I made it to Fort Lauderdale for the Global Travel Marketplace conference! For those of you who have so kindly reached out with concerns of my traveling before being fully recovered from my ankle reconstruction, I had a very smooth travel day. I decided to come in a day early, knowing that when the conference starts I’ll be going nonstop.
One of the most common questions clients ask is “How early do we REALLY need to get to the airport?” and my answer is consistently, “I’d rather you have time for a second cup of coffee while you wait at the departure gate than your getting there later and wondering whether or not you’ll make it through the security check point before the aircraft door closes.”
This morning was no exception, even for me. I had no bags to check and arrived at the airport about 2 hours before my flight. I had wheelchair assistance ordered as I’m still limping severely and needing to wear a brace on my left ankle.
The TSA line for concourse B in Norfolk was about 45-60 minutes long at 6:30am. The TSA pre-check line was empty. I went right through, but had to undergo additional screening because of the brace on my ankle, which I ultimately had to remove. The TSA agents made the decision that the brace needed to go through the x-ray machine and that they needed to inspect the incisions on my ankle. All told, the additional screening probably only took 15-20 minutes. I was at the gate with plenty of time to spare before boarding.
The entire process was stress free because I allowed extra time knowing that I may have to undergo additional screening. Unfortunately, this also held up everyone else through the security check point, so those that were cutting their boarding times close really had to hustle to make it to their gate on time.
This is exactly why I recommend allowing extra time at the airport. You never know when the person in front of you is going to be checking 5 bags for each member of their family (true story, I saw it in Norfolk while awaiting my wheelchair) or you’ll forget your cell phone in your car and have to run back to the valet desk to have them get it for you (another true story from a colleague I met up with in Florida).
If you pad your schedule with a little bit of extra time you’ll probably sail right through with no delays and have time for that extra cup of overpriced coffee while you wait to board your flight. I would much rather your vacation start with a bit of relaxation than have you call me when you missed the flight because the person in front of you at the TSA line has an ankle full of metal and holds up the line for 15-20 minutes while she undergoes additional screening.
Please also keep in mind that TSA is really scrutinizing any food you bring through the check point as well as powders, including dried spices, protein powders for drinks, or even baby powder. Keep these items separate and easily accessible as you clear the checkpoint so they can be more easily examined. The rules for liquids, paste and gel remain the same in carry on luggage as does the additional screening for any electronic devices larger than a cell phone. Good news for travelers 12 years of age and under, 75 years of age and over, or TSA pre-check, you can keep your shoes on under most circumstances.
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