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Well, down here in Europe this works exactly like this. You arrive to the airport, scan your printed boarding pass once, go through gate and pass your bags thro

Well, down here in Europe this works exactly like this. You arrive to the airport, scan your printed boarding pass once, go through gate and pass your bags through xray (no taking off shoes), then go to boarding and scan pass again. No arriving 3 hours early, usually no lines, no extensive security checks. It is normal to arrive 40 minutes before takeoff if i have to check in or 25 minutes if i am already checked in (i have a VIP pass at the airport so i never stand in lines, but that's cheap). About half of the time nobody even asks for my passport, at least when i fly within Schengen. What you described is the American TSA hell, this is not normal everywhere in the world.

TomMarius 9y ago
No lines is not true (I visited more than 5 major European airports in the last month), but they're very bearable - usually less than 5 minutes of waiting. While it's true nobody asks you for passport, I don't believe nobody asks you for any documents. It's generally recommended to arrive an hour before take off if you've checked in online.
moritzplassnig 9y ago
It heavily depends on the airport. E.g. TXL is horrible (depending on the terminal) and even an hour before at peak times isn't enough. Time of the day (e.g. mornings are usually peak times) matter as well. Luggage drop-off is usually until 45min before departure, same as in the US. Would love to see some data that quantifies that and recommends when to be at the airport depending on which terminal/gate, status (e.g. priority or TSA Pre), checked in or not, luggage drop-off or not, etc.).
stephen_g 9y ago
It's surprising how fast queuing for check-in disappeared in big airports in Australia too (for domestic travel at least). First it was the self check-in terminals that printed your boarding pass (and bag tag if you're checking in luggage), and then you just scan at an automated bag drop that takes your bag. But now check-in is mostly through web/apps. Some airlines also have RFID bag tags that you get when you reach the first loyalty tier so you just check in on your phone, scan it at the bag drop and then head through security (which is still relatively reasonable - worse than I think it needs to be, but so much nicer than in the US!). I think they're rolling out self check-in at the international terminal in my city now too.

TomMarius 9y ago

No lines is not true (I visited more than 5 major European airports in the last month), but they're very bearable - usually less than 5 minutes of waiting. While it's true nobody asks you for passport, I don't believe nobody asks you for any documents. It's generally recommended to arrive an hour before take off if you've checked in online.

moritzplassnig 9y ago

It heavily depends on the airport. E.g. TXL is horrible (depending on the terminal) and even an hour before at peak times isn't enough. Time of the day (e.g. mornings are usually peak times) matter as well. Luggage drop-off is usually until 45min before departure, same as in the US. Would love to see some data that quantifies that and recommends when to be at the airport depending on which terminal/gate, status (e.g. priority or TSA Pre), checked in or not, luggage drop-off or not, etc.).

stephen_g 9y ago

It's surprising how fast queuing for check-in disappeared in big airports in Australia too (for domestic travel at least). First it was the self check-in terminals that printed your boarding pass (and bag tag if you're checking in luggage), and then you just scan at an automated bag drop that takes your bag. But now check-in is mostly through web/apps. Some airlines also have RFID bag tags that you get when you reach the first loyalty tier so you just check in on your phone, scan it at the bag drop and then head through security (which is still relatively reasonable - worse than I think it needs to be, but so much nicer than in the US!). I think they're rolling out self check-in at the international terminal in my city now too.