget: It seems like there should be a level of personal responsibility that is most important. Otherwise, it's going to become an airline issue for predicting how long it will take for people to find parking, or how long a taxi ride is from a certain part of town, or how long the lines at the restrooms are.

NWgoldelite: I have no idea about UM paperwork or what's involved in that check-in process.

[NWgoldelite]

no idea's at all of how long i need?