View Full Version : What time are your flights home?
ScoutMom700
18-04-2015, 11:55
I am thinking the airport is going to be exceptionally busy on Sunday the 26th. I am wondering when other teams flights are so we can guage how early we need to be getting to the airport in order to get through security. Team 5429 has a departing flight at 2:30 pm. We are currently thinking of getting to there around noon to have enough time.
St. Louis is a regular convention host city, and a hub for Southwest Airlines. As such, the airport will be busy, but probably not anything unusual. Planning to arrive two to three hours in advance of your flight is about right, especially when traveling as a large group. My advice (as always) is to get through security directly after checking bags; that's usually the longest process before boarding.
Also, remember that many teams will be taking buses home, which is not usually the case for conventions. This will ease the traffic load at the airport.
MaGiC_PiKaChU
18-04-2015, 12:20
not a fight, but a 25 hours bus ride from Canada!
I am thinking the airport is going to be exceptionally busy on Sunday the 26th. I am wondering when other teams flights are so we can guage how early we need to be getting to the airport in order to get through security. Team 5429 has a departing flight at 2:30 pm. We are currently thinking of getting to there around noon to have enough time.
The St. Louis airport experience on Sunday has varied over the past 4 years. I would leave at least 2 hours to navigate baggage check in and security. There have been some years where there were exceptionally long wait times to check bags, in addition to the security line. There are often lots of teams with students where flying is a new experience and the little things (boarding pass in hand, id ready, understanding what needs to be taken out of checked bags and pockets) is slower and there is a domino effect.
http://www.firstnemo.org/resources.htm NEMO has a resource paper with some hints under Travel - Tips for Travel.
Well, this got me thinking. I'm a volunteer who travels semi-frequently and has TSA pre-check. My normal times for going through security leave about 20 minutes or so - in fact I'm at LGA as I write this in a pre-security lounge with a flight that boards in 30 minutes. That being said, due to the length of trip and me being in bulkhead seats and not a newbie, I didn't want to carry on anything except my backpack so have a checked bag.....should I allow extra time for that? I'm flying out on Sunday around 1PM or so....
Ah, 2601's flight departure time is at 6:35 am on the 26th, but we plan on boarding on the plane earlier than that.
It's gonna be quite the morning for us.
FreeNoodle
18-04-2015, 14:55
We have the pleasure of making our flight at 6:30 pm on Saturday. Einstein and awards are supposed to wrap up around 5, so hopefully we will only be missing the closing ceremonies.
We will be in a tight spot if by some stroke of fortune we play on the Einstein field(s), but that's something we can worry about if the time comes. Most likely, our drive team would stay the extra night to re-pack the crate while the rest of the team goes home after finals.
themccannman
18-04-2015, 15:51
6 am, wooooooo...
Had the same time flight last year, we decided it was easier to stay up another 3 hours instead of trying to sleep before leaving. At least we beat the crowds I guess.
You may want to plan to arrive at the St. Louis airport at least 2 hours before your departure time.
Several years ago, we flew out of the St. Louis airport on the Sunday after Champs. We waited in line for over 2 hours to get through security. The line literally went out the door down the sidewalk the length of the terminal building and doubled back on itself. It got pretty tense since most people in line had flights all at about the same time and we were all wondering if we would make our flights. Once past security, the wait times at check-in were not unusual. I think we all ended up running to the gate.
Last year when I flew out I was the first person in line (Frank and the FIRST staff were already there waiting but from the looks of it they pre boarded and got through quickly). I would highly recommend flying out early and getting there HOURS earlier if you intend to leave that day.
Personally I'm driving down and back this year and I am not interest in flying to St. Louis any longer. It looks like the least fun thing to do.Ever.
Billfred
18-04-2015, 20:56
I flew back and forth in 2013 and into St. Louis in 2014, no real issues that I can remember.
My flight's also not until 5:23 PM on Sunday, so there's plenty of fudge factor there.
stens987
18-04-2015, 21:27
987 is leaving at 7am :yikes:
Ah, 2601's flight departure time is at 6:35 am on the 26th, but we plan on boarding on the plane earlier than that.
It's gonna be quite the morning for us.
There is a later flight to NYC, I know since I'm taking it (1:10PM IIRC?) :D
ScoutMom700
18-04-2015, 21:55
I was thinking 2 and a half hours would be good, but maybe a bit earlier would be better. Then the kids can get something to eat without having to rush to the gate.
brogan22orange
18-04-2015, 22:04
Having just done it twice...the memory of the first year was basically total chaos. Regular St. Louis folks looking for mass transit ride to church could not even get on board. Many Many missed flights around Sunday noon. Perhaps improved some but I would allow like double normal times. I am delaying until monday morning..works out cheaper even with hotel. And avoids the Sunday Dance. In past years we joked that a FIRST Queuers Crew could figure out a solution. SW sure didn't.
Most of Team 1619 will be departing at 10:00 AM from St. Louis on Sunday back to Denver. Anyone else on that flight?
Conor Ryan
19-04-2015, 10:08
If you are traveling with a team, be prepared for total chaos. Get to tag airport a full two hours in advance, check all the bags curbside if possible, it's worth avoiding the chaos if you can get the hotel to print your boarding passes, the app just slows everyone down.
If you travel by yourself, have precheck, and a Southwest boarding pass between A1-B30, carry on as normal. If your southwest boarding pass is outside of that range, check it and pick a nice seat in the front of the plane. If you don't have Precheck get there 90 minutes early if you are flying Sunday morning-mid afternoon.
GreyingJay
20-04-2015, 16:26
My team is flying out Monday morning specifically to avoid all the Sunday rush. Well, indirectly. We were quoted flight prices of $1000+ for Sunday evening flights home but in the $200 range for Monday morning, so it made a lot of sense to stay.
Katie_UPS
20-04-2015, 21:57
My team is flying out Monday morning specifically to avoid all the Sunday rush. Well, indirectly. We were quoted flight prices of $1000+ for Sunday evening flights home but in the $200 range for Monday morning, so it made a lot of sense to stay.
UPS did this back in '09 out of ATL for the same reason. Gave us plenty of time for being tourists and bonding.
MrForbes
20-04-2015, 22:54
We won't be in your way, we could only afford the flight that leaves Monday at noon.
GreyingJay
21-04-2015, 10:24
UPS did this back in '09 out of ATL for the same reason. Gave us plenty of time for being tourists and bonding.
Yup, we are looking forward to sleeping in on Sunday morning, a team lunch somewhere nicer than Subway, and some time to explore the city a little bit. We will likely do the arch visit, we have a few other ideas depending on what the students want to do.
We won't be in your way, we could only afford the flight that leaves Monday at noon.
Sounds like we`ll just miss each other at the airport!
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