I usually get to my local airport 45 mins before it's due to depart as it's a small airport with only a few flights a day. Usually getting there at that time security takes 3 mins and then it's a 2 min walk to the gate. But they often say "only 15 mins until flight closes!" At security. I know they say the gate closes 30 mins before the flight takes off but literally every time I get there even for flights on time I still have a 30 min wait until the the line for the gate is empty before I have to stand up. What happens if I get there less than 30 mins before the flight is due to take off? Will they refuse me to pass security even though that's still loads of time and loads of time sat a around.
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Your approach would give me the fear - even at a small local airport - because what if there was a big traffic delay on the way you hadn’t planned for etc.? but I’m aware that people fit into quite distinct categories when it comes to travel!
I’m not sure they would refuse you to pass through security, but the boarding staff could refuse to allow you to board the plane if you are not there 30 mins before. In both cases when I’ve travelled recently - once from Gatwick, once from my small local airport - we have boarded the plane ahead of the gate closure time and pretty much every passenger has been on board by the time the gate closed. The waiting around you mentioned seems to be done on the plane now as both flights out and back had a delay of 30 mins from the planned take off time - so we boarded quickly but were delayed by our slot being given away - perhaps this is seen as preferable post-COVID?
Whilst queuing to board at Gatwick we witnessed a couple having a spectacular meltdown because they had arrived at the gate after it had closed (15 mins after). They were demanding to be let through and were told they were not allowed to board because all the other passengers were boarded and the plane doors closed. They did appear to have duty free bags so I think they may have had enough time but chosen to prioritise booze over boarding
Personally I would never risk it, but if you find a 30 minute wait at the gate to be really offensive/annoying you might think it’s worth the risk.
Once the gate closes that’s it, the passenger list is finalised and no one else can board the flight. Yes there’s a lot of waiting around involved in air travel and some people like to cut it fine but why would you risk it?
ps I would be over the moon if I could turn up 45 minutes before a flight. My airport is three hours. I feel sorry for people who I see get to gate too late as I presume they were beset by delays but often they are visibly drunk and it looks like they just spent too long in the departures pub. They are usually the ones who angrily kick off at the airport staff as well, twats
ps I would be over the moon if I could turn up 45 minutes before a flight. My airport is three hours. I feel sorry for people who I see get to gate too late as I presume they were beset by delays but often they are visibly drunk and it looks like they just spent too long in the departures pub. They are usually the ones who angrily kick off at the airport staff as well, twats
I'm not far away, I walk there so no worries about traffic!
I'm not sure that's true as there's still people lining up to go through the gate 20 mins after it's advertised closure time
I travel almost every week so it's getting annoying, it's more like a 40 min wait as I get there 45 mins before flight leaves and security n walking to the gate at most is 5 mins, sometimes 60 seconds
Security is handled by the airport authority. Check in, etc is handled by ground crew (either from the airline or a third party contractor). Ground crew will have to ensure that all passengers are checked in before they can start their pre take-off procedures - for example (and especially with smaller planes) things like load balancing - so they are not twiddling their thumbs while you are waiting. And in these times of short-staffing, ground crew may have to carry out additional pre-flight functions.
Honestly there's so much going on in the backround that I wouldn't think it fair to do that to the staff, even though it seems nothings happening an it's boring waiting around (all my flights have been 4 hours at the airport an god its tedious when there's nothing in the place) you have to remember that the planes getting its slot time for take off, ground control are doing a ton of work, foods being counted by how manys getting boarded on the plane, weight is all getting worked out for fuel etc
I almost took a job at the airport, it was advertised as warehouse but really was food preparation, he allowed me a tour of it all to see if I'd prefer that (Id rather have had warehouse) an the running around an getting things out to planes was insane to watch, so there's definitely reasons as to why they want you there before gate closing an some airlines will refuse you
I almost took a job at the airport, it was advertised as warehouse but really was food preparation, he allowed me a tour of it all to see if I'd prefer that (Id rather have had warehouse) an the running around an getting things out to planes was insane to watch, so there's definitely reasons as to why they want you there before gate closing an some airlines will refuse you
If you travel every week you can ask several airport personnel while you are there and find out the answer that will matter to you. Leave a few minutes earlier than normal to speak to them though. 
This. If you are travelling that frequently, you must recognise some of the staff by now and vice versa.If you travel every week you can ask several airport personnel while you are there and find out the answer that will matter to you. Leave a few minutes earlier than normal to speak to them though.