Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:(OP here) Lots of great points, thanks. We were planning on driving and parking there, but a cab would probably be a better idea. I'm traveling with my husband and we usually just pack one bag and check it, carry on will be minimal.

7:45 again. Given the volume I'd each bring a large backpack or tote and stick it under the seats. Airports don't funnel baggage through an inspector to match tickies so you can lose your stuff. They haven't been counting small crossbody purses as 1 of 2 .

Can't- we are going diving and have to bring a bunch of gear.

Still stuff some clothes and cameras, laptop etc , purse in big tote. Check gear. Contact any banks and credit card companies in advance with your travel plans. last weekend i had charges denied while out of town due to possible fraud based on change of location. An extreme problem if it had happened with more than 1 card.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:(OP here) Lots of great points, thanks. We were planning on driving and parking there, but a cab would probably be a better idea. I'm traveling with my husband and we usually just pack one bag and check it, carry on will be minimal.

7:45 again. Given the volume I'd each bring a large backpack or tote and stick it under the seats. Airports don't funnel baggage through an inspector to match tickies so you can lose your stuff. They haven't been counting small crossbody purses as 1 of 2 .

Can't- we are going diving and have to bring a bunch of gear.

Anonymous wrote:(OP here) Lots of great points, thanks. We were planning on driving and parking there, but a cab would probably be a better idea. I'm traveling with my husband and we usually just pack one bag and check it, carry on will be minimal.

7:45 again. Given the volume I'd each bring a large backpack or tote and stick it under the seats. Airports don't funnel baggage through an inspector to match tickies so you can lose your stuff. They haven't been counting small crossbody purses as 1 of 2 .

(OP here) Lots of great points, thanks. We were planning on driving and parking there, but a cab would probably be a better idea. I'm traveling with my husband and we usually just pack one bag and check it, carry on will be minimal.

Anonymous wrote:I've never flown any time around the Thanksgiving holiday, so I'm just assuming the airport will be a mess. We are flying out of DCA at 8:30 (internationally with a change in Miami). What time should we plan on getting to the airport? It is going to be horribly crowded, or is that Saturday a quiet day? Thanks all!

I'd get there at about 6 am and take a cab to the airport since you don't know the parking situation. I've flown a lot this fall. Most if not all flights have been fully booked-some with over 5 standbys. Depending on your ticket status you might not be able to fit your carryon in the overheads. Planes load in this order-1st class and members of military in uniform, then those with priority boarding , then zones:
http://www.seatguru.com/articles/boarding_procedures.php

The standard carryons for domestic flights are 1 smaller personal item [goes under seat in front of you] plus 1 other carryon for the overhead. That's the problem since each airline or flight seems to handle these differently. Airlines have not been requiring gate checking of bags that are clearly greater than 45 linear inches which some define as a maximum 22+14+9 for each of length , width, and height. 11 width and 20 length is going to fit differently in the overhead.

If some of these people checked in at the airport with an agent i assume those bags would have been checked. So some people get on with oversize stuff and a large packpack that doesn't fit under the seat and there goes over 1/3 of an overhead. Then later boarders have to gate check carryons. DD once had to check a tote containing a pair of sneakers , t shirts, a shorts.

I agree with PP. Generally speaking, traveling after Thanksgiving isn't too bad, because there are three days for return travel (Fri, Sat, and Sun) whereas pretty much everyone leaves for Thanksgiving on Wed. I would say to do the rec'd 2 hours for an international flight. I think you'll have loads of time with that.

Wednesday and Sunday are typically the worse travel days. I would still give yourself plenty of time as security could be strict but it has been our experience that Saturday is pretty quiet - I would especially think for international flights since this is an American holiday.

I've never flown any time around the Thanksgiving holiday, so I'm just assuming the airport will be a mess. We are flying out of DCA at 8:30 (internationally with a change in Miami). What time should we plan on getting to the airport? It is going to be horribly crowded, or is that Saturday a quiet day? Thanks all!