I have to pick my sister up from the airport tonight. I have her flight number and can track the flight online so I know when it lands. She does not have a cell phone on her so she can't call me when she lands, so I'm trying to guesstimate when I should leave my house to meet her at the terminal. I could park at the airport, but since I'm only a 10 minute ride away, it would be just as easy to try and time it so I can just pull up to the curb and meet her.
It's been a while since I flew and had any checked bags. How long do you think it takes? 30 minutes after the plane lands? More? Less?

I know I'll find her eventually, even if I have to circle the airport more than once, but it would be nice to be able to time it! LOL

By Dandjmom on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 01:24 pm:

I've never flown before and never will. So I'm not sure, but since your sister doesn't have a cell phone. Do you think she will use the pay phone to call you to come for her if she doesn't see you. then since the drive is so short like you said you can just tell to meet you curbside and you can pick her up and be off again.

By Kaye on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 01:29 pm:

Is it just her flying, or does she have kids with her? Is she coming for a long time?

My hubby flies very frequently and I drive by to pick him up. He very rarely checks a bag, takes a carry on only. I time it to be there about 5 minutes past landing. If you have to get a bag, it takes about 15 minutes if all goes well. I would try to make sure she had your number so that if something didn't go well she could call. We had a bag lost once it took a long time to get that resolved.

By Sunny on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 01:36 pm:

She's actually coming home and is alone. Her Dh is out of town or else he would be picking her up.

She does have my number, she just doesn't have her cell phone with her. If she calls my house, someone will be here and they have my cell number if she forgets. I'm thinking I might leave here when I see the plane has landed and I'll take my 14 yr old with me to help look for her. I'm just hoping to time it so that she doesn't have to wait too long.

By Vicki on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 01:37 pm:

How big is the airport she is flying into? What time is her flight supposed to land? Some times are busier than others and if it is a large airport, it usually takes longer to get bags than a smaller one. I would leave earlier than 30 minutes after landing though for sure.

By Truestori on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 01:39 pm:

I would leave 15 minutes before arrival, and circle the airport if shes not there yet. If she has checked baggaged that takes a few more minutes, though.
Goodluck

By Cocoabutter on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 02:24 pm:

I have the theory that it's never too early to get there. Better early than late. It depends on how busy and how big the airport is. But if you get there a little early, you might have more fun just sitting there people-watching.

By Karen~moderator on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 03:37 pm:

Ditto Lisa. We have flown SOOOO much in the last year, and any number of scenarios is possible - the plane is at the gate for up to 15 minutes before they allow people to deplane; you're in the back of the plane and have to wait until everyone in front of you is off so you can get off; the luggage is later than normal getting to the caroussel; your luggage is lost; there's a huge crowd at the luggage caroussel and it takes a while to get your luggage; you stop at the restroom and there's a line........Our airport here is not large, and since Katrina there are over 50% less flights right now. But the situation is, once your plane has landed, you can be off, have your luggage, and be ready to picked up in as little as 20 minutes, or as much as an hour.

And one thing I have noticed in the last year, after being in more airports than I care to, there are VERY FEW public phones anywhere nowadays! So we make sure we take our cells and have a full charge when we are flying.

If I were you, depending on the size of the airport you're going to and the time of day and traffic in your area, since you are tracking the plane, I'd leave as soon as it arrives, with your DD in the car to help look for your sister. That way, if you run into a little traffic, you'll have time to get there without being *really* late, and it hopefully gives her time to get her luggage. If you have to drive around a few times, do that - it's what we do. It's cheaper than paying to park in the lot just to pick someone up.

By Angellew on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 03:39 pm:

Since you are so close to the airport, why don't you have her call you from a payphone when the luggage starts coming out!?! That's the way I used to do it when I lived 10-15 minutes from the airport and was picking people up. Once the luggage starts coming, they can be outside the terminal in minutes and waiting for you, which is the way you want it. Not you waiting for them. With airport security the way it is, waiting and circuling can be such a hassle!