Nationwide Airport Delays Enforces Importance of Early Arrival

No Line, no Airport Wait

Most airlines do an excellent job of reminding you of the time-frame to arrive at the airport. For domestic flights the recommended time is 2 hours early and 3 hours for international.

Once you purchase a ticket, terms and conditions are readily available. You also have the option to get alerts and reminders from the airline.

They text or email you flight statuses, gate changes, delays or cancellations.

Usually, I follow the airport arrival’s rules. But I have made a few unfortunate exceptions!

See Travel blog for general tips.

Crash and Burn

When I previously arrived at the airport early, it seemed like there’s so much time wasted on waiting to board. So this can give you a false sense of security when creating your own time.

On August 16, 2019, U.S. Custom and Border Patrol’s system crashed nationwide. NYTIMES

Passengers were stuck in long lines. This caused widespread travel delays until alternate means of processing could be implemented.

As a traveler, there’s no way to predict when and where these things will happen! It’s a great reminder to not get slack with airport arrival time!  

Rush Hour

When I traveled to Haiti, it was before 9/11. Now with all of the thorough checkpoints, timing is key.

My recent trip to Jamaica started off as a fiasco! I didn’t pace my self well enough and was cutting it close to boarding time.

The airport parking was 30 minutes away. I also had to account for the shuttle’s wait and traveling time.

Wrong Turn

My GPS led me to the wrong lot. I didn’t find out until later.

The lot’s attendant was away and by this time I had less than an hour before boarding time. I was trying not to panic because I knew I had mismanaged my time.

I had never arrived this late to an airport. At this point, I knew that if I waited on the attendant there was a real risk that I would miss my flight.

Though the airport was only 5 minutes away, I didn’t know how long it would take the shuttle to return.

Left Behind

I left my keys in the car and called the number on the lot’s window.

No answer. I left a message to let them know I had to leave the car and Uber to the airport.

As I entered the Uber, the attendant called me back. I convinced him to make an exception and confirm over the phone.

I texted him all the booking details.

Change of Plans

My car was secured. All I had to worry about was arriving at the gate on time.

The attendant called again as I was waiting in the TSA line. He told me that I had parked at the wrong lot and would have to pay their daily rate at pick-up.

Another debacle to add to my long morning.

I cleared TSA with about 30 minutes left until final boarding. I wasn’t able to walk as fast as I liked because I was still recovering from an ankle injury.

Once I arrived at the gate, it showed another airline’s info. JetBlue never sent a gate change alert.

Flight Risk

I’m used to American Airline’s prompt alerts. I was told that I had to manually check with JetBlue.

Fort Lauderdale’s airport is also not familiar since I mostly fly out of Miami International.

An airport worker saw me limping and helped in transporting me to the new gate. I made it with about 10 minutes to spare!

If U.S. customs’ system had shut down that day, I know for a fact I would have missed my flight!

Don’t let this be you!

For your next flight, be sure to get there at the suggested times or earlier.

One just never knows.   

~Poof…Bee Gone

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