UA Experiences at Baltimore (BWI)
 

I moved to the dark side last night and instead of booking a flight out of DCA or IAD I did BWI (personal trip and it was $140 cheaper for each ticket). So my question is what can a 1P expect departing at 10am on a Tuesday at the end of August?

I'll probably do the daily garage since its a little cheaper than ESP. Do the daily garage shuttles run frequently?

I will be checking my bike so braving the check-in lines will be required. How long should I expect UA check-in to take? How long should the TSA lines be? I'm just trying to judge when to head for the airport.

Do the F cabins usually fill on flights out of BWI. I've got some 500's to burn by the end of August and only two other trips before this (one a Y fare and a short flight) so I was hoping to save the 500's for this trip.

Daily shuttles run pretty frequently. Every 5-10 minutes I would say. You have to take the elevator down to the first level as thats the only level they circulate on.

TSA line can be pretty nasty at BWI (despite BWI being the pilot airport where Disney was asked to consult on improving the line). The solution: the standard single file line... pfft... I would allow 30 minutes for the line but could be less if off-peak.

I haven't done UA check-in there for awhile I don't think, but I have stood in some very very long check-in lines. They tend to backup quickly as each large flight checks in. Consider curbside if the line is long... if they will help you with the odd-size item.

I think upgrades are quite doable. Make sure you put in for your upgrade online before your window and as a 1P you should have no problem. May have a little trouble with Denver or Chicago flights but should definately clear by gate time.

The TSA at BWI is the most efficient bunch of staffers I have ever experienced. I routinely show up with the security line stretching back to the next terminal, yet 15 mins later I am through and heading to my gate. ^

I have yet to visit the RCC there (I time it too close to departure), but it looks nice from peeks through the door. The staff have always been pleasant and professional.

agreed...BWI is quite manageable. the security lines aren't bad, and i think the terminal is better than C/D at IAD. depending on the flight you are on will depend on whether your U/G will clear. flights to LAX and SFO i've experienced as harder to U/G as opposed to DEN and ORD. otherwise, enjoy BWI!

Parking
 

I would park at http://www.econoparkexpress.com/

Its 5.75/day if you print the coupon at the website.

MUCH better than airport service-they even have a Valet Option.

Water and newspapers on the shuttle bus and they pick you up and drop you right at your vehicle.

I use them frequently and love the service.

I'm a big fan of http://www.airportfastpark.com/main/baltimore.aspx. (Thanks to superguy for the original recommendation.) As low as $6/day with internet coupon. They pick you up and drop you off right at your car and run shuttles very frequently; they will also help you with your luggage. Much better than the airport's operation.

Also agree that TSA at BWI is very efficient.

Fast park and Econopark express are basically the same service for the same price. The one I would not recommend is Preflight Parking. They are more expensive.

However, all of these beat BWI's airport parking. One time at a sattelite lot, three buses came by full before we could fit on one. Very frustrating.

Where Preflight wins is on the frequent parking benefits.

To steer this back to UA, you should expect a much saner check-in experience than at IAD. I never have to wait that long for EZ Checkin, and while the Premier line seems to be a crapshoot everywhere, I've never waited the 1/2 hour that I've seen at IAD.

The u/g situation really depends on the type of aircraft. If you're lucky enough to be on one of the 757 flights, you will almost certainly get the upgrade; they often need elites to u/g esp when flights are oversold. I have been op-uped twice - as only a 2P!

I found it annoying that there was no elite line at BWI, but agree that the long line moved fairly fast. It's great fun when they "hide" the line by sending it down the hallway to the left of the screening area. I loved watching the faces of people as they rounded the corner and realize just how long the line really was.

The looks on those folks' faces are priceless. Free entertainment. :D

I fly on mostly refunable fares as well A fares out of all ofthe WAS airports. However, I choose BWI not because of price (I dont get the 140 RTs anyway)because it seems to be the least busy. Dulles is horriable. I would rather stop in DEN on my way west than brave dulles at 4p. DCA is easy to get to but I have ALWAYS had to wait 10-15 min to check in with a real person.

BWI on the other hand is quick and laid back - and its only a 25 minute train ride from Union Station.

Yeah BWI is great overall... IAD is a pit as we all know. I hate that I drive to/from IAD from downtown Baltimore but have to to get a nonstop to SEA. I have debated whether the DEN connection would be worth it. I would get 1hr more of work in, less hassle, for a 2.5 hr extra time to destination. But I have to come into IAD on the redeye. Otherwise I can do SEA-SFO-BWI redeye but would have to leave home at 4p I think.... so I am stuck with IAD....pfft.

TSA at BWI gets a :td: in my book.
Retaliatory secondary for non-profile shoes. :td: :mad:

I fly out of BWI twice a week and with the exception of no elite security line and a lack of food in pier D (which is slowly changing) it is an awesome airport! The agents and RCC agents are the best ^ The RCC is small however it has t-Mobile and is very nice. As for your upgrade what route are you flying and is it an airbus, 737 or 757? I have had full F flights. I purchase quaups generally but have watched the ug game. My A320 5pm BWI-DEN yesterday had 16 people on the ug list and 1 seat. My A319 1014am BWI-DEN on 7/19 had 2 opups. I have also not had a flight with more than 5 open seats in a long time. If you give the route and flight number I'd be better able to tell you your chances of an upgrade and security wait time (it varies greatly and I think I have it down pretty well!) based on my past experiences.