Frequent flyers: Security line at RDU tomorrow for 7:30am flight (costs, parking)

[BoBromhal]

Park n Ride C is just fine for shuttle service to the terminal, if you're looking for cheap parking. Never more than 10 minutes for a shuttle, in my experience. I have no idea if the private options are less expensive.

If you're not checking bags and flying domestic, I did see something on the news this morning that tomorrow morning is much better than after 12 pm

[farebluenc]

I would try to be at the the park and ride by 5:30 am. I just flew for work on a 7 am flight and the security line was crazy. I think it's just because of a lot of summer vacation travelers. I usually park in Lot 3.

[take57]

Originally Posted by hertfordshire

Yeah, if I were checking bags, I might allow more time. The OP didn't mention if they were checking bags.

If not checking bags, I think arriving at 6:00 for 7:30 boarding should be sufficient.

I want to say SWA has recently put in bag check kiosks which makes the check-in considerably quicker. Essentially you do everything including tagging your luggage. The only time you deal with a CS rep is to flash your ID and give them the bag to put on the belt. Don't be mad if I'm wrong, after awhile all airports start looking the same, but they are rolling this out at many airports I fly though and it makes what was a real bottleneck go quite fast. Between this and getting on the TSA pre-check program I can walk into the front door, check a couple of bags and be at the gate in less than 10 minutes.

Good luck.

[hertfordshire]

Originally Posted by kelly237

Just so we don't confuse the OP, RDU has Terminal 1 & 2 .
Southwest is Terminal 1

You're right. Apologies. It used to be Terminal A, and all the gates are A gates. Hopefully with just two terminals, calling it A shouldn't cause too much confusion.

[hertfordshire]

Originally Posted by take57

I want to say SWA has recently put in bag check kiosks which makes the check-in considerably quicker. Essentially you do everything including tagging your luggage. The only time you deal with a CS rep is to flash your ID and give them the bag to put on the belt. Don't be mad if I'm wrong, after awhile all airports start looking the same, but they are rolling this out at many airports I fly though and it makes what was a real bottleneck go quite fast. Between this and getting on the TSA pre-check program I can walk into the front door, check a couple of bags and be at the gate in less than 10 minutes.

Good luck.

Good to know. I almost never check on Southwest, so I wasn't aware.

[kelly237]

Originally Posted by hertfordshire

You're right. Apologies. It used to be Terminal A, and all the gates are A gates. Hopefully with just two terminals, calling it A shouldn't cause too much confusion.

Kinda cracking me up to think of him circling the airport looking for A for so long that he and misses his flight

[jaiho]

Know it has been a while since you posted but I fly a few times out of RDU and I almost never get to the airport more than an hour and half before take off. The only times I make it with over an hour and half before take off is if I am flying International.

[C_Lan]

So, got to parking at 5:45, on bus ~5:47 and through security by ~10 after 6. No lines but the bus from lot 3 was FULL at that time!

[BC1960]

I heartily second and recommend Fast Park. Its great. The shuttle will be waiting for you to arrive and take you to the terminal. Eliminates the possibility of wasting 20 minutes standing around waiting for the airport shuttle.

[C_Lan]

Originally Posted by BC1960

I heartily second and recommend Fast Park. Its great. The shuttle will be waiting for you to arrive and take you to the terminal. Eliminates the possibility of wasting 20 minutes standing around waiting for the airport shuttle.

Did not know this existed! Will definitely look into it for my next flight in October.