Anyone had this scenario recently? Security checkpoint in C opens at 4am, I have TSA pre, travelling solo carryon only…boarding starts at 425. This doable to just go through C, or need to go through A (opens at 330) and transfer via train after?

With only 30 min difference I would just do C at 4:00am. I'm not sure about morning but I'm pretty sure late at night I've experienced the Skyway train not running full/regular times.

You will be fine at c

With a carry-on I think you would be fine. Checking a bag would be a different story.

What about an international flight leaving at 5:25 am with a kids and checked bags? Would being at C at 4 be enough time to get it all done or try A closer to 3:30?

KaneIsAble said:

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What about an international flight leaving at 5:25 am with a kids and checked bags? Would being at C at 4 be enough time to get it all done or try A closer to 3:30?

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You should be fine. The airlines always gives some very long time you should arrive before international departures, but other than flashing your passport while boarding (and maybe when checking bags) is the only difference. I wouldn't risk trekking down to A as there are probably 4-5 ridiculous early Spirit flights you will be competing with. I would just get there prior to 4am to get the bags checks and get in the security line when they open in C

They stop checked bags at one hour, so I would give yourself more time just in case. I recently had clients show up at an hour and had to take another flight.

JMac03 said:

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They stop checked bags at one hour, so I would give yourself more time just in case. I recently had clients show up at an hour and had to take another flight.

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That is a good point to call out. I don't ever really check bags so didn't think of that difference for international.

Just for the record, I appreciate the feedback and was indeed perfectly fine at C. The website says TSA-Pre doesnt open until later at that terminal, but both general security and Pre-Check were open by 3:45-not many folks in line and I cruised through in 5 minutes.

So you're saying go to A at 3:45 to be safe? We're staying at the Marriott the night before so we won't have far to travel but I'm sure IAH doesn't care.

If it were me, yes. Otherwise that gives you 25 min to ensure checked bags are set. Granted I'm sure 25 min is enough, but you are screwed if it isn't.

I can't remember if its A or B that you can check United bags. I don't think it's both. Hopefully someone else can chime in.

JMac03 said:

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If it were me, yes. Otherwise that gives you 25 min to ensure checked bags are set. Granted I'm sure 25 min is enough, but you are screwed if it isn't.

I can't remember if its A or B that you can check United bags. I don't think it's both. Hopefully someone else can chime in.

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100% sure you can check United bags in B as the entire B terminal is United.

You cannot check bags at A for United. Go to C.

JMac03 said:

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With a carry-on I think you would be fine. Checking a bag would be a different story.

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you check your bag before security, which means he's doing that before C security opens at 4.

AgCPA95 said:

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JMac03 said:

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If it were me, yes. Otherwise that gives you 25 min to ensure checked bags are set. Granted I'm sure 25 min is enough, but you are screwed if it isn't.

I can't remember if its A or B that you can check United bags. I don't think it's both. Hopefully someone else can chime in.

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100% sure you can check United bags in B as the entire B terminal is United.

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100% no you can't at that time, learned this the hard way over spring break.