Spring break travel: Allow extra time at San Francisco International Airport
Mar 15, 2018, 10:21 pm
#1
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Spring break travel: Allow extra time at San Francisco International Airport
This is new to me; maybe I've never traveled during spring break before. I've never had to arrive more than 60 minutes prior to a flight at SFO before; should I be taking this seriously? I've got a domestic 8:30am flight on Tuesday March 20, and wasn't planning to arrive earlier than 7:30am.
Did other airports get this same warning or is SFO expected to be especially impacted? Thanks-
Mar 15, 2018, 10:26 pm
#2
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If you have PreCheck or priority security access, don't worry about it. Even if not, it's very unlikely to mean anything. They're just trying to avoid bad press in case some yahoo complains that they missed their flight and blames United.
Mar 15, 2018, 10:41 pm
#4
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Thanks, I have Global Entry so TSA Pre is automatic. This is a super-short trip, arrive Tuesday night, meetings on the hill Wednesday, leave 6pm for home. Point being, I've got to hit the ground running and I'd rather not miss sleep the night before I leave. :-) Sounds like nothing to see, move along.
Mar 15, 2018, 11:05 pm
#5
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March 14th wasn't mentioned in that Mike link/photo, his travel date is. I wouldn't take a day almost a week before the warning to be the same volumes as the days in the warnings. Also noon vs AM, when locals are checking in and going thru security are also not the same sample group either.
Last edited by fastair; Mar 15, 2018 at 11:12 pm
Mar 15, 2018, 11:17 pm
#7
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I would leave extra time if checking a bag. During heavy travel periods, I've had issues checking a bag at SFO domestic right around the time OP would normally be there (7:30 a.m.).
With Pre, security would not usually take more than 15 minutes, even at a peak time.
Though if you're concerned, get Clear and they'll cut you right up to the front. Best $79 (DL discount) I spent in 2017.
With Pre, security would not usually take more than 15 minutes, even at a peak time.
Though if you're concerned, get Clear and they'll cut you right up to the front. Best $79 (DL discount) I spent in 2017.
Mar 15, 2018, 11:48 pm
#8
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March 14th wasn't mentioned in that Mike link/photo, his travel date is. I wouldn't take a day almost a week before the warning to be the same volumes as the days in the warnings. Also noon vs AM, when locals are checking in and going thru security are also not the same sample group either.
Mar 15, 2018, 11:49 pm
#9
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They posted one of these same notices for IAH last week for when I flew out on Saturday morning 03/10. I fly out of IAH often in the morning and can definitively say at least that day, it was like nothing I have ever seen before in the check-in lobby or the UC. Fortunately I got to the latter before the crowd arrived, but by the time I left just before boarding UA 253 to HNL I didn't even want to be in there anymore. Let's just say IAH at least during this spring break is a mess on some days. Perhaps SFO will be similar.
Last edited by gradsflyer; Mar 16, 2018 at 12:07 am
Mar 16, 2018, 1:24 am
#11
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Thanks, I have Global Entry so TSA Pre is automatic. This is a super-short trip, arrive Tuesday night, meetings on the hill Wednesday, leave 6pm for home. Point being, I've got to hit the ground running and I'd rather not miss sleep the night before I leave. :-) Sounds like nothing to see, move along.
David
Mar 16, 2018, 1:30 am
#12
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: NorCal
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How early are you guys getting these e-mails?
I plan to be there at around 3 hours for my Intl flight because I'm checking bags. It's a redeye (11:30 PM) so it'd be nice if I had a little leeway. Don't wanna be at the airport any longer than I have to. I don't find the United Club that much more comfortable than other places in the airport.
I plan to be there at around 3 hours for my Intl flight because I'm checking bags. It's a redeye (11:30 PM) so it'd be nice if I had a little leeway. Don't wanna be at the airport any longer than I have to. I don't find the United Club that much more comfortable than other places in the airport.
Mar 16, 2018, 8:07 am
#13
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Good idea on UA's part IMO. Lots of infrequent/inexperienced flyers will be hitting the check in and security lines during the spring break peak. Plus lots of kiddos.
Mar 16, 2018, 8:55 am
#14
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I got one of these for SFO, presumably for my flight on the 23rd. The dates quoted were March 19th - April 1st. Don't they usually recommend 2 hrs domestic and 3 hrs international? Maybe they just know most people don't really follow that and wanted to reiterate the point 
Mar 16, 2018, 10:38 am
#15
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When I disembarked at LAX from HNL Wednesday morning I was actually surprised by the huge number of high school and college-aged kids in T7's waiting areas. Traffic into Downtown Houston was also noticeably lighter - a sure sign of Spring Break.