Why the EXTREMELY long wait when checking in at airlines ?

[Mm530]

I experienced 5 missed their flights while checking in at Jetblue at SDQ. They were in line for an hour as the workers seems to type into those computers FOR DAYS !! I know in the US we are used to self service kiosks. I mean you scan passport, confirm details , check bags , print boarding pas , NEXT !! Everyone was so annoyed as they just kept typing ... What gives ??

 

[DR_Guy]

Been flying and never noticed it. Fly COPA mainly. I always get to airport at least 2 hours early.

 

[JD Jones]

Been flying and never noticed it. Fly COPA mainly. I always get to airport at least 2 hours early.

I've always been an early person as well. I prefer to waste time at the gate, not at the ticket counter.

 

[william webster]

I haven’t had any recent troubles but they need to record your CV test etc
That is a manual input at POP

 

[melphis]

We flew AC last month and it seemed quicker than normal. As JD said I would sooner waste time at the gate than at check-in. Plus you can enjoy an over priced beverage at the gate🍸🍸

 

[Big]

2, 1/2 hrs early at the airport last week for a weekend trip to Miami. I usually have some time to loiter in the American Express lounge and have coffee. By the time I got through the lines the plane was about to board

 

[josh2203]

We fly mostly transatlantic flights (Europe-DR-Europe) and travel with quite a bit of stuff and kids - we're never later than 3-4 hours before departure time on the airport... We get to the check-in line, are usually among the first ones to complete all the hassle, then settle down nicely in the waiting area near the gate and have time to relax....

 

[william webster]

Upping yourself to Business Class moves you to the front of the line....
or have children..... or be pregnant ....... or be old & infirm (cane/wheelchair)

 

[NanSanPedro]

Upping yourself to Business Class moves you to the front of the line....
or have children..... or be pregnant ....... or be old & infirm (cane/wheelchair)

This is true but also a credit card will do it. Before I retired, I traveled infrequently but enough to hate it. I had a corporate card but couldn't use it for personal travel. So in order to get to the head of the line when I flew coach, I got a CitiBank AA card. If you book your travel with that card on AA you are automatically in Group 5. It puts you on the plane early enough so that you never have to worry about not having enough room to store carry-ons, which was always a concern of mine since I don't check bags. Doing that, coupled with TSA precheck, generally alleviates all long line concerns.

 

[william webster]

That is true -
furthermore, I booked my wife last week on United.
You can opt for certain 'upgrades' - more room, advance seat selection AND... Premier Access ($5) is included in one of the packages

Well worth it - IMO

 

[beeza]

I don't understand the need to pay extra to board early. Once you're in the departure lounge that plane ain't leaving without you! Especially if you have checked luggage.

 

[william webster]

It's more about not standing in the check-in line, beeza
Not so much boarding

 

[JD Jones]

I don't understand the need to pay extra to board early. Once you're in the departure lounge that plane ain't leaving without you! Especially if you have checked luggage.

I used to do a lot of travelling. I learned early in my life that just because you have an assigned seat, doesn't mean you'll always get it when you're one of the last to board.
Also, board early, and you get the overhead bin above (or even a little further forward) instead of not having control of where your bag is stashed.
It also pays to get a seat in the front of the plane so you're one of the first off. One of the first off means one of the first to customs.
I've always managed to get the first row seats in the main cabin when I got stuck back there.

 

[NALs]

I experienced 5 missed their flights while checking in at Jetblue at SDQ. They were in line for an hour as the workers seems to type into those computers FOR DAYS !! I know in the US we are used to self service kiosks. I mean you scan passport, confirm details , check bags , print boarding pas , NEXT !! Everyone was so annoyed as they just kept typing ... What gives ??

Before Boarding is your friend.

MEET & GREET Services and access to airport VIP lounges in Dominican Republic

Reservas de Salas Vip en aeropuertos, en Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata, Santiago y Samaná, República Dominicana

beforeboarding.com

 

[NALs]

It's in Spanish, but this is a review of the service at SDQ (arriving and leaving) by a Dominican who used it about a year ago.

 

[beeza]

I used to do a lot of travelling. I learned early in my life that just because you have an assigned seat, doesn't mean you'll always get it when you're one of the last to board.
Also, board early, and you get the overhead bin above (or even a little further forward) instead of not having control of where your bag is stashed.
It also pays to get a seat in the front of the plane so you're one of the first off. One of the first off means one of the first to customs.
I've always managed to get the first row seats in the main cabin when I got stuck back there.

I travel a lot. I'm in the industry. I'm the one who boards when told to, and I'm usually one of the last off the plane. I prefer a window seat as I don't like people climbing over me when they want to leave their seat.

Why the rush to get off the plane first? Just to join the immigration queue. I'll take my time, have a chat with the crew, wait for the queue to go down, pass immigration, and by the time I've done that, my bags will be waiting for me on the carousel.

Airports are not a place to get stressed...........Too many stupid people work there and they have no time for stressed people. Before people get offended by that remark, think about this. How many school kids sat at their desks daydreaming that one day, when they grow up they want to become a TSA officer!

 

[windeguy]

I don't understand the need to pay extra to board early. Once you're in the departure lounge that plane ain't leaving without you! Especially if you have checked luggage.

People are asking the question as to why check in is taking so long and people are indeed being left at the gate. So something is happening that is even worse than normal.

 

[johne]

I saw this situation (long check in times) earliar this week. Got on line for Avianca flight to Col. at SDQ. I arrived with way more time than necessary but thats just me. From the time I got on line (about 8:30 AM ) until I got to TSA it was just about two hours.
My observations: Bigger crowds than ever. Way too many people that seem to have folders of docs in their hands. Riflying thru the docs with do sense of order what so ever. And more people than I have observed in the past being denied a boarding ticket. Then they discuss this matter for EVER. Some go away and return to the same agent with yet another doc. (cutting the line of course).
Finding their Q code on their cell. "OH! here it is. Over weight bags. Unpacking and shifting their stuff around trying to make this weight like a boxer at a prize fight.
Yes...there is a lot going on to slow things up.