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Time-savers: Going to the airport

by Cornish Hitchcock, Orbitz Consumer Advisory Board Chairman

Timing is everything, especially when it comes to allowing enough of it to navigate airport traffic, check in and clear security.

The time it takes to get from the airport entrance to the gate is different at every airport, but here are few general guidelines to help ensure you arrive for departure with time to spare:

1. Use Airport Intelligence. Before you leave home, check Orbitz' Airport Intelligence pages, which have information about parking restrictions, construction and other specific details about the 40 largest domestic airports.
   It also has some tips on what to do at these airports if the delays turn out to be longer than expected -- or if you pass security so quickly you've got time to spare.
   If Airport Intelligence does not list your airport, call the local airport authority or visit its Web site for any information or restrictions.
   
2. Allow enough time to check baggage and clear security.
   If you're checking baggage for a domestic flight, check in at least 90 minutes prior to departure during peak travel periods. International travel requires check-in at least two hours prior to departure.
   These airlines post recommended check-in times based on airport:
   
   • American Airlines
   • Delta Air Lines
   • Continental Airlines
   • Northwest Airlines
   • United Airlines
   • US Airways
   
   Most airports require passengers to present a boarding pass and a government-issued photo ID to pass the security checkpoint.
   In some cases, security will allow a paper ticket or a printout of your e-ticket itinerary that has your ticket number, instead of a boarding pass.
3. Add time to park. If you're driving yourself, be sure to build in extra time, as some of the short-term parking spaces closest to the terminal may be blocked off for security reasons.
   If you're forced to go to long-term parking and take a shuttle bus back to the terminal, you could be cutting it close.

Con Hitchcock is an attorney with more than 20 years of experience advocating the rights of airline passengers at the Aviation Consumer Action Project (ACAP) and Public Citizen, two national consumer organizations.