The morning started before 5 to make the 7.50 AirTrans flight. We got to the airport and returned the rental in plenty of time, and got in the check in queue almost two hours before take off – as recommended by the airline. Even with only 30 people in the queue ahead of us, and three check in counters open, the queue moved excruciatingly slowly and for no apparent reason it took an age to check in our family when we finally made it there. They ended up having to escort us through security in the priority lane (which ended up being slower than the regular lane) and were told by the lady who checked us in very matter of factly that we had five minutes to make it to the gate or it would close without us. We made it on the final final boarding call – but it illustrated that you get what you pay for with cheap airlines.
We’ve opted for a DIY patchwork quilt of one way flights with different airlines (most of them budget ones), rather than an around the world ticket. It worked out much cheaper and gives good flexibility, but clearly there are some drawbacks!
