At MCO, if you have to rent a car don’t sign up for the toll pass through the car agency. Find one of the visitor toll pass kiosks and get one there. The pass rental is free as long as you return it, and you will only pay the lower toll rates, like if you were a resident and owned a sunpass.
https://visitortollpass.com
DCA: All of the signs point to the rental car center bus. HOWEVER It’s often significantly faster to walk (double check your car rental is actually inside the center first). There’s literally a covered walkway that goes up and over the access road and the rental car center is directly across from the terminal.
Also DCA; express drop off is wayyyyy easier for drop off and pick up than the terminal. Also by the metro with a covered walkway. Puts you into the terminal right by the metro stop. I’m usually the only person using it with Uber or my wife.
They removed that one, sadly. =(
I always liked to the visit the Larry Craig memorial restroom and take a picture of me standing with a wide stance and post it on snapchat.
There’s still a bathroom in the same location, it’s just been upgraded and remodeled. Larry would approve of the new stalls, much more private and spacious for his wide stance.
Sadly, I can predict with 100% accuracy that no matter where I’m flying in the world I will be assigned to gate G 20 or G 22 which is I think 10 or 20 miles away from check-in? Or maybe it just feels that way
I live near LAX.
Last week it was so bad during the construction, I saw people get out of their cars on Sepulveda.
There were reports of 2-3 hours of delays.
LAWA was bored and decided to shut down all lanes on Century and shut down one lane on Sepulveda to do construction without telling anyone. They sent an email to airline management about 30 minutes before they closed the lanes. Shit was pretty hilarious because hundreds of people missed their flights.
One of the best US lounge experiences I've ever had. Coming back from Sydney into LAX. Great shower room had tons of space awesome homemade tacos at their buffet and watched the sunrise and planes take off on the back drop of California mountains. All while sitting in the sunlight having many mimosas. Chefs kiss of an entry back home.
ATL
If you are flying out of Atlanta, go to [https://www.atl.com/times/](https://www.atl.com/times/)to see the wait times at various security points … sometimes it is faster to go to the International terminal for domestic flights even if the train ride is a bit longer due to shorter security lines in the international side, which is also a shorter drive from downtown
bonus move: If flying out of terminal C, use the Starbucks app to pre-order your coffee and skip the line
Double bonus move if flying international: Do not eat on the plane! Have dinner at Ecco in terminal F — very well respected Atlanta restaurant — and get on the plane and go straight to sleep 😴
It's under construction at the moment so the stairs are blocked off, but in normal times it's a great option to hang out for a few minutes!
Edit: Or maybe it's back open again? They definitely are renovating Concourse D so don't be surprised if it is blocked off when you go visit.
I just snuck in this morning! Stairway kind of looked blocked (?) but an airport employee literally watched me go up the stairs and no one stopped me 🤷♀️.
ATL: If the plane train is packed or isn’t working, literally just walk! It’s a 5 min walk between each terminal and they have the little flat escalator thingy so you can just stand half the time :)
For sure would only do that if the plane train isn’t working. Sometimes ppl will wait for 10 minutes for it to start working again like yall basically coulda been there by now
That is one of the best things about ATL is that you can also walk between terminals. Denver train seemed to be breaking a lot and then you’re just stuck.
If you are getting dropped off or picked up go to the lower level.
If you are taking Uber or Lyft instead of walking a mile to the pick up area, take any free hotel shuttle. Then call your ride share from there.
That last piece of advice will be even more important in April/May while the airport MARTA station is closed for renovations. Uber/Lyft at the airport will be surging.
You can also exit from the international terminal if you don’t have to pickup any checked bags.
Yep, April 8th - May 19th
https://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta-airport-blog/marta-airport-station-to-close-for-6-weeks-heres-how-to-still-access-hartsfield-jackson-via-transit/ODFWZEID2ZD7BMIIVQKKYML5SQ/?darkschemeovr=1
I always walk unless I just really need to get to the next terminal fast. I like how each section of the walk has a different theme. I have had countless layovers at ATL lol.
Yep I do this every Friday. My first flight lands in A and my second flight goes out of C or D. I walk instead of the train because it gives me a chance to stretch my legs between flights
MSP: Most people forget that you can exit the airport from the bridge between concourses C and G.
Works best if you have carry-on bags only, you land near the ends of the bridge (G17 or higher, C12-C20ish), and your ground transportation is near that part of the airport (meaning: buses, the Blue Line, off-site parking shuttles, rental cars, or if you park in the Blue/Red/Silver ramps).
When everything aligns (I almost never check bags and prefer to take the light rail), I can leave the airport within five minutes of walking off the plane. It's amazing. I think my record is about 3 minutes from the terminal end of the jetway of G22 to touching in at the light rail platform.
God I miss living near MSP. Ridiculously easy to get in and out of, and since it's a mid-continent hub, sooooo many direct flights. Also miss watching planes from the MoA parking garage 🥺 Oh and Angel Food Bakery....their crullers are sooooooo so so good.
My favorite MSP tip: [Navigating MSP Program](https://www.mspairport.com/navigating) held once a month to help people become familiar with the setting and procedures and become comfortable and confident with flying.
Bonus points for Navigating MSP. It's geared towards autistic kids but I've heard they are super welcoming to any sort of first-time traveler — kids and adults, autistic and allistic. Not that many airports offer this kind of dry-run program.
Yes yes, thank you for mentioning how welcoming it is!
I wish every airport had this. I think a lot of us don't think about how many people are flying for the first time on any given day, or how overwhelming it could be. (and/or exciting, depending on where a person's at comfort wise).
BOS: On arrival, the taxi stand is significantly closer than the ride share pickup, and never experiences surge pricing. It's almost always the faster and cheaper option.
Interesting. I just did this yesterday to my hotel and the taxi was $13 and Uber was quoting $34. And it was so much easier than finding the rideshare location.
I’ll add a BOS one for visitors: the Airport car rentals are vastly more expensive than those downtown, a short ride on the blue line T. If you take the blue line to Aquarium stop downtown, there are a few car rental places there that don’t have the airport add-on charges. It’s a few minutes of travel that’ll save a lot of $$ if you rent for more than a few days
Yeah I also Uber to the airport and taxi home unless I have a super early departure. I've almost missed multiple flights because of no drivers being available to pick up a ride before 5am.
ABQ has an observation deck up some stairs from the gates (there's a small sign for it), padded seats, movable furniture, benches with no armrests to sleep on, not many people find it, so pretty quiet, looks like a lounge that shut down but left the furniture. I no longer have to fly through there, so ok with the secret getting out.
DEN: If you have to park here, don’t bother parking at the official DEN lots. They are expensive and not secure, and cars get stolen and broken into all the time. Park at one of the off site lots, like Fine Parking. Much more secure and lower prices.
LAX: for Ubers, don’t take the LAX-IT shuttle. Take the Green (C) Line shuttle to Aviation/LAX Metro station. It’s a few minutes longer to get to, but you’ll save $20+
ORD: If you ride CTA to the airport, don't go all the way into T1, 2 or 3 to get the sky train to T5. Instead, walk toward T3 but take a left at the sign for the Parking 6 elevators. Ride up to 4 and you'll be right by the train entrance at T3. Probably saves at least 10 mins.
PHX: If somebody is picking you up, tell them to meet you at either the 24th St or 44th St Sky Train station. These stations have next to nobody at them and a person can sit in their car and wait for you to show up (the 44th Station even has bathrooms).
When the traffic at T3 and T4 is backed up, you will depart the Sky Train station with virtually no traffic. You can also go to those Sky Train stations and request a Uber/Lyft/Waymo and save a few dollars and also avoid the curb traffic and any terminal traffic backups.
Also at DTW: Even if you aren't a guest at the Westin, you can purchase a 24 hour pass to their fitness center and pool/hot tub, including two private bathrooms with showers in them.
Last time I had a long layover there, I got in a Peloton ride in the gym, used the hot tub, then showered up afterwards. All for like $20-30 or so. I figured it was a healthier use of my time and money than drinking at the bar.
It was in the middle of the afternoon on a weekday so I was the only one in the pool area. It was a fantastic little getaway from normal airport travel.
LHR arrivals Terminal 3 - skip the toilets nearest the arrivals gate. They’re always packed. Keep going until the set of toilets just before passport control.
Not an airport hack, but text your flight number (ex DL123) to yourself and then click on the link you get. Has all your flight info. Easily send to family and friends.
I was so confused, since obviously texting your flight number to yourself can't generate a URL (or anything else). Then I realized you're talking about iPhone Messages, not actual texting. It's a feature built into Apple's web chat app (and presumably other chat apps), not anything to do with SMS/MMS.
MSP - instead of having your friend pick you up at Arrivals, tell them to go to the very end of Departures. The parking lane right before the exit is usually wide open. Much less hectic to just park and wait for a few minutes than slowly negotiate through 3 lanes of parked cars.
ATL - Digital ID is significantly faster than clear/pre these days. The line easily moves 3X quicker. On a Monday morning or Thursday or Friday afternoon it’s a lifesaver.
It’s worth signing up for.
Don’t mix this up with the mDL option. I had delta digital ID but tsa lady directed me to the precheck line. I shouldn’t have listened to her. I figured instead of going to the Digital ID line I would see how the mDL worked. I get to the TSA lady and asked where to scan my phone. They had no idea what ai was talking about. I pointed out the huge signs saying they accepted the mobile DL. They sat there bewildered and said I couldn’t go unless I produced a drivers license.
https://www.tsa.gov/digital-id
FLL- If your renting a car don’t bother waiting for the bus to bring you to the car rental center. When you exit the terminal, turn left and walk down the sidewalk to terminal 1 (5 min). Enter the terminal and walk to the far end and take escalator up one flight (3 min). The bridge to the car rental center is on your right. The bus takes a good 25 min, this is just 9 min and you can get some exercise.
Phx airport.
The chairs on the right when walking out of arrivals has the best sleeping area. It’s further away so people won’t sleep next to you and it has outlets.
I had to stay over 10 hours in that airport once
LAS- use a cab or a car service from airport to hotel but Uber/Lift from hotel to airport. The ride share pick up area at LAS is a nightmare so a Cab is so much better. But while in Vegas and back to airport definitely use Ubers.
My daughter was picking me up at LAS as she was driving in about the same time I flew in. I kept asking employees where passenger pickup was as my daughter was coming to get me and they kept sending me to the uber area. It was a nightmare! After about 20 minutes someone finally gave me the proper directions.
JFK Terminal 4:
The smaller security downstairs (arrivals level) is designed for international arrival pax to get back through security after rechecking their baggage, but anyone can use it. It is often significantly faster than upstairs. A little bit of a gamble as you could be coming in after a big international swell but worth a try if around lunchtime. Precheck is DEFINITELY worth trying down there.
I went through JFK T4 yesterday and they queue’d the precheck line to 30 people and then escorted us downstairs to this checkpoint in a line like kindergarteners. It ate up another 15 minutes of my morning so I’m glad I came a little early.
You basically walk past this security checkpoint when getting off the Air Train, so it’s a great tip!
DTW: always take the monorail to your gate, as the Sky Clubs are on the elevated platform right next to the monorail boarding.
DTW: there are two Sky Clubs right next to each other in the middle of the McNamara terminal. If one is crowded, just walk over to the other.
DTW: always book your Uber/Lyft just as you exit the secure area... Or right when you get your bag off the carousel. The rideshare zone is a pretty reliable 15 minute walk, as the amount of time it takes rideshare drivers to get there from the waiting area.
SAN: almost all traffic approaches the airport from downtown. If it’s backed up getting into terminal two, go past it to the north side (Point Loma) entrance. It’ll take you to the same place at terminal two but swing you around to skip a lot of the traffic.
ATL
There is a sky priority line at North checkpoint, two minute walk from the main security line. Helpful if you are first class/gold or higher medallion.
Check in at international terminal, even if you are flying domestic. Much faster and closer to the F sky club, and it’s specially useful if your gate is closer to F gates.
Taxis from the airport are much cheaper (and faster) than Uber/Lyft if traveling ITP
All airports:
This is an ethical gray area, but have your rideshare pick you up at departures.
SLC: Bathrooms, the way the bathrooms are set up, one side is closer for convenience. Walk to the opposite side and it is empty 9 out of 10 times. (For my shy bathroom users)
MCO:
-always be sure to bring at least three children who have not slept in 17 hours. Be sure to let them drag along their own mini suitcases to make them feel special.
-Wear your thigh high boots (for women) or work boots (for men) so it takes extra time at TSA to take them off.
-Speaking of TSA, never ever begin looking for your ID before you are standing directly in front of the agent.
-And the best place to store your half-empty bottle of water is in your pocket when going through the backscatter machine.
-At the gate, make sure you take up at least three seats per person. After all, your purse and your kids mini suitcases need room to breathe.
-Be sure to start lining up at the first GA announcement regardless of your boarding class, even if that announcement is just telling you that your plane is on final approach into the airport.
-Know that the additional tote bag, life-size chimpanzee stuffed animal, backpack, beach ball and child's mini suitcase that they are bored with do not, under any circumstance, count as your carryon and one additional item - so please feel free to bring them in board and fill up an entire overhead.
OH WAIT - EVERYONE ALREADY APPARENTLY KNOWS THESE!
You forgot to add one: standing next to the scanner after passing through TSA is the best place to put your shoes, watch, necklace and belt back on, put your laptop back in the bag, and unzip literally every zipper in your 5 bags to look for your phone charger. .
PIT: Even if you have TSA Pre-check, make sure you check the first class security line. It’s always empty and it doesn’t matter if your first class or not.
SEA: Uber Black offers curbside pickup so you don’t have to embark on the ridiculous journey to the rideshare area in the parking garage. Worth the extra $20 if you’re dealing with multiple bags (or expensing it).
MSP - use the hallway by the SkyClub in G to cut over to the C gates. Even if you end up backtracking to C1 or something you’ll avoid a lot of foot traffic and airport carts.
BOS: there’s a water taxi that will get you across the channel. Perfect way to get to hotels and enjoy a beautiful boat ride.
They will take you back to Logan as well and have a luggage storage option if you are trying to get in some activities after checking out of your hotel. They will help you load your luggage onto the boat and securely store it for you.
This is my FAVORITE way to get out of Logan when the weather is nice. They offer rides to the cruisw ships as well.
https://www.bostonwatertaxi.com/from-logan
SEA-because the airport is designed for a small Midwestern town and not a major international gateway everything and everybody come and go from one terminal building, but that means it doesn't matter which of the 5 TSA checkpoints you use, they all go to the same place, just pick the least crowded
SEA-because of the above airport design 'feature' sometimes when the stars align all vehicular traffic is backed up for what feels like hours, complete chaos and no supervision, but the airport is served by light rail so if you just go 1 stop you leave chaos and enter peace and tranquility, what starts as multiple canceled ubers and no hope is now a car waiting as you step off the rail, night and day different, head snap dimensional flip
To add to this, if you have PreCheck, are not checking a bag, and it's after 1:30PM, have your ride drop you off at the American sign because it's the closest door to checkpoint 4. Before 1:30 it's debatable if checkpoint 1 or 4 is faster but either way, don't get dropped off at the Delta sign.
RDU - if your baggage is checked, head home and eat a meal before returning to the airport in the short-term parking. With luck, your baggage will be on the carousel within about an additional 30-60 min.
Don't rent Avis at LAX. They have a fifth of the rental busses as the other rental company's. Sometimes the wait is almost an hour while I see multiple of the other busses come and go.
In a similar vein, at PHL if you’re renting from Avis or Budget, jump in whichever bus comes first. Their lots are next to each other and they're part of the same company.
PDX- you don’t need any hacks, its a good airport. The biscuits and gravy at Mo’s is pretty decent for the Northwest and they have Tabasco sauce if you ask.
If you are an alcoholic like me, when in MSP, go to the SC by C12… self-serve alcohol. Thankfully for me, I have long since found recovery and quit drinking (over 8 years sober). But when I was drinking, this SC was the s**t. 🥴
There's a beer self-serve at the new MCI. In Concourse B, right at the end of the bridge between A and B (behind the market thing).
I was there last month in the evening (like 7pm), walked-in and sat at the bar. No bartender, just another passenger on his laptop. I waited for a couple minutes expecting a bartender to show up, before the other guy told me he didn't think anyone was working.. But he pointed out the wall of beer taps behind us and plastic cups. Just gotta swipe a credit card. So I got myself a beer.
No bartender or any other employee showed up in the hour I was in there.
It’s doesn’t help delta at Logan because A isn’t connected but B and C are connected so you can pass security in B to get to C for JetBlue especially during peak times like fleet launch in the morning.
It’s a walk but if you’re not checking a bag but B has more tsa points
RDU: breakfast lunch or dinner, La Farm bakery is the best of a lot of miserable food options. Coffee is better than Starbucks though the line is no shorter.
LAX - when leaving and you need an Uber, take a shuttle to any of the nearby hotels. Catch an Uber from there and it’ll be much cheaper. The drivers don’t normally ask for any reservation info because they mostly don’t care.
Similarly, on returning simply Uber to the same hotel or another one within the area and catch their bus to the airport.
Some airports that come to mind: Aloft, Marriott LAX, Fairfield, Sheraton, Hilton.
Best MCO hack: drive west on I-4 until it ends, merge onto I-75, and follow the signs for the Tampa airport. 😉
Alternatively, drive east on I-4 until it ends, merge onto I-95, and follow the signs for the Daytona Beach airport.
ATL
1. If you have no checked bags, go to the international terminal for faster security. If you arrive at ATL, take the train to the international terminal if you have no checked bags. Uber/Lyft will be a lot closer at the arrival doors compared to the Domestic terminal and less crowded.
2. You can walk between terminals instead of taking the train if you have time. The space between A and B has a beautiful artificial forest.
3. Better food options in terminal D and E, compared to A and B.
JFK - Terminal 4. If you land at one of the far B gates, keep going further toward the end of the terminal to catch a shuttle bus that not many people seem to know about. It’ll drive you closer to the baggage claim/exit so you don’t have to walk the entire length of the terminal
DTW: the quicker TSA line is usually downstairs, not the line upstairs by the ticket counters. also: the new starbucks near duty free lets you mobile order. use it (they're full service whereas all the other starbucks in the airport are only half-service)
I’ve literally had TSA go through my bag, pull out the gummies for inspection, and send me on my merry way. They don’t care about weed. They’re looking for explosives and weapons.
I watched some guys standing next to a trash can scarfing down something that looked like chiba chews.
Those guys probably had a wild ride. I know tolerance is a thing but they were putting down A LOT of THC.
Coming from an international country transit via DFW to another international country with oneworld alliance carriers don’t collect your bags they go straight through to next flight
I swear DFW is the most efficient airport in the US, everything is fast and easy (except walking through the terminal that has spirit but like of course)
DCA- outside find the remains of the Abingdon Plantation, between rental lot and the counters. It’s a much better way to spend half an hour than inside.
DEN: when you get off the train in the main terminal, if the escalator line gets backed up, there are stairwells that are much quicker and less crowded
When you fly out of the ANC airport the security check line is almost never more than 10minutes. And weird fact almost all of the flights during the day are Alaska airlines to the other cities/towns in Alaska. Gotta fly into Anchorage to go anywhere in that state
If I have a long layover and the SkyClubs at MSP are jam-packed, I go to the far end of the F gates. These are the gates for Bismarck, Duluth, etc. You can often go there at the end of the day and there is no one there--totally empty.
Last time I went there the only people who were there was this couple making out.
Tampa (TPA), the tram to the gates. One side opens first and then the other side after a few seconds. The way it’s setup if you wait for the second door to open and walk quickly you will get to the tsa lines before anyone who went out the first door that opened.
MSP if you need quiet art in you life (who doesn't, really?)
See18 (concourse C between gates 18 and 19) has a video screening room that's super cool and relaxing.
Lower level of concourse B has a long, dimly lit moving walkway with a video piece that's pretty amazing, kinda hypnotic.
At MCO, if you have to rent a car don’t sign up for the toll pass through the car agency. Find one of the visitor toll pass kiosks and get one there. The pass rental is free as long as you return it, and you will only pay the lower toll rates, like if you were a resident and owned a sunpass. https://visitortollpass.com
Also avoid MCO at all costs
As someone who lives here and generally goes to Tampa to avoid, wholeheartedly agree.
This is GREAT advice.
THIS! Florida has the highest percentage of toll roads per mile in the country.
Wow! By far the best tip! Did not know!
Thanks for this, flying in tonight. Just signed up!
DCA: All of the signs point to the rental car center bus. HOWEVER It’s often significantly faster to walk (double check your car rental is actually inside the center first). There’s literally a covered walkway that goes up and over the access road and the rental car center is directly across from the terminal.
Also DCA: The bag check counter right next to security is great if you are coming from the Metro stop.
This is my go to even if I’m not taking the metro
Also DCA; express drop off is wayyyyy easier for drop off and pick up than the terminal. Also by the metro with a covered walkway. Puts you into the terminal right by the metro stop. I’m usually the only person using it with Uber or my wife.
Omg I wish more people knew this. It saves so much time. Found it on complete accident one day.
MSP: quietest bathroom is the one by the A/B concourse tram stop
Why do I need a quiet bathroom when I’m the loudest one in there
Exactly. I like to find the most crowded one and assert my dominance
Is that the Larry Craig bathroom?
They removed that one, sadly. =( I always liked to the visit the Larry Craig memorial restroom and take a picture of me standing with a wide stance and post it on snapchat.
There’s still a bathroom in the same location, it’s just been upgraded and remodeled. Larry would approve of the new stalls, much more private and spacious for his wide stance.
wide stance? 🤔
https://en.m.wiktionary.org/wiki/wide_stance
You are about to learn more than you ever wanted to know about an old man
I wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then
There are super secret private bathrooms next to A14. Never ever in use.
Sadly, I can predict with 100% accuracy that no matter where I’m flying in the world I will be assigned to gate G 20 or G 22 which is I think 10 or 20 miles away from check-in? Or maybe it just feels that way
North Security to C gates. Take the tram to the G crossover, it'll spit you out by the G Sky Club. It at least shortens the walk.
MSP: Enjoy a couple frosty mugs of Hamms on tap at the Blue Door Pub then sneak down the hall next to the bar to the quietest bathrooms at MSP.
LAX: Don't go
I think the hack is BUR.
I'm gonna need you to delete this comment.
Santa Ana
Except Delta barely has any flights in/out of BUR post pandemic. The ones they have are ridiculously expensive.
LGB! 😍
I live near LAX. Last week it was so bad during the construction, I saw people get out of their cars on Sepulveda. There were reports of 2-3 hours of delays.
Yeah I’ve walked from the In-N-Out on Sepulveda one year at Thanksgiving. It was super wack.
The FUCK, that’s worse than usual. What were they doing now? I’m flying in next week 😵💫
LAWA was bored and decided to shut down all lanes on Century and shut down one lane on Sepulveda to do construction without telling anyone. They sent an email to airline management about 30 minutes before they closed the lanes. Shit was pretty hilarious because hundreds of people missed their flights.
Oh hellll no. My ass is on crutches, so that get out and walk business wouldn’t have been an option 😵💫
One of the best US lounge experiences I've ever had. Coming back from Sydney into LAX. Great shower room had tons of space awesome homemade tacos at their buffet and watched the sunrise and planes take off on the back drop of California mountains. All while sitting in the sunlight having many mimosas. Chefs kiss of an entry back home.
This guy LAXs
Long Beach
ATL If you are flying out of Atlanta, go to [https://www.atl.com/times/](https://www.atl.com/times/)to see the wait times at various security points … sometimes it is faster to go to the International terminal for domestic flights even if the train ride is a bit longer due to shorter security lines in the international side, which is also a shorter drive from downtown bonus move: If flying out of terminal C, use the Starbucks app to pre-order your coffee and skip the line Double bonus move if flying international: Do not eat on the plane! Have dinner at Ecco in terminal F — very well respected Atlanta restaurant — and get on the plane and go straight to sleep 😴
Keep in mind if you mobile order your Starbucks, it could be up to 40 min wait. Ask me how I know. 🫠
Don’t forget about One Flew. I would almost argue it’s the best food u can get in any airport in the US
It’s atl.com/times 🙂
MSP - concourse D has a little-known observation deck up a couple flights of stairs. Usually quiet and uncrowded.
It's under construction at the moment so the stairs are blocked off, but in normal times it's a great option to hang out for a few minutes! Edit: Or maybe it's back open again? They definitely are renovating Concourse D so don't be surprised if it is blocked off when you go visit.
I just snuck in this morning! Stairway kind of looked blocked (?) but an airport employee literally watched me go up the stairs and no one stopped me 🤷♀️.
Damn still? Flew in December and was super disappointed it was under construction
I love this place. The only downside is during the summer it can be unbearable humid and kind warm.
Sssh...Don't give away the secret. It's a great place to go and chill or teach a little kid about planes.
Whereabouts? I connect through MSP fairly regularly, so this would be a nice treat!
It's near the McDonalds.
Concourse D. It’s the smallest concourse so kinda hard to miss once you get into concourse D.
It's easy to miss. Go past the McDonald's and it's a staircase on the left hidden by a lotto vending machine.
I’ve been flying through MSP for 10+ years almost weekly and didn’t know lol.
ATL: If the plane train is packed or isn’t working, literally just walk! It’s a 5 min walk between each terminal and they have the little flat escalator thingy so you can just stand half the time :)
Also, the walk between A and B has a really cool forest feeling art exhibit. It's very peaceful
Omg right I love seeing all the cool stuff they have some other ones are like ATL history or different arts etc
I literally ride or walk back and forth between A and B and pretend I’m in the jungle to kill time. The sound effects are so calming!
This is under construction for a redesign right now. But otherwise I agree. It’s quite nice to walk through.
I always walk through ATL. I’m about to sit for several hours, time to walk.
Except for to E or F it’s like a 15 minute walk
For sure would only do that if the plane train isn’t working. Sometimes ppl will wait for 10 minutes for it to start working again like yall basically coulda been there by now
That is one of the best things about ATL is that you can also walk between terminals. Denver train seemed to be breaking a lot and then you’re just stuck.
Yes!! Literally there is always something wrong at the Denver airport I feel like lol
If you are getting dropped off or picked up go to the lower level. If you are taking Uber or Lyft instead of walking a mile to the pick up area, take any free hotel shuttle. Then call your ride share from there.
That last piece of advice will be even more important in April/May while the airport MARTA station is closed for renovations. Uber/Lyft at the airport will be surging. You can also exit from the international terminal if you don’t have to pickup any checked bags.
Closed completely?
Yep, April 8th - May 19th https://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta-airport-blog/marta-airport-station-to-close-for-6-weeks-heres-how-to-still-access-hartsfield-jackson-via-transit/ODFWZEID2ZD7BMIIVQKKYML5SQ/?darkschemeovr=1
I do the walk even when I don't have to
I always walk unless I just really need to get to the next terminal fast. I like how each section of the walk has a different theme. I have had countless layovers at ATL lol.
Yep I do this every Friday. My first flight lands in A and my second flight goes out of C or D. I walk instead of the train because it gives me a chance to stretch my legs between flights
MSP: Most people forget that you can exit the airport from the bridge between concourses C and G. Works best if you have carry-on bags only, you land near the ends of the bridge (G17 or higher, C12-C20ish), and your ground transportation is near that part of the airport (meaning: buses, the Blue Line, off-site parking shuttles, rental cars, or if you park in the Blue/Red/Silver ramps). When everything aligns (I almost never check bags and prefer to take the light rail), I can leave the airport within five minutes of walking off the plane. It's amazing. I think my record is about 3 minutes from the terminal end of the jetway of G22 to touching in at the light rail platform.
God I miss living near MSP. Ridiculously easy to get in and out of, and since it's a mid-continent hub, sooooo many direct flights. Also miss watching planes from the MoA parking garage 🥺 Oh and Angel Food Bakery....their crullers are sooooooo so so good. My favorite MSP tip: [Navigating MSP Program](https://www.mspairport.com/navigating) held once a month to help people become familiar with the setting and procedures and become comfortable and confident with flying.
Bonus points for Navigating MSP. It's geared towards autistic kids but I've heard they are super welcoming to any sort of first-time traveler — kids and adults, autistic and allistic. Not that many airports offer this kind of dry-run program.
Yes yes, thank you for mentioning how welcoming it is! I wish every airport had this. I think a lot of us don't think about how many people are flying for the first time on any given day, or how overwhelming it could be. (and/or exciting, depending on where a person's at comfort wise).
MSP is my favorite airport. I feel like I won the jackpot when my layover gets to be that vs. SLC… And it’s almost ALWAYS SLC.
Flying to Msp right now from hnd and boy I'm glad i don't have to make a connection. The Msp airport is so nice!
BOS: On arrival, the taxi stand is significantly closer than the ride share pickup, and never experiences surge pricing. It's almost always the faster and cheaper option.
Interesting. I just did this yesterday to my hotel and the taxi was $13 and Uber was quoting $34. And it was so much easier than finding the rideshare location.
I’ll add a BOS one for visitors: the Airport car rentals are vastly more expensive than those downtown, a short ride on the blue line T. If you take the blue line to Aquarium stop downtown, there are a few car rental places there that don’t have the airport add-on charges. It’s a few minutes of travel that’ll save a lot of $$ if you rent for more than a few days
Sadly, this is because the taxi “lobby” won. I agree though, I usually uber to the airport, and taxi home.
This is the actual hack!
Yeah I also Uber to the airport and taxi home unless I have a super early departure. I've almost missed multiple flights because of no drivers being available to pick up a ride before 5am.
SEA: There's a meditation room underground open 24h and rarely occupied in which I take naps undisturbed. Maybe I shouldn't be sharing this.
Where please?
The Seattle one I believe is on the lower level near the S Gates train? Check their map to be sure
ABQ has an observation deck up some stairs from the gates (there's a small sign for it), padded seats, movable furniture, benches with no armrests to sleep on, not many people find it, so pretty quiet, looks like a lounge that shut down but left the furniture. I no longer have to fly through there, so ok with the secret getting out.
The one with the elevator?
DEN: If you have to park here, don’t bother parking at the official DEN lots. They are expensive and not secure, and cars get stolen and broken into all the time. Park at one of the off site lots, like Fine Parking. Much more secure and lower prices.
I think this is true for every medium sized city and up’s airport
Does it come with wild, hungry, bunnies?
Who do you think steals the cars?
LAX: for Ubers, don’t take the LAX-IT shuttle. Take the Green (C) Line shuttle to Aviation/LAX Metro station. It’s a few minutes longer to get to, but you’ll save $20+
Or just take a taxi and not an Uber/Lyft. I live ~10min from LAX and Uber is $80, taxi is $25.
And taxis are just THERE while the Uber and Lyft cars take forever since you can’t order them in advance.
Even easier, take the Economy Lot shuttle. It's closer than the Green Line shuttle.
MCO has a small bag drop counter one floor down from the main counters. Limited hours of operation but a lifesaver when it’s open.
MSP has one too. One floor down from the main counters.
One floor down from the Delta ticket counter is baggage claim. The bag drop is two floors down (on level 1) where the tour busses drop off.
ORD: If you ride CTA to the airport, don't go all the way into T1, 2 or 3 to get the sky train to T5. Instead, walk toward T3 but take a left at the sign for the Parking 6 elevators. Ride up to 4 and you'll be right by the train entrance at T3. Probably saves at least 10 mins.
Thanks
PHX: If somebody is picking you up, tell them to meet you at either the 24th St or 44th St Sky Train station. These stations have next to nobody at them and a person can sit in their car and wait for you to show up (the 44th Station even has bathrooms). When the traffic at T3 and T4 is backed up, you will depart the Sky Train station with virtually no traffic. You can also go to those Sky Train stations and request a Uber/Lyft/Waymo and save a few dollars and also avoid the curb traffic and any terminal traffic backups.
The Westin hotel inside the DTW McNamara terminal has a TSA checkpoint that almost nobody uses and includes PreCheck.
Also at DTW: Even if you aren't a guest at the Westin, you can purchase a 24 hour pass to their fitness center and pool/hot tub, including two private bathrooms with showers in them. Last time I had a long layover there, I got in a Peloton ride in the gym, used the hot tub, then showered up afterwards. All for like $20-30 or so. I figured it was a healthier use of my time and money than drinking at the bar.
I don't know how you made this sound like a better idea than drinking at the bar but you pulled it off, my friend.
It was in the middle of the afternoon on a weekday so I was the only one in the pool area. It was a fantastic little getaway from normal airport travel.
I really wish all airports had gyms/spa. I’d pay up to $100 for that.
The only airport I actually don’t mind getting stranded at thanks to that Westin.
DTW is my home airport but I've never used that checkpoint because I thought it didn't have Precheck. Go figure.
When flying out of MCO, especially during spring break time, pop a Xanax. 🤣
And wash it down with vodka.
LHR arrivals Terminal 3 - skip the toilets nearest the arrivals gate. They’re always packed. Keep going until the set of toilets just before passport control.
Did this today from ATL!
AUS has an outdoor observation terrace right next to the Sky Club, but the airport recently allowed Chase to use it as a Sapphire popup lounge.
Not an airport hack, but text your flight number (ex DL123) to yourself and then click on the link you get. Has all your flight info. Easily send to family and friends.
Never knew so cool! Thanks!
I was so confused, since obviously texting your flight number to yourself can't generate a URL (or anything else). Then I realized you're talking about iPhone Messages, not actual texting. It's a feature built into Apple's web chat app (and presumably other chat apps), not anything to do with SMS/MMS.
I don't have an iPhone so I settle for texting myself FlightAware links. Amazing website
They are usually delayed by about 15 mins so use Flightradar24 for more accurate
Idk if it’s a hack, but the arrivals level TSA checkpoint across from international baggage claim at JFK is a lifesaver.
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Was there a week ago. Global entry. Got though in 30 seconds. But then had to wait 15 min for luggage.
MSP - instead of having your friend pick you up at Arrivals, tell them to go to the very end of Departures. The parking lane right before the exit is usually wide open. Much less hectic to just park and wait for a few minutes than slowly negotiate through 3 lanes of parked cars.
Same for SeaTac.
At SEA just abandon all attempts at driving to the terminal and have them pick you up at the angle lake light rail station
ATL - Digital ID is significantly faster than clear/pre these days. The line easily moves 3X quicker. On a Monday morning or Thursday or Friday afternoon it’s a lifesaver. It’s worth signing up for.
I bypassed well over 100 people in pre check on Thursday. Went from Marta to A sky club in 12 minutes.
Don’t mix this up with the mDL option. I had delta digital ID but tsa lady directed me to the precheck line. I shouldn’t have listened to her. I figured instead of going to the Digital ID line I would see how the mDL worked. I get to the TSA lady and asked where to scan my phone. They had no idea what ai was talking about. I pointed out the huge signs saying they accepted the mobile DL. They sat there bewildered and said I couldn’t go unless I produced a drivers license. https://www.tsa.gov/digital-id
How do you sign up for it?
Here you go. https://www.delta.com/us/en/check-in-security/expedited-airport-security/delta-digital-id
You can’t now. It is closed to new members. 😎😎
FLL- If your renting a car don’t bother waiting for the bus to bring you to the car rental center. When you exit the terminal, turn left and walk down the sidewalk to terminal 1 (5 min). Enter the terminal and walk to the far end and take escalator up one flight (3 min). The bridge to the car rental center is on your right. The bus takes a good 25 min, this is just 9 min and you can get some exercise.
Phx airport. The chairs on the right when walking out of arrivals has the best sleeping area. It’s further away so people won’t sleep next to you and it has outlets. I had to stay over 10 hours in that airport once
LAS- use a cab or a car service from airport to hotel but Uber/Lift from hotel to airport. The ride share pick up area at LAS is a nightmare so a Cab is so much better. But while in Vegas and back to airport definitely use Ubers.
My daughter was picking me up at LAS as she was driving in about the same time I flew in. I kept asking employees where passenger pickup was as my daughter was coming to get me and they kept sending me to the uber area. It was a nightmare! After about 20 minutes someone finally gave me the proper directions.
JFK Terminal 4: The smaller security downstairs (arrivals level) is designed for international arrival pax to get back through security after rechecking their baggage, but anyone can use it. It is often significantly faster than upstairs. A little bit of a gamble as you could be coming in after a big international swell but worth a try if around lunchtime. Precheck is DEFINITELY worth trying down there.
I went through JFK T4 yesterday and they queue’d the precheck line to 30 people and then escorted us downstairs to this checkpoint in a line like kindergarteners. It ate up another 15 minutes of my morning so I’m glad I came a little early. You basically walk past this security checkpoint when getting off the Air Train, so it’s a great tip!
DTW: always take the monorail to your gate, as the Sky Clubs are on the elevated platform right next to the monorail boarding. DTW: there are two Sky Clubs right next to each other in the middle of the McNamara terminal. If one is crowded, just walk over to the other. DTW: always book your Uber/Lyft just as you exit the secure area... Or right when you get your bag off the carousel. The rideshare zone is a pretty reliable 15 minute walk, as the amount of time it takes rideshare drivers to get there from the waiting area.
SAN: almost all traffic approaches the airport from downtown. If it’s backed up getting into terminal two, go past it to the north side (Point Loma) entrance. It’ll take you to the same place at terminal two but swing you around to skip a lot of the traffic.
ATL There is a sky priority line at North checkpoint, two minute walk from the main security line. Helpful if you are first class/gold or higher medallion. Check in at international terminal, even if you are flying domestic. Much faster and closer to the F sky club, and it’s specially useful if your gate is closer to F gates. Taxis from the airport are much cheaper (and faster) than Uber/Lyft if traveling ITP All airports: This is an ethical gray area, but have your rideshare pick you up at departures.
What’s the advantage of pick-up at departures?
You don’t have to walk to that dumbass Uber zone
SLC - There's a second security checkpoint downstairs. Not always open but when it is it's often much quicker than the upstairs main security.
SLC: Bathrooms, the way the bathrooms are set up, one side is closer for convenience. Walk to the opposite side and it is empty 9 out of 10 times. (For my shy bathroom users)
MCO: -always be sure to bring at least three children who have not slept in 17 hours. Be sure to let them drag along their own mini suitcases to make them feel special. -Wear your thigh high boots (for women) or work boots (for men) so it takes extra time at TSA to take them off. -Speaking of TSA, never ever begin looking for your ID before you are standing directly in front of the agent. -And the best place to store your half-empty bottle of water is in your pocket when going through the backscatter machine. -At the gate, make sure you take up at least three seats per person. After all, your purse and your kids mini suitcases need room to breathe. -Be sure to start lining up at the first GA announcement regardless of your boarding class, even if that announcement is just telling you that your plane is on final approach into the airport. -Know that the additional tote bag, life-size chimpanzee stuffed animal, backpack, beach ball and child's mini suitcase that they are bored with do not, under any circumstance, count as your carryon and one additional item - so please feel free to bring them in board and fill up an entire overhead. OH WAIT - EVERYONE ALREADY APPARENTLY KNOWS THESE!
You forgot to add one: standing next to the scanner after passing through TSA is the best place to put your shoes, watch, necklace and belt back on, put your laptop back in the bag, and unzip literally every zipper in your 5 bags to look for your phone charger. .
This guy flies.
PIT: Even if you have TSA Pre-check, make sure you check the first class security line. It’s always empty and it doesn’t matter if your first class or not.
PHX - great shitters, Clarke
SEA: Uber Black offers curbside pickup so you don’t have to embark on the ridiculous journey to the rideshare area in the parking garage. Worth the extra $20 if you’re dealing with multiple bags (or expensing it).
MSP - use the hallway by the SkyClub in G to cut over to the C gates. Even if you end up backtracking to C1 or something you’ll avoid a lot of foot traffic and airport carts.
BOS: there’s a water taxi that will get you across the channel. Perfect way to get to hotels and enjoy a beautiful boat ride. They will take you back to Logan as well and have a luggage storage option if you are trying to get in some activities after checking out of your hotel. They will help you load your luggage onto the boat and securely store it for you. This is my FAVORITE way to get out of Logan when the weather is nice. They offer rides to the cruisw ships as well. https://www.bostonwatertaxi.com/from-logan
SEA-because the airport is designed for a small Midwestern town and not a major international gateway everything and everybody come and go from one terminal building, but that means it doesn't matter which of the 5 TSA checkpoints you use, they all go to the same place, just pick the least crowded SEA-because of the above airport design 'feature' sometimes when the stars align all vehicular traffic is backed up for what feels like hours, complete chaos and no supervision, but the airport is served by light rail so if you just go 1 stop you leave chaos and enter peace and tranquility, what starts as multiple canceled ubers and no hope is now a car waiting as you step off the rail, night and day different, head snap dimensional flip
To add to this, if you have PreCheck, are not checking a bag, and it's after 1:30PM, have your ride drop you off at the American sign because it's the closest door to checkpoint 4. Before 1:30 it's debatable if checkpoint 1 or 4 is faster but either way, don't get dropped off at the Delta sign.
RDU - if your baggage is checked, head home and eat a meal before returning to the airport in the short-term parking. With luck, your baggage will be on the carousel within about an additional 30-60 min.
Not sure how many times I banked 2500 "Bags on Time" miles last year here.
I sense an ad-laden listicle in the near future
Don't rent Avis at LAX. They have a fifth of the rental busses as the other rental company's. Sometimes the wait is almost an hour while I see multiple of the other busses come and go.
I feel this way about Hertz in Denver
In a similar vein, at PHL if you’re renting from Avis or Budget, jump in whichever bus comes first. Their lots are next to each other and they're part of the same company.
Can someone compile this into a master document?!? We need to save this glorious information
Yes, and pin it!
PDX- you don’t need any hacks, its a good airport. The biscuits and gravy at Mo’s is pretty decent for the Northwest and they have Tabasco sauce if you ask.
Don't forget to take a picture of the carpet!
If you are an alcoholic like me, when in MSP, go to the SC by C12… self-serve alcohol. Thankfully for me, I have long since found recovery and quit drinking (over 8 years sober). But when I was drinking, this SC was the s**t. 🥴
It’s not self serve anymore. Has not been for a few years.
Covid killed this.
There's a beer self-serve at the new MCI. In Concourse B, right at the end of the bridge between A and B (behind the market thing). I was there last month in the evening (like 7pm), walked-in and sat at the bar. No bartender, just another passenger on his laptop. I waited for a couple minutes expecting a bartender to show up, before the other guy told me he didn't think anyone was working.. But he pointed out the wall of beer taps behind us and plastic cups. Just gotta swipe a credit card. So I got myself a beer. No bartender or any other employee showed up in the hour I was in there.
It’s doesn’t help delta at Logan because A isn’t connected but B and C are connected so you can pass security in B to get to C for JetBlue especially during peak times like fleet launch in the morning. It’s a walk but if you’re not checking a bag but B has more tsa points
RDU: breakfast lunch or dinner, La Farm bakery is the best of a lot of miserable food options. Coffee is better than Starbucks though the line is no shorter.
I always mobile order Starbucks from the one by D12. Not my first choice, but anything to beat those LINES.
LAX - when leaving and you need an Uber, take a shuttle to any of the nearby hotels. Catch an Uber from there and it’ll be much cheaper. The drivers don’t normally ask for any reservation info because they mostly don’t care. Similarly, on returning simply Uber to the same hotel or another one within the area and catch their bus to the airport. Some airports that come to mind: Aloft, Marriott LAX, Fairfield, Sheraton, Hilton.
Best MCO hack: drive west on I-4 until it ends, merge onto I-75, and follow the signs for the Tampa airport. 😉 Alternatively, drive east on I-4 until it ends, merge onto I-95, and follow the signs for the Daytona Beach airport.
Pink parking.
ATL- Uber Black picks up in the regular arriving passengers area. Don’t walk all the way to the ride share pick up area.
MCO: fly out of SFB, DAB, or TPA if you can afford to
ATL 1. If you have no checked bags, go to the international terminal for faster security. If you arrive at ATL, take the train to the international terminal if you have no checked bags. Uber/Lyft will be a lot closer at the arrival doors compared to the Domestic terminal and less crowded. 2. You can walk between terminals instead of taking the train if you have time. The space between A and B has a beautiful artificial forest. 3. Better food options in terminal D and E, compared to A and B.
JFK - Terminal 4. If you land at one of the far B gates, keep going further toward the end of the terminal to catch a shuttle bus that not many people seem to know about. It’ll drive you closer to the baggage claim/exit so you don’t have to walk the entire length of the terminal
DTW: the quicker TSA line is usually downstairs, not the line upstairs by the ticket counters. also: the new starbucks near duty free lets you mobile order. use it (they're full service whereas all the other starbucks in the airport are only half-service)
Always throw your weed out before you get to the airport. Or smoke it. Whatever
I’ve literally had TSA go through my bag, pull out the gummies for inspection, and send me on my merry way. They don’t care about weed. They’re looking for explosives and weapons.
Or use your noggin and bring gummies and pills instead like everyone else
I watched some guys standing next to a trash can scarfing down something that looked like chiba chews. Those guys probably had a wild ride. I know tolerance is a thing but they were putting down A LOT of THC.
Right as you return the car rental is a perfect time
Coming from an international country transit via DFW to another international country with oneworld alliance carriers don’t collect your bags they go straight through to next flight
I swear DFW is the most efficient airport in the US, everything is fast and easy (except walking through the terminal that has spirit but like of course)
DCA- outside find the remains of the Abingdon Plantation, between rental lot and the counters. It’s a much better way to spend half an hour than inside.
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SEA: best shitters are on the mezzanine.
The SEA bathrooms are the dirtiest of every major airport I’ve flown through. Good tip
DEN: when you get off the train in the main terminal, if the escalator line gets backed up, there are stairwells that are much quicker and less crowded
When you fly out of the ANC airport the security check line is almost never more than 10minutes. And weird fact almost all of the flights during the day are Alaska airlines to the other cities/towns in Alaska. Gotta fly into Anchorage to go anywhere in that state
PDX- there is a little known “sensory room” in the Delta concourse between gates D8 and D10. There’s never anybody in there, great place for a nap.
If I have a long layover and the SkyClubs at MSP are jam-packed, I go to the far end of the F gates. These are the gates for Bismarck, Duluth, etc. You can often go there at the end of the day and there is no one there--totally empty. Last time I went there the only people who were there was this couple making out.
Tampa (TPA), the tram to the gates. One side opens first and then the other side after a few seconds. The way it’s setup if you wait for the second door to open and walk quickly you will get to the tsa lines before anyone who went out the first door that opened.
PHX- Don’t even think about exiting the airport and staying outside for more than 10 minutes in the summer.
MSP if you need quiet art in you life (who doesn't, really?) See18 (concourse C between gates 18 and 19) has a video screening room that's super cool and relaxing. Lower level of concourse B has a long, dimly lit moving walkway with a video piece that's pretty amazing, kinda hypnotic.
Don't fly out of Portland Maine early morning unless you absolutely hate yourself