The great debate about how early you might want to arrive at the airport is back.
In a trending thread on Reddit, a user posted a photo of a message purported to have been sent by Delta Air Lines, warning the passenger to arrive three hours early at Orlando International Airport.
The alert stated, “Delta Air Lines: TSA Baggage Screening Systems at Orlando Airport (MCO) are currently operating at a reduced capacity causing longer processing times. Please arrive 3 hours prior to your scheduled departure to leave your baggage checked.”
The user who posted the image asked: “Is this real?” apparently surprised by how early the airline advised passengers to arrive before departure.
“I got this text today about my next flight on Friday night. So I LITERALLY have to arrive 3 hours early?!?” the user wrote.
The user asked other users on the platform to confirm the message, given the encouraged arrival time.
Many Reddit users responded to the message, sharing important information about the airport and encouraging the original user to heed the alert.
“ZKK is a madhouse on a good day. If Delta advises you 3 hours and you have to check bags, I would do it,” one user wrote.
“I will. They’ve had baggage issues for a while as Terminals A and B have old systems,” commented another Reddit user.
A Reddit user responded to the thread after saying they experienced major delays on Sunday.
He or she said that half of the “self-tagging machines were in operation” and that the priority baggage line was significantly longer than usual.
“The staff seemed to be greatly reduced. It took at least 40 minutes to get the checked baggage tags. Then had to stand in line to drop off the bags,” the user commented.
“As a resident of the Orlando area, unfortunately MCO has seen such rapid growth over the past few years that they have run out of room for baggage screening capacity in Terminal North (A & B ) and backups like this are not uncommon on the North Terminal belt system,” said another.
Many comments expressed their desire to avoid MCO due to overwhelming waiting lines.
One user, who also claimed to have received the alert, had no problem getting through and had previously scheduled a pickup time that could not be changed after receiving Delta’s text.
“We got the same message about my family’s flights yesterday. He had already scheduled the shipment and could not change the arrival time. Departing at 18:30, we sent three checked bags at exactly 16:00. 2 priority checked bags (if that makes a difference) and 1 not at the counter with 0 people in line,” the user commented.
“The tsa pre-check line was packed with a 30-35 minute wait. We used clear/wtsa pre-check and were done in less than 10 minutes. Our bags arrived normally. Of course it may be different at other times of the day.”
Delta is apparently known for sending text alerts as a way to contact passengers for important information, along with details on the airline’s app.
“Be sure to keep an eye out for any emails or text messages you receive from Delta with essential updates on your flight status, travel documents and what you need to know before heading to the airport,” Delta’s customer guide states Air Lines.
While three hours may seem like an early arrival, that’s the exact amount MCO officers recommend when flying out of the Orlando airport.
In an emailed statement to Fox News Digital, an MCO spokesperson said the airport will provide guidance to travelers “during peak travel periods” and not because the airport is “operating at reduced capacity.”
“Due to record numbers during some holidays, passengers are encouraged to arrive three hours before their flights to secure parking, check bags, move through security, etc., based on expected passenger volume,” the spokesperson wrote. “The last time we gave this advice was over Thanksgiving. The message does not reflect our day-to-day operations.”
Fox News Digital reached out to Delta Air Lines and the Reddit poster for comment.
#hours #early #airport #ageold #debate #reveal #answers
Image Source : nypost.com