The great debate surrounding how early you might want to arrive at the airport is back.
In a trending Reddit thread, a user posted a photo of a message allegedly sent by Delta Air Lines, alerting the passenger to arrive three hours early at Orlando International Airport.
The alert stated, “Delta Air Lines: TSA baggage screening systems at the Orlando (MCO) airport are currently operating at a reduced capacity causing longer processing times. Please arrive 3 hours prior to your scheduled departure to drop off your checked luggage.”
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The user who posted the image asked, “Is this real?” seemingly stunned by how early the airline was advising travelers to arrive prior to departure.
A Reddit user (not pictured) seemed shocked after receiving a text alert telling them to arrive at the Orlando airport three hours before departure. (iStock)
“Got this text today for my upcoming flight on Friday night. Do I LITERALLY need 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 of the Reddit users responded to the message, sharing important information about the airport and encouraging the original user to pay attention to the alert.
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“MCO is a madhouse on a good day. If Delta is advising 3 hours and you need to check bags I would do it,” one user wrote.
Delta Air Lines apparently notified passengers about the MCO processing times in an effort to give them more time to get through security and make their scheduled flight. (Igor Golovniov/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
“I would. They’ve been having baggage issues for a bit as Terminals A & B have old systems,” another Reddit user commented.
One 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 down” and that the priority baggage line was significantly longer than usual.
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“Staffing seemed to be very reduced. Took at least 40 min to get tags for checked luggage. Then had to stand in line to drop off bags,” the user commented.
Reddit users commented on the difficulties they have faced when traveling through MCO. (iStock)
“As an Orlando area resident, unfortunately MCO has seen such rapid growth over the past few years that they’ve ran out of room for the inline baggage system screening capacity in the North Terminal (A & B) and backups like this aren’t uncommon in the North Terminal belt system,” another said.
Many comments expressed their desire to avoid MCO at all costs due to the overwhelming wait lines.
One user who also claimed to receive the alert did not have any problems getting through and had previously scheduled a transportation time that could not be changed after receiving Delta’s text.
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“We got the same message for my family’s flights yesterday. Already had transportation scheduled and couldn’t change the arrival timeframe. 6:30pm departure, we turned in three checked bags at 4pm exactly. 2 bags marked priority (if that makes any difference) & 1 not at the counter with 0 people in line,” the user commented.
Orlando International Airport encourages passengers to arrive three hours early, according to MCO’s website. (iStock)
“The tsa pre-check line was packed with 30-35 min wait. We used clear/w tsa pre-check and were through in under 10 minutes. Our bags arrived normally. Could certainly be different at other hours of the day.”
Delta is apparently known for sending out text alerts as a way to contact passengers about important information, along with details in the airline app.
“Make 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 to know before you go to the airport,” the Delta Air Lines customer guide stated.
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While three hours may seem like an early arrival, this is the exact amount MCO officers recommend when flying out of the airport in Orlando.
Delta Air Lines allegedly sent out an alert via SMS encouraging passengers to show up nearly three hours before takeoff. (Getty Images | iStock)
“The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority recommends arriving three hours before your scheduled departure time, but please check directly with your airline for specific recommendations for your flight,” according to Orlando International Airport’s website.
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Fox News Digital reached out to Delta Air Lines and Orlando International Airport for comment.
