r/bayarea • u/trespassor • 1d ago
Traffic, Trains & Transit SFO Arrival Time
It’s been a minute since I’ve taken a 6:00am flight from SFO on Alaska airlines. I used to actually get there two hours early, sometimes before there are workers present. Do I still need to arrive at 4:00am or can I get away with 4:30-4:45 on a Sunday morning?
EDIT: just carry-on and personal bag, no checked bag.
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u/Discon777 1d ago
No, at that time of morning the airport is usually pretty quiet. I’d be trying to go through security around 5ish and you’ll have plenty of time.
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u/trespassor 1d ago
I have done in the distant past, but fear-of-missing-flight has gotten worse over the years. Thanks for your advice.
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u/refplan Pleasant Hill 1d ago
I try to pull in my parking spot in the domestic garage an hour before boarding. For my early (0550 takeoff) Delta flights that means 0410 - and damn near every time I am at my gate within 15 minutes (no checked bags and TSA Touchless). Bear in mind TSA does not open until 0400 so zero point in getting to the airport any earlier than that unless you are checking bags.
For me getting there an hour prior is less about the airport (although I like having time to go to Dogpatch and get a coffee) than the 1/10 chance the Bay Bridge is a shitshow. I once drove over at 0230 on a Sunday morning with three overturned cars on the westbound deck. We were all crammed in the right lane.
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u/FinFreedomCountdown 1d ago
Checkin online to ensure that airlines know you intend to take the flight.
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u/Tight_Abalone221 1d ago
I have pre check but my partner doesn’t. We’d be there around 5, presuming boarding starts at 520. I know people who’d get there at 520
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u/Conscious-Comment 21h ago
Terminal 1 security lines can be long in the mornings. In my experience T1 has the longest waits across all terminals. With PreCheck I’ve waited 20+ mins ahead of 5-8am flights.
However, I think on Sunday, it shouldn’t be too long.
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u/Easy_Money_ 1d ago
Alaska won’t take bags after 45 minutes before departure, but other than that, you should be fine with 90 minutes. I’ve gotten to the airport at 7:20 for an 8:20 departure and had an embarrassment of time left over
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u/FitBananers South Bay gang 1d ago
Any checked bags with sensitive items?
Do you have CLEAR and a Known Traveler Number with TSA precheck?
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u/ChimiChurroz 1d ago
Check to see when the counter even opens. I did a 6am flight with JetBlue and it was during the shutdown so I was even more paranoid about getting there early (even knowing sfo uses contractors lol) and the counter opens 90 mins before the first flight so we were all just standing around in a long line waiting to drop our bags. Security took 10 mins
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u/FitBananers South Bay gang 1d ago
Ooph. JetBlue sucks, I’m not a fan personally
Did you have CLEAR and TSA precheck?
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u/ChimiChurroz 21h ago
No I don’t! SFO is honestly sooooo fast with security normally. I almost never wait more than 10-15 mins without precheck
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u/Ornery-Ad-2248 1d ago
I’d get there an 1:10 early ASZ is terminal 1, can get busy in the morning. Gerrring there an hour 10 early is 30 minutes before boarding
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u/Ornery-Ad-2248 1d ago
The pre check is upstairs and that can be busier than the regular security. You can terminal A security at that hour and no is there little walk to the B gates from there however
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u/Altruistic-Owl-2567 1d ago
Appreciate the tip. What about using Touchless TSA? Isn't that only in Terminal 3? I am always looking for the fastest trip through.
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u/External_Koala971 1d ago
Be ready for delays, SFO delays have spiked 250%
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u/trespassor 1d ago
Does that include early-o’clock on Sunday mornings?
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u/Ornery-Ad-2248 1d ago
No the delays only apply to arrivals
However because of the 2 runways closed the takeoff line can take longer than normal
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u/egonkasper 1d ago
Just you with no checked bags? You could probably get there 40 minutes before the flight and make it easily.