It has been a busy holiday weekend for air travel. Something that has been happening at Yampa Valley Regional Airport in Hayden is that those flying out are arriving too late to get bags checked or get checked in in time. Sometimes, their bags have to be left behind, or they miss the flight entirely, and have to reschedule. Here’s Gunnar Hughes, the general manager for United Ground Express.

 

 

Hughes says United has set cutoff times so you do need to be there early, which is at least 45 minutes before the flight if you have bags, or an hour if you’re traveling internationally. If you aren’t checking bags, still be there at least half an hour before your flight. Hughes also says they have to health screen passengers and check documents which takes longer, and you have to get through security.  

 

 

Staff at the airport is there two hours before a flight to start checking people in. Another thing that sets the staff back is when shuttle buses arrive with a bus load of passengers who need to be checked in. That is another factor that comes into play for locals getting dropped off at the last minute to catch a flight.

Give yourself extra time if flying out, or dropping someone off for a flight at the local airport in Hayden.