As Thanksgiving approaches, travelers flying out of Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) are advised to arrive early and bring plenty of patience.
The airport recommends getting in line at the security checkpoint two hours before flight departure. For those picking up family or friends, make sure to check flight statuses before heading to the airport.
WINK News reporter Sommer Senne was at RSW to observe the holiday travel rush. She spoke with several travelers about their experiences.
Carl Renda, who was flying to Newark to celebrate his twin granddaughters’ first birthday, encountered a minor inconvenience with the shuttle service from the long-term parking lot.
“For some reason, maybe because it was really crowded, there was one stop, and everyone had to go to the stop,” said Renda. “It was not as accommodating as usual, but it went very smoothly.”
Mary, flying to Syracuse, New York, to visit her son and daughter-in-law, shared her own parking advice.
“If you’re going to do it, do it first thing in the morning because it’s smooth,” said Mary. “I learned the hard way a few years back by coming and parking myself. Never again.”
Jessica Torres, on her way to Buffalo with a connecting flight, expressed some concerns about her connection.
“So far, it’s on time, thank God,” said Torres. “I’m a little worried when I get to Baltimore, but hopefully everything is on time.”
Jeannette Mejia, flying back home to Denver, felt comfortable with the traffic at RSW.
“I feel safe, and it looks like the traffic is flowing normal. There’s no crowd, and it’s comfortable. I feel comfortable,” said Mejia.
For those flying out or picking up family at RSW, extra time for parking is recommended due to increased holiday traffic.
The airport offers remote parking at the Skyplex area for a flat $60 fee, regardless of the number of days parked. Reservations are required, and cars will be accepted until 7 p.m.
An attendant mentioned that some reserved spots went unused earlier in the week, indicating potential availability. RSW will update parking information on their Facebook page and website as needed.