[WisconsinVegasHeights]

I will be taking a day trip to San Diego on the 12th. It is a Sunday and from what I remember from 2008/2009 this is the busiest day of the week for outbound flights.

The recommended arrival time at the airport is 90 minutes. I am travelling with no luggage or carry on items. Flight leaves at 8:34am.

So is a 7am arrival acceptable or should I get there at 6:30am?

[mikeawesome]

it would probably be the busiest sunday of the year since CES ends on the 10th

[RationalExpectations]

7AM is fine. Make sure you are "TSA Pre-Check" https://www.tsa.gov/precheck. A faster alternative is "Clear" https://www.clearme.com/landing/faster

[Willy702]

What airline you flying? I'm guessing Southwest? If you have precheck, you can clear security in less than 15 minutes. If you don't have it best of luck, that's going to be awhile.

[Trash Can]

Originally Posted by Willy702

What airline you flying? I'm guessing Southwest? If you have precheck, you can clear security in less than 15 minutes. If you don't have it best of luck, that's going to be awhile.

Agree. No PreCheck = big roll of the dice.


Another thing.... if flying on Southwest, check-in 24 hours prior or risk getting stuck in a middle seat in the back.

[Cold Warrior]

Originally Posted by RationalExpectations

7AM is fine. Make sure you are "TSA Pre-Check" https://www.tsa.gov/precheck. A faster alternative is "Clear" https://www.clearme.com/landing/faster

Clear lets you bypass the ID checkpoint. You still need to go through bag/body screening, and precheck still speeds that up. At LAS I have never seen Clear save more than 2 minutes. Probably not worthwhile, unless you are getting it for free.

[Cold Warrior]

Originally Posted by Trash Can

Agree. No PreCheck = big roll of the dice.


Another thing.... if flying on Southwest, check-in 24 hours prior or risk getting stuck in a middle seat in the back.

Exactly T-24, not one second early. Even then, pre-boarders, business select, and flyers on a continuing flight get the best seats.

[WisconsinVegasHeights]

Originally Posted by Willy702

What airline you flying? I'm guessing Southwest? If you have precheck, you can clear security in less than 15 minutes. If you don't have it best of luck, that's going to be awhile.

Spirit

[WisconsinVegasHeights]

Originally Posted by Willy702

What airline you flying? I'm guessing Southwest? If you have precheck, you can clear security in less than 15 minutes. If you don't have it best of luck, that's going to be awhile.

I always forget about Southwest since you have to go on their website. My hometown only has Delta and American.

[Willy702]

Spirit with no precheck is probably 30-45 minutes for security at that time, but can vary a lot at that checkpoint depending on how many lanes are open and just luck. Then it's a bit of a hike to the gate, almost a 10 minute walk. At 7am you probably have 99% chance of being on time if you come to the airport with a printed out boarding pass. Can't imagine an hour wait being too common when TSA knows it will be busy.