MoBay Departure Lead Time?

[Mike_D]

The day of the week and whether it is busy or slow season definitely has an impact on how busy the airport will be. We always try to travel on a Wednesday or Thursday, so the airport isn't at it's busiest. Linston recommends that we arrive at MBJ 2 hours before our flight and this has always worked for us. By the time we check in and go through security (no club Mobay) we have some time to hit the coffee and spice shop and grab a Jerk Chicken sandwich from Wendy's (yes, this is really a thing!). If we wanted to have a sit down meal at Air Margaritaville, we would probably have to rush through it.

[billndonna]

We have flown out of Mobay on a Sunday when we didn't get through the first set of doors into imigration for over an hour,that is why we do Club Mobay for all our departures now.Well that and an hour or 2 of free drinks and snacks is always nice!

[madtowndan]

This is interesting. With the exception of crossing the US-Canadian border in personal vehicles (many, many) times, this is my first international travel, and certainly my first by air. When crossing the US-Canadian border in an automobile, you only have to deal with the incoming customs service. So, on the way into Canada you deal with Canadian customs, and on the way back you deal with US customs. Which makes sense, because you would think the receiving country would be the most interested in who's entering (and what they may be trying to bring with them). So, why the heavy scrutiny by Jamaican customs on the way out of Jamaica?

[saeyedoc]

Not much scrutiny on the way out, just some random checks of carry on luggage

[wrtiii]

Dan, it's the same as the rest of the world, there is no customs inspection for departures, just airline checkin - especially for checked baggage - and then security. For arrivals, it's immigration (present your passport), then get your checked bag if any, then customs, then you're out. I have never experienced nor witnessed a customs inspection outbound, although the security checks are quite similar to what TSA does in the US.

[LivinInThe603]

In my four trips so far, they have only checked my hand luggage once at the departures security gate. I've never been searched upon arrival.

Ironically, the only time had a checked bag searched was a domestic flight to my brother's when I had brought some 603-made goods for him.

[ohliz]

I think the two biggest factors are day/time of departure and if you have to check luggage.

We left on a Thursday, our flight was at 4pm (boarding at 3:30). We arrived at 1:30PM which was WAY too early - no luggage to check so did the kiosk check-in (that took about 30 seconds), walked right though security in 5 minutes. Didn't use Club MoBay either. We sat around for more than an hour and a half.

I've had lines before though, usually on weekends. Always to check luggage (which is why I generally don't do it).

[groove16]

i like this idea

We arrive at airport about 2 hours before flight, get in line to check bags and get that part done. You can look at the security line through the doors and if it is not too bad, we go down to the far end of the airport and grab a couple Red Stripes from The Island Grill. Price there is about half (or less than half) of what you will pay for a beer at Jimmy's or at any other Kiosk in the airport past security. We pop open the beers and sit outside across the street from the airport building on a little island where busses drop off passengers and people watch and enjoy the last few minutes of hot, windy air. Once you go through security the vacation is over and we like to savor every last second. All of this means leaving Negril 3 1/2 hours before your flight.

[groove16]

here is my experience...my better half has already told our deal...we fly out at 250pm on Sunday almost every time...we have NEVER spent more than 45 minutes from curb (we always check bags) to lounge...11 trips at different times of the year....we leave negril at 1215-1230....get to the airport about 145pm....gives us an hour...havent missed a flight yet....in oct, we rode to the airport with our friends...he had club mobay, our flight was 30 minute after his....we got dropped off at margaritaville in mobay, ate lunch and enjoyed our last few seconds before having our driver pick us back up and take us to the airport...I can also say that if you are running late and the line is long, Delta dosent want u to miss your flight...I've seen them on many occasions escort someone to the front of the bag check in line if their flight is close....seen them take folks to front of immigration.....talked to the girl at the counter...she told me they will do all they can to get u to the gate on time...

[Homebrewer]

We arrive 2 hours before departure time and in 15 trips all in high season we always have time to check the Harley store and buy our booze and still sit at the gate too long it seems.