1. www.lastminutespider.com/flights.htm
2. www.smartertravel.com/airfare/search/
3. www.cheaptickets.com

Airline sites are another great way to find extremely cheap last minute flight deals. I found Southwest and American Airlines to have the best deals when I am searching  last minute.

If you are planning to fly on one of the more popular days of the year and possibly to one of the most traveled to destinations in the world, then you will want to make sure you book your trip days in advance. Popular flights that are always packed with people tend to increase in price the closer you get to the trip date. Airlines know this so they will increase the price as a type of penalty for waiting to book your flight. They know they will fill the seat regardless of who pays, so charging more money for it is just more money in their pocket.

Sometimes there are occasions when waiting until the last day can work to your advantage. If you are a spur of the moment type person, that likes to travel on a whim and do not really care about what day you leave, then booking a last minute flight may be the best way for you to to take a budget flight. Flights that are hardly ever packed or are to a less than popular destinations will cause the airlines to drop their rates the closer it gets to the flight date in hopes of filling every seat.

5. Flying Tiger Line Flight 739, a Lockheed L1049

Flying Tigers Line Flight 739 was a Lockheed L-1049H used by the US military during the Vietnam War. On March 15, 1962 it disappeared over the western Pacific Ocean. It was carrying 96 U.S. soldiers en route to Saigon, Vietnam to combat communist guerillas. All 107 onboard died presumably crashing at sea. No cause was identified.

4. Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 2501, a Douglas DC-4

June 24, 1950, Northwest Orient Flight 2501 with 58 people on board was flying high over Lake Michigan on it’s typical journey from Seattle to New York city. At 3,500ft the pilots saw a large storm ahead. They radioed for clearance to drop to 2,500ft altitude, but this was denied due to the heavy traffic at this height. Unfortunately, all contact with this plane was lost. The plane was never recovered and no bodies were found. At the time this was the worst aviation disaster in America.

3. Malaysia Airlines Flight 653, a Boeing 737

On 4 December 1977 Malaysia Airlines Flight 653 was on flight from Kuala Lampur to Singapore. With 100 individuals on board comfortably traveling to their destination, a hijacking occurred. At 19:54 a radio call was made by the pilot reporting the hijacking. After this, the pilot radioed stating they were still en route to Singapore. The mystery begins here: only 20 minutes later before anyone understood who these hijackers were or why they had hijacked the airplane, the plane crashed in Tanjung Kupang, Johor, Malaysia killing everyone. People on the ground reported that the airplane was almost fully vertical when it nose dived into the earth. No bodies were recovered.

2. Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 305, a Boeing 727

This story is a bit different. This time it wasn’t an airplane that disappeared, it was a man, who hijacked a plane, held everyone for ransom,  parachuted out of the airliner to escape and disappear. His name was Dan Cooper, an average white man traveling from Portland, Oregon to Seattle, Washington. The date was November 24, 1971. Sitting at the back of the plane, he handed a note to a female flight attendant. At first she thought he was giving her his phone number so she just slid it into her pocket without looking at it. This is when he said, “Miss, you’d better look at that note. I have a bomb.” A communiqué was established and Cooper made his demands: He wanted $200,000 and 4 parachutes for the release of all passengers except for the piloting crew upon arrival to Seattle. The FBI contacted the president of Northwest Airlines and the president, not wanting a disaster on his hands, decided to meet the hijacker’s demands. After they landed everything went smoothly. They refueled and took off. The hijackers plan was to fly to Mexico City, but then decided on Reno, Nevada to refuel. On the way Cooper asked to unpressurize the cabin and, over the southwest part of Washington at 10,000ft, Cooper leaped from the plan never to be found again.

1. Air France Flight 447, an Airbus A330-203

Most recent is the Air France Flight 447 which was flying from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to Paris, France. It was May 31, 2009 when the plane took off at 19:03 local time. Six and a half hours later the last contact was made when the crew sent a routine message to Brazilian air traffic controllers. Forty minutes later a multitude of automated messages were received indicating problems with the airplane. These messages are still under investigation. A report was released indicating that some of the messages concerned navigation auto-flight, flight controls, and cabin air-handling issues. All this occurred as they flew through a severe electrical storm. Some debris has been found along with numerous bodies. The exact cause is still a mystery as they continue to search for clues and the airplane’s black box. 228 lives were lost.

The following are five tips to help you travel safely and efficiently with you laptop:

• If you are debating whether you should carry your laptop onto the plane with you or check it, you need not debate anymore. You should definitely carry your laptop onto the plane with you. The airline baggage handlers expect items such as clothing to be stored within the luggage that they put on the plane, so if you pack your expensive laptop it will get tossed around and it definitely won’t be treated like the fragile object that it is. Not only should you carry the laptop on the plane with you, you should keep it stowed under the seat in front of you instead of putting it in the over head storage of the plane. Other people will likely bump, bruise, move, and possibly even drop your laptop as they store their items or get into their bags stored next to yours. It’s best to always keep your laptop right next to you.

• As you probably know, people traveling with laptop computers are usually required to turn it on and show that it is nothing more than a working computer. If you would rather not be slowed down by this visual security inspection, you can actually anticipate this and turn your computer on before you get to the security checkpoint. Before you leave the house in the morning consider turning on your laptop and simply leave it in suspend mode so that you can open it up, it’ll come on, and you’ll be cleared to go to your gate. It’s amazing how much time your laptop can take to power up when you are running late for your plane. Just be sure that you plan accordingly and you charge the battery before leaving home.

• When you are waiting for your flight or even in flight, you should try not to draw attention to yourself and your laptop. If it’s a very crowded boarding area or flight, you might not feel comfortable turning on your laptop as other people peer over your shoulder. If another traveler expresses interest in your laptop, you can be polite but try to keep it brief. Many people ask questions and watch people with laptops waiting for the most opportune time to steal it from them. You shouldn’t assume that everyone out there that expresses interest in your laptop wants to steal it, but it happens more often than you would think so it’s better not to draw attention to your laptop or yourself while using it.

• Another good rule that you should have for yourself when traveling with your laptop is not to let it out of your sight. Even if you have to use the restroom or are just running across the way to grab a cup of coffee, you should not leave your laptop. The only exception to this rule is if you are traveling with someone that you know and trust, but remind him or her also that your laptop can never be left alone, not even for a moment. Many people believe that they can ask the nice woman or man sitting next to them to “keep an eye” on their belongings while they make their way to the restroom or that cup of coffee, only to come back and find that nice person and their laptop is gone. It’s better to be safe than sorry, so don’t let your investment out of your sight.

• When you are traveling with your laptop you should always keep your laptop case or bag locked, if possible. While someone might not be able to gain access to your laptop without you noticing, they may be able to steal other equipment, documentation, or other items that you keep in your laptop case. When you lock your case, there is no way for them to sneak off with these items without your knowledge, unless they are able to get away with the whole case. You’d be surprised at how sneaky well-practiced thieves are, and you just wouldn’t want to take a chance with your items. A locked case will also prevent someone from putting something into your bag that you do not want there.

Things to remember

1. Do not keep anything important on it
2. Have anything you want/need backed up
3. Password protect everything you can on the machine
4. File a report with the airline immediately
5. When asking for damages ask for 2 to 3 times the value, this way you will end up with a payment for what the thing was really worth. 

Your laptop is likely a huge asset to you for business and personal reasons, and when you are traveling it’s up to you to protect this asset. Generally, you won’t have a problem with people trying to steal or damage your personal belongings, but it only takes that one person who is able to catch you unaware to have your laptop missing or damaged. So, take care, plan ahead, and be aware so that your travels with your laptop are as pleasant as possible.

When traveling, the best thing you can do is plan for the security that is in every airport across the country. You will have to provide photo identification, you’ll have to go through a metal detector, and your carry on items will be x-rayed to be sure that you are not carrying any dangerous items onto the aircraft. When you prepare for these security checkpoints you aren’t nearly as annoyed by them, and it can actually make you feel as though you are much more safe. With security checkpoints such as the ones in airports, terrorism has a lot less power. Continuing to travel despite some slight risk and the security delays will strip terrorists of the power that they had when they once scared many people away from the airlines as a means of travel.

Many travelers feel as though the best suggestion is to just not travel by plane, but this is not a great suggestion at all. As mentioned above, when we stop flying and living our day-to-day lives the way we always would have, it feeds the power and craze of these terrorists. If you have always used air travel as a way to get back and forth from family and business events, you should continue to do so. Despite what many say, air travel is safer now than it has ever been. No, there is no guarantee that acts of terrorism will never be committed against planes again but there is a lot less chance than there once was.

There have been statements that having luggage on one flight and passengers on the other is a great way to go to protect people from items that may be packed in checked luggage. This is a suggestion that many people are fond of, and other people bristle at because they are afraid there will be more instances of lost luggage. For now, this suggestion is just that, a suggestion. You will travel on the same plane as your luggage, so this is not a concern that you need to have.

The best suggestions are ones that passengers can do on their own. Prepare and respect the security checkpoints, even when you are slowed down by delays. Don’t lock your luggage, as all luggage is subject to search. Refrain from leaving your luggage or personal items unattended so that it’s not stolen, or even worse, things are put into your bags. Report odd behavior on the part of other passengers or travelers in the airport, but don’t assume that just because someone is of a certain nationality that they are terrorists or there to hurt you and other travelers. These suggestions give the power to the travelers so we can continue to travel to and from all the places we need and love to go.

Terrorism is a very real part of life, but power and fear is what these people crave. Continue to live your life the way you always have, just be aware of what is going on in the world and even what is going on right around you. You can seek all the federal and official suggestions in the world, but the ones that you are able to follow on your own are the most powerful.

If the pilot and/or flight crew has told you that a crash is inevitable there are actions that you can take to give yourself a better chance of survival.

• You’ll want to be sure that your seatbelt is fastened and is pulled as tightly as possible. Your seatbelt is the best way to secure your body as the plane makes that initial contact with the ground or water, which can cause a lot of injury if you are not fastened into your seat.

• If you haven’t already located them, figure out where the emergency exits are. There is typically more than one, so figure out which one is closest and make that your priority and then prioritize other exits if your first choice is not functioning. Mentally plan your route to each of these emergency exits. Studies of survivors have shown that those who survive almost always have had an escape plan in their mind, and when the plane stops moving they immediately put that plan into action. If you have the time and the ability, quickly read over the data sheet located in the seat pocket in front of you as your chances for survival multiply times three if you have read this information.

• Remove any sharp objects such as pens, pencils, and eyeglasses from your person. High-heeled shoes and hair clips are also items that you’ll want to remove as they can cause injury if your body makes contact with anything else. 

• As much as you may balk at this idea, it’s a good idea to empty your bladder as the plane is going down. This usually cannot involve you getting up and using the restroom, so this might not be the most pleasant experience. But, crashing with an empty bladder will help limit the chances of internal injury.

• If smoke masks are not made available, you’ll want to find a piece of fabric that you can moisten and hold over your face if the cabin fills with smoke after impact. Items that may be useful for this are a handkerchief, a shirt, or even a headrest. Water or ice can quickly moisten the fabric, but if you’re left without any other method of moisture, your urine is a handy alternative. Remember, this might not seem ideal as you are reading this, but in a case of a plane crash, you do what is necessary.

• If you have the opportunity, tie a sweater around your waist so when you do exit the plane you’ll be able to stay warm, if applicable. Also, remove medications you might need from your carry on luggage and place them in your pockets so that you’ll have necessary medications when you exit the plane. This isn’t necessary if the medications are not necessary.

• Finally, you’ll want to brace yourself for impact. You’ll want to be sure that your head is covered. A pillow emptied soft-sided bag, seat cushion, or the like will work well to protect your head and face. Now, you’ll cross your arms over your calves and grab your ankles. This position will help you from moving about or being impacted in a way that can seriously injure you.

When the plane comes to a stop, now it’s time for your plan to become a reality. Many passengers will sit in a stunned state, flight attendants may do the same, so do not wait for direction. Make your way through the aisle or over the seats to the nearest exit. You’ll know you are there when the aisle lights are red. Quickly look out the window and if there is no fire, go ahead and open the door. If there is fire, quickly make your way to the other side of the plane and look for fire there, if there is no fire, go out there. 

Remember to keep your head down, but don’t get on the floor if there is smoke. If you get on the floor you are likely to be trampled by other passengers that may be filled with panic. Do not push other people; just move as quickly and as efficiently as possible. When you are out of the plane, you’ll want to get back from it to protect yourself from possible explosion. As people come out of the plane, suggest you all huddle together to get a head count and just provide support to one another.

The likelihood that you’ll experience a plane crash at any point in your life is very slim, but it could happen. As you can see from this information, there are steps that you can take to save your life and be one of the two thirds that make it out alive. Review this information as frequently as you travel, just so you are sure of yourself as you make preparations for a plane crash, should you ever find yourself in that situation.

Before you board an aircraft you’ll arrive at an airport. You’ll likely have to park in a parking garage or similar structure. Take notice of the people around your vehicle as you park, and make it obvious to anyone who may be watching that you are aware of your surroundings. If you carry a purse, put it over your shoulder and keep a hand on it. As you are pulling luggage out of your vehicle, be sure to glance around and take notice of anyone standing around. Your being aware will scare off anyone who thinks you might be a great target for theft.

As you check in at the airport you’ll want to keep track of your things. If you put down your carry-on luggage or even your check in baggage for just a moment, it can be gone. Keep all of your things as near to you as possible, keeping contact with them if you can. Once you check in you’ll want to head to your gate where you’ll board from, remember to keep your carry on luggage with you at all times even if you visit the bathroom facilities or a restaurant or news stand. It takes just a moment of not paying attention or looking away for someone to steal your valuable possessions.

When you board the aircraft locate your seat and fasten your seatbelt. Studies show that the people who live through emergencies on aircrafts typically wear their seatbelts, so this is a huge personal safety issue. Also, properly store your carry on luggage under the seat in front of you so that it doesn’t slide back and injure you or anyone else. It’s a good idea once in flight to keep your seatbelt fastened, even if the pilot takes off the seatbelt requirement. As you make your way to the restroom on the aircraft walk carefully and avoid doing so if many other people are up or the plane is bouncing around a lot. 

When you arrive at your destination, you’ll want to take the same precautions to keep your belongings near you at all times. Just as you would when you were getting on your plane, you’ll want to be aware of anyone who may be watching you, and waiting for an opportunity to take your belongings or even rob you. If you stop for something to eat, be sure not to leave cash out in the open, which may make you a prime candidate for robbery.

When you go down stairs and escalators you’ll want to take care not to trip and fall, and you should take even more care if you have worn sandals or a type of shoe that does not stay on the foot. This seems like a silly tip, but many people hurry through airports and end up slipping and falling while going up and down stairs or escalators.
Following these steps for your safety will help you get in and out of airports and aircrafts without injuring yourself or falling prey to people who hang around airports waiting for opportunity. Your chances of being injured or victimized if you follow these easy steps will decrease dramatically, but it’s not a guarantee that you won’t befall some minor injury or unforeseen thief that wants to take your things. 

Being aware of your surroundings is the best way to be accountable for your personal safety when traveling because you can process what is going on around you and react accordingly. It’s when people believe that all the security in place is all that they need that they suffer the consequences of relying on something other than personal accountability.

Some cabin safety measures are things as simple as stowing your carry on luggage safely, in a fashion where it’s not likely to harm another person. Keeping your seatbelt fastened, taking turns getting up to use the bathroom facilities, knowing the location of a fire extinguisher, knowing where a first aide kit is, and only throwing garbage in their proper places that will make an aircraft cabin a much safer place to be. There are also more serious elements of cabin safety that one must consider even though flying is a very safe means of travel. You never know when you will be in a plane crash, a plane fire, or other airline emergency.

When you board the aircraft you’ll want to locate your assigned seat right away, stow your items safely, and then sit down. You’ll be required to put your seatbelt on before takeoff and it’s advisable to leave it on for the remainder of the flight, even when the pilot turns off the seatbelt indicator. Once you’ve found your seat, you should read the data card in the pocket in front of you. Many people believe that these data cards are nothing more than a formality, but you never know when you’ll be on a flight that will require this formal information. Even if you have looked at these safety data cards a million times before, it’s always a good idea to take a brief look to refresh what you might already know fairly well. Studies have actually shown that you are three times more likely to be injured in a plane crash or emergency if you have not read the data card, proof that the information is relevant to you and all other travelers.

Once you’ve read the data card you should take a mental note of where the emergency exits are. If you know about how many rows away the emergency exits are, this will be very helpful if you are involved in a fire on board the plane and the aircraft is filled with smoke. Whether you are in the air, in water, or on the ground you’ll likely be exited out of these emergency exits so knowing where they are and how you’ll get there is a big part of cabin safety.

Wearing the right clothes when you get on a plane can mean the difference between exiting the aircraft safely and exiting with burns and other injuries in the case of a fire or other emergency. Typically, natural fibers such as cotton, wool, denim, and leather are the best types of clothing to wear on an aircraft. Studies have shown that synthetic fibers can become quite hot due to friction which causes them to melt and results in serious and even fatal wounds. So, stick with clothing that is made from natural fibers and is comfortable. Long pants and long sleeves are the best option as they’ll provide you the most protection in the case of an emergency, shorts, and skirts are not as protective.
Comfortable shoes are always good, preferably styles that will lace up and stay on your feet. Leather shoes are preferable because they are unlikely to catch on fire and will be more likely to help you navigate through the plane to the emergency exit and down an emergency slide or ramp. Sandals should be avoided, as they are more likely to get lost, melt, or cause you to slip and fall resulting in injury.

The likelihood that you’ll need this information is very rare, but if more people took care to learn about cabin safety beyond safely storing their carry on luggage, more people may survive emergencies on board aircrafts. Knowing this information will help you plan for comfortable travels, and in the event that you do need to act, you’ll be prepared to walk away from the emergency with the confidence that you did everything you could to avoid injury. Having cabin safety information can actually save your life, it’s that important.

Getting through security can be quite simple if you know what to expect. Checking in at your airline will require photo identification and you might as well keep it out to go through security as well as show your boarding pass so that security employees can determine whether or not you can proceed to the boarding areas. When you get up to the metal detector you will be prompted to remove all metal jewelry and belongings as well as any purses and carry on luggage. Some airports will require that you remove your shoes and jackets along with other personal items. If you are not required to remove your shoes, you might want to do so if you have any metal inside or outside of your shoes. This may seem silly to you as you know what you do and do not have on your person, but the only way for the security personnel to identify the good from the bad is to have them walk through a metal detector as well as scan and inspect personal items that will go through an individual metal detector.

If you are traveling with a laptop computer, be prepared to open your computer and turn it on for airport security. It’s a good idea to be sure that your battery is charged up so you can simply turn the computer on and then go on your way. If your battery is not charged, you might have to plug the computer in to power up which will slow you and airport security down. Preparation will make getting through the metal detector much more efficient. You may experience similar requests if you have a portable DVD player or similar devices, so stand prepared to power up your electronics.

If you are traveling with pocketknives or other items that could be used as an weapon, be prepared to give it up or check it in with your luggage. While you might not consider your small pocketknife to be a weapon, the security at your airport might feel differently. So, safe yourself some time and pack all of these items in luggage that you are checking in. You might normally carry these items in your pockets, but air travel is not normal business anymore, all of that changed on September 11, 2001.

Even if lines are really long and you are annoyed at airport security, refrain from making any statements or drawing attention to yourself. In most cities airport security will work with the airlines to be sure that disgruntled travelers are not allowed to travel if they make statements about airline security, make a scene, behave inappropriately, or antagonize security personnel with false statements. Arrive at the airport well in advance of your flight so that long lines at the security checkpoint won’t stress you out and hold you back even more than they have to when your aggravation gets the best of you.
When you deplane at your destination, you’ll find that your security issues are not over. Now, when you check baggage you’ll be given baggage claim tickets. At most airports you’ll find that you cannot leave with your baggage until you provide your claim tickets that match your luggage. So, keep track of your baggage claim tickets to expedite your bag claim process.

Airport security is something that we should all be aware of and respect, even if we feel as though it slows us down. Air travel since 9/11 is different than it once was, and though we may feel irritated at the sight of long lines at a security checkpoint, it’s in everyone’s best interest that these checkpoints continue and that we all comply.

Every year millions of people come down with the flu or common colds after traveling on an aircraft. Though a good number of these people may not correlate the two, the likelihood that they picked up their cold or flu bug on the aircraft is very high. The problem with airplanes is that many people get on and off them all the time. Some of these people may be sick, some may just be recovering, and some may be sick and not even realize it. When we sneeze, cough, eat, laugh, or even talk we are emitting our germs into the air and the items around us. Obviously, when you are talking about an aircraft you are talking about a small place where the air is just recycled over and over again, allowing the germs the perfect environment to meet up with bodies that are just waiting to get sick! Air travel is one of the easiest ways to get sick, and for many, there is no way around it!

An obvious way to avoid the airborne illnesses on board an aircraft is just to stay away from them! Though, for many this isn’t really an option, as they have to travel for business or personal reasons. So, the best thing you can do is avoid air travel when you are recovering from an illness or any time you feel as though your immune system may not be at its best. Any time your immune system has already been compromised, you are even more likely to contract an airborne illness. Of course, this isn’t always an option, either!

There are a few medications that have come on the market that actually help build up your immune system and fight off airborne illnesses that you may pick up. Visiting your local pharmacy and starting yourself on these over the counter medications may be a great way to travel and avoid getting sick. Another option, though not very attractive, is to wear a facemask. Some experts say that this isn’t all that effective, but if you continually contract airborne illnesses when you travel, it might be worth a try. You might not look nearly as attractive as you usually do, but you’re on an airplane, who do you have to impress?

In addition to fighting off the airborne illnesses, you might want to think about everything you touch on board the aircraft. If there are germs and bacteria in the air, you can bet all the surfaces are contaminated as well. Don’t worry, you don’t have to pull out the latex gloves to get on board, you just might want to bring along some antibacterial gel or spray that you can apply to your hands before you eat, before and after you go to the restroom, and when you get off the plane. This might help you from ingesting germs that you pick up off of surfaces on the plane.

In short, the best way you can avoid getting sick on an airplane, short of not getting on, is to protect yourself and take precautions. If you can help it, don’t go to the restroom where there are usually more germs than just about everyone else. Avoid touching surfaces if you can help it, and use some of that antibacterial gel, lotion, or spray to cleanse your hands. Take advantage of great medications that can be bought over the counter and may save you the time and energy that you have to dedicate to recovering from a cold. 

Even if you take all of these steps you might find that you still get sick, sometimes it just cannot be avoided. And, you just might be one of those people that boards an aircraft sick without knowing it! You might actually be bringing those awful airborne germs aboard! Just do the best you can to avoid getting sick without compromising the enjoyable elements of traveling.

The first thing you should expect in relation to security is that the airlines are very strict about having photo identification for every passenger that gets a boarding pass. For children, a birth certificate and/or vaccination record usually does the trick. Where airports used to be more lenient, they are no longer tolerant of people who cannot prove who they are with proper photo identification. Also, the airline will require you to remove locks on your luggage before you can check it, so it’s best to save yourself and your airline some time, and just leave the luggage locks at home. As uncomfortable as this may leave you feeling, the airline maintains the right to search any bag to secure the safety of all passengers on board its aircraft. In the end, this inability to lock your luggage and provide valid photo identification is in your best interest, and if you come prepared to do these things your interactions with airline employees will be much more pleasant.

If you buy your plane ticket just days or hours in advance, you might be subjected to a random security screen. Passengers who buy their plane ticket last minute or with cash are often randomly selected by the computer as high-risk travelers. This just means that instead of going through the typical metal detector, you’ll usually be patted down or they’ll use the metal detecting wand instead of the walk through machine. The frequency of these “random” selections seems to vary by airline, and it’s really no hassle as long as you are aware that the airline and airport can do this and it is not to single you out, but to secure the safety of all of the passengers in the airport.

When your average customer gets to the walk through metal detector you’ll be prompted to place any carry on luggage, purses, and other personal belonging in bins that will go through the metal detector to be screened. You may also be asked to remove your shoes before going through the detector. While removing your shoes is probably the last thing you’ll want to do when you are trying to get on a plane, it’s best to comply than to have your shoes set the detector off and be delayed even more. Remember during the moments when you do not appreciate the process that it truly is for your security. As you pass through the metal detector you will usually be asked for your photo identification and boarding pass again so that the agent on site knows that you are allowed to proceed through to the boarding areas.

Much has changed since September 11, 2001 and while many people are annoyed at the delay in the airports due to security it really does help to protect us all from another airline related tragedy. So, before you go to the airport prepare for the security demands that will be placed on you and all other passengers. Being prepared for these things will help expedite the process, and save you much aggravation. When you make your airline reservations, be sure to ask how long in advance of your departure time you should arrive at the airport. It might seem like you do not need that much time to get checked in, but these times vary from airport to airport and it’s better to have too much time than end up missing your flight because the security checkpoints were backed up because of a heavy travel day. Arrive early and be prepared and you’ll find that the security checkpoints are actually working with you, not against you.