Programs: AA Gold, United Premier Executive, Hilton Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 2,453
I'd hop on the Light Rail and come to downtown Tempe. Mill Avenue has a lot of restaurants and shops to keep you interested. Plus you can also stroll around Arizona State University's campus and check out the...ahem...scenery
Location: Lakeside, AZ, USA, in the beautiful White Mountains of Eastern Arizona (Home airport SOW; Major airports PHX/ABQ)
Programs: UA, MR
Posts: 2,307
Also depends on the airline that you are flying. In T-4, I'd suggest getting back to the terminal at least hour before boarding as the TSA lines can get pretty lengthy.
Grab a rental card, and head to the Superstition Mountains east of Phoenix metro. Go the Papago Park and visit the zoo or botanical gardens...
I will fly in and out of T4 (US Air). I don't know how long it would take to get from T4 with the shuttle to the Metro station. I have checked the Metro schedule: the frequency is every 20 minutes, the ride is 10 minutes ea way. So the worst case scenario is 60 minutes with the Metro back and forth. In that case it may get a little tight depending on the shuttle and getting thru security again. But sure it would be nice to have lunch in Tempe.
I think you suggest to come at airport early is 1.5 hours in advance. You need to get more extra time due to long lines and if you consider go to downtown Phoenix to take on light rail on 44th St/Washington. If you pay regular all-day pass is $3.50 at the vending machines. My opinions that you should have more times during your entire trip. If you come back at Sky Harbor and it will be wait for least than 10 minutes at security checkpoint A in the terminal 4.
__________________
I will try to concentrate with English. Thanks!
2009 Travel: DL 18836 MQMs
Security is longer during peak-hours
