Getting Around MCO Airport’s Busiest Terminals As mentioned earlier, Orlando International (MCO) can get pretty busy, so busy you may think doing something as simple as getting your bags would be too much, but with a lot of daily customers comes a lot of time to learn how to prepare for such large crowds wandering throughout searching for shuttles from MCO terminals. Local staff is definitely well prepared, as you will be with the many on-site amenities. From unique restaurants like Cask & Larder Public House to the magical merch at Disney’s EarPort, the facility makes it more than easy to relax during the off chance your flight gets delayed. Prepare for Airport Security Though many roll their eyes at the tedious process, getting through airport security is no laughing matter at Orlando International. Hope for the best and prepare for the worst by making sure everything runs smoothly when you get in line, something that can easily be done with a little bit of planning. If anything, waiting in long lines like these is a great opportunity to review your trip, allowing you to stay on track without missing a beat. → Remove All Metals: Avoid setting off the metal detector by making sure you take off anything that contains a scrap of steel, iron, copper or brass. A few unorthodox things that people typically forget contain metal include cell phones, belt buckles, and the easily elapsed rod in the spine. Start stripping yourself of all elements that would make the machine go off, doing your part to push the line forward as well as avoiding the loss of precious minutes. → Remove Shoes Immediately: In addition to taking off metals, you should also slip your shoes off as you approach TSA. Place your loafers in a separate box from the rest of your objects and avoid losing your boarding pass by slipping it into one of the shoes as it passes through x-ray. If you have shoes that take a while to tie, loosen the laces instead of slipping them off, allowing you to put your shoes on just as quickly. → Pack Basic: Because everyone has an equal chance at getting stopped for further inspection, you should never discount yourself as a potential suspect. Make sure you pack your bags simply and in an orderly fashion, giving x-ray scans as well as time-consuming searches the transparency they desire. Do this by avoiding the mistake of over-packing, making sure each of your bags has plenty of breathing room for wandering eyes. Go Over Basic Travel Tips The key to a successful vacation is keeping one foot in front of the other, a task that can easily be done by writing down every step of your vacation beforehand. Whether it’s the art of juggling multiple thing to do or finding the best way to move things along quickly, having a general idea of what you’re going to do ahead of time can go a long way. Kick your vacation off on the right foot by making the first of your to-dos connect with the first place you’ll be on your trip: the airport. → Arrive Early: With unexpected swarms of visitors that can come at any second of the day, arriving early to Orlando International can mean avoiding countless minutes of idle waiting. With so much to do, from passing through security to checking in your bags, the less time you can spend at each necessary stop, the better. Head out to the facility a couple hours before your flight’s due to take off, leaving plenty of breathing room between procedures. → Check-In: One task that a lot of people forget to take care of is checking in early. Allowing you to board your plane before others, checking in is a helpful way to boost your time, and with so many airlines transitioning to the digital era it’s become easier than ever. Most flight holders now allow customers to check in via an app on their cell phone, so be sure to set an alarm for when check-in time is, giving you the opportune moment to make plans from the comfort of your living room. Make a Checklist A to-do list can certainly go a long way, but what should you include on yours? A good place to start is by evaluating what you need in your everyday life, whether it’s medication or special documents. Take the time to sit down and think over everything so you’re not stuck pacing in the last seconds. With the ease of simply checking off each to-do, you’ll be set to go quickly and with a relaxed state of mind. → Check Mobile Carrier: Many use vacations as an escape from their reality, but it’s a bit rash to completely cut off those that love and care about you. If you’re traveling abroad, you may want to look into qualifying for international service since a lot of providers drop calls or charge roaming fees without customers knowing. Be sure to contact your cellphone provider ahead of time to ask about options so you don’t lose the opportunity to contact family and friends while you’re away. → Bring Prescriptions: If you’re traveling to another state, don’t expect a prescription as easily as you would from seeing a doctor in the county that you live in. Because of this, people who get sick often, whether it’s from elevation, travel nausea, or anxiety, should consider bringing prescriptions a high priority. Make sure you bring proper identification as well as a call from your physician for refills in case you run out. → Make Copies: Since you’ll be traveling through one of the strictest airports in the world, documentation should be high on your list of priorities. A driver’s license and passport is typically all you need, but a social security card and student ID work just fine as well. If you’re an alien resident, make sure you have proper citizenship papers as well as anything else that may be needed like a work visa or green card. |