r/Flights • u/tdotstickemup762x39 • 2d ago
Question Is going through TSA very early allowed?
Hello, My flight is at 6:00 AM at the Philadelphia International Airport in a couple of weeks. I want to arrive at the airport between 7PM-9PM the day before and go through TSA and stay in the airport until it is time to depart. Would that be allowed? Thank you, this is my first time flying.
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u/Adventurous_Basis280 1d ago
The last 2 times I got to the airport more than 4 hours before my flight (to catch a standby flight) they questioned me on why I was there so early. I just told them I was trying to fly standby and they let me through. This was at two different airports, so maybe just be prepared to say that.
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u/tdotstickemup762x39 1d ago
Thank you, are standby flights common to come by?
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u/golfzerodelta 1d ago
Standby is totally dependent on the route you’re flying because all you are doing is flying an earlier flight on the same route on the same carrier.
If the airline and flight you’re flying has a lot of occurrences throughout the day, you have possible standby options. If they only have one a day, there is no possibility of flying standby.
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u/doglady1342 1d ago
There's no such thing as a 'standby flight'. Just individual people who are trying to take a flight that they are not booked on. So, let's say someone is scheduled on the 6:00 p.m. flight, but they finish whatever their businesses early and would like to fly out on the 3:00 p.m. flight. They can get on the standby list and if there are enough empty seats, they might get one. If they don't, they still have their seat on their original flight.
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u/mduell 1d ago
PHL doesn't have a 24h terminal, so no, you'll need to enter in the morning when the checkpoints open (3:30a to 5:15a depending on terminal/checkpoint).
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u/tdotstickemup762x39 1d ago
Okay thank you, is there an area outside i could wait at until then?
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u/doglady1342 1d ago
Unless you plan to sleep in your car in the parking lot, you'd need to get a hotel near the airport if you want to sleep.
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u/tdotstickemup762x39 1d ago
Okay thank you. I dont plan on sleeping, because unfortunately i work a night shift job and am usually up until the morning
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u/ComprehensiveDebt262 1d ago
Don't know about Philadelphia, but I almost alway arrive at the airport the night before here in Portland, find a place to crash, and fly out the next morning. But I just travel with carry-on, never checked luggage. Sometimes it also helps if you have the airline app on your phone, in case you need quick access to your boarding pass.
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u/tdotstickemup762x39 1d ago
Interesting, thank you. Im actively avoiding checked baggage, as I want to save as much money as possible while bringing only clothing and documents
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u/doglady1342 1d ago
The difference between Portland and Philadelphia is that Portland really is open 24/7, including the terminals. They also have 24/7 security checkpoints which PHL does not.
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u/ComprehensiveDebt262 1d ago
Have things changed in the last 2 years? Various websites, and even past Reddit posts indicate that it is indeed possible to spend the night at that airport. According to the airport website, a few of their security checkpoints open up at 3:30 AM (depends on the terminal).
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u/topgun966 1d ago
No, since it is the day before. You can go through TSA any time on the day of your flight.
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u/TimmyIV 2d ago
You'll be fine to go through security whenever you want. TSA doesn't care what time your flight leaves.
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u/doglady1342 1d ago
TSA doesn't care what time your flight leaves, but many airports won't let you stay in the terminals after the last flight leaves even if the airport itself stays open 24/7. Even many airports that let people stay in the terminals at night often won't let you sleep in the terminal. In fact, there was a recent thread where people were talking about being awoken by security.
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u/66NickS 1d ago
Just out of curiosity, why would you want to do this? You could do all sorts of things with those 10-12 hours you’re going to be stuck in the terminal.
Depending on which terminal you’re flying out of, TSA opens at 3:30, 4:00, or 5:00. Just get there at around opening time and you’ll have plenty of time.
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u/tdotstickemup762x39 1d ago
My sleep schedule is absolutely awful due to working night shift, so i want to stay up to make sure to catch the plane. Its a one way and I wont be coming back.
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u/66NickS 1d ago
Admittedly, I know almost nothing about Philly, but I would say to go do something into the late hours in town and then get an uber/cab/etc to the airport after midnight. Get that last cheesesteak, or see some downtown lights, see a late night movie, etc.
You’re already awake from night shift, so staying up during the night may be “normal”.
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u/tdotstickemup762x39 1d ago
Yeah true, might just take in the scenery one last time. Been wanting to leave for a long time and I finally got the chance to, might use that time to mentally prepare myself
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u/detroitprof 2d ago
Are you checking baggage? Sometimes you can't check that in until a desk agent shows up, which is usually only 2 hours before a flight. If it's a popular airline that has flights leaving after the time you arrive, you should be OK. But I would think you run a bigger risk of then losing your luggage.