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Friday departure
Friday departure
For 17 years we have returned home on Saturday trying to squeeze as much vacation out of vacation as we could. We booked a late flight out, got to the airport very early, patiently stood in line through Customs and TSA, bought a few rum punches, sat down with a good book and reviewed the vacation highlights with ourselves.
This year we have been lucky enough to pull three weeks on island. An embarrassment of riches. But when we were booking our flights, the price difference between Friday and Saturday departures could not be ignored. So this year we leave on Friday. For those of you who have done it, what is the airport like for an early afternoon departure?
By the way we fly out next Saturday and leave this frozen in island for softer water.
This year we have been lucky enough to pull three weeks on island. An embarrassment of riches. But when we were booking our flights, the price difference between Friday and Saturday departures could not be ignored. So this year we leave on Friday. For those of you who have done it, what is the airport like for an early afternoon departure?
By the way we fly out next Saturday and leave this frozen in island for softer water.
Last edited by BillVT on Fri Mar 07, 2014 2:09 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Friday departure
Wow - 3 weeks. How fun!
Prior to our trips in 2013, we used to always leave on a Friday. We normally travel in April, May or June, and Friday departures were not very crowded. We still allowed for a couple of hours at the airport because we are "just in case" kind of people, and don't like to cut it close. So you may be pleasantly surprised at the more genteel experience traveling on a Fri.
The first time we left STT on a Sat (last May), so that we could take the non-stop United flight to Dulles, we were shocked at the airport being such a zoo with long lines everywhere. I stepped out of the cab and probably had a look of dismay on my face. A porter came up to me and asked if we needed one. I remembered reading about them on this forum, so I said YES! She made it a much easier and faster experience to get checked in and through the lines.
Prior to our trips in 2013, we used to always leave on a Friday. We normally travel in April, May or June, and Friday departures were not very crowded. We still allowed for a couple of hours at the airport because we are "just in case" kind of people, and don't like to cut it close. So you may be pleasantly surprised at the more genteel experience traveling on a Fri.
The first time we left STT on a Sat (last May), so that we could take the non-stop United flight to Dulles, we were shocked at the airport being such a zoo with long lines everywhere. I stepped out of the cab and probably had a look of dismay on my face. A porter came up to me and asked if we needed one. I remembered reading about them on this forum, so I said YES! She made it a much easier and faster experience to get checked in and through the lines.
Re: Friday departure
How exciting Bill!! The Stewarts will be holding down the fort at 13F for us this year but we're just a few weeks behind you for 15 and 16!! Enjoy those sunsets at the incredible place we call home...even if it is for just a week or two or three a year!!
Re: Friday departure
Though we will miss seeing you and your boys (and I bet they're growing fast) the Stewarts are a hoot and it should be a fun week. BTW my wife is an MRI tech also. Where did I hear that you were?
Re: Friday departure
I'm a CT tech, us hospital people need a vacation now don't we!
Re: Friday departure
Yes they are a hoot and so much fun....it will be a great week or two for you all! Yes, MRI technologist has been my title for 25 years...still at the same hospital but have seen lots of changes in the technology
Nancy84 I started out in CT many moons ago... crazy busy field you work in...vacations are a definite must!!!
Nancy84 I started out in CT many moons ago... crazy busy field you work in...vacations are a definite must!!!
Re: Friday departure
We usually plan so that we don't depart on a Saturday. We left on a 2:40p flight last Friday 
We were at the airport fairly early (noonish) and breezed through the AA ticket counter and security. Around 1pm, the gate area started to fill up.
Enjoy your trip!
We were at the airport fairly early (noonish) and breezed through the AA ticket counter and security. Around 1pm, the gate area started to fill up.
Enjoy your trip!
janet